Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
March 18, 2023
Read Acts of the Apostles 16:1-5
1 Paul reached Derbe, and then Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy. He was the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father. 2 The brothers and sisters in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take Timothy with him, so he circumcised him. This was because of the Jews who lived in those areas, for they all knew Timothy’s father was Greek. 4 As Paul and his companions traveled through the cities, they instructed Gentile believers to keep the regulations put in place by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and every day their numbers flourished.
Good Morning, This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
In this passage, we read of Paul’s second missionary trip with Silas. Paul is introduced to a young Christian named Timothy. Paul sees excellent potential in Timothy as a fellow Christian. When Paul is imprisoned, Timothy continues to work to spread Christianity to the Gentiles. Paul’s letters to Timothy help him handle his obstacles and encourage him in his travels.
Have you ever met someone that you would like to mentor? This might happen in a planned meeting, or sometimes you meet this person in a less-conventional way. Imagine that you are flying to a family gathering, and you are seated next to a young person with whom you strike up a conversation. During this conversation, you sense that this young man or woman has a budding future, so you exchange contact information.
The flight was not a purposeful job fair, but you discover this person who would benefit from what you have to offer to them. You reach out and offer them an opportunity to be trained and even work with you. You share all of your knowledge and help them look at challenges from different perspectives. This prodigy flourishes, and over time, you send them on their own trips to represent your company.
Timothy is Paul’s apprentice or prodigy. Paul comes to see Timothy as a son, a beloved child of God, as he writes to give him hope and strength in his letters. We are called to nurture one another in the faith so that we may grow strong and go out and make disciples of the world.
Blessed God, We thank you for Your blessings. You sent Your Son to save us from ourselves. Help us open our hearts and minds to the words of Christ. Again, we thank You. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Whom can I encourage in the walk of faith today?
Share your faith with others! Pastor Liz
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