In Paul’s final letter to the church in Timothy, he exhorted them to preach the word in season and out of season. This means preaching whether people are willing to hear and accept or not. He wanted the church to be ready to reprove, rebuke and export. This is because the time will come when people will not want to hear sound doctrine. Having itchy ears, people will go after preachers to suit their own passions. “and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:4). He warned us to remain sober-minded, endure suffering and continue to do evangelism.

Paul was ready to be ‘poured out like a drink offering,’ as the time of his departure had come. Paul was in prison and he knew that the time was near for his execution. Nevertheless, Paul was ready for death and was convinced that he had done what God had called him to do. How many people can say with such confidence, that they have accomplished the mission set before them? Life and it’s many distractions, keep people from fulfilling their God given assignments. Either way, Paul’s determination was to end well. Endings are a natural part of life as much as beginnings. Many people are good at starting projects for example, but are not good finishers.

Some people are even more rubbish at ending relationships. Many people end relationships abruptly or in the midst of turmoil and difficulties. It is sensible to end relationships that have become toxic and dysfunctional. However, it is possible to end even bad relationships well. Let us consider Abram and his nephew Lot. When strife broke out between the servants of Abraham and Lot, Abram chose to separate. Despite their separation, Abram managed this well and they departed amicably. “Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen” (Genesis 13:8).

Despite being the elder among them, Abram allowed Lot to choose the area where he wanted to settle. Abram then settled on the remaining land that was left for him. This separation could have resulted in conflict and strife, however Abram used wisdom to prevent it from escalating. There are a few things that we can learn from the separation between Lot and Abram. 1. Know when a relationship or partnership has become counter productive and consider separating to maintain peace. 2. Separation does not have to include conflict and animosity. 3. End well so as not to damage a worthwhile relationship. Remember that later on, Abram had to go to Lot’s rescue when he was captured from Sodom (Genesis 14). 4. Show gratitude for what the other person has done, while the relationship lasted.

Endings do not have to be nasty and messy and walking in the will of the Lord means that you go where you are sent. Many relationships last for a time, season and purpose and not all relationships last a lifetime. This is not the case in marriages which God has ordained to last until death. Some marriages may end due to ongoing abuse and infidelity and even in these instances, it is useful to remain amicable, especially when there are children involved. “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).

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James taught about the testing of our faith and experiencing trials of different kinds. He said that when our faith it tested, it produces endurance and patience. When patience has done it’s perfect work in us, we will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James encouraged a person without wisdom to ask God, who would give freely without holding back. He had a prescription for our asking of God. This was to be done without doubt, as doubting is a sign of instability. He described a doubter as having a mind that is like the waves of the sea. The waves are driven by the currents of the wind. Someone with this sort of mindset, will struggle to receive anything from God.

James described a double minded person who was doubtful as an unstable person. Remember that the requirement for pleasing God is an attitude of faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). We cannot please God without first believing, that he is who he says he is and that his word is true. Why is doubt such a big deal and how does it rob us of faith? Having doubt is to call into question the truth of something or to lack confidence in a person. With God there is no sitting on the fence; either we believe in him or we don’t.

The scripture makes several references to being either hot or cold, wheat or tares, sheep or wolves. Many people enjoy sitting on the fence as it means that they don’t have to fully commit to anything. Most people won’t put up with half hearted commitment, so what makes us think that God will accept it? The term well balanced can suggest having a good mix of different traits and characteristics. It also connotes emotional stability and a sense of security. Having Christ Jesus as our solid and secure foundation is a source of stability.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). As believers, we listen to the voice of God and obey his commandments. This helps to guarantee both emotional and spiritual stability, as the storms of life will not cause us to drift. Contrasted to the person who hears and does the word, is the person who does not listen and take heed. That person’s foundation is like sand which does not withstand the storms of life. Paul also admonished us to continue to be built up in the word. “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14).

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David wrote about waiting for God alone and in silence. He spoke of God as his rock and his salvation. David was putting his trust and confidence in God alone. He warned against placing our trust and confidence in riches gained from robbery and extortion. “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God” (Psalm 62:11). David spent a lot of his life on his own and this time carved out intimacy with God. He spent time in song writing and praise unto God, as he kept his father’s sheep. David also spent other times alone with God, when he ran away from Saul.

Another bible prophet who spent a lot of time alone with God, on Mount Sinai, was Moses. There were occasions after he had been in the presence of God, when his countenance changed. “When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him” (Exodus 34:30). After Moses met with God, he would put a veil over his face when he met with the people. The veil came off again when he went back to speak with God. Imagine spending so much time with God that your face glows.

Jesus also spoke often about being alone in times of prayer with God. He was alone in the wilderness for forty days and nights, in fasting and prayer. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). He was often thronged by large crowds and he had disciples that were with him throughout his life. Despite the constant pull of other people, Jesus understood the importance of alone time.

The presence of the Lord brings illumination and transformation. Many people are afraid or uncomfortable about spending time alone. Most people dread loneliness and isolation, yet so many people are alone. Having a relationship with God means that you are never alone. We have a need for human contact and healthy relationships that are well balanced. Yet, God wants us to spend time alone with him, in his presence in order to communicate with us. Relationships are born and maintained through intimacy. God wants our alone time and he will reveal his secrets to those who find the time to be with him.

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David prayed to God to ask for forgiveness, after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sins with Bathsheba. David lusted after a man’s wife, slept with her, got her pregnant and tried to cover it up by getting her husband drunk, so he could sleep with her. When his attempts at a cover up didn’t work, David killed the man. What would lead David into such a depraved condition? Lust, envy, covetousness, adultery, deception and murder. These attitudes which David displayed are all works of the flesh. David was referred to as, ‘a man after God’s own heart.’ What led him from such devotion to God, to this place of sin and defilement?

Psalm 51 gives us the answers as David poured out his heart to God. His heart had become unclean and impure. Many psychological theories would suggest that, perhaps David was experiencing a mid-life crisis. He was a skilled warrior and during the height of a battle, he was sitting at home. He had valiant warriors who were on the battlefield, to bring home the victory for Isreal. Whatever the explanation that we might come up with, the bible is clear about what leads to sin. James explained that God does not cause anyone to be tempted. “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14). Desire then gives birth to sin and sin leads to death.

David was not guarding his heart and had taken his eyes off the things of God. Over-confidence can also cause people to fall into sin. Paul said that we should, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test” (2 Corinthians 13:5)! What this means is that lifestyle changes, loss, grief and other significant life changes can cause people to veer off course. Regular spiritual examination is as important as going for routine health checks. Consecrating ourselves before God will help us to examine and test ourselves.

Weeds, doubts, fears and deceptive voices are all tools that the enemy uses to constantly wear away at believers. Most people don’t backslide in a day, but are gradually led away and enticed by the things of the world. Our hearts and spirits need constant maintenance, to ensure that no foreign entities have entered in. Our inner circle also needs regular maintenance and examination. People can be sent to infiltrate your inner circle, who have familiar and other spirits lying dormant. Once they get close enough to cause damage, these spirits can then be activated to carry out their assignment. Don’t allow sentimentality to cause you to ignore warning signs, that people have become unsafe and are being used as agents of the devil.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23).

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