Matthew 16:24-25
If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
2 Timothy 4:1-5
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
2 Timothy 4:5 AMP
5 BUT AS FOR YOU, be clear-headed in every situation [stay calm and cool and steady], endure every hardship [without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [the duties of] your ministry.
Consider your Calling
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You’ve been Called by the LORD
2 Timothy 4:1-2
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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Don’t be Corrupted by the Crowd
2 Timothy 4:3-5
3 For the time will come when THEY will not endure sound doctrine, but according to THEIR own desires, because THEY have itching ears, THEY will heap up for THEMSELVES teachers;
4 and THEY will turn THEIR ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
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Determine your Legacy
2 Timothy 4:6-7
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
“The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you with jealous love. He will rebuke you for the little words and feelings or for wasting your time.
So, make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign and has a right to do as He pleases with His own. He does not owe you an explanation of these mysteries.
But if you give yourself to be His child, He will wrap you up in a jealous love and give you the precious blessings for those who belong, heart and soul, to Him.
Settle it forever, then, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit. It is His option to tie your tongue, or chain your hand, or close your eyes in ways that He does not seem to use with others.
And when you are so possessed by the living God that your heart delights over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of Heaven.”
G.D. Watson