God himself chose me to be an apostle, and he gave me the promised life that Jesus Christ makes possible.
2 Timothy, you are like a dear child to me. I pray that God our Father and our Lord Christ Jesus will be kind and merciful to you and will bless you with peace!
Do Not Be Ashamed of the Lord
3 Night and day I mention you in my prayers. I am always grateful for you, as I pray to the God my ancestors and I have served with a clear conscience. 4 I remember how you cried, and I want to see you, because that will make me truly happy. 5 I also remember the genuine faith of your mother Eunice. Your grandmother Lois had the same sort of faith, and I am sure that you have it as well. 6 So I ask you to make full use of the gift that God gave you when I placed my hands on you.[a] Use it well. 7 God’s Spirit[b] doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.
8 Don’t be ashamed to speak for our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, just because I am in jail for serving him. Use the power that comes from God and join with me in suffering for telling the good news.
9 God saved us and chose us
to be his holy people.
We did nothing
to deserve this,
but God planned it
because he is so kind.
Even before time began
God planned for Christ Jesus
to show kindness to us.
10 Now Christ Jesus has come
to show us the kindness
of God.
Christ our Savior defeated death
and brought us
the good news.
It shines like a light
and offers life
that never ends.
11 My work is to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.[c] 12 That’s why I am suffering now. But I am not ashamed! I know the one I have faith in, and I am sure that he can guard until the last day what he has trusted me with.[d][Footnotes:
1.6 when I placed my hands on you: Church leaders placed their hands on people who were being appointed to preach or teach (see 1 Timothy 4.14).
1.7 God’s Spirit: Or “God.”
1.11 teacher: Some manuscripts add “of the Gentiles.”
1.12 what he has trusted me with: Or “what I have trusted him with.”]
RG AUDIO 021115"The Power from Within" by Author: Cindy Lowcock
Our middle daughter was born an introvert. As an infant she was perfectly happy to be left alone to explore her fingers and toes, followed by a childhood of one “forever friend” at a time. Introverts receive their emotional power from privacy rather than people, so to ask a Christian introvert to share their faith can bring about inner fears and self-doubt.
Here in Paul’s letter to Timothy he is encouraging the young believer to follow the example of his grandmother, to be faithful and use his gifts to reach others with the gospel.
To Cindy, this sounds intimidating. After all, she begged her parents to buy her Girl Scout cookies so she wouldn’t need to ask others. However, Paul does not leave the introvert believer without hope; he introduces the young Timothy, the hesitant believer, to the force of the Gospel: the unlimited power that comes from the Holy Spirit, the love of God, and the example of self-discipline that comes from the life of Christ.
Are you an introverted Christian? Take a deep breath; you have the power to do and be more than you could ever imagine.
Hymn for Today: "Faith of Our Fathers" by Frederick W. Faber, 1814-1863
1. Faith of our fathers, living still,
in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
whene'er we hear that glorious word!
Refrain:
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
2. Faith of our fathers, we will strive
to win all nations unto thee;
and through the truth that comes from God,
we all shall then be truly free.
Refrain:
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
3. Faith of our fathers, we will love
both friend and foe in all our strife;
and preach thee, too, as love knows how
by kindly words and virtuous life.
Refrain:
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
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