1Ti 4:12-16 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. ESV
The above passage of Scripture was the starting point for a presentation that was given at our church today. As a church and as individuals we can become very busy doing a variety of good things, yet still be neglecting the use of the gifts God has given us to accomplish His purposes.
Paul exhorted Timothy to not let anyone despise him for his youth. He wasn't to let others to keep him from doing all that God had called him to do. Hopefully we can all determine to be an example is how we talk and behave regardless of what others expect or don't expect of us.
In particular perhaps I ought to relate to some of the specifics Paul wrote here. Public reading of Scripture. Exhortation. Teaching.
I truly believe that Scripture is the Word of God. That is why when I have taught in adult Sunday school, I have most often taught from a particular book of the Bible and extensively used context and other Scripture passages to explain words, phrases, and verses while going through each chapter.
Next Sunday I'll be giving the monthly "Missions Moment" for about 7 minutes of the service. When I do that I intend to use a couple of Scripture passages to remind members of our church of the importance of keeping our commitments to the missionaries we support.
Due to health problems last year I wasn't able to teach Sunday school classes. Lord willing, if my health continues to improve, I'll be able to once again serve the Lord and our church in that way again.
Meanwhile, at the very least, I ought to maintain a regular posting to this blog, regardless of whether many people read it or not.
I know in the past I've intended to write posts more often, and then got discouraged or distracted, and slacked off.
Today I (and hopefully our church) have been reminded to not neglect the gifts God has given us. May we keep a close watch on ourselves and our teaching, and will persist in all that God has called us to do.
