“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 people 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” (2 Timothy 4:2-3).

Those of us who grew up in church circles will be familiar with the first of these verses – Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. However, we may not be as familiar with the second verse.

There are two things:

1. We are called to preach the word. Not our opinions, not our thoughts, not what we think is right. We are called to preach God’s word. God’s word dictates what is true and what is wrong, what is good and what is sin.
2. There will be a time when people will reject God’s word and surround themselves with “teachers” who will say just what people want to hear.

Paul wrote these words two thousand years ago. Yet, these words are absolutely relevant today.

Our society has a hard time accepting the truth because the lies being uttered from some pulpits is exactly what they want to hear.

Friends, the word of God comforts and strengthens. AND if the word of God does not correct, rebuke, it’s probably not the word of God. If the word of God never corrects and rebukes, it would mean we are perfect just the way we are. And we all know that ain’t right.

The word of God absolutely comforts and strengths. AND it corrects and rebukes. And that’s a good thing.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

Fear of God? Our world doesn’t do this very well. We much prefer the love of God. I think most of us would agree that we are messed up as repeat sinners. We live that out pretty much every single day of our lives. So, we like to think about the love of God. A God who loves us.

That’s ok. God does love us who are repeat sinners.

AND we also need to know that the love of God is not to be taken advantage of.

The place where our world gets stuck when thinking about the “fearing God” thing is not because we don’t understand the word fear. The place where our world gets this all wrong is that we don’t understand “God.”

If we knew “God,” fearing, honoring, loving, respecting, obeying God would be a no brainer.

Do you know God?

“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:13-14).

Last Thursday we received a message from Helen’s family that they couldn’t get a hold of Helen’s mom, Esther, who is a healthy 84. They went to the house and knocked and called her phone. They could hear the phone ringing but no one came to the door. We called the police department to do a wellness check on Esther.

When they went into the house they found her on the ground. She was breathing but unable to speak or move. They rushed her to the hospital where they determined that she suffered a stroke. They operated on Esther to clear the clots in her brain.

As soon as we found out about Esther, Helen took a flight out that evening to be with Esther in Los Angeles.

As of the writing of this entry, the surgery went well and they were able to clear most of the clots. However, there is permanent damage and we will not know the full extent for a few days. As of Friday evening, Esther is able to respond by moving her finger or blinking but she is still unable to speak and she is unable to move the right side of her body.

Having said all this, the Kim family is counting on your prayers. Helen will be with Esther for the foreseeable future until we know about the future prognosis for Esther and the family decides what to do about Esther’s future care.

In the midst of all this, we have peace. No matter what happens, Esther is God’s beloved daughter. We know God knows what is best and we completely trust God. Currently, we are praying for healing and recovery. Should that not be God’s will, we know Esther would love to be with her husband who passed 2022 during Covid and be reunited with Jesus.

God is good. Thank you for your prayers.