FBC Daily Devotions

Read 2 Timothy 1:5-7.

Paul leaves verse 5 remembering Timothy’s genuine faith which first began in his mother and grandmother. He begins his next thought: “And for this reason…” In other words, Paul says, “Because of your genuine faith…” and then proceeds to instruct Timothy in the exercise of that faith. His faith is said to be genuine, and as we learned last week, it means his faith was sincere, not hypocritical. And because his faith was sincere, Paul tells him he is not to let that faith set dormant, but to exercise that faith by “fanning into flame the gift of God.”  

What was that gift? As Pastor Craig shared last Sunday, every believer is given spiritual gifts to serve the Family of God. Those gifts vary from to person, and for Timothy it is not identified specifically in Scripture. We can surmise from Timothy’s work, however, that it could have been evangelism (2Tim. 4:5) or leadership (he went on to help lead the church at Ephesus) or teaching/preaching (2Tim. 4:1-2).  Whatever that gift was, he was to put it to use because that is what genuine faith is supposed to look like.

When Timothy was told to “fan into flame the gift of God”, it means that he was to grow or develop that gift – exercise it in such a way that his gift would become stronger and “hotter”.

To consider: As followers of Christ we are to exercise our genuine faith by using our gifts to serve others. How else do we prove our faith unless we continually develop and exercise our spiritual gifts? For some, developing spiritual gifts is difficult because they may not know what their gifts are. Many churches use spiritual gifts assessments to help individuals determine their gifts. One of the difficulties with that approach is that sometimes people don’t know themselves well enough to assess themselves accurately. They may think they aren’t good at something or maybe they think they are good at something, when in fact they are either being too hard on themselves or they are a little delusional. Perhaps one of the best ways to learn and develop our gifts is to simply ask those who know us and have seen us work with others. They have an outsider’s view that can take our own inaccurate perceptions and shed a little light on reality. So here is your assignment this week: ask some people what they think you are particularly good at – it doesn’t have to be a skill; it can be a matter of the heart as well (e.g. compassion, mercy, etc.). Where have they seen God use you time and time again? And once you have a sense of how God might want to use you in the Family of God (or if you already know), find a way to “fan it into flame” – find a place to use it and develop it. Talk to me (Pastor Mike) if you need a place to nurture your gifts, because to be honest, if we aren’t developing and using our gifts, we are in essence saying to God, “Thanks for the gifts, but no thanks” and somehow I don’t think that’s what God had in mind when He gave us gifts!

Day 1:  Older and Bolder

From Sunday’s message, we learned that the Response of genuine faith is developing and using our spiritual gifts. The Result of faith is boldness and confidence even if it means suffering. And the Reason for faith is the grace that came with Christ Jesus who has “destroyed death and has brought life and immorality to light.”

What are some truths you learned from last Sunday’s message? How can it make a difference this week?

Look over your notes from the past week. What one or two things did God impress upon you this week?

Read 2 Timothy 1:5.

I must admit that when first reading this passage, I saw three generations of believers beginning with Lois, then to Eunice, and then finally to Timothy. But looking closer, it would appear that Timothy’s faith was influenced by both his mother and grandmother probably at the same time – a sincere faith first lived in his grandmother and mother and then passed down to Timothy. Even so, the relationship between all three individuals was such that there was a very attractive influence on the life of Timothy. Adding to these good relationships was the sincerity of their faith. Their relationship with Christ was genuine. The original Greek meant their faith was without hypocrisy. A good relationship and a genuine faith is a potent combination.

It was mentioned in the message last Sunday that even with the absence of God fearing fathers, the influence of faithful loved ones can overcome such apparent setbacks. It certainly did in the case of Timothy. Bathing children with consistent love (whether it be a parent or grandparent or someone else) and giving them an opportunity to see genuine love for God in those relationships will have a strong influence on the future faith of a child.  

To consider: If you have children, what relationships are they consistently exposed to that express genuine love for them and God? (This could apply beyond the household to youth groups, teachers, coaches, etc.) How can you better surround your children with those kinds of relationships?

Read 2 Timothy 1:3-4.

What brings out a thankful heart of prayer? In these short verses, the main thought is Paul’s thanks to the Lord for Timothy. We can imagine Paul beginning to compose this letter, and, as he does in most of his letters, begins with a word of thanks for the recipients. In this case, his heart is moved as he recalled Timothy – particularly his tears. While the details are not known, I suspect these were tears of sadness as Paul and Timothy parted ways. Paul missed Timothy, his closest companion, and longed to see him again that he might experience unspeakable joy. Paul says of Timothy in his letter to the Philippians, “I have no one else like him…” (Phil. 2:20) No doubt thoughts of Timothy helped soften the harsh experience of imprisonment and forthcoming execution. And so Paul prays night and day for Timothy. There is no other record of Paul praying for anyone else or any church with such frequency. A close relationship with others is often expressed in prayer. What brings out a thankful heart of prayer? Close relationships that remember the goodness of others.

To consider: Do you have that kind of relationship with someone whose affection for him or her causes you to thank God all the time?

Personal thought: While I may have relationships like Paul and Timothy, to be honest, I don’t pray like Paul with thanksgiving night and day. I suppose I have taken those relationships for granted. I think also that those relationships are accessible to me right now whereas Paul and Timothy were separated. Because Paul missed Timothy so much, it may have prompted him to pray more. Sometimes we don’t know what we have in others until they are far from us. I want to encourage you to take some time reflecting on the goodness of those close to you so that it might spawn a heart of thankfulness to God. Developing that kind of prayer life (with thanksgiving) is perhaps one of the ways Paul was able to have such a good attitude in terrible circumstances and surroundings, and it is perhaps helpful for us to have that same attitude despite circumstances.