2Ti 2:1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
2Ti 2:2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2Ti 2:3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
2Ti 2:5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2Ti 2:6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
2Ti 2:7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Get into this work, the calling with which I have been called. Let me not forget your calling. I love the examples of a soldier who doesn't get caught up in the marketplace. He has no business there, he must fulfill his orders. He must be focused on the task at hand or they all suffer defeat. Just as this is true, I need to jump head first in the calling to be a minister of the Gospel, I cannot be afraid and afraid of what somebody's offense. Sure I must be tactful and respectful, but I cannot live in fear of someone's receptance if I never give them an opportunity to hear and receive His Gospel.
Be strengthened by His grace, to share and entrust the message to others who can teach it and be ready to suffer for the sake of the message. If facing rebuke and dislikeness for the Gospel than Father I pray that you would give me grace to give it out in every context that I am in, not for me to just try and teach it to others, but help me to live life for your Gospel. Let your Gospel be true in me. That I would be willing to endure this suffering to bring salvation to God's elect. God give me your eye's to see and believe what already is going on in your kingdom and having the balls to go after it and not hang back. I need to get off the fence of comfort and engage with you as oppossed to just watching and doing nothing. Praise you that you are gracious to me and willing to wait on me. For even in these weaknesses you are strong and strength is proved through them, for in me it is not possible, but through you I have all ability. Amen.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
2008.06.20. A poor Trade. 2Kings 5:25-27
2Ki 5:25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" And he said, "Your servant went nowhere."
2Ki 5:26 But he said to him, "Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?
2Ki 5:27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever." So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.
A bad trade. Gehazi went after riches and forfieted his well being. It's not clear whether he traded his soul, but it might as well be. He left the presence of his master (who is filled with the spirit of God) for riches that he thought he could hide from him. And the leprosy not only affected him but his descendants forever. That is a poor trade.
I believe I can make these bad trades all the time. They may be subtle or may be blatantly obvious but I choose to induldge the less valuable (toys, arguments, self-righteousness) for His greatness and glory.
Father, would you help me to weigh the importance of your kingdom and consider what I need to be a part of. For your glory is more important than anything I could ever come up with or try and get away with. Amen.
2Ki 5:26 But he said to him, "Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?
2Ki 5:27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever." So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.
A bad trade. Gehazi went after riches and forfieted his well being. It's not clear whether he traded his soul, but it might as well be. He left the presence of his master (who is filled with the spirit of God) for riches that he thought he could hide from him. And the leprosy not only affected him but his descendants forever. That is a poor trade.
I believe I can make these bad trades all the time. They may be subtle or may be blatantly obvious but I choose to induldge the less valuable (toys, arguments, self-righteousness) for His greatness and glory.
Father, would you help me to weigh the importance of your kingdom and consider what I need to be a part of. For your glory is more important than anything I could ever come up with or try and get away with. Amen.
Friday, June 13, 2008
2008.06.13. Don’t vary from your calling. 1 Kings 13:17-19.
God told the prophet that he must not eat or drink in the land, but the old prophet lied and told him that an angel said that he must bring him home and give him something to eat and drink. So they went back together, and the man of God ate and drank at the prophet’s home.
I’m not sure what must have been going through the mind of the prophet when he hears this word from this older prophet. He was a man of God too. It’s not even clear why the old guy wanted to have him eat at his house. I doesn’t seem like it would be a great advantage for the people or himself anyway. But regardless he lies to the visitor. And yet the visitor doesn’t question him and goes to eat and drink at his word.
It is interesting because from yesterday’s words (2kings12:8) it is important to head the advice of wise counsel. And this old prophet should be wise. Yet God’s words were pretty clear to the prophet not to eat or drink. Perhaps in the previous example the next steps were a little ambiguous and so the king needed to seek out after advice or counsel. But in the case of this prophet his direction was clear and didn’t need further clarification. And thus should have not received the words of the old prophet and continued in the path that God had given him.
Dear God give me your words to follow clearly. Help me to have your wisdom to discern when I should seek after the counsel of Godly men and when I need to trust the calling or direction that you have already given even if appearing Godly men have good things to say. For there are many that appear to have good even godly ways, but if it is not from you what good is it. Father would you provide your protection that I may remain fully in you. Amen.
I’m not sure what must have been going through the mind of the prophet when he hears this word from this older prophet. He was a man of God too. It’s not even clear why the old guy wanted to have him eat at his house. I doesn’t seem like it would be a great advantage for the people or himself anyway. But regardless he lies to the visitor. And yet the visitor doesn’t question him and goes to eat and drink at his word.
It is interesting because from yesterday’s words (2kings12:8) it is important to head the advice of wise counsel. And this old prophet should be wise. Yet God’s words were pretty clear to the prophet not to eat or drink. Perhaps in the previous example the next steps were a little ambiguous and so the king needed to seek out after advice or counsel. But in the case of this prophet his direction was clear and didn’t need further clarification. And thus should have not received the words of the old prophet and continued in the path that God had given him.
Dear God give me your words to follow clearly. Help me to have your wisdom to discern when I should seek after the counsel of Godly men and when I need to trust the calling or direction that you have already given even if appearing Godly men have good things to say. For there are many that appear to have good even godly ways, but if it is not from you what good is it. Father would you provide your protection that I may remain fully in you. Amen.
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