October 11th Reflection - Let it Spill Out - by Bill Lynch

2 Timothy 2:8–15
 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.

 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

Reflection
Paul stood firm in his faith. Through thick and thin, Paul stood firm. His concern was not for himself, but for the people that he would reach out towards. Paul cared in a loving way for the eternal lives of all people. Paul was sent to proclaim the gospel of the risen Jesus Christ. Paul was sent to tell us of the way of salvation.

Like John the Baptist, Paul pointed to Jesus. We in our lives must do likewise. We must point to Jesus. Jesus is the way and the truth. Jesus is life. Does your life point to Jesus?

In any circumstance our lives and our words and our actions must point those who are lost to Jesus. We have all been given this work to do. All believers must point to Jesus. We must show the world what God has done for us and for all people. We must point to the Savior and proclaim Jesus name to all, in word and deed.

Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus is the living God. Many worship gods that aren't living. They worship wealth and power and prestige, but all of this is dead. Jesus is the living God. Jesus is eternally alive. Even in our chains of sin, God cannot be tied down. God's Word is free forever and we in this sinful state cannot keep the Word in. The Word spills out and overflows from our lives into all the world. Even in our sin we encounter the saving Lord, Jesus.

So, we are faithful till death on this earthly place. We are faithful in our walk of life in the here and now. Knowing that Jesus was the first to rise, we too have hope in Jesus for eternal life. As we confess Jesus on this earth, this place and this time; we can rest assured that Jesus will proclaim our name before the Father. For in Jesus we have eternal life. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Father, as I live this life in the here and now, may your Word spill out of my mouth, my life and my actions of love for you and for those you give to me, that all may see the glory and salvation of Jesus freely offered to all people... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen