# 1 2020 Devotion, 2 Tim. 4;2. Be Prepared! Read all of chapter 4. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
2 Timothy 4:2 “2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
This last chapter of 2nd Timothy continues Paul’s charge to Timothy in chapter three. Paul continues promoting the truth that the Word of God equips a person for every good work. That truth applies to all work, whatever that may be, done in the name of Jesus Christ. The work of Jesus turns around the life and world view of His followers.
In chapter 4, Paul qualifies his charge to Timothy and to us I might add, by invoking the Kingdom of God and by His Christ the “judge of the living and the dead. “Preach the Word” Paul commands. I am reminded of the the words of Spurgeon or was it Francis of Assisi: “Preach always, use words if necessary!”
Paul as well makes living the Gospel a full time work; “be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” How often don’t we forget that much encouragement, great patience and sound instruction from God’s Word goes along with correction.
Paul is discouraged, people he trusted have left him and only Luke is with him; he asks for Timothy to bring Mark, the same Mark Paul and Barnabas disagreed about and went their separate ways. “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” Paul himself learned the importance of encouragement.
As a minister of the Word, the encouragement and support of the congregation, in spite of differences of opinions or disagreements, is what makes ministry successful and a joy to experience. In this New Year make it a goal to pray for your church and your leaders daily! God is faithful may His church and the true followers of Jesus be blessed in this New Year.
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