Saturday June 20, 2020

2 Timothy 1:6-12

And for this reason, I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you though the laying on of my hands. For God has not give us the spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus form all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light though the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason, I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed;

Christians should be the best prepared and equipped people in the world to deal with the unprecedented season we are in. Are we?

The scripture reading for today was written while Paul she was in prison, imprisoned for preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. It was written to a man the apostle had been mentoring in ministry, Timothy, a young Christian who seemed to be afraid, worried because he was being challenged to pick up the slack in the church and step into a leadership role in a world where that was just plain dangerous.

The illustration in these verses is a simple one. Most of us have had more than one moment sitting around a campfire on a cold morning. If the fire is untended, eventually it grows dark, cold, and no longer provides the warmth and light that a campfire is for. At that point hopefully someone notices and “Kindles” it afresh, (stirs up the fire, adds some kindling and larger pieces of wood, and the warmth and light is restored).

It might be easy to think that if fear or anxiety is our way that it is because of an outside source, a virus, political upheaval, just ongoing bad news around us. That is like thinking it is cold outside, so we have no choice but to shiver. We have a choice; we can rekindle the fire of God in our hearts. This might take some focus, some time, and some work, but it will be worth it, unless we like shivering, or living in fear.

Kindle afresh the gift of God “God has not given us a spirit of timidity or fear, but one of power and love and discipline”.

Christians are redesigned by the good news of Jesus Christ, the presence of the holy spirit and the gift that God places in each of us to live a life of courage, strength, and discipline (living a life as a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ). I have long believed the evidence of faith is strength and courage. Sometimes it just takes the effort of rekindling that gift that God puts in each of us.

If we look to the world around us for peace, we are looking where it can’t be found. It is found in the heart of a God who loves us. When we spend the time to turn to God, we a looking where the warmth and hope is. This is what the First 15 is designed to do, help us begin each day be stirring up the first, adding some fuel, and enjoying the warmth and life that begins each day as we walk into an often cold and frightening world.

Verse 12: For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.

Everyone one of is equipped to deal with the day we are in. We have what we need. We just have to spend the time and do the world to kindle that gift.

God, in this moment, I choose not to look outward at a too often cold world, instead I choose to look at you, at the good news of your son Jesus my Savior, at the gift you promise me of courage, of love, of a life directed by the guidance of your Holy Spirit, of the warmth of a relationship with you. . I believe in you, I am convinced you can and will keep my life that I have entrusted to you, and whatever comes in that day, I know I am good, because we are good. Thank you Lord. In Jesus name. amen