THE CENTRALITY OF PREACHING THE WORD Paul’s final charge to Timothy was “Preach the word!” For he knew the many duties that beg a pastor’s attention. Pastors wear many hats, but preaching is job number one. And not just preaching anything, but preaching the Word of God. Not politics or philosophy, nor self-help tips, but
AVOID OR ADVANCE? Paul told Timothy that there is a time to retreat and a time to advance. As it regards “youthful lusts,” the command is to “flee.” Unlike the instruction to “stand firm” against the devil (Eph. 6:11), lust is not defeated by direct assault. It is to be avoided. When an image in
WHOSE APPROVAL DO YOU SEEK? There are so many voices vying for our attention. To whom do we listen? Whose approval should we seek? The apostle Paul advised the young pastor Timothy to focus on God’s approval. He told him to “be diligent” in this, studying to hear God’s voice and please Him above all
BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND DO NOT FEAR Paul encouraged Timothy, his “beloved son” in the Lord, to overcome fear, knowing that it didn’t come from God. Timothy was Paul’s young protege, but he wasn’t yet as bold and confident as Paul. Even though Paul had left him in charge of the church at
PLEADING WITH SINNERS TO OBEY GOD’S WORD Even after King Zedekiah had allowed Jeremiah to be thrown into a miry pit, he still had compassion for the ones who heard his preaching. This is the mark of a true prophet. He preaches the Word of God without apology, whether blessing or judgment, yet retains the
WHO CAN APPROACH THE THRONE OF GOD? The throne of a human king or judge is elevated by wood or stone and often ornamented by images and symbols to suggest their authority and judgment. But the foundation of the Lord’s throne is “righteousness and justice.” His throne is elevated by His character, which is pure
A PASTOR’S MAIN FOCUS SHOULD BE ON THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD Paul told the young pastor Timothy to avoid focusing on silly distractions and people who might despise his leadership. Instead, he was to “give attention” to the ministry of the Word–– its reading, its exhortation (preaching) and its doctrine (teaching). Today’s pastor
THE PERSISTENT PRAYER FOR GOD’S PRESENCE The Lord is the God of salvation. Yet we must place our faith in His Son, Christ Jesus, to be able to call Him “my” salvation. In Christ, we that were far away, have now been brought near. Although we may feel at times as the psalmist did, that
WHAT GOD DESIRES God desires that all humanity would be saved. Yet, we know from the Scriptures that only those who believe will receive God’s salvation. The tension between what God “desires” for us and what humanity desires for itself is difficult to ease. We tend to overstate one side or the other, either making
DO YOUR PRAYERS FIND THEIR WAY TO THE LORD? The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter of hope to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. He gave them this message from the Lord, assuring them that the Lord had not forsaken them, nor had He stopped hearing their prayers. If only they would seek Him with all