Good morning to all on this Wednesday morning. Waine and I are back in Atlanta and all is well here. We had a pretty bad storm system that passed through here but we were safe. Freddy was driving up from Orlando to Atlanta and God gave him traveling mercies. Waine and I had a great time with Hailie and Kai over the weekend and it was also great to see our niece Michele. Aleron has signed his contract to complete his Internal Medicine residency at Grady and keep him in your prayers this month as he rotates through ICU. Daughter Jillian moved into her new office space without a glitch and we are very thankful! Please keep ET in your prayers as well as the healing of JKS. We serve a GREAT God who watches out for us all the time.
I am continuing my journey in 2 Timothy verses 14- 26 "Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
It would appear that the early Christians and the early church experienced the same challenges we face today. There are many who profess to be disciples of Christ, some of whom have large followings, but are involved in the ungodly chatter that Paul is writing to Timothy about. Like Hymenaeus and Philetus, in this letter to Timothy, there are those today that spread false doctrines about Christ and Christianity and those that follow the false doctrines. Paul urged Timothy and us to "gently instruct them" in the Truth according to the Gospel and then......let God lead them to the truth. Only then can they come to their senses and escape the trap that has been set by the Satan. Remember our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the anti-Christ that seeks to destroy the souls of people who could, given the chance, live eternally with God through Christ.
I have been to churches in which the "success" of the sermon is measured on how many people respond to the alter call. God does not measure that as success, I don't think. The parable about the "sower" tells us that our job is just to sow the seeds as presented in the Word. Some seeds will fall on ground that is not conducive for growth. Some seeds will fall where the weeds will choke it. Some seeds will fall on fertile ground and this seed will flourish. Our job however is to sow, because if the "seed" is never sown then it is guaranteed that a harvest will not occur. We are to present ourselves to God, wholly and blameless through the death and resurrection of Jesus, with a heart that is willing to sow the love of God to a world that is lost! There is so much false doctrine that is out there and Paul describes this false doctrine as gangrene. As a physician, I look at gangrene as tissue that has lost its blood supply--folk that don't KNOW Jesus are likewise cut off from their blood supply and will die unless they are reconnected. That's our Kingdom building JOB! To use our life to "gently instruct" non-believers about the power and love of Christ.
I saw 41 patients on Monday and 38 yesterday. I can tell you I was more instructive with patients 1-10 then I was with patients 11-40 just because of the physical grind of having to interact with so many people. But these scriptures tell me I was to be gentle and kind to all of my patients because each was an opportunity to have my life be a witness. It is true of all of us. Just reflect on how many people you impact daily. The clerk at the grocery store; the tele-marketer; the person on the bus next to you; the people at your daycare; your children's teachers. We touch so many people some of which just need the love of God to shine on them through you. God be praised! My prayer is that you have the impact on people that God leads your way today and I thank God for you!
May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
Stephanie
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