(Mon, May 6) Missed this and it's a good one! : ALWAYS PRE

[cimi]

May 6
Monday


ALWAYS
PREPARING

READ:
2 Timothy 2:19-26
______________________________________________________________________

If anyone cleanses
himself from
[dishonor], he will be
a vessel for honor,
...prepared for every
good work.
__2 Timothy 2:21
_______________________________________________________________________

While my son was home for an extended visit, he knocked on my office door one morning and asked me what I was doing. "I'm preparing for Sunday school," I told him. Then, thinking about all the time I spend in my office, I said, "It seems like I'm always preparing for something."

I'm grateful for the opportunities God gives me to reach out to others. There's some stress, though, when you're always getting something ready for somebody. It's hard to balance priorities with the pressure to prepare a lesson, a mesage, or a document continually on your mind.

This idea of constand preparation intrigued me, so I checked the Bible to see if it talks about the subject. I found that we are called to always be preparing. A heart dedicated to God must be prepared to serve Him (1 Sam 7:3). We are to be ready to do good works (2 Tim. 2:21) and to defend scriptural truth (1 Peter 3:15). And Paul reminds us that even our giving takes planning (2 Cor. 9:5).

That's just a start. Living a life that pleases the Lord takes mental, spiritual, and physical preparations. But we don't need to stress, because He will enable us with His power. Let's ask God to guide us as we prepare to serve, honor, and tell othes about Him. __Dave Baranon

````````````````````Savior, like a shepherd lead us ,````````````````````
````````````````````Much we need Thy tender care;````````````````````
```````````````````In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,````````````````````
`````````````````````For our use Thy folds prepare`````````````````````
_____________________________________________________________________________

The best preparation for tomorrow is
the right use of today.

***********************Today's Bible Reading __ 2 Timothy 2:19-26****************************

19 Nevertheless the solid
foundation of God stands,
having this seal: "The Lord
knows those who are His,"
and, "let everyone who
names the name of Christ
depart from iniquity."

20 But in a great house
there are not only vessels of
gold and silver, but also of
wood and clay, some for
honor and some for
dishonor. 21 Therefore if
anyone cleanses himself
from the latter, he will be a
vessel for honor, sanctified
and useful for the Master,
prepared for every good
work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts;
but pursue righteousness,
faith, love, peace with those
who call on the Lord out of
a pure heart. 23 But avoid
foolish and ignorant
disputes, knowing that they
generate strife. 24 and a
servant of the Lord must
not quarrel but be gentle to
all, able to teach, patient,

25 in humility correcting
those who are in opposition,
if God perhaps will grant
them repentance, so that
they may know the truth,

26 and that they may come
to their senses and escape
the snare of the devil,
having been taken captive
by him to do his will.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

It is important to remember that Paul's first audience for this letter
was not a church or a public gathering of any kind. His audience
was a young man in ministry who needed help, guidance, and
mentoring. In today's text, there are three definitive themes. The first
paragraph reminds Timothy where solid footing for life can be found.
The second reminds him of the value of being a vessel useful to the
Master. The third shows him what such a life embraces and avoids.

Don't forget to read today's (Thursday, May 9th's) Our Daily Bread, Posted immediately before this one!

Keep the faith! love you all, Clare:)