Let the Holy Spirit live big in you today

Pastor Carol Grace ♦ September 4, 2012 ♦ Leave a comment

2 Tim 1: 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Paul’s letter to Timothy is some of the scripture that inspired me when I was young, and it still inspires today.  There is so much in these first few verses.  Paul begins as he always does by thanking God, reminding Timothy that he is serving the God of his ancestors.  Then he lets Timothy know he is praying for him night and day.

Paul loved Timothy like a son.  It is so extraordinary to have someone outside of your family to send up prayers for you.  Paul says he prayed for Timothy night and day.  I am certain Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice also prayed for him night and day, so young Timothy was showered in prayer!  Wouldn’t it be great if each one of us would find one person outside of our family whom we would commit to pray for day and night?

Paul reminds Timothy that the gifts he has received from God must not lie dormant, but they must be used so that they will grow and flourish.  And he tells Timothy that the Spirit works within us to give us all that we need to accomplish God’s work.

And here is one of the most amazing parts of the scripture.  Paul tells Timothy that the grace that is at work within us was present before the beginning of time.  God had a plan for us before we were ever conceived, before we ever took our first breath.  The grace that God gives to us freely has been at work since the beginning of time, and it is freely available to us today.

Paul finishes by saying he knows in whom he has believed and that God will keep that trust safe until the day of the Lord occurs.

Do you know the grace of God that enables you to withstand trials, sickness and fear?  Do you rely on the Holy Spirit to live big within your life so that you have power, love, and discipline to live a holy life?  If not, today is a new day.   Why not go to God and ask Him to shower you with His grace and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to do what God has set out for you to accomplish?

PRAYER: Father, we thank you for the Scriptures and how they reveal to us the way we should live. We praise you for grace, we praise you for the Spirit who lives within us.  May we purpose today to be all you want us to be for the sake of your Kingdom.

Amen.