A Charge

My amazing friend, Kristen, has recently branched out in the blogging world - adding her second blog, Pretty Sweet: Heavenly Minded.  I am so inspired by so many blogs I read that DAILY include scriptures from God's word and encouragement to me (and I am sure the thousands of others who read them).  As part of her blogging experience on this new blog, each week she is going to issue a challenge.  The challenge includes a set of verses and then our job is to study those verses for the week; blogging about them on Thursday or Friday.  I can't tell you how excited I am about this!  The method of Bible studying we are using is called Inductive Bible Study (hence, my title: IBS).  You can read the details here.  I added another step. I have been very interested in different versions of the Bible lately, so each day, I read and wrote these verses in a different version. On Thursday, I sat down, reread them all again, wrote it in my own words and made application.  I am new at this on more than one level! So, without further rambling, here is mine for the week:

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ

who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom

Preach the word!

Be ready in season and out of season.

Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but

according to their own desires, because they have itching ears,

they will heap up for themselves teachers,

and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions,

do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,

and the time for my departure is at hand.

I have fought the good fight, 

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,

the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,

and not to me only, but also to all who have loved

His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:1-8 (NKJV)

IN MY WORDS:

Always be ready to teach someone, correct someone, encourage someone with patience and love.  There will come a time to all three because people are looking and listening for what they want.  They will try to suit their wants and desires - not God's.  They will turn away, but you stand firm.  Don't be led down their path.  Be led down the narrow path and do what God has called you to do.  Give all you have to the Lord and His work - from now until the very end!!  Be able to say, "I fought . . . . I finished . . . I stayed with God to the end."  Then, on that day, I will get my eternal reward!  Me and all who have fought beside me!

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?

I need to always be ready.  Who knows when I will have the opportunity to reach someone, help someone, encourage someone. I need to have myself grounded in the truth, so when others start to waver and lean towards their own thinking (Proverbs 3:5-6), I won't.  I can stand firm and try to bring them back.  I should live my life as Romans 12:1 - a living sacrifice. Giving myself fully, completely, whole-heartedly to God and His will for my life.  I want to live for Him fully each and every day of my life from now until the end.  I want to be among those in the end who can stand and receive a crown of righteousness!! Take me, mold me, use me - wear me out for YOUR glory!

Check out the rest of the participants on Kristen's blog!