2 TIMOTHY 1:8
“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…”
Paul went through many hardships as he carried out his mission of preaching the gospel. This was causing people to abandon him and the mission. But relying on God as he went through these trials enabled him to impart valuable lessons to the next generation. He wrote this letter to Timothy, the young leader of the church in Ephesus, encouraging Timothy to stand firm and endure. Sometimes the hardship of pursuing God’s mission can deter us from pressing forward. What did Paul tell Timothy, and what can we learn from it?
APPLICATION
– We have a well of power to draw from: Even when we’ve hit rock-bottom, God never will. How can you draw on the bottomless well of God’s power every day?
– We are assured that we can preach the gospel through God’s power and not our own. Knowing this, what can you do to preach the gospel to family and friends who don’t know Christ yet?
– Is there anyone today you might need to encourage? How can you stand by this person in spite of your own challenges?