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| Coffee Time? |
There
is so much information in Paul’s directions to Timothy in this last letter that
he wrote. The same advice is appropriate and challenging for us. Be ready
with the time is right and even when it is not. Jesus said to be ready and
so Paul is just emphasizing this. Are you ready for Christ’s return? Are you
ready to tell others about Jesus Christ—the Messiah was sent for all mankind? We
are to encourage others. Did you note that there will be people who don’t want
to follow the truth, sound doctrine, but want to have their ears tickled.
They want to hear something pleasant, not convicting. If it is not convicting,
then the Holy Spirit is not in that teaching. Beware. There are lots of
teachers out there in the world today—not necessarily in churches—who come into
your home via YouTube, their own website, videos, or even on a media program
like Right Now Media that includes lots of spiritual teachers who provide
instruction on Bible studies and topics for the whole family. Be careful who you
choose to follow. Remember we are to test what we hear against scripture to see
if it is correct just as Paul instructed the church at Thessalonica.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do
not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to
what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. Now may the God of peace make
you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept
blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen,
for he who calls you is faithful. 1
Thessalonians 5:19-24 (Underlined for clarity.)
So, as
Christians it is essential to follow the teaching of Jesus and good to listen
to Paul’s instruction as those are inspired by God Himself.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in
our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16
As you
drink your morning coffee, consider if you are ready for Christ’s return, or
ready to faithfully teach God’s truth?
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
[as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it
is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable
or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or
unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who
sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity],
with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. For the time will
come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction
[that challenges them with God's truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled
[with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers
[one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the
errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander
off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable]. But as
for you, be clear-headed in every situation [stay calm and cool and steady],
endure every hardship [without flinching], do the work of an evangelist,
fulfill [the duties of] your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 AMP (Underlined for emphasis.)
Prayer
– Lord Jesus, I am ready—just like in the ole kid’s Hide and Seek game, I hear You
calling. Ready or not, here I come. Help me to encourage others to get ready, too.
Meditate.
Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying. Be ready.
Verse
of Salvation ~ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by
his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ
from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless
inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled,
beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting
you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be
revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:3-5
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture
quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),
Copyright ©2015 by
The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. lockman.org
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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