The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 26:12 (HCSB)
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 95:10-11 (HCSB)
10 For 40 years I was disgusted with that generation; I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray; they do not know My ways."
11 So I swore in My anger, "They will not enter My rest."
The Word of God for encouragement:
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (HCSB)
1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new.
4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.
5 But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
My observation:
In our focal passage for today the Apostle Paul gives to Timothy a solemn charge to preach the gospel of Christ.
The charge is solemn because of the one who has called, anointed, and sent you to preach the gospel. The authority of God, who called Timothy to preach, should give him great comfort, and remove from him the fear of man. When God is for you, you don't have to fear man or seek the favor of man; you need only fear God, and obediently do the work he called you to do.
The task of proclaiming the gospel is not easy; it will take you out of your comfort zone. People will have itching ears to hear things that make them comfortable, and that pleases them. Notice what the task of the preacher is.
2 Timothy 4:2 (HCSB)
2 Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
There is an old adage of preachers that says, "The preaching of sound doctrine should afflict the comfortable, and comfort the afflicted".
One of the things I observed about the preaching of Billy Graham is that he frequently held his bible in his hand, and said, "The bible says".
The Apostle Paul was a wonderful example for Timothy to follow. Paul preached the gospel; he preached on stormy seas, and he preached behind prison bars. Paul did not make excuses; he seized every opportunity.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 (HCSB)
4 One who watches the wind will not sow, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for every faithful servant of God, who preaches sound doctrine; who preaches the gospel of Christ in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit of God.
Father, I pray that we will never grow weary in telling the goodnews of the gospel of Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV)
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
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1 Peter 5:7 (HCSB)
7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.
My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:
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