June 22nd, 21

Good work requires good focus. It's so easy for us to focus on the wrong things. We can strain and fuss, argue and fight over the wrong things. But the good work of a servant requires focusing on the right things and working hard. That's what Paul tells Timothy, he tells them until I get their focus on the reading of scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers and teaching them. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks, so that everyone will see your progress. keep a close watch on how you live, and on your teaching, stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. He urges Timothy to work hard at these things, and to stay focused. If somehow you are under the impression that the life of grace that we have in Christ is going to be easy, and that it doesn't require work. You need to be disavowed of this idea as soon as possible. God is not opposed to work. Grace doesn't mean that we don't work. It means that we don't have an attitude that we are earning something, or that somehow God owes us something for our work. God doesn't owe us a thing. Instead, he has gifted us with everything. And because of that, we work hard. Because of the love that has been shown to us we stay focused, so that we can do all that he has called us to do. People laid hands on Timothy and the Spirit spoke through God's people. He had been anointed for the work of the ministry. And now his task was to work hard in the power of the Spirit of Christ that was in him. In this way he was to accomplish all that God had set out before him. He was to avoid the pitfalls of pride and arrogance and religion. And instead, he was to stay focused on the simple reality of the gospel, on the message of salvation for all people, and particularly believers, to the public reading of scriptures, and encouraging the believers and teaching them. And that was going to be work. A restful, joyful, Christ empowered work. And may God give us the joy, the rest, to do the things that he has called us to do. today. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so

You are loved!