| Body: |
Significant verse:
20:20 & 27
What does the verse say? As
Paul expressed departing words to the church elders at Ephesus, twice
he reminded them that he "never shrank back" from telling them what
they needed to hear, either publicly or privately. He didn't
shrink back from declaring all God wanted them to know.
What is God saying to me?
At times, I'm inclined to "shrink back". It's fun talking to
people about God's love and grace and joy and peace and salvation and
forgiveness. But sometimes people need to hear unfun words.
Sometimes I need to hear difficult words. Sometimes I need to
speak difficult words. Lord, bless me as I have difficult
conversations with people privately and as I speak difficult truths to
people publicly. I won't shrink back. The truth sets people
free. Empower me to speak words of truth.
|