May 26, 2020
“But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” II Timothy 4:5
How do you fulfill your ministry? Be faithful in all things. Study and meditate on God’s Word. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” If we set our eyes on Jesus, then this world will lose its appeal to us and we will be focused on what God has called each of us to do in this life. To those who are called to the ministry, be faithful.
Ministry is one of the hardest jobs in this world. There are many hardships and hurts along the way in the ministry. Unless you’re in the ministry, there isn’t a good way to describe all the heartaches and hurts. But there is joy too! Ministry can be and is often mentally tough, emotionally tough, and spiritually tough. There are battles we face in the ministry that you can’t win without the Lord Jesus Christ being right there with you in the battle and helping you overcome Satan. It’s not for the weak hearted or someone that haphazardly wants to go through life. There are many men out there that are very haphazard about their ministries and they do more harm than good. Beware!
Paul is trying to instruct Timothy that in the hard days rely on God and allow Him to have complete control to give you the strength to make it through this situation. Timothy is a younger brother in Christ and he may not be as prepared as Paul wants him to be. I remember thinking that Ministry was going to be like Sunday school every day. Boy was I wrong. You find yourself serving broken people and sinners every day. We as ministers sin every day too and we have to deal with our own failed expectations. There are also some mean spirited folks you must deal with too.
I’ve often heard that God’s calling means that God will equip you for every situation in the ministry. It’s very true! God has been there all along the way and provided for every situation in the ministry. He has always been faithful. It’s an honor to serve but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t come without headaches and hurts. We must stay true to the course and allow God to use us as He wants. Every open door is another possibility to be used by God!
- Pray for Our Church Family in the midst of this crisis
- Pray for The Homeless of our City and Nation
- Pray for The children and students affected by the crisis
May 27, 2020 – Ready to Leave
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.”
II Timothy 4:6
Paul is seeing that his ministry is coming to an end. He has seen that his tasks are being finished and his home will soon be heaven. This world has no hold on him and he’s passing the mantle on to Timothy.
As with many people, Paul here is reflecting back on what he has been able to accomplish in the ministry and he sees that his work is almost done. I’m sure that like so many, God is preparing his heart to make that final journey home. Paul is trying to set the scene for Timothy and urges him to be faithful and strong. Paul’s life has been spent doing the work of the ministry and following Jesus and by preaching the gospel unashamedly. He’s ready to go home. He’s done just about all he can do in a lifetime and he’s saying his farewells.
It’s difficult to see a minister of the gospel go home. We ask questions about who are we going to listen to and follow now? Our hearts ache too because we’re going to miss them and their influence in our lives. I’m quickly reminded of Ravi Zacharias’s home going just a few days ago. He was a tremendous teacher of God’s Word and I loved hearing his expound the gospel. I will miss his teaching and preaching. God never leaves us without a faithful man of God. He will raise up another to take Bro. Ravi’s place. We will still be able to listen to him through his recordings.
As with many situations in life, God places a song on my heart and I will share it with you now. This is a song I’ve loved to sing in the past and the last time I sang it, it was for my dear friend and brother’s funeral 7 years ago. Here are the words: Another Soldier's Coming Home
His back is bent and weary, His voice is tired and low His sword is worn from battle, his steps have gotten slow But he used to walk on water, Or it seemed that way to me I know he moved some mountains, And never left his knees
Strike up the band assemble the choir, Another soldier's coming home Another warrior hears the call, He's waited for so long He'll battle no more, Cause he won his wars Make sure heaven's table, Has room for at least one more Sing a welcome song, Another soldier's coming home
He faced the winds of sorrow, But his heart knew no retreat He walked in narrow places, Knowing Christ knew no defeat But now his steps turn homeward, Much closer to the prize He's sounding kind of homesick, There's a longing in his eyes Strike up the band assemble the choir Another soldier's coming home Another warrior hears the call, He's waited for so long He'll battle no more, Cause he won his wars Make sure heaven's table, Has room for at least one more Sing a welcome song, Another soldier's coming home
May 27, 2020
Pray for those people not working
Pray for those people who are hurting
Pray for those people who are totally isolated and alone