Preach the Word

In 2 Timothy 4:1-8  you see Paul charging the people to take a strong stand in the preaching of the word of the Lord. I am by no means a biblical scholar, but think that this is a great passage to remind ourselves with all year long. It challenges the Christian to know why he believes what he believes and to make known His Lord’s renown to the nations. Our time is short, just like Paul knew his was, so he encouraged his fellow believer. May we take those opportunities to share the true word and encourage others too as well. Here’s the passage:

 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word, be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill youro ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the rightoeous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also toall who have loved his appearing.

I know I thought of this today because of a customer who came into the store. I always ask how they are doing, it is just part of my routine. Jim came in today ( I learned his name while taking his order) and probably never expected my question. His answer was that his life was just not going well. I thought he was done right there, but he continued on to tell me his wife and children had left him. His wife of 23 years left with a boyfriend from a long time ago. This man was moving around almost like a zombie. I don’t know his full story, but I told him that I would be praying for him and asked for his name. I hate the constraints of my job, because right then and there I wanted to pray for and with this man, but I couldn’t. May God place peace in his heart and somebody like a Paul or Timothy there to encourage and show Him the Everlasting and unfailing Love of Christ Jesus.

~ by Allison Brewton on December 18, 2007.