Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

June 17
Sunday


READ:
2 Timothy 1:1-10
__________________________

Stir up the gift of God
which is in you through
the laying on of my
hands. __2 Timothy 1:6
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A few months before my father died of cancer, he wrote me a letter in which he said: "I never think of you that I don't offer up a short prayer for you and your success'. I know you. I know what's behind you. And I am pretty sure that I understand your goals, the kind of writing you hope to do, and the message you wish to convey. Stay in there and pitch, and may the Lord bless you. I am just so proud and thankful that the Lord let me be your father."

That letter is one of my dad's greatest gifts to me.

The New Testament contains two letters from Paul to Timothy, a young man he mentored and considered his "true son in the faith" (Tim. 1:2) and his "beloved son" (2 Tim. 1:2). The second letter begins with Paul's deeply personal words assuring Timothy of his love and faithful prayers (vv.2-3). Paul affirmed Timothy's spiritual heritage (v.5) and his God-given gifts and calling (vv.6-7). Then he encouraged him to live boldly for the gospel of Christ (v.8).

Dads, you can give great encouragement to your children by writing them a letter of love and affirmation. It may be the greatest gift you can give them. Why not sit down and write it from you heart today? __David McCasland
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~God gives us children for a time~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~To nurture and to love,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~To give them our encouragement,~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~With wisdom from above. __Sper~~~~~~~~~~~
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**********Today's Bible Reading____2 Timothy 1:1-10*************

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ by the will of God,
according to the promise of
life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 to Timothy, a beloved son:
Grace, mercy, and peace
from God the Father and
Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I
serve with a pure
conscience, as my
forefathers did, as without
ceasing I remember you in
my prayers night and day,
4 greatly desiring to see
you, being mindful of your
tears, that I may be filled
with joy, 5 when I call to
remembrance the genuine
faith that is in you, which
dwelt first in your
grandmother Lois and your
mother Eunice, and I am
persuaded is in you also.
6 Therfore I remind you to
stir up the gift of God
which is in you through the
laying on of my hands.
7 For God has not given us
a spirit of fear, but of power
and love and of a sound
mind.
8 Therefore do not be
ashamed of the tesimony
of our Lord, nor of me His
prisoner, but share with me
in the sufferings for the
gospel according to the
power of God, 9 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 given to us in Christ
Jesus before time began,
10 but has now been
revealed by the appearing
of our Savior Jesus Christ.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>iINSIGHTt>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

John wrote, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 4). John was the youngest member of the 12 disciples. In 3 John, he was now an old man who took delight in hearing of the believers' obedience to God. His heart reflected a fatherly care similar to Paul's concern for Timothy. __HDF