Encouraging Words

Good Morning! 

Paul loved Timothy.  The statement is simple but very true.  Timothy served Christ Jesus as a pastor and bishop in Ephesus.  He was one of Paul’s early converts on his first missionary journey.  He was martyred in 97 A.D., being stoned while attempting to preach the gospel in the midst of a parade for the goddess Diana. 

The thought occurs to me that we are privileged to read Paul’s personal letters to this person whose name means “honored by God”.  This morning, the verse of the day on Biblegateway refers to one of these letters … and the encouragement Paul was sending to him …

2 Timothy 1:1-14 English Standard Version (ESV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 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, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to[a] a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,[b] 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.[c] 13 Follow the pattern of the sound[d] words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

Footnotes:

a.     2 Timothy 1:9 Or with

b.    2 Timothy 1:9 Greek before times eternal

c.     2 Timothy 1:12 Or what I have entrusted to him; Greek my deposit

d.    2 Timothy 1:13 Or healthy

I am convinced that God allows us to read these personal letters from Paul because He wants us to be encouraged by the same words that Paul wrote.  Here Paul calls on Timothy to remain strong in his faith.  Listen, I need that as much as Timothy did.  Our culture is increasingly becoming more belligerent towards those of us who name the Name of Christ.  You and I remain in a critical battle for the souls of humankind.  We are soldiers of the Cross, carrying the message that Jesus is the only Hope for all of humankind.  It is easy to grow weary when we face rejection … but we must continue.  Hear the message:

6 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, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace,

One of my bosses from times past had a saying that I remember well: “keep on keeping on”.  By this he meant to continue to work hard to achieve a goal.  We, too, should keep on keeping on as we share God’s love and peace found in Christ Jesus.

Well, we come to the end of another week … and another month.  Sunday is the beginning of March … wow, where has the time gone this year?  Blessings to all of you this good day and this weekend. 

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Thank You, dear Father, for the encouraging words of Paul to Timothy and to me on this good day.  In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today:  2^nd Timothy 1:1-14