Teach Me Kingdom Ways! Psalms 86-87; Second Timothy 4

May the mumbling commence!

Learn the Way of the Lord and all matter of good things will follow.  Read from Psalm Eighty-six:

Teach me your ways, O Lord,

that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart,

that I may honor you. 

With all my heart I will praise you,

O Lord my God.

I will give glory to your name forever, 

for your love for me is very great.

You have rescued me from the depths of death! (Verses 11-13)

Let’s learn God’s ways and live according to the truth of God’s Word.  Then, we can begin to learn to be pure in heart (and see God) and honor the Lord.  We honor God with our praises and when give God the glory now and forevermore.

Why?!?  Because God’s love for us is great – greater than we can even imagine.  God has redeemed us and rescued us of the certain death that our sins deserved.  Praise God, indeed!

So, let’s listen for all of God’s Word.  May we not edit the Word for our own means.  That way we can maintain a clear mind in all situations.  Read from Second Timothy chapter four:

And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus – who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear.  They will reject the truth and follow strange myths. 

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you. (Verses 1-5)

Persistently preach the Word of God – regardless of the peoples’ reaction to it.  Correct and rebuke.  But don’t forget to encourage through good teaching.  Don’t tell people only what they want to hear.

Persistence will help to keep the mind clear so that suffering for the sake of Christ is doable.  In fact, suffering for Christ is to complete the ministry God has given us.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out