Word

I oftentimes finding myself wondering what I'm actually good at...
What I could spend more time doing...
Basically, how I can up the value of who I am...

vain. I read the Word, and it reminds me of the joy I can have in Christ - if I claim it. Reminds me of the value I have in Him - because He's given it to me...The Word - haven't been in it enough!

I read 2nd Timothy. Whenever I read Paul, I get all excited inside. He is very passionate, and it rubs off! Some of my faves would be:

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season" (4:2) - that is, when it is convenient, when it is not convenient!

"Always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry"(4:5) - are we fulfilling our ministry? what is it?

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work" (2:21) - for me, this is anger (a newsflash for me believe it or not) and laziness to name a few.

"Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2:1)

"fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (1:6,7). - don't be afraid to grow and excercise the gifts that God has given us, with our confidence rooted in Him

and of course (I say, "of course," because it is a typically memorized verse that we can sometimes become numb to...which is sad),
"All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (3:16)

It is funny how we can forget some of these verses, or even PARTS of these verses, and what a difference it can make! Basically, what I love about Paul, is his fear of God, and not of man. Throughout it all, I hear, "Worship God! Serve God! Love God! Draw closer to Him! Don't let the world take you away from that!"

And I think, Paul is CRAZY! He is a Jesus-freak! Guess what, it's really OKAY for people to think that you are one...it's okay. In fact, if you are Christian, someone in your life probably should think you are crazy...

I generally don't like that idea, and I think there is a lot of us out there...