Focus
Turn off your cell phone, TV, or radio. Listen to the silence that is around you. Listen for God to speak to you.
Read
A Good Minister of Jesus Christ
6 If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with profane and foolish tales. Train yourself in godliness, 8 for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and suffer reproach, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Reflect
Sometimes I wonder just how much Paul and I have in common. Apparently, we both like to leave detailed instructions if we are not going to be around. When I was teaching high school I would often go to work sick, because it was easier than leaving instructions for a substitute teacher. (Those who teach will completely understand!) This past summer, when I was away from the school bus shop to attend General Assembly, I left my coworker a detailed list with instructions for which buses needed certain work performed on them, which buses needed to be prepared for the state inspection that was coming up, which buses had recall work completed verses which ones still needed to be taken for recall work, and other jobs that we needed to get completed by the end of June.
Paul left Timothy some detailed instructions not only about how to be a good minister, but how to live a Godly life. They are instructions that we would all do well to review, listen carefully to them, but most importantly, follow in our daily lives.
Pray
Lord, your scriptures show us the way to live. They teach us what you desire from us, and in turn, we can share with others. Help us to always listen to your instructions because you guide us in the right paths. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Go with God!
