After Paul was released from his first imprisonment in Rome it’s not clear where he went to minister. Some think he made an effort to fulfill his longtime plan of reaching Spain, but this cannot be verified. He obviously traveled to Crete since in his letter to Titus it says he left him there. He also shared that he was going to spend that winter in Nicopolis. And in his 1^st letter to Timothy he mentioned he was leaving Timothy in Ephesus as he traveled to Macedonia. 

 

Luke does not include these trips in the book of Acts so it’s not clear what Paul did during these travels. His 1^st letter to Timothy and his letter to Titus are part of his pastoral letters, written to encourage these two team-members in their pastoral duties. 

 

If you are a Christian and you want to serve the Lord, but you’re not sure how to go about it, then read these two books with care. Paul wrote these books as a weathered, experienced servant of the Lord. He knew answers to the questions those pursuing ministry might have. In fact, Paul shared information about ministry many in ministry never think of asking. 

 

Paul makes it clear that to serve others you must maintain a growing relationship with the Lord yourself. You can’t lead others beyond where you are. Be an example, then exhort and encourage others in the ways of God. 

 

Not long after these books were written Paul was again imprisoned. His final book, 2^nd Timothy, was written during this final imprisonment before he was executed. We recently studied this final book he wrote. What an amazing written legacy he left us.