Image from 55his.com
Hear Here: http://bit.ly/35ENrkT
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. 1 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 doctrine, but having itching ears, 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, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 NRSV)
May this Wednesday bless you beyond belief! That's my prayer for you, dear Friend! Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.
I may date myself in the title of this devotional, but it's what I thought about when I read the first verse of the veteran believer to the young protegé, Timothy. The phrase has an interesting history if you can believe the Internet; some say the phrase comes from the 1910s as used by the Salvation Army, or comes later like in the 1960s with Bob Dylan and others who changed the closely related "Keep on Truckin'" saying. Paul is telling Timothy to keep the faith going. Paul delights in reminding Timothy of his long history of faith from his mother's side to the point where he is now, and reminds him of the scriptures that helped his faith including the powerful "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work."
Paul's urging for Timothy is also for us: "Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching." And a prophetic word come true so many times since he originally wrote these words, "For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths." Need I say more? Does the church resemble this statement today?
Many say the church is dying because she has failed to relate to the issues of the day; and some churches bring in their so-called prophets to preach a more "acceptable" word and have the results been what was desired? Even in Paul's day, challenges from other theologies and beliefs threatened the established church, thus this letter to Timothy, and to us: Keep on keepin' on with what is true and right and affirming and life-giving - the scriptures that show us what Jesus can do for us. Dust off your Bibles, read 'em and share what you read!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, speak Your word loudly and clearly, for we need it more than ever before. Speak to our hearts and needs; challenge us, correct us and use us. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Share a Bible verse with someone at random!
Blessings of love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
