October 22–Godless Talk

It’s Tuesday 

Yesterday was a dermatologist day and of course, he found a few suspicious things to burn and cut off. It’s not a comfortable process, but it’s something that has to be done. Those things that begin to replicate strangely need to be removed. 


I continue to study II Timothy, and in chapter 2, Paul tells us to keep our selves pure and avoid worthless talk that leads to bad behaviors because that kind of thing replicates quickly and strangely...like cancer. That’s the kind of thing to remove. 


“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus...But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.””

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:15-17, 19‬ ‭NLT‬‬


It’s scary when we think about cancer and how quickly it can take over a part of our body. It grows quickly and grotesquely. Just like our poor behavior—the godless actions spread and grow. If cancer is left unchecked, it will eventually take over the whole body and kill it. Paul is saying here that godless talking is the same thing. Eventually the ungodliness will take over us. He tells us to “work hard” to avoid it—referring here once again to that self discipline. 


I love the picture he paints for us. “Gods truth stands firm like a foundation stone.” Throughout Greece I saw those ancient foundation stones with inscribed with all sorts of things (most of which I had no idea). But to think of Gods truth carved into one of those huge stones..”the Lord knows those who are His.”


Lord of Heaven, how comforting it is to know you know us, care for us and love us. Your grace is so amazing to cover those places where we stumble. We know we fail to be as careful as we should in many areas, and we pray God for you to guide us and teach us to be better with our self-discipline. Help us to work hard to be more like you and to turn from evil at every encounter. We pray today for friends and family who are fighting disease with valor and courage. Give them renewed strength and power and Lord let them feel you near. Please touch their sick bodies Healer. And we pray for courage and strength for those who are standing with them, friends and family and the care givers. Surround them precious Lord. We worship you today and praise you for who you are, for all you have done and for all you continue to do. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one,

Pam


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 17, 2020

Happy Friday. It’s the end of another week and we have had more opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us and sometimes that takes quite a bit of effort. I don’t know about you, but I’m not always anxious to embrace others and really listen to them or share with them (especially those who I don’t know well). Sometimes, I just look at them and think “Are you for real?” I don’t always agree with people over politics, sports or of course, religion. And let’s face it, we’d rather spend time with people we like and mostly agree.  And then I read my Bible. God hasn’t called us to sit in our little groups with only those we naturally gravitate towards, but to love people—all people, even those who aren’t necessarily loveable. In this passage, Paul writing to the people of Colosse remarks on how wonderful it is that they truly love others. That love must have really been something over and above the normal and he tells them that it is evident that it comes from the Holy Sp
Read more

January 15, 2020

Happy Wednesday to you. I hope your week is going well. Yesterday, I went to Sams. I was out of things like trash bags, toilet paper, and chicken, so off I went. I like going to Sams because there is always lots to look at and the isles are nice and wide. Everytime I’m there, I am amazed at how much stuff and everything from diapers to TVs to mangos to beds. It just seems incredible that so many things in such quantities are all under one roof.  King David never saw a store with as much stuff aa Sams of course, but he did see countless miracles and understand that God has plans. He knew from creation and history that he was serving a God of miracles and he know that God loved him and his people and would take care of them. He was amazed and awe-struck by the fact that a God who had done such great and mighty things not only cared about his people but that He loved them with such a great love.  “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can co
Read more

January 9, 2020

It’s Thursday and I woke up to the blowing wind! Lots of it—I’m dreading Boomer waking up and having to go outside with him. That harsh, bitter wind seems cruel and almost evil. But I’ll wrap myself up with a fe layers and boots and brave it all.  Sometimes I think we try to do that with things we know aren’t right—things that are evil. We try to wrap ourselves up and just wade into it, but Paul tells us we should reject it—stay away from it. “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:20-24‬ NIV When he wrote this he’d been in Berea and the Christians there diligently searched the scriptures to make sure everything Paul said was in line. Paul here is encouraging the Thessalonians to
Read more