Be Sober in all Things (2 Tim. 4:5)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 9-12-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Be Sober in All things

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 4:5

 

            Message of the verse:  “5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

            The word “but” in this verse contrasts the way that Timothy should act as opposed to how those in the two preceding verse act.  Paul tells Timothy to be sober or to be watchful in all things.  To be sober in all things means that he should watch what he does for the cause of Christ and not do as those talked about in preceding verses.  Paul says he is to endure hardship and this goes along with being a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  He next says that he is to do the work of an evangelist and to fulfill his ministry.  There is a gift of being an evangelists but it is not likely that Timothy had this gift, however he was to be ready to tell others about Jesus Christ and His saving grace when he did his preaching.  The message of the gospel should not be the main theme of every message preached, but it should be tied in with each message so that the lost who hear it will get to hear how to be saved.  Paul says that he should fulfill his ministry.  Each believer has a ministry to fulfill, however it is probably more evident in the lives of the ones that are called into the ministry.  Paul is saying that Timothy should take care of the ministry that the Lord has given him to do and not worry of fret about what someone else is doing in their ministry.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I like the part in this verse where it speaks of being sober, for I know there are far too many times when I get too excited and loose my cool.  Also to fulfill the ministry that the Lord has given me to fulfill is an important thing to remember.

 

The Word of God has stepped on my spiritual toes today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To work on fulfilling the ministry that the Lord has given me to do today.

 

Memory verses for the week:  2Timothy 3:16,17

 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, throughly equipped for every good work.