December 10, 2020: SOAP #4025:  2Timothy 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 2:21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

OBSERVATION:  In verse 21 I see some worthy goals for each believer.  First: being an instrument for noble purposes speaks to me about limiting my intake of questionable things.  Some things may not be wrong, but they detract from honoring God. 
Second: no one can be holy by their own works.  We must be MADE holy by the applied blood of Jesus. 
Third:  when we know and live by our noble purpose, we become “useful to the Master.”  Jesus is not a useful add-on to our lives.  We are useful to Him!  We are use-able.  He is able to use us!  
Then we are living on His timetable.  Our will is secondary to His.  We are prepared to interrupt our schedule to be useful in His schedule.   Being “prepared to do any good work,” even the humble assignments. 

APPLICATION:  It is tempting to push ahead in ministry; we see the need; we see the potential; we run ahead to meet the challenge.  Then when the challenges overtake us, we look around to see who we can get to put their finances in our need.  If we would follow Him, instead of running ahead of Him, we would be working on His timetable.  When we arrive at the challenge, we would find He already is working on the answer.  The burden is on Him to provide for His plan.  We are free to do His will. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have contemplated about how I can use you to reach my goals.  Holy Spirit guide my thoughts as to how God can use me to accomplish His will.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal update:  The labs came back to report no bacteria in the fluids removed from the lung cavity.  It was quite cloudy, so they thought there was an infection.  They are stopping any antibiotics and want to do another set of tests in two days.  Having the mitral valve ring and pacemaker, it is very important that there be no infection.  I am still having trouble with the heart rhythm, but that may resolve itself before too long.  Finally, I am still in a quarantine area, but the only symptom I have is the positive test.