I began my formal training to become a Minister of the Word at the beginning of year 2001. We became members of Hope Valley Uniting Church because we lived just down the road in Valley View. We joined a Bible Study group which kicked off with a study on the book of 2 Timothy, a personal letter to Paul’s young protégé and fellow evangelist, Timothy. 

I hope you also have experienced the joy of reading something in the Bible and knowing that God is speaking through a passage directly to your heart, addressing your life as it is at that time. God certainly did that for me as we worked our way through the second chapter. From verse 11, it reads — 

Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him; If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Surely, these words express the heart of the Gospel and highlight God’s utter faithfulness? The next couple of verses impacted on me with such force that they have become my constant prayer ever since— 

Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed [of the Gospel] and who correctly handles the word of truth. 

Given the training I had just embarked upon and the goal of that training, I felt God encouraging me in my endeavours and setting out what was to be the core of my life preaching. It could be a special word to your heart as well. 

Rev. Ross Honey