I’m on several free Christian mailing lists – I think there are literally hundreds out there, but I’ve winnowed them down to about a half dozen that I enjoy most. And by “enjoy,” I don’t mean the ones that say what my itching ears want to hear, but the ones that teach the discipline of faith.
One of these email lists is called Daily Manna, and is simply a verse of scripture every day. The funny thing is, often the scripture they’ve chosen is so powerful and strong, I think, “Wow… I need to write that down.”
Then I realize all they did was copy it from the Bible. I already have it written down. 😛
Today’s scripture speaks to me. 2 Timothy 4:1-3,
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
There are 5 parts to that instruction on preparation, and all are important: correct, rebuke, encourage, patience, careful instruction. All 5 must be practiced – impatient rebuking or discouraging instruction is unhelpful.
Dang, I really need to write that down somewhere.

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