Focus
Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.
Read
4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Reflect
I think this passage is very pertinent for the world today. We live in somewhat uncertain times. Paul calls us to keep doing the work of preaching the gospel. It doesn’t matter if it is received well or not. We keep doing it. But, maybe we need to emphasize part of verse 2, “encourage with the utmost patience in teaching.” I’m not sure I am the greatest at encouraging those I disagree with, and doubly not sure I am very patient with those I disagree with. My prayer, then, is both for those listening to what I say and also for me to encourage them with utmost patience.
Pray
Lord, I would ask for patience and a spirit of encouragement, but I think what I really need is love in my heart. Give me a heart of love, for if I love, I can be patient and encouraging. Amen.
Go with God.
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