Tuesday, July 8, 2014

2014 July 8 - Morning Manna

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith"
(2 Timothy 4:1-7)
 
Today's Morsel: Most ministers will tell you that their ordination ceremony concluded with this same charge given to Timothy by Paul; Preach the word.  But what I find is that many do not preach the word.  They preach what the people want to hear instead of what they need to hear.  Yes, the gospel is for encouragement, and I can't think of a better way to encourage someone than to show them how to get sin, that thing that has them bound, out of their life.  No, you can't make people change, but God can.  And that is why we must preach His word.  Paul said that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  The chains of sin are broken by preaching the word of God.  The woman with the issue of blood knew Who could heal her after she heard about Jesus, the word made flesh.  Preach what you want, but make sure that you have Jesus at the center of it.  
 
Sing:  Who is this who loves a sinner as a father loves his own, grieving over those who spurn His gentle plea? Always ready to forgive them and to make forgiveness known, who is this forever calling you and me.
It is Jesus! Jesus! Sad one, weep no more! He will heal the broken hearted, open wide the prison door, He is able to deliver ever-more.   
 
Thought for Today: "Only Jesus has the power to set the captive free."

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