Do Not Be Ashamed of the Testimony of Our Lord
On a scale of 1-10, how open am I to the ministry of the Holy Spirit?
Am I aware of the Holy Spirit empowering me for ministry?
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
(2 Timothy 1: 1-2 NASB)
To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
No one particularly enjoys anticipating his own death, and even the topic of death is not favored by some. So, when we began our discussion of the assigned short stories and poems for this third week of class, the focused theme of “death” and the reactions of the students was typical. With clarity, as students joined in the discussion, it was easy to see who knew the mercy, grace, and peace of God because they spoke about death in relationship with the afterlife. For the other students, those who did not mention peace in death, they spoke of their fear of death.
What would we do if we were going to be executed, if we knew we were going to die? Would we wail and scream about the unfairness? Would we curl up into a ball and face the wall of our cell, hoping the guards forgot we were there? Would we silently await our execution OR Would we openly proclaim the salvation of God?
“I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,
(2 Timothy 1: 3-4 NASB)
longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.”
Paul was just a man; albeit a changed man, one changed by the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. He had finally arrived to his beloved city Rome, but not as he had once hoped. He was chained and he only had a short time remaining until his execution. Assuredly, Paul felt a myriad of emotions as he considered his death; nevertheless, Paul spent the precious time remaining writing a letter to a young preacher, to a man named Timothy. In this final letter, Paul encourages Timothy “to kindle afresh the gift of God.”
Have we asked the Holy Spirit of God to empower us for His ministry?
Are we OPEN & AVAILABLE?
Are we faithfully seeking where the Spirit of God is leading us?
The apostle, the preacher, and the teacher Paul mentored this young man because Paul knew the power of encouragement that comes through the salvation of God. Paul knew Timothy would soon face unbearable turmoil just as he had faced, and Paul wished to reassure Timothy that God had placed the precious gift of salvation within him.
May we (too) who have believed in Jesus and the work He performed on the cross, who have accepted the salvation of God, and who have confessed our sins—never forget the gift God has placed inside us!
“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelled in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.
(2 Timothy 1: 5-7 NASB)
For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
- Fear can be an opportunity!
- Fear of death can lead an unbeliever to turn toward the voice of God calling a person to salvation.
- Fear can be an opportunity for a person to move from the past.
- Fear can be a great motivator for someone to move to a place of trust.
When someone is caught up in fear, even the fear of death, may we STAND and proclaim God’s Salvation.
May we not quench the Spirit of God, but may we cause the fire to blaze again and again!
Today, may we ask ourselves, on a scale of 1-10,
How open are we to the ministry of the Holy Spirit?
Are we Aware of the Holy Spirit EMPOWERING Us for Ministry?
OR
Are we Ashamed of the Testimony of Our Lord?
“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,”
(2 Timothy 1: 8-14 NASB)
[May we Totally Trust God!]
[May we Faithfully Follow our Lord!]
“who 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 to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immorality to light through the gospel,
for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
For this reason I also suffer these things;
but I am not ashamed,
for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to protect what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
Hold on to the example of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Protect, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”
[the Salvation of God]
The melody “STAND” by Newsboys & TodyMac plays in my earbuds as I complete this writing.
- Thank You God for Your reminder what we are to do.
- Thank You God for helping us recall how we can STAND even when we are chained to a guard and facing our execution, our death.
- Thank You God for Your Mercy, Your Grace, & Your Peace!
- Thank You—God!
“I am not ashamed; I’ve considered the cost.
I stay right here at the foot of the cross—and STAND!”
“STAND” by Newsboys & TodyMac
May We Be Aware of the Holy Spirit EMPOWERING Us for Ministry!
&
May We Not Be Ashamed of the Testimony of Our Lord!
&
May We Remain Faithful to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Who Gave His Life for Us!
&
May We Remember: The Outcome, The Harvest Belongs to God!
FOR—
Whatever Comes Our Way, may we always remember: We Can STAND—Filled with the Peace that Almighty God Brought into Our Hearts!