In and out of season

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Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Summer. The time when we set aside time to spend time with our families in different ways. One of things we tried to do this year was have a family vacation so we could share that time with one another in a relaxing way.

So we determined that we would go to Disney World in Florida and share that time together. I will have to say that it was a real blessing to be able to spend that time sharing the sights and sounds of Disney with the family. Everyone seemed to enjoy the time even in the midst of the heat and humidity.

I won’t give you all the details but I do want you to know that from the Disney adventures to the sea shore to the pool there was a great deal of laughter taking place. Each of the kids and grandkids had a great time looking at all the sights and enjoying the rides. It was truly a time that we will remember.

Before we left I was a little concerned about what it would be like with all the young ones. But they were able to soak up the sun, play in the water (pool and ocean) and eat lots of snacks. All of them seemed to have a great time doing all of the activities they did. It was Papa that got a little tired along the way!

We saw so many sites that it is hard to point to one that really tells the story of how great things were. I may have been the only one that struggled with all the traffic, but it drove me crazy. There were so many cars on the road it is hard to imagine. I know many of them were residents, but I am sure that many were on vacation.

Now I know you don’t want to hear about the vacation, but there was something in the midst of it that really spoke to me. Charity asked me on Saturday if I was going to preach to the group on Sunday or were we going to go to church somewhere.

I just assumed that we would find a church nearby and go to the service there. I told her that I wanted to go to a church. So we started looking for one close. We found Celebration Community Church that was just a few miles away and determined that is where we would go.

On Sunday morning we went to the church and found us a seat. They had a great song service. It was filled with contemporary songs and was very upbeat. Then we found out that the preacher was gone and the one preaching was preaching his first sermon. He did a great job of sharing the word with us from Psalm 58 sharing about the life of faith and the God who judges.

As I thought about it later I realized that God had placed him in that place to share that message at that time and in that place for all who were there. It made me think about something that Paul shared with Timothy.

In 2 Timothy 4:1-3 Paul told Timothy – 1 I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires,

Whether we are in Florida, Texas or wherever, we need to be ready to preach the word in whatever season so that people will hear the message of God’s Word. Whether you’re on vacation or at home, God’s message still needs to be heard. So be ready at all times to share God’s Word so all will hear the message.

JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!

Christ only, always,

Bro. Paul

Brother Paul Nachtigall is the preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.