From the Inside Out
2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”
The flash before my eyes, of standing in a group of people - in the middle of a situation, that good & bad choices can be the outcome. The time actually feeling 'unfavorable', yet the options and choices before us are pretty clear. The crowd seems both like friends we know, and people we don't really know. Yet, this verse tells us, to speak up and 'preach' the truth, in all circumstances and places with any and all people. Not in a "lord it over" someone way, but with kindness, patience, and encouragement. Yes, it needs to be with correction and rebuke too - which both of these mean to do so in a way that it 'startles' or 'jolts' the person being scolded.
Back to the flash picture: standing there in the group, the choices offered, are pretty clear. So, I innocently speak up with what my conscience tells me (haa haa, like I do already) and several of the people turn SO quickly, and look at me with such surprise and shock, then - as they see my body language, face and heart of how I said it - they soften, and say out loud "Ouch".
I believe THIS is how we are to preach God's word in our everyday life to and around others. Being prepared, is just having it inside you at all times. If you are practicing what you read, hear, watch from God's word - then it WILL come out naturally when others are around. This is why I feel it is important to listen to music that is encouraging, uplifting, and NOT degrading, cursing, and harsh towards others. Why? Because it sinks DEEP into our conscience! It is what plays in our head, even when there isn't any music playing. It's what plays in our head as we wake up, as we go to sleep... It affects our deep innermost self being. Have you ever woke up singing a song, out loud or in your thoughts, that you didn't realize you actually "knew" all of the words to? The only way that is possible, is due to it playing over and over again all day long on your radio or in your play-list. That old saying of "garbage in = garbage out" it actually scripture too, and it is TRUE!!
Today, I pray that the Lord guides and directs you to actually "see" or rather, "hear" what you are listening to and how it is actually affecting you and your life, as well as those around you. Please be choosy as to what you allow yourself and those around you to listen to. If you want to be happy, loved, and just feel good - then you can NOT have music that is cursing, angry and cruel playing - you will only think of yourself as those lyrics spit out. If you are not used to a 'wholesome' station, it won't take long before you learn the words - they play the same songs over and over, just like other stations LOL Just give it a try! What have you got to lose?!?! I pray today, that the Lord reveals just how you think of yourself and others, due to the music you listen to. I pray that your words will be truth today - both to yourself and to others! Be well and be safe - and KNOW that you ARE loved!!
The flash before my eyes, of standing in a group of people - in the middle of a situation, that good & bad choices can be the outcome. The time actually feeling 'unfavorable', yet the options and choices before us are pretty clear. The crowd seems both like friends we know, and people we don't really know. Yet, this verse tells us, to speak up and 'preach' the truth, in all circumstances and places with any and all people. Not in a "lord it over" someone way, but with kindness, patience, and encouragement. Yes, it needs to be with correction and rebuke too - which both of these mean to do so in a way that it 'startles' or 'jolts' the person being scolded.
Back to the flash picture: standing there in the group, the choices offered, are pretty clear. So, I innocently speak up with what my conscience tells me (haa haa, like I do already) and several of the people turn SO quickly, and look at me with such surprise and shock, then - as they see my body language, face and heart of how I said it - they soften, and say out loud "Ouch".
I believe THIS is how we are to preach God's word in our everyday life to and around others. Being prepared, is just having it inside you at all times. If you are practicing what you read, hear, watch from God's word - then it WILL come out naturally when others are around. This is why I feel it is important to listen to music that is encouraging, uplifting, and NOT degrading, cursing, and harsh towards others. Why? Because it sinks DEEP into our conscience! It is what plays in our head, even when there isn't any music playing. It's what plays in our head as we wake up, as we go to sleep... It affects our deep innermost self being. Have you ever woke up singing a song, out loud or in your thoughts, that you didn't realize you actually "knew" all of the words to? The only way that is possible, is due to it playing over and over again all day long on your radio or in your play-list. That old saying of "garbage in = garbage out" it actually scripture too, and it is TRUE!!
Today, I pray that the Lord guides and directs you to actually "see" or rather, "hear" what you are listening to and how it is actually affecting you and your life, as well as those around you. Please be choosy as to what you allow yourself and those around you to listen to. If you want to be happy, loved, and just feel good - then you can NOT have music that is cursing, angry and cruel playing - you will only think of yourself as those lyrics spit out. If you are not used to a 'wholesome' station, it won't take long before you learn the words - they play the same songs over and over, just like other stations LOL Just give it a try! What have you got to lose?!?! I pray today, that the Lord reveals just how you think of yourself and others, due to the music you listen to. I pray that your words will be truth today - both to yourself and to others! Be well and be safe - and KNOW that you ARE loved!!
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