Time For God: May 29
Written by Paul Beckingham
Focus: 2 Timothy 4:13
Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
Reflect:
Students in the preaching class were nervous. The time had arrived for them to be sent hither and yon to churches awaiting their message. Meticulous preparations were in progress. Students carefully packed all they needed. They meant to speak in their best preaching presentation and with real substance. They prayed for success.
My location involved two ferry rides and some long stretches of driving. My first ferry arrived late; it seemed to take forever to land at the other end. A fair drive would take me to the next terminal to connect with the second ferry. Slow moving logging trucks, however, pulled just in front of me. No safe passing places appeared on that windy, narrow road. The trundling trucks guaranteed that I must miss my ferry connection. The next available ferry would be a five-hour wait away.
I arrived late that Saturday night. Church members had volunteered to care for the visiting preacher. They warmly welcomed me into their home, offering me a cozy place to sleep. Sunday morning’s sunrise burst upon me astonishingly quickly. I aimed to dress to impress—if only to take the focus away from my nervousness.
After breakfast I returned to my room. On went my black suit, white shirt, muted tie and …where could my black shoes be? All I could find were the beaten up white runners from my jeans outfit of the previous day …and the pair of fluffy sheepskin moccasin slippers that I wore in the house. White runners and black suit? Never!
The service ended. Handshakes and kind comments came my way. One older deacon smiled at my slippers. What is it with Regent College? You’re the third Regent student to forget their shoes! Shoes do not a sermon make; fluffy slippers don’t cut it, either.
In a dank prison cell, Paul requests a cloak to warm his body, together with books and parchment to warm his soul. Clearly, arrest-and-confinement precludes time to pack. The sole audience he seeks to please—shoes or not—is our ever-present God.
Consider:
How does God continue to meet your practical daily needs? When does He come to your aid when all else has fails? How can you rest in His total security, today?
Pray:
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! Amen [Psalm of David: Psalm 3:3-7].
Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
Reflect:
Students in the preaching class were nervous. The time had arrived for them to be sent hither and yon to churches awaiting their message. Meticulous preparations were in progress. Students carefully packed all they needed. They meant to speak in their best preaching presentation and with real substance. They prayed for success.
My location involved two ferry rides and some long stretches of driving. My first ferry arrived late; it seemed to take forever to land at the other end. A fair drive would take me to the next terminal to connect with the second ferry. Slow moving logging trucks, however, pulled just in front of me. No safe passing places appeared on that windy, narrow road. The trundling trucks guaranteed that I must miss my ferry connection. The next available ferry would be a five-hour wait away.
I arrived late that Saturday night. Church members had volunteered to care for the visiting preacher. They warmly welcomed me into their home, offering me a cozy place to sleep. Sunday morning’s sunrise burst upon me astonishingly quickly. I aimed to dress to impress—if only to take the focus away from my nervousness.
After breakfast I returned to my room. On went my black suit, white shirt, muted tie and …where could my black shoes be? All I could find were the beaten up white runners from my jeans outfit of the previous day …and the pair of fluffy sheepskin moccasin slippers that I wore in the house. White runners and black suit? Never!
The service ended. Handshakes and kind comments came my way. One older deacon smiled at my slippers. What is it with Regent College? You’re the third Regent student to forget their shoes! Shoes do not a sermon make; fluffy slippers don’t cut it, either.
In a dank prison cell, Paul requests a cloak to warm his body, together with books and parchment to warm his soul. Clearly, arrest-and-confinement precludes time to pack. The sole audience he seeks to please—shoes or not—is our ever-present God.
Consider:
How does God continue to meet your practical daily needs? When does He come to your aid when all else has fails? How can you rest in His total security, today?
Pray:
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! Amen [Psalm of David: Psalm 3:3-7].
Posted in May Devotional
Related Posts
Recent
Archive
2021
January
21 Days Of Prayer: IntroConfession, Repentance, RestorationRenewed Minds, Higher ThoughtsGod's FaithfulnessPatience and EnduranceBorn Into A New FamilyFresh AnointingPromise of Peace and HopeWelcoming All to Christ's TableLament + RebuildTaking the Initiative to HelpLiving WaterPeople of Dreams and VisionsFasting and PrayerA New Heaven And A New EarthStrength in WeaknessPraying for Those with No Access to the GospelWorking for a Plentiful HarvestBlessing the "Least of These"Protection and Blessing for Our ChildrenDefending and Supporting the NeedyCooperation and Worldwide Outreach
2020
April
Time For God: Day 1Time For God: Day 2Time For God: Day 3Time For God: Day 4Time For God: Day 5Time For God: Day 6Time For God: Day 7Time For God: Week 2Time For God: Day 8Time For God: Day 9Time For God: Day 10Time For God: Day 11Time For God: Day 12Time For God: Day 13Time For God: Day 14Time For God: Week 3Time For God: Day 15Time For God: Day 16Time For God: Day 17Time For God: Day 18Time For God: Day 19Time For God: Day 20Time For God: Day 21Time For God: Week 4Time For God: Day 22Time For God: Day 23Time For God: Day 24Time For God: Day 25Time For God: Day 26Time For God: Day 27Time For God: Day 28Time For God: Day 29Time For God: Day 30
May
Time For God - May INTROTime For God - May 1Time For God: May 2Time For God: May 3Time For God: May 4Time For God: May 5Time For God: May 6Time For God: May 7Time For God: May 8Time For God: May 9Time For God: Day 10Time For God: May 11Time For God: May 12Time For God: May 13Time For God: May 14Time For God: May 15Time For God: May 16Time For God: May 17Time For God: May 18Time For God: May 19Time For God: May 20Time For God: May 21Time For God: May 22Time For God: May 23Time For God: May 24Time For God: May 25Time For God: May 26Time For God: May 27Time For God: May 28Time For God: May 29Time For God: May 30Time For God: May 31
June