2 Timothy 1:1-7
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my dear son:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling with tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 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. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power of love and of self-discipline.
A Thought
Paul is now imprisoned, knowing he would soon die for the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is writing this letter, probably his last, to encourage Timothy to continue in the faith that had lived in his mother, grandmother and now living in him. Paul reminds Timothy of God’s gift that he received of by the laying on of his hands to enable him to persevere with boldness, love and self-discipline to lead the church at Ephesus. In faith we, the church, need to keep the fire of the Spirit burning so others can see Christ in us.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for the gift of faith that was handed down to me from my family of many generations in love for you. Help us to do our part to keep the flame of your Spirit alive with boldness, love and discipline to draw this generation to you. We ask for your Spirit to fill our pastor, to lead our church into a deeper awakening of you. We love you, in Jesus’ name, amen.
