10You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 4: 1 - 8
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Does it happen to you often that when we worship God with songs, there seems to be divine revelations and instructions and sudden "back to earth" kind of experiences? I noticed recently that this is my norm, that I stand in worship and my mind works? Transported to another place - although I'm there, my mind is elsewhere with God. It seems to be easier for me to do serious thinking in such an environment, in the presence of other family members who are fully engrossed in worshipping God.
Anyway, that is not what I set out to do. As I was driving, the phrase "careful instruction" suddenly popped out. This phrase stood out when we were having our weekly feedings on Sundays, and it jumped out at me yesterday. I was reflecting/analysing my behaviour towards my group of leaders, and found my behaviour unacceptable.
I am a person ruled very often, by my first reaction outwardly. When I actually sit on my decisions/ behaviours, I get disgusted with my very unkind/unmerciful/ungracious responses. The mandate given to Timothy was a heavy one to carry. He was instructed to have great patience and give careful instruction in and out of season - that means every second regardless of mood swings, situation, position and etc. In order to live up to this means that Timothy's life must be consistent whether he likes it or otherwise, whether people are watching or otherwise. There must be constant soaking of God's Word and the relevance of it in our lives; living in obedience, the principles of His instructions for us.
Oh Lord, have mercy! I shudder at the thought of the responsibilities You have given me! Yikes!!!
pengsan aku,
gracey
1 comment:
hey grace... now you know *I* read your blog... [grin]
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