Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “And so I solemnly urge you before GOD and before Christ Jesus – who will someday judge the living and the dead when He appears to set up His Kingdom: 2 Preach the Word of GOD. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-2
It was important for Timothy to preach the Good News so that the Christian faith could spread through the world. We believe in Christ today because people like Timothy were faithful to their mission. It is still vitally important for believers to spread the Good News. Half of the people who have ever lived are alive today, and most of them do not know Christ. He is coming soon, and He wants to find His faithful believers ready for Him. It may be inconvenient to take a stand for Christ or to tell others about His love but preaching the Word of GOD is the most important responsibility the church and its members have been given. Be prepared for, courageous in, and sensitive to GOD-given opportunities to tell the Good News. We should always be ready to serve GOD in any situation, whether or not it is convenient – and – be sensitive to the opportunities GOD gives us.
Paul told Timothy to “correct, rebuke and encourage”. It is difficult to accept correction, to be told we have to change. But no matter how much the truth hurts, we must be willing to listen to it so we can more fully and accurately obey GOD.
3 “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and follow strange myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Father GOD, we ask that YOU would help us to be persistent in our efforts to spread YOUR Word. Through YOUR grace, give us patients to correct, rebuke and encourage when and where it is needed. LORD, it is inconvenient and sometimes uncomfortable to take a stand for Christ because the world rejects it and us. But we know Father that spreading, preaching and teaching YOUR Word is the most important responsibility we have as believers and as members of the church body. Give us courage Father GOD and help us to be sensitive to the opportunities YOU give us to tell the Good News.
Help us remember Father GOD, that it is difficult to accept correction, but LORD no matter how much the truth hurts, help us to be willing to listen so that we can more fully and accurately obey YOU. Sometimes we want to listen only to what we want to hear, to what makes us feel good, but LORD, we know that serving YOU isn’t always about what feels good. Give us discernment Father, to know the truth and to hear the truth. Help us to be aware of the “ear ticklers”. Guide us away from false teachings and to the everlasting promises of YOUR truths.
Photo: Brookings (Oregon)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
