Post by GinNJ on Aug 12, 2013 20:15:12 GMT -5
Encouragement
1 Timothy 1:18
"This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,"
Encouragement...we all needed it. Timothy needed it. Timmy needs it.
Timothy was a young man trying to make a difference for Christ in a very hostile world. His apprenticeship with Paul, who converted him and was discipling him, sent him to some of the most un-godly places of their time. Some of his biggest opponents would be supposed believers teaching false doctrines and leading other believers astray. Persecution was sure to come. His spiritual father opens with encouragement before presenting Timothy with instruction.
Sound familiar?
We know another Timothy who has been sent into some of the most un-godly places in our day to make a difference for Christ. Over 26 years ago his father asked God for another son who he would name Timothy (God honoring) and he would raise him to be a preacher. He has been trying to make a difference for Christ since he was young in the midst of ridicule and intimidation. Now, not only is he being ridiculed for his outspoken faith but for the very thing that won him admiration and praise...the very thing God used to give him a platform to 'preach'...the way he plays football.
On Tuesday when Miami and I were discussing making a sign for Tim for his birthday my initial reaction was...that is soooo not me or anything that I would normally do. I felt bad because Miami was already convicted that we should and had been talking about it but I wasn't totally on board. Not until we started talking about adding a verse to the sign did I see the real purpose.
I threw out a verse that neither of us felt was right. So I opened the bible and the verse God led me to was 1 Tim 1:18. As soon as I read it out loud we both new it was the verse God had for Tim this week and for this season of his life. We never even had to discuss it. We just knew. Done! And I knew the sign wasn't about Tim's birthday. It was about encouragement.
Let me encourage all of you...please add prayers of encouragement to the list of things you pray for him (if you feel led to do so). It has been impressed upon me through this verse and what God has revealed to me about what happened, or didn't happen, during my hat signing attempt. Tim needs encouragement! He needs it in his walk with the Lord and with football and/or whatever God's plan for his life is.
God bless!
Lori Ann
My song for Tim:
Sidewalk Prophets: "The Words I Would Say"
Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say
1 Timothy 1:18
"This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,"
Encouragement...we all needed it. Timothy needed it. Timmy needs it.
Timothy was a young man trying to make a difference for Christ in a very hostile world. His apprenticeship with Paul, who converted him and was discipling him, sent him to some of the most un-godly places of their time. Some of his biggest opponents would be supposed believers teaching false doctrines and leading other believers astray. Persecution was sure to come. His spiritual father opens with encouragement before presenting Timothy with instruction.
Sound familiar?
We know another Timothy who has been sent into some of the most un-godly places in our day to make a difference for Christ. Over 26 years ago his father asked God for another son who he would name Timothy (God honoring) and he would raise him to be a preacher. He has been trying to make a difference for Christ since he was young in the midst of ridicule and intimidation. Now, not only is he being ridiculed for his outspoken faith but for the very thing that won him admiration and praise...the very thing God used to give him a platform to 'preach'...the way he plays football.
On Tuesday when Miami and I were discussing making a sign for Tim for his birthday my initial reaction was...that is soooo not me or anything that I would normally do. I felt bad because Miami was already convicted that we should and had been talking about it but I wasn't totally on board. Not until we started talking about adding a verse to the sign did I see the real purpose.
I threw out a verse that neither of us felt was right. So I opened the bible and the verse God led me to was 1 Tim 1:18. As soon as I read it out loud we both new it was the verse God had for Tim this week and for this season of his life. We never even had to discuss it. We just knew. Done! And I knew the sign wasn't about Tim's birthday. It was about encouragement.
Let me encourage all of you...please add prayers of encouragement to the list of things you pray for him (if you feel led to do so). It has been impressed upon me through this verse and what God has revealed to me about what happened, or didn't happen, during my hat signing attempt. Tim needs encouragement! He needs it in his walk with the Lord and with football and/or whatever God's plan for his life is.
God bless!
Lori Ann
My song for Tim:
Sidewalk Prophets: "The Words I Would Say"
Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say
