Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Shameless Audacity – Part 2 – Be Prepared


According to 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Judgment is according to God's righteous standard in view of the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Paul gave Timothy this charge, "preach the word." Everything is under God's watchful eye and shall be evaluated by Him. We are no longer under condemnation of sin, but we will be evaluated according to that which he has entrusted to us to use for His glory according to the measure of His blessings to us. Therefore be prepared for the coming again of the Lord. Be prepared by putting on the spiritual armor and spending time in the Word, and in prayer, in the presence of the Lord and in the presence of godly men and women.

The calling to speak the Word of God does not depend on whether or not the audience believes. Be prepared because we'll never rise above our level of preparedness. Be prepared to convince, rebuke, correct, and encourage with the right motives and the right attitude. God will judge us according to the right motive of our own hearts. If not done with the love of God, even speaking the truth will profit us nothing. Therefore, speaking the truth in love that we may grow up into him who is the head over all things, even Christ. God will call alongside men and women who will correct and "chasten" us to "restore us to an  upright position." This takes the commitment to share the Word of God with shameless audacity. As Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the gospel of God unto salvation, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."  For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ and him crucified... unto them that are saved the sweet smelling fragrance of life unto life


May our prayer be, Lord grant me the Pentecostal "gift of hearing."  That I may hear your voice and that your word may permeate my heart so that my word is your word, in my heart is your heart, in my desire your desire, and your will be my will. That I may delight in you so that your delight is my delight."  Thank you for calling me not only to deliver the message, but to be the message and for the shameless audacity to speak forth your word boldly and in love.

May God richly bless you,
Your brother in Christ, Michael

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