Strong, Faithful, Loyal ~ 2 Timothy 1 takeaways.

Joshua 1.1-9  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1.1-9&version=HCSB&interface=print

drama: 1.  a play for theater, radio, or television.

   2.  an exciting, emotional, or unexpected series of events or set of                

        circumstances.

   3.  my life.

To be honest, it seems like each day of late brings new significant challenges in my personal life and family. While I like to watch drama in the theatre, I do not like to be drama.  As I write, my 19-year-old son is in the hospital with heart issues.  So here I am, trusting God, and hoping things will settle down soon. 

You know, Paul must have thought to himself in tired, weak moments, ‘when I was a Jew, I was never wanted by the authorities, beaten or imprisoned … yet here I am, a Roman prisoner again.  There have been many trials since I met Jesus, but I know that God is in control, and I truly believe that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!’¹

The message of 2 Timothy 1, in which Paul writes to the young pastor is~

Be strong. 

Be faithful.

Be loyal.

Do not be ashamed of the Gospel.

 Got it.  Mostly. Well, usually.  Yet in my mind, a prayer readily forms, “God, I guess I generally feel pretty strong and faithful as life rolls along.  However, when it seems like there is a prolonged season of having to run the high hurdles, and I am exhausted--how can I stay strong?” 

‘Only one way, Child ~ I will be your strength.  Remember what I said to Joshua, “be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."²

Yes!  I can stay the course, and be faithful, no matter what is happening, because God is with me wherever I go.                                                               As the psalmist wrote,

‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

         I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

    Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.’³

 Some nuggets from 2 Timothy, chapter one:

~May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.                                                                                            ~Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did.                                                                       ~fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you                                            ~>For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.                                                                                 ~So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.                                ~With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.  For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.                                                                                ~I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.                                   ~Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.     ~Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. 

Such powerful admonition ~ for Timothy, and for you and me too, Christian.  Let us endeavor to be strong, be faithful, loyal, and unashamed. 

Christine