Being Ready, Don't Worry

Being Ready, Don't Worry 

by David Brenneman 

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,  and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

"At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.  The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:16-18.

The grouping of the Scriptures was intentional.  In the first, we read of basically what the title of this blog post begins with.   Being ready, a reminder to Timothy to stand firm.  To suit up, putting on the whole armor of God. 

The second group is that reminder that he wasn't to worry, not to trust his eyes. The Lord would be with him too.  He was already told to not let people look down on him because of his youth.

That last group has to do with faith history to remember all that the Lord Jesus had done with, through and for Paul...that He would do as much, if not more, than those things for Timothy.

There's times, many if not most times, that I know not where these posts come from.  I am indeed an aspiring writer, but being eloquent in writing, still isn't my forte.  When I meet with God for these posts, it is in utter amazement to see what results.  My hope and prayer is that through these, people come to Christ for salvation or come back to Jesus to live the life He intended for them.  Speaking boldly through these writings is the work of the Spirit, this isn't of me.  In person it takes quite a bit to get me to speak with boldness.  Likewise Timothy was being admonished to stand firm in what he's been taught and to lean on the Lord Jesus as his strength.  People would fail him, much as many had with Paul. 

People probably wouldn't understand what directive that Paul was, through the Spirit, giving to him.  That's ok. It's why it's ok for me as well if others don't understand concerning me.  God's will for you isn't what it is for me, outside of our sanctification.  We all have our own purpose in the body of Christ.  We are not to shrink away or to run from it.  We are to embrace it.

At first, many years ago now, it terrified me to write such spiritual things.   There's a great responsibility in doing so.  It was tge Spirit telling me that He would give me the words and the opportunity, it would be on me to obey.

For you, my Dear Reader, obedience is on your doorstep.  Jesus IS opportunity knocking.  Jesus is there in you and for you. People need to know about the love of Christ Jesus for them. Not telling them is prolonging the return of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus isn't willing that any should perish but that all come to Him to be saved. 

Are you being called to do something and aren't out of fear?  Look again at these passages. Be encouraged by what Paul told his son in the faith.  Opportunity is knocking just for you and His name is Jesus.

Is it scary? It can be.  3 people were given gifts by a certain King before a journey.  All were to give an account of them upon the King's return.  2 did very well, 1 went and hid what he was given, doing nothing, and consequently bringing dishonor to the King.  

As the great hymn says "Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross!" 

Are you going to bring honor to the name of Jesus or are you going to bring shame on yourself for running from His call for you in Christ?

Is a life of comfort and ease more important than obedience to God's will for you?  Are you actually participating in deeds of darkness by justifying your idolatry in this world?  The Scriptures say that we are all tempted in the same ways. 

Have you been trying to keep the clothes of your old self, rather than to discard them in favor of what you have been given in Christ?

It's time to be in the world but not of the world.  It's time to stand firm, regardless of what the world has to say about it.  

Perhaps you are the one who will be witnessing to that last person who will accept Christ right before His return.  

Be ready, don't worry.  Obey.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.