Looking out over the beautiful vista of the Gulf of Mexico with wite sand, sparkling blue water, and a distant fishing boat swaying with the waves is a perfect, calming atmosphere for hearing from God. I was just moments ago reading 2 Timothy and it is like God shook me and said “Wake up Royce!” No, I did not hear an audible voice, but I assure you God has spoken to me.

“So flee youthful passions (or, old comfortable habits) and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness, that God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:22-26)

I am guilty of flagrantly violating the teaching of this passage of scripture. I am guilty of doing exactly what this passages says not to do (“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies”) often at the expense of not doing what I should be doing (but the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness). I am far too often glib, rude, and impatient with those I am trying to correct. I am certainly not gentle. I have even sort of secretly looked foward to the quarrel and I have become good at being quarrelsome.

My repentance includes leaving off the things mentioned above and concentrating on the Truth that sets men free. May God please grant me love for those with whom I disagree, paitence, and thick skin. I apologize to those to whom I have been less than loving, short on kindness, and for not looking out for their best interests, even when I am convinced they are wrong.

“..in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 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 Timothy 2:20,21)

I pray these precious promises will be true in my life…

Desing to be used,
Royce