Thought for August 25, 2023

• 325: Council of Nicaea ends with adoption of Nicene Creed
• 1609: Galileo demonstrates his first telescope
• 1875: First observed swimming of the English Channel
• 1950: Truman calls out military because of threatened railroad strike
• 1958: First packet of precooked instant noodles marketed [Chikin Ramen]
• 1968: Arthur Ashe is first African American to win U.S. Open
• 2017: Hurricane Harvey hits Texas
• Born: Ivan the Terrible, Leonard Bernstein, George Wallace, Althea Gibson, Sean Connery, Tim Burton, Allen Pinkerton, Ruby Keeler
• Died: James Watt, Michael Faraday [devout Christian who produced the first samples of liquid Chlorine and Ammonia and the developed the process for refrigeration; discovered benzene and electromagnetic induction], Friedrich Nietzsche, Neil Armstrong, John McCain, Truman Capote, Edward Kennedy, 

Thought:

Reading 2 Timothy 1-7. These letters to Timothy were written by a senior to his mentee, from the old soldier to the young soldier. Paul starts with grace---for by grace are you saved. He tells Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ. [2:1] What a reminder to younger people from those who understand where their strength comes from. This is something I might tell Mark, Maria, Thomas, Julianne or Andrew---remember where your strength comes from---your strength is dependent upon the grace of the Lord who pours out His strength in and through you. Learn to live relying on His strength not your own. His strength and grace are always sufficient--your strength will fail.  And we need the strength of God's grace to do the things that Paul tells Timothy to do. 

• You have been entrusted with the gospel--pass it on [2:2] I did not receive the gospel to keep it to myself. I received it to pass it along. Just like the mercy of God, the love of God and the forgiveness of God---I don't accept mercy, grace, love and forgiveness and just hold on to them--I become a conduit for God to use. 
• Sharing the gospel requires suffering [2:3] You may be rejected, harassed, ridiculed, persecuted, hated for sharing the gospel. BUT, you can endure because of the grace of God that gives you strength.
• Sharing the gospel requires avoiding entanglement in the world [2:4] Paul uses the example of the soldier--you must be focused on the assignment. Remember the scene in "Heartbreak Ridge" where the Marine goes AWOL to take another job to take care of his family. Clint Eastwood, the tough gunnery sergeant goes to the trailer and reminds the soldier of his duty. Reminds me of the soil and seed parable--some seed fell on thorny ground. the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and it is unfruitful. 
• Sharing the gospel requires playing by the rules [2:5] Here Paul uses the athlete as the example. What are the rules of presenting the gospel--humble, truthful, loving---using only the sword of the word as a weapon. 

Paul ends this section by saying think about these things and if you lack wisdom or understanding, the Lord will give you wisdom and understanding. This goes back to the beginning---God is gracious---in His grace He will give you all the wisdom and understanding you need as you share the gospel. 

Blessings

Larry