Today we begin the second letter Paul wrote to Timothy. 2 Timothy is meant to give final instruction and encouragement to Timothy who was at this time the pastor of the church in Ephesus. The letter was written some time between 66 and 67 A.D. while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. Paul was released from prison briefly and then imprisoned again and executed by the Roman Emperor Nero. The key verse in this morning’s reading was 2 Timothy 1:8, So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. The truth is, we all suffer. God never promised us doing the right thing would be without suffering. But He never leaves us and is always there by our side.