IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Paul Encourages Timothy

Date: Jun. 26, 2017

Passage

2 Timothy 1:1-18  (ESV)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me—18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1:7

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1. Fan into flame the gift of God (1-14)

Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy at what was probably the very end of his life. Yet his letter was full of encouragement to Timothy. Paul reminded Timothy of the sincere faith he had received from his mother. He reminded this young disciple that his God-given spirit was not one of timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. Through this spirit, Timothy could develop the gifts God had given him. The spirit would also help Timothy to hold firmly to the gospel given to him (14). Through this gospel, Timothy would suffer along with Paul (8). Paul suffered because he knew Jesus, who "destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (10)

2. God's mercy for Onesiphorus (15-18)

Everyone else had deserted Paul in his time of great need, except for loyal Onesiphorus. While in Rome, he searched hard for Paul until he found him and gave him much comfort and encouragement. We need more like Timothy and Onesiphorus in this world!

Prayer: Lord, may you raise up many who can have your spirit and encourage your servants.

One Word: God gave us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline

Daily Bread

Moses Drawn out of the Water

Exodus 2:1-10

Key Verse: 2:10

When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

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