2 Timothy 4:1-5 SOAP: 4:2-4
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
SOAP
Preach the word, but it’s not going to be easy. Not everyone is going to want to hear God’s Word, but do it anyway. Don’t expect lots of encouragement, but do it out of obedience to our Lord. Speak God’s truth in love with plenty of patience. God’s Word is alive and useful for teaching, correcting and encouraging the body of Christ to live passionately for Him. He is our focus, not the world or the world’s values.
Dear Jesus,
Help me not to fear rejection but remember that You were also rejected for speaking and living the truth. Help me to “shake the dust” and not get down when people don’t accept Your truth. Help me to keep my eyes on you, lovingly do Your will and not look to others’ approval or permission. Amen.