Be Overwhelmed
Opening Prayer
God, I trust in You. You are my confidence and You are the joy of my heart.
Read 1 Timothy 1:12-20
[12] I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. [13] Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. [14] The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. [16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. [17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. [18] Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, [19] holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. [20] Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is your story of God's grace?What motivates Paul in his mission is the overwhelming grace, mercy, and peace Jesus has shown him personally (2,12-16). This is the key that unlocks the whole of this letter. Through grace, God has saved us for a life that reflects him to the world, both by what we believe and say about him, as we saw yesterday, and also by who we are and how we live. Jesus is at the heart of both.The simple truth of what Jesus achieved by coming to earth is a “trustworthy saying” (15), something we and our church leaders must hold on to, no matter what. Someone once said that unless Christians continually remind ourselves of the cross of Christ, we’ll forget it and lose our love for him. How is our church–including our church leaders–sharing the simple stories of what Jesus has done for us? Could we prompt some telling? With reminders of their own experience of Jesus’ love and of their first calling and empowering (18), our church leaders will be equipped to “fight the battle well.”
Apply
Paul gets carried away in praise of God (17) when he recalls all God has done for him through Jesus. Follow his lead.
Closing prayer
Father, I trust that however You are working in my life, it is for my good. You desire to bring me to a good place.
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