As I approach the 40th anniversary of my 30th birthday, Kathy and I think we need an estate plan. With that said, the first thing that came to my mind was the book of II Timothy. There is so much more than that (an estate plan). It is more of a book about teachers.
II Timothy 1:3-7 tells us, "l thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be fitted with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (New International Version 1973). We all need good teachers like Timothy's mother and grandmother.
Most of the book of II Timothy is about good teachers and bad teachers, which caused me to think about some of my good teachers.
John Raymond and Wilbur Fields are two of my teachers that come to my mind. Brother Raymond taught me how to study the Bible and how to keep the study in order. And yes, Brother Raymond, I still have the Webster's New World 33,000 Word Book on my desk as you requested.
Brother Fields taught me how to think and to look for Biblical history outside the Bible.
Two other Christian men in my life were Wayne Ward and Pete Hobbs who showed me how to be an adult Christian by modeling behavior in their lives.
II Timothy 3:8-9; "Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth-men of depraved minds, who as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.” Paul told Timothy to watch out for false teachers like those that opposed Moses and the truth. The way we know the truth as Christians is by reading and studying the Bible.
Paul's will, II Timothy 4:1-2; “ln the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction." With that Paul passes his ministry to Timothy and to us.
In Christian Love,
Brad Willman
Elder