Zechariah 4:6
2 Timothy 2:14-26
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14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 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."
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 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. 23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 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.
Here we hit the crux of the matter. Us. ‘How are you?’ may be the most inane, hypocritical thing we say to each other, yet it’s what we say to ourselves daily. When you look up the 100 most sought after bible verses one of the top 5 is:
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Here is a little of what He might say to you….
Remember the basic essentials. Don’t nitpick, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for Father God, laying out the truth plain and simple. Present yourself as one approved of by the Lord Most High. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. Back it by a godly life.
God's firm foundation is as firm as ever. Abba knows who belongs to Him. Continue to spurn evil.
Some days you are crystal goblets and silver platters, and other days you are wooden bowls, water basins and compost buckets— containers used to serve fine meals, others to clean . Become the kind of container God can use. Let your efforts help and strengthen others in their godly path. When you do God's will, the meaning of your life is noble, holy, useful to Abba, to do any good work.
Run away from infantile indulgence and drama. Run after 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. The Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, you must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose you, gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth . You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil's trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his will.
Love justice, love mercy, walk humbly with Me.
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