Rusty Kuhn's Blog - Posts Tagged "encouragement"
Shaping a Sincere Faith
“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, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.” II Timothy 1:3-5 NASB
As Paul reflected upon the life of young Timothy he thanked God for him and his sincere faith. This was the last letter of Paul. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 4:6, “The time of my departure has come.” Paul was in a Roman jail persecuted for proclaiming the gospel and knew that the time of his martyrdom for the Lord was soon to come.
Paul reminded Timothy of how the roots of his faith were first formed. His grandmother Lois and mother Eunice were faithful women of God who taught Timothy the ways of the Lord from childhood. The mighty man of God Timothy grew to be was greatly attributed to his godly upbringing.
Paul, knowing his time of death was near, wasn’t concerned for himself. He stated he had a clear conscience. There is no mention of Timothy’s father; however, Paul had taken Timothy under his wing as a son in the faith. After many years of Paul investing into Timothy’s life through mentoring him Paul, now desired to give his last words as words of encouragement to Timothy. Words of encouragement from Paul to Timothy to stand strong, stand firm, stir up your gifts, and step out in faith, even after he’s gone.
Oh, how great a need we have today of children being brought up in a godly upbringing. Oh, how great a need we have today of mentors taking those who are young in the faith under their wing as Paul did Timothy and disciple them. One of the greatest downfalls of the church today is the lack of discipleship. One of the greatest ways of discipleship is for the mature men and woman of God to simply take the babes in Christ by the hand and say, “Walk with me, and I will show you how it’s done.” I am so very grateful for the Paul’s God has put in my path over the years. Timothy, who was now pastor of Ephesus, now had a sincere faith; a sincere faith that was shaped and molded by godly people that God had put in his path. Who has God put in your path? Your children or grandchildren? New believers or those with struggles? Are you shaping a sincere faith within them? Will they carry on after you are gone?
As Paul reflected upon the life of young Timothy he thanked God for him and his sincere faith. This was the last letter of Paul. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 4:6, “The time of my departure has come.” Paul was in a Roman jail persecuted for proclaiming the gospel and knew that the time of his martyrdom for the Lord was soon to come.
Paul reminded Timothy of how the roots of his faith were first formed. His grandmother Lois and mother Eunice were faithful women of God who taught Timothy the ways of the Lord from childhood. The mighty man of God Timothy grew to be was greatly attributed to his godly upbringing.
Paul, knowing his time of death was near, wasn’t concerned for himself. He stated he had a clear conscience. There is no mention of Timothy’s father; however, Paul had taken Timothy under his wing as a son in the faith. After many years of Paul investing into Timothy’s life through mentoring him Paul, now desired to give his last words as words of encouragement to Timothy. Words of encouragement from Paul to Timothy to stand strong, stand firm, stir up your gifts, and step out in faith, even after he’s gone.
Oh, how great a need we have today of children being brought up in a godly upbringing. Oh, how great a need we have today of mentors taking those who are young in the faith under their wing as Paul did Timothy and disciple them. One of the greatest downfalls of the church today is the lack of discipleship. One of the greatest ways of discipleship is for the mature men and woman of God to simply take the babes in Christ by the hand and say, “Walk with me, and I will show you how it’s done.” I am so very grateful for the Paul’s God has put in my path over the years. Timothy, who was now pastor of Ephesus, now had a sincere faith; a sincere faith that was shaped and molded by godly people that God had put in his path. Who has God put in your path? Your children or grandchildren? New believers or those with struggles? Are you shaping a sincere faith within them? Will they carry on after you are gone?
Stand Firm
Rusty Kuhn“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” II Timothy 1:7
Keeping this verse within its biblical context we should be reminded of where Paul is. He is in a Roman jail soon to be executed for his faith in Jesus Christ. He is now encouraging Timothy to continue on in the midst of trials and persecutions and stand firm in the name of Jesus.
The world that we live in today is becoming increasingly hostile to those who stand up for their faith. Christians around the world today are being murdered, tortured, and imprisoned for their faith. Although we don’t fear those things in the U.S. we clearly see attempts at character assassination on the rise for those who claim the name of Christ and stand up for biblical principles. Later in this same letter Paul told Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (II Timothy 3:12).
Paul was encouraging Timothy not to focus on what man is capable of but to stay focused on the Lord. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Our reverent fear should be the awe of God rather than the roar of man.
God has not given us a spirit of timidity, or fear. If God has not given it to us than who has? Satan! Ephesians 6:12 reminds us of who we are battling with, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Our struggle is not with other people; it is with Satan and his demonic army. We as Christians need to make a choice; are we going to believe the lies of Satan or are we going to stand firm for Jesus? Satan will stop at nothing to prevent every Christian from standing firm in their faith. Why? Because he knows that the Christian who stands up in the Spirit of God is dangerous and deadly to his kingdom.
Remember though, God has not given to us a spirit of timidity. However, He has given to us a spirit of power. Power to stand firm in the name of Jesus and overcome all Satan throws our way. He has given to us a spirit of love. The kind of love that overcomes even the most fierce forms of hate and says, Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing, remembering that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. He has given to us a spirit of discipline. Discipline as of an athlete who stays focused on the goal regardless of the opponent's efforts to stop him, knowing that the end result of faith and service of Christ is worth every effort. The faithful Christian knows once he reaches the goal the sufferings of this temporary life will be forever behind him and that his service to the Lord will be eternally rewarded. Therefore, stand firm.
Keeping this verse within its biblical context we should be reminded of where Paul is. He is in a Roman jail soon to be executed for his faith in Jesus Christ. He is now encouraging Timothy to continue on in the midst of trials and persecutions and stand firm in the name of Jesus.
The world that we live in today is becoming increasingly hostile to those who stand up for their faith. Christians around the world today are being murdered, tortured, and imprisoned for their faith. Although we don’t fear those things in the U.S. we clearly see attempts at character assassination on the rise for those who claim the name of Christ and stand up for biblical principles. Later in this same letter Paul told Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (II Timothy 3:12).
Paul was encouraging Timothy not to focus on what man is capable of but to stay focused on the Lord. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Our reverent fear should be the awe of God rather than the roar of man.
God has not given us a spirit of timidity, or fear. If God has not given it to us than who has? Satan! Ephesians 6:12 reminds us of who we are battling with, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Our struggle is not with other people; it is with Satan and his demonic army. We as Christians need to make a choice; are we going to believe the lies of Satan or are we going to stand firm for Jesus? Satan will stop at nothing to prevent every Christian from standing firm in their faith. Why? Because he knows that the Christian who stands up in the Spirit of God is dangerous and deadly to his kingdom.
Remember though, God has not given to us a spirit of timidity. However, He has given to us a spirit of power. Power to stand firm in the name of Jesus and overcome all Satan throws our way. He has given to us a spirit of love. The kind of love that overcomes even the most fierce forms of hate and says, Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing, remembering that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. He has given to us a spirit of discipline. Discipline as of an athlete who stays focused on the goal regardless of the opponent's efforts to stop him, knowing that the end result of faith and service of Christ is worth every effort. The faithful Christian knows once he reaches the goal the sufferings of this temporary life will be forever behind him and that his service to the Lord will be eternally rewarded. Therefore, stand firm.
