I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Hearing what we want tot hear, it makes us feel good and refreshes us but just that alone isn't Godly. Our charge is to encourage biblically especially when it's against our desires because that's when we'll grow in faith. We all need encouragement to keep fighting the good fight but we also need correction when we've gone astray. We are being reminded in this passage that worldly encouragement leads to self-promotion and pride; Godly encouragement keeps us focused on the Word of God.
This weekend's sermon by Pastor Elwin was so awesome. It was truly the Spirit encouraging the body by speaking about "Encouragement." Reading my scriptures today I was quickly reminded that there's a Godly encouragement and there's worldly encouragement. My season right now has some great encouragers around me because I'm in a season of change. Do I continue as Frontlines Director or not? Do I start up a new small group or not? Do I enroll to seminary or not? Through this I need to recognize the different encouragement because it's easy to follow the path that's is easiest or that I agree with. Real encouragement may mean to rebuke and correct so I must also be willing to take the long, hard path.
Heavenly Father, I am so blessed by all Your wonderful children who encourage me by Your Spirit. Forgive me for encouraging according to worldly standards and strengthen me to boldly correct and rebuke in Your name. I humbly submit all my wants and pleasures to Your desires and encouragement. Help me to discern what's truth so that I can be us3d by You to advance the wonderful kingdom of Glory! Amen!
2 Timothy 4:2-3
Hearing what we want tot hear, it makes us feel good and refreshes us but just that alone isn't Godly. Our charge is to encourage biblically especially when it's against our desires because that's when we'll grow in faith. We all need encouragement to keep fighting the good fight but we also need correction when we've gone astray. We are being reminded in this passage that worldly encouragement leads to self-promotion and pride; Godly encouragement keeps us focused on the Word of God.
This weekend's sermon by Pastor Elwin was so awesome. It was truly the Spirit encouraging the body by speaking about "Encouragement." Reading my scriptures today I was quickly reminded that there's a Godly encouragement and there's worldly encouragement. My season right now has some great encouragers around me because I'm in a season of change. Do I continue as Frontlines Director or not? Do I start up a new small group or not? Do I enroll to seminary or not? Through this I need to recognize the different encouragement because it's easy to follow the path that's is easiest or that I agree with. Real encouragement may mean to rebuke and correct so I must also be willing to take the long, hard path.
Heavenly Father, I am so blessed by all Your wonderful children who encourage me by Your Spirit. Forgive me for encouraging according to worldly standards and strengthen me to boldly correct and rebuke in Your name. I humbly submit all my wants and pleasures to Your desires and encouragement. Help me to discern what's truth so that I can be us3d by You to advance the wonderful kingdom of Glory! Amen!
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