Verse of the Day 11/9

 2 Timothy 2:24 English Standard Version (ESV)²⁴And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,

 

Do you consider yourself to be a "servant of the Lord"?  If so, this verse lays out some basic qualities that we are to have - not quarrelsome, kind, able to teach, and having patient endurance.  All of them are things that "don't come easy" and if , by God's grace we have them, are not easily maintained.

 

Humility would also be a part of this.  Our Pastor Bob led us through an exercise in last week's service, he encouraged everyone to turn to the person next to them - spouse, child, friend or stranger and say to them "I could be wrong".  It is the basis for not being "quarrelsome", in the habit of considering oneself right 99% of the time and taking every opportunity to defend our position on any matter.  From past experience, I could easily modify that saying to "I'm probably wrong", but that's another matter.  This attitude is also important in being able to teach.  Teaching is as much about caring about and understanding the other person as it is passing on knowledge.  Teaching is a two way street, while we teach we are learning.

 

In any matter we also need to realize that it is God and not us who is the ultimate authority on any given subject, not me.  What we teach is to be based on His Word and not personal opinion.

 

Evaluate your conversations today.  Are you quarrelsome or are you kind, patient and willing to endure the challenges that you will face?

 

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Thru the Bible - Ezra 6-8, 2 Timothy 3

 

2 Timothy 2:22-26  New Living Translation (NLT)

 ²² Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

 ²³ Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. ²⁴ A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. ²⁵ Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. ²⁶ Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.