Thursday October 14, 2021

Today is Thursday, October 14 and this week we are exploring how our faith multiplies when we disciple and serve others.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I quiet my busy mind and calm my thoughts. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, in these moments of stillness, let me experience your presence. Enable me to hear your voice and discover the unique message you have for me today. Come Holy Spirit, lead and guide me in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

This morning I praise God with the ancient words of Psalm 78.

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. Psalm 78:4-7

Pause and Pray

Paul met a young believer named Timothy in his hometown of Lystra in Asia Minor and invited him to join him on his journey. Timothy was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother who had become a Christian (Acts 16:1). Timothy was taught the Jewish scriptures from his childhood and through his mother’s and his grandmother’s influence he became a Christian before Paul’s arrival. Timothy developed into a trusted companion and fellow worker of Paul, traveling with him to strengthen the churches. Today’s scripture is from Paul’s second letter to his younger colleague in the faith.

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 ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am 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 the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:2-7

Despite the fact that Timothy’s father was a Greek and did not believe in Jesus Christ, his mother and grandmother did believe. Paul describes Timothy’s faith as a “sincere faith” that lives in him because it was first the faith of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. I ponder my role in passing on my faith to the next generation. I think about the younger people who I might impact and influence. My children, grandchildren, children of the church? I wonder what they might see in me that will enable them to glimpse the truth about Jesus. I hope they will see something that makes them want to know more. I remember the people who had a positive influence on my journey of faith. I name them and thank God for them. How can I live my life in such a way as to demonstrate a sincere faith that will impact the next generation?

Ask: Who influenced my faith when I was a child and young adult? What younger people does God want me to influence in the faith?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I thank you for the people in my life who shared their Christian faith with me. I am grateful for the adults who told me the stories of Jesus and lived a life before me that demonstrated the gospel. Show me how I can live a life that reveals your love and your truth, so that others will catch sight of you and want to know you. Point out those who are younger, with whom you want me to share my faith, so you will raise up more Timothys. I read Paul’s words to Timothy again, seeking what you want to say to me.

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 ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am 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 the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:2-7

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Where do I find myself in today’s scripture? What is God saying to me through Paul’s words to Timothy? I reflect on the faith of my family members, parents, grandparents and others who influenced my faith in a positive or negative manner. Whose faith has been passed on to me? Whose faith now lives in me? When I consider Paul’s reference to a flame, what does the flame represent in my life? What inside me needs to be fanned into flame? Perhaps something God has given me has been quenched and needs revived. When I consider the closing sentence, which words resonate more with my spirit – timidity, power, love or self-discipline? What am I lacking and need more of?

Pause and Pray

Thank you, God, for the opportunity to serve you as Paul and Timothy did and as my ancestors did. Thank you for the gift of praying to you night and day. Thank you for the company of friends that fills me with joy. Thank you for parents and grandparents who shared their faith. Thank you for Sunday School teachers, youth ministers, pastors, neighbors and friends who lived a life before me that reflected your love. Show me how I can live every day with courage, power, love and self-discipline, keeping your gift alive within me. Amen.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

As I leave this time of prayer, I renew my commitment to share my faith with the next generation. I pray God will use me to teach others about Jesus. Amen.