Words Of Wisdom 

When I was growing up if my earthly father would say to me, “We need
to talk,” it meant that I was either (a.) in big trouble and I had best listen
for sitting down could become rather difficult or (b.) he needed to say
something and I was suppose to listen to him.

Sadly many Christians are like this when it comes to God’s wisdom.
When they are in trouble they proclaim, “I NEED YOU GOD, PLEASE
BE THERE FOR ME!! I NEED YOU NOW!!” Then in anger, “WHERE ARE
YOU GOD..? I NEED YOU NOW !!”

When life is going well…“A Bible? Yeah, I’ve got one somewhere in the 
house. Church on Sunday morning? We’ll see, you know that is my day 
To exercise or sleep in.” All along God the Father is there watching and 
I’m sure shaking his head in sadness and thinking that one day you will 
need me and I will be there. I sure wish they would know I am there and 
talk to me when their life is going well. His name is Timothy, which 
means “honored by God,” and Timothy was the Apostle Paul’s friend 
and associate. Friend and associate during the good times and during 
Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. 

Open your Bible to 2 Timothy 3, and let us read together what Paul wrote 
to Timothy who was faithful to Paul as a son to his father.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly 
believed, knowing from whom you learned and how from childhood 
you’ve been acquainted with the sacred writing which are able to 
instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture 
is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for 
correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God 
may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The Bible is God’s inspired word and to know and live His word is to 
have a richness unlike anything that this world can provide. Like many in 
this day and age Timothy was exposed to false teachers and the pressures 
of answering to and following God’s word to be a disciple. The truth be 
known when one is reading the Bible, studying God’s word the devil is 
going to try you, tempt you, tease you any time and any way that he can. 

In response to the pressures Timothy, as you and I, could abandon the 
faith or modify our beliefs to fit in. Modify to fit in or stick to that which 
God has given us to live our lives by. Only through the love of God can 
one be changed, can one have Changed Lives.

We, you and I, all of God’s children, are ministers of His word and it 
is our responsibility to teach God’s word so that others may have a 
foundation.

“The alcoholic throws the bottle away, delivered from the state of sin.
For that drink holds no more power over him, he is a new creature 
within. The adulterer goes forth to sin no more, forgiven, cleansed by 
God’s own hand. The merciful hand of that one long ago who stooped 
down to write upon the sand. The sinner changes their lifestyle as they 
hear God’s word spoken. Those chains of power are shattered in pieces 
as Satin’s power is broken. The idolater surrenders those idols, for the 
glow is suddenly gone. A heart warmed with love now worships the 
Savior as new life in Christ is made known. That one living a prideful, 
self-centered life, now lives for the Master each day. A humbled soul, 
desiring to please the Lord and to walk in His holy way. The religious 
one who did many good deeds though he knew not Jesus, the Christ. 
Now joyfully labors, serving the Savior. Having received abundant life. 
Praise God for Changed Lives!!

In the words of Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get, 
we make a life by what we give.”

What makes this message we proclaim about God’s Good News special
is it is not manipulated or imposed from an outside source. Paul wrote 
to Timothy that “all scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, 
for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” as Paul 
was referring to the Hebrew scriptures as there was no New Testament 
written at the time. There was no New Testament but it was written upon 
the heart of those who believe and it should still be written upon the heart 
of all believers.

There are those who believe that God only works from the outside in, 
instead of from the inside out. The truth is, listen closely, the promise 
is, that God’s writes His word upon the human heart. We are called to 
proclaim His word, “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for
every good work.”

The way real change works is not from the outside in but from the inside 
out. No one can be convinced of something unless they feel the desire 
inwardly and real courage is not something one receives from another, 
but from within. It is when one feels the desire, the need, and the courage 
to step out in faith and change for they feel God’s presence and hear His 
call in their life. 

2 Timothy 4: 1

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge
the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned 
to trust in God. Through it all, through it all I’ve learned to depend on 
His word. We have been called by God.... 

2 Timothy 4:2-5, 

“preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, 
rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the
time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but
having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to 
suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth 
and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure
suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Our God is a transcendent God who will not be bullied and is ever 
beyond the reach of humans.

He leadeth me: O blessed thought! O words with comfort fraught! What
Ever, where ‘er I be, still tis God’s hand that leadeth me. He leadeth me,
He leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me, his faithful follower I
would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.

Psalm 119: 97-104

Oh, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thy 
Commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever 
with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for 
thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the 
age, for I keep thy precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil 
way, in order to keep thy word. I do not turn away from thy 
ordinances, for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words 
to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy 
precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

If you know someone who is hurting, someone who is insecure in who
they are, someone who is imprisoned, share with them God’s word, 
share with them so that they may see.

Psalm 119: 105

“Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” When a 
child of God makes the choice to listen to God’s word’s of wisdom 
in their life then and only then may they feel an inner peace and
come to hate every false way.

Come to soak in God’s word and to be at peace.

John 8:32

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Let us pray, 

Father, I am lost, I am searching, I do not know who I am let alone what
my life is suppose to be about at this very moment. You know who I 
am Father, you know my uncertainty, my tender feelings and 
confusion. May my life become a life of servant hood to 
you, may my life no longer be an existence but a 
presence of you in my life unto others. May I 
at this instance believe that I am beautiful 
Father for you don’t make junk.
Amen


CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: When you are committed to a journey of a thousand miles

People: a few steps in the wrong direction can’t bring me down

Leader: Look beneath the surface of your day-to-day life and ask why?

People: May I dig deeply and realize the child of God that I am

Leader: Remember, WE ARE BEAUTIFUL

All: CAUSE GOD DOESN’T MAKE JUNK!

Prayer (in unison)

Almighty Father, when I have times in my life that I am down upon myself, 
may I remember that you love me just as I am for I am yours. Just as 
I am, I come to you; just as I am I am good enough for I am yours. 
Oh Lamb Of God, I Come, I Come. May I feel your loving arms 
around of peace and in your presence Father know that I am 
fine for you are there. Just as I am, and waiting not to rid 
my soul of one dark blot, to thee whose blood can
cleanse each spot, Oh Lamb O God, I Come, 
I Come. Thank you Father for loving me. 
To God Be The Glory for I am worthy!
Amen


10/17/2004 JWM


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