2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season;
correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction." NIV
It was one of those games. Three letter words, one after another. My Scrabble
tiles were invariably either all vowels or all consonants. What a task trying to
discover words that could link with other words already on the board. I was
weary and getting quite fed up with the whole game but I was determined to
persevere and use as many letters and come up with as many words as possible. To
my surprise and delight I eventually used all the letters and even displayed a
decent score at the end.
Likewise Paul calls Timothy to persevere in his task; the preaching of the word
with great patience and careful instruction. Preaching is not limited only to
pastors however. Each of us as servants of Christ carry the word of His
forgiveness and love within our very beings. And each of us like Timothy is also
to be prepared to share that word in season and out of season as we have
opportunity. Often however, such sharing is much like my Scrabble game. Our
opportunities are short and it can be difficult to put the right word or words
together for the right situation. If though, we choose to persevere with great
patience and careful instruction, it is amazing what God can do in other
people's lives through our willingness. For each godly word has the power to
build on previous godly words already embedded in that person's heart or mind.
And with each added word of truth God's Holy Spirit has that much more
opportunity to soften hardened, discouraged and sorrowful hearts to the
transformation power of Christ's love and forgiveness.
Therefore today let us choose to preach the word; to be prepared in season and
out of season; to correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful
instruction. Knowing that one day when our task of life is completed, we may all
stand before our Maker and hear these wondrous words: Well done good and
faithful servant.
Prayer: Father God enable each of us to make the most of the opportunities to
share the love and forgiveness of Christ within us to all those we come into
contact with today. In Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, B.C.
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