Timothy's Letters2

This time last year I was engrossed in the readings of First Timothy. I found this entries on reserve, not yet completed for posting. I love going back to familiar scripture. The timing of this in my life now is so revitalizing and convicting. The timing is very painful too. Our family was hit with a crisis I never imagined. We are in ministry and this is not to happen. We love God, we serve Him, why...WHY were we not protected from this pain? In going back to a post yet to be published, this cherished gift of scripture and reflective thoughts gives me the "what" to my "why" in this moment......

I have used the following verses from 1 Timothy four as a prayer over our daughters many times. These verses are more than gold and so appropriate for our children today:

12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

And you have to love the Message version....

11-14Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.
15-16Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.

Strong instructions for any believer at any age really. So I challenge us as parents, as grandparents, as aunts, as friends...do we model this for our children? Are we teaching by our own life...

"...by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity."

My husband and I have been convicted in our parenting of teenagers. It has been easy to let things slip with the girls, to grow tolerant, to grow weak if I dare say. But what legacy then do we leave them? They pulled away from God when we went through our individual divorces and satan has let them use that as an excuse...he has even landed that thought into our own thinking. In the name of Jesus NO MORE! We plan to fight for our girls and their spiritual lives. My friends, we must do as the Scripture says...

"...stay at your post reading scripture, giving counsel, teaching....cultivate these things...immerse yourself in them...keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching...don't be diverted...just keep at it..."

I don't know who may have needed to see these words. Maybe just me but there is definite wisdom here to live by, not just for our youth but for us also. FIGHT!!!!

Fight? I want to run and hide right now. But I have to instead walk awayfrom that question of 'why did God allow this crisis into our life'? Could it possibly be the way to bring us closer to each other, closer to Him? I am stepping away from my self pity and anger and exploring what God might have planned in this pain.

Trusting Him.

Believing Him.

Hoping in Him.

Believing Him~Pamela