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“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” ~ 2 Timothy 1:8

2 Timothy is Paul’s last letter written before Nero executed him. He gave Timothy final instructions to continue fighting against false teaching and to remain strong in his faith. In this verse, Paul encouraged Timothy to never shy away from proclaiming Jesus, even under threat of persecution. Paul was to willingly suffer for the Gospel, just as Jesus did and he wanted Timothy to do so as well. He trusted fully that the Holy Spirit would help them both endure.

If we are true believers, we are called to a life of mission. We cannot just sit on the sidelines and let the Pastors, Evangelists or any others be the only ones doing the work of the ministry. We are all called to witness and minister. When we do though, we will be persecuted. The devil especially likes to target people that are effective for the Kingdom. But we are not to shrink back. Jesus said that we would be despised and rejected because of Him. Nevertheless, we are to take up our cross and follow Him.

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Oh Lord, I lift up to You all of those I know that are building up Your Kingdom and are suffering as they do! Touch them, strengthen them, empower them today to keep on pressing and shining Your Light! Help me Lord, today and always to be a witness for You in words and deeds. Help me never to hesitate but to share the Gospel boldly. In times of persecution and adversity help me to endure in a way that honors and glorifies You. It is my desire to look like Jesus to this dying world…not only in Word and deed but also in attitude – in my heart. Create in me a clean heart Oh God and renew a right spirit within me. I ask this in Jesus Holy and precious Name. Amen!

I sure do miss the weekly radio program and the opportunity to release some of what is shut up in my bones.

I read a sobering Bible verse yesterday morning. It hit me so hard and felt like such a warning. To me? For sure! To others? Likely. I wrote it all down and carried it with me Sunday as though I were headed to the radio just in case God gave me the opportunity to share what He had laid on my heart. It is now Monday, and one thing is for sure and that is I have not moved on. It burns! Not sure you can feel that through a blog but here it is.

The verse –

“The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.” – Proverbs‬ ‭21:16‬‬‬

The warning – DON’T WANDER!

If you aren’t challenged by this verse yourself or stirred in any way to warn others…look at the definition of the word “wander” below and then read it again – every single word!!! Don’t leave even one word out or change it in any way to suit your own life!

Wander – verb (used without object)
• to ramble without a definite purpose or objective; roam, rove, or stray.
• to go aimlessly, indirectly, or casually; meander.
• to extend in an irregular course or direction
• to move, pass, or turn idly, as the hand or the eyes.
• (of the mind, thoughts, desires, etc.) to take one direction or another without conscious intent or control
• to stray from a path, place, companions, etc.
• to deviate in conduct, belief, etc.; err; go astray
• to think or speak confusedly or incoherently.

“The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.” – Proverbs‬ ‭21:16‬‬‬

How important is it to avoid wandering? Straying away? Well, this verse doesn’t say that wandering aimlessly from time to time for a short while is okay or that straying just a short distance is okay. It says that the man that wanders away from the way of understanding SHALL REMAIN in the congregation of the dead.

Don’t allow yourself to wander from God and His Word or from His people! Don’t allow yourself to get off the path He has placed you on. Most of us do not intend to go astray; we wander into unrighteousness or sin. The results are the same though whether deliberate or not. If you get yourself off track and you never get back onto the path the Lord had you on; if you never get your eyes back on Jesus in your walk – you will end up remaining in the congregation of the dead. In other words, you will remain in eternal hell.

Listen let’s be honest, we all get discouraged and sometimes feel defeated on the path God has placed us. Sometimes we get frustrated and annoyed by petty things. Sometimes we don’t want to wander, we want to run away. Sometimes we feel invisible and wonder who would notice if we wandered anyway; who would care. Jesus cares! He cares a lot because there is an eternal consequence. If you have deliberately or inadvertently wandered away from the Lord, His Word, His people even a little bit in the physical or maybe even more importantly in your heart… get back where you belong!

And can I say one more thing that you can agree with, disagree with, but I feel it strongly this morning? I am preaching to myself first and foremost and I will end it here.

If someone in the body of Christ can wander away – and you and I don’t care enough to send a note, make a call, or get on our knees for them — you and I need to check to see if we have not wandered ourselves.