We have completed the study on prayer, which was first on our list of what we can do to draw closer to God. Before we begin our study on reading the Bible, we need to ask ourselves a few questions: Am I teachable? Am I correctable?
Our text is taken from II Timothy 4:2-4 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
This passage made me think of parenting my children. There are precepts and principles I want to instill in them before they leave home. I have learned something about teaching children: you must watch for and seize those teachable moments!
Paul is instructing Timothy: be prepared to seize those teachable moments! Speak the truth without watering it down! But speak with great patience and careful instruction.
Great patience: something I often lack, especially when tired. Sometimes when I am frustrated with my child, I wonder how often God is frustrated with me. Yet, patiently, He is waiting there. He loves me (and you!) with the deepest of passions and He wants the best for us, so He waits patiently. He is waiting for my heart to soften, my rebellion to pass, so I will be pliable, and He can seize that teachable moment with me.
What can I do to become more teachable? First, try to step outside myself, and yield to Him. Easier said than done, for sure. Yet, God knows the heart. We need to ask Him to help us yield to His Spirit. And then we must trust He will help us. “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength”. Philippians 4:13
As I reflect on how God teaches me, He does the very same as Paul instructed Timothy: correct, rebuke, and encourage. Jesus did the very same with His ministry here on earth.
Let’s learn from the best! On Wednesday, we will explore the question: Am I correctable?
Reflection: Am I teachable? In what ways am I stubborn? How does that hinder me from learning?
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Thank you Thalia! You really went back in the archives for this one! I really appreciate the encouragement. God constantly uses people like you to encourage me to continue writing for Him. It simply amazes me how He always, always delivers that morsel of encouragement my very soul deeply desires at just the perfect moment. I pray you also experience His gifts today.
Thank you!
I have been pondering your reply for a few days now. I agree with you that to truly know God and grow a relationship with Him we need to trust Him. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, or as WE planned, yet if we trust Him and His leading, we know it will all somehow work out. Our culture promotes a lot about self-reliance. While being able to be independent is important, especially as we reach adulthood, we need to rely on God and trust Him with our lives.
I would love to open a conversation about the other part of your comment, about getting rid of idols. I’m not certain I understood your comment in regards to the surrounding conversation.
I appreciate your thoughtfulness and that you are reading and taking the time to respond. I love these discussions and I appreciate the thought-provoking reply! Thank you! Stefanie
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Thank you! I hope your day picks up a bit in the “Good excitement” department. Thanks for stopping by and I hope we can connect again soon!
Stefanie