Avoiding a Tragic Shipwreck

Text: 1 Timothy 1:18-20
Theme: Faith in godly instruction and a good conscience are required to avoid shipwrecking our faith.
Key verses: “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction…so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith” (v. 18-19).
What God said to me: Good morning. So glad you would carve out time to meet with me this morning. Remember, there is nothing more important for you to do than what you are doing at this very moment: meditating on my Word and journaling what I show you. This is my desire and plan for you. There are two things you must always hold on to, Dwayne: faith and a good conscience. (Aren’t you glad I keep it simple and short?) Consider faith. Why is that so vitally important in keeping you on tract? Without faith it is impossible to please me. I saw Abraham’s faith and counted it as righteousness. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith will keep you focused and faithful. Even when you can’t see my hand, you can always trust my heart. Faith will turn your eyes above to things unseen, to heaven and hope. Faith, Dwayne. Never lose faith. Build yourself up in your most holy faith. It will be an anchor for your soul in the darkest of nights. And then the second thing you must hold on to is a good conscience. This does not mean trusting your heart (which is deceitful) or following your intuition or common sense. No, this means maintaining at all times the peace which passes all understanding. Stop right now and check your conscience. Is it clear? Is it good? You see, my Holy Spirit will not let you rest and will not let you enjoy peace if there is sin or anything displeasing to me. What a gift I have blessed you with! If in anything you are otherwise minded than following me, I will reveal even that to you. You are my child. Never let go of holy faith and a clear conscience–not even for a minute. They will steer you clear of the rocky reefs hidden just below the water’s surface. They will keep you from shipwrecking in your faith.
What I said to God: Holy Lord, thank You for speaking so clearly to me today. I praise you for showing me these simple qualities that can keep me from becoming another casualty on the sea of good intentions. Now, may I humble myself and listen carefully to you today. Help me keep a check on my faith meter and my conscience. Thank You for loving me enough to show me the moment I begin to go astray and head toward danger. I love You. Help me share Your love with someone else today who needs to know about You.