In this final letter to Timothy, penned by the Apostle Paul, he writes knowing his time is short as a political prisoner. He knows suffering is ahead and instructs Timothy to follow the patterns and principles of sound doctrine by holding fast and guarding the truth. How is this done? Pastor Lloyd ties this teaching to the wisdom spoken of in Proverbs. In this passage of second Timothy, Paul reminds Timothy of those good examples to follow and then warns him of those who had deserted him (Paul). Are we passionate about the gospel and careful about the people we chose for friends? The call to ministry is a call to love and to be vulnerable, to give refreshing and to stand alongside.