2008.06.26. Focus on your calling. 2Tim2:1-7

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.