Today's encouragement comes from 2 Timothy 4:1 & 2a, where Paul wrote this, to the young minister:
"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach theword! . . . "
God delights in His gospel (word) being preached. He is more concerned that preaching takes place, than if anyone ever believes the message, or not. The preached word inhibits the spread and growth of heresy, (see vv. 3-4); it em-boldens the minister for the endurance of afflictions, (v. 5); and it builds up the saints in their holy faith—all the while calling sinners to Christ.
Pray that your ministers preach the word; and that they do not substitute this precious ordinance with entertainment, religious moralism, and worldly stupid-ity. Pray that they take on the enemies of God; and that they bring you the lovely good news of peace, in Jesus' priceless blood.
[Puritan quote of the day: "God bestows more goodness upon one godly man than upon all the ungodly in the world.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "Christians a Chosen Generation"]
