Jessica Albritton, Children’s and Family Connections Minister, LHBC

2 Timothy 4:1-5

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The other day I was cleaning up and came across a Christmas ornament that had rolled behind a shelf. I picked up the golden ornament and took it to the spare room, pulled down the big tub of decorations and opened the top. Once the ornament was safely back in its place of storage and tucked away in the top of the closet, it hit me… How often do I do that with the gospel? In certain times of my week I pull out the gospel and put it on display. If I know I will encounter the lost I prepare my heart to be ready to share, but then I tuck it away for Friday errands around town or Saturday trips to the Kroger. I don’t need the gospel at the gas station, but when I go on a mission trip I’ll pull it off the shelf of my heart. When I come to church and teach the kiddos I need to be prayed up, but that’s not necessary for a game night with the family. Well… unless we’re playing monopoly… 

Scripture tells us to “be ready in season and out of season” with the gospel. It’s pretty unsettling but the Word warns there will come a time in history where false teachers will rise up, preaching and teaching an incorrect gospel. Scripture states this will be in attempts to satisfy themselves. Men and women will fall for the falsehoods in order to “suit their own passions.” So how do we ensure we are ready in all seasons? It first starts with a willingness to share. If we know the gospel through and through but are unwilling to share that message with others it is of no use. Next, we must be willing to study and learn. Digging into the Word is essential in growing as a believer. False doctrine pushes people away from the truth and gives a false sense of hope, but when we rightly study the Word of Truth we become equipped to share that message with others. 

How about you? Are you willing to share the good news of the gospel? Friends, let’s dig into the Word and study faithfully! Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you through the reading of scripture. Pray today for the boldness to share the message of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, and pray for opportunities to bridge the gospel in everyday conversations! Let’s not pack away the gospel until it is convenient for us, but instead let’s leave the gospel on display in our lives, ready in all circumstances to speak the truth! 

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Heavenly Father, help me to study Your Word and present myself approved. Make me a follower who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth! Open my eyes to the truth of Your Word in scripture, and give me boldness to share that message with others! In Jesus name, amen!

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

 In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make straight your paths.