Power-Filled Words

Scripture – 2 Timothy 4:1-5: ¹In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ²Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³For 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. ⁴They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Those are some powerful words: correct, rebuke and encourage. And I’m called to do that “with great patience and careful instruction.” I must admit, encouraging is easy and fun. Correcting is not usually so bad, either – especially when I’m sure of the truth. Rebuking, however, is by far the hardest. My personal tendency is to avoid confrontation. Yet there are times when, if I’m to be a faithful minister, I need to step up and do that.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) In this day, when the idea of “truth” has become so muddled, I will speak the truth. I will watch for times when a rebuke is called for rather than just a correction. I will be faithful to my call.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) I don’t really like this side of ministry, Lord. Yet it is part of my call. Give me wisdom and patience and careful instruction. Help me know when to speak and when to remain silent. In all things, may your church be strengthened.