October 25

Jeremiah 48:1-49:22, 2 Timothy 4:1-22, Psalm 95:1-96:13, Proverbs 26:9-12 

Pray: Have you ever heard something and it really bothered or even angered you? Many people, myself included, have been there. Often, though not always, I’ve been bothered/angered because what the person was telling me was truth that I really didn’t want to hear. When Paul is finishing out his letter to Timothy he reminds him that there will be people who will “no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires…” Are you open to what God or His messenger might say to you, even if it’s not what you really want to hear? Ask God to help you have a teachable spirit.

Read: The timing is off. I often hear this, or a variation thereof, in response to a shoulder-tap asking someone to serve, lead, help, give, etc. Let’s be honest. It’s really just an excuse that sounds better than, “No, I don’t want to.” Paul writes to Timothy and tells him, “Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.” There will never be a good time to serve more than you do. There will never be a good time to lead a life group, help someone out, give at a higher level. Something/someone will always occupy your time. Wouldn’t you want to devote your time/energy to something of eternal significance? Paul, and I, would urge you to do just that…even if the timing is not what you’d prefer.

Edify: God is a God of grace. While this is true, it’s also vitally important for us to understand that God is a God who commands obedience. Our Old Testament readings for the past few days can be troubling for some readers. They may ask the question, “Why would God do that to people?” The truth is, if you’ve read it, it was the disobedience and outright rebellion that led to destruction. God will put up with disobedience for so long, and then He hands us over to our choices and the consequences that come with those choices. What in your life needs to change before God gives you exactly what you’re choosing?

Practice: The human heart is a fickle and often unpredictable thing. One day it causes a certain feeling and elicits actions, the next it’s the opposite feeling and action. The mark of commitment and dedication, though, is what we do even when we don’t “feel” like it. The Psalmist reminds us to “Each day proclaim the good news that He saves…tell everyone…” When is the last time you told someone about the goodness of God and what He has done in your life? Perhaps it’s time.