To Be My Best, Give God My Best

In 2 Timothy 1:6-7 I read, “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (NIV)

When Timothy joined Paul on his missionary journey, Timothy was still a very young man. Paul sent him to a city called Ephesus to help start and lead a church. Even though Timothy struggled with fear, God used him.

Here are three lessons I can learn from Timothy about how to fulfill God’s calling on my life.

Develop the gifts God gave me.

The Bible says, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity . . . Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you . . . Practice these things and devote yourself to them, in order that your progress may be seen by all” (1 Timothy 4:12, 14-15 GNT).

Paul also told Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV).

As a believer, I have a lifelong responsibility to develop the talents and gifts God has given me.

Refuse to be distracted.

Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you” (NLT).

It’s easy to get sidetracked by a desire to build my business, family, career, or savings. And many people waste countless hours of their lives on the Internet and on their phones. As a follower of Jesus, I’ve got to keep the most important things in focus so I can fulfill my calling.

Give God my very best.

The Bible says, “Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you” (1 Timothy 6:12 GNT). God has called me to a specific task, and it can only be accomplished when I give it the best of my time, effort, gifts, and focus.

Paul says about Timothy, “I have no one else like Timothy” (Philippians 2:20 NLT). Can you imagine a greater epitaph? There was no one else in the world like Timothy. He was focused. He was committed to the call of God in his life. Nobody could distract or discourage him, and he gave God his best.

As I give God my best and follow his calling, God will bring out the best in me too.

In summary, I am to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in me. For the Spirit God gave me does not make me timid, but gives me power, love and self-discipline. Even though Timothy struggled with fear, God used him. Here are three lessons I can learn from Timothy about how to fulfill God’s calling. 1). Develop the gifts God gave me. Be an example in my speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in me, Practice these things and devote myself to them. The Spirit God gave me does not make me timid, but gives me power, love and self-discipline. I have a lifelong responsibility to develop the talents and gifts God has given me. 2). Refuse to be distracted. Keep a close watch on how you live and on my teaching. Stay true to what is right. It’s easy to get sidetracked by a desire, and waste countless hours on the Internet and on my phone. Learn to keep the most important things in focus so I can fulfill my calling. 3). Give God my very best. Run my best in the race of faith, and win eternal life. God has called me to a specific task, and it can only be accomplished when I give it the best of my time, effort, gifts, and focus. As I give God my best and follow his calling, God will bring out the best in me too.

At the time of his ordination, Timothy had received special gifts of the Spirit to enable him to serve the church. In telling Timothy to "fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you," Paul was encouraging him to persevere. Timothy did not need new revelations or new gifts; e needed the courage and self-discipline to hang on to the truth and to use the gifts he had already received. If Timothy would step out boldly in faith and proclaim the Good News once again, the Holy Spirit would go with him and give him power. When I use my gifts that God has given me, I will find that God will give me the power I need to accomplish whatever task he gives me. Clearly Timothy's spiritual gift had been given to him when Paul and the elders had laid their hands on him and set him apart for ministry. God gives all Christians gifts to use to build up the body of Christ, and he gives special gifts to some through church leaders, who serve as God's instruments. Timothy was experiencing great opposition to his message and to himself as a leader. His youth, his association with Paul, and his leadership had come under fire from believers and nonbelievers alike. Paul urged him to be bold. If I allow others to intimidate me, I neutralize my effectiveness for God. The power of the Holy Spirit can help me overcome my fear of what some might say or do to me so that I can continue to do God's work. Paul mentions three characteristics of the effective Christian leader: power, love, and self-discipline. These are available to us because the Holy Spirit lives in us. Follow his leading each day so that my life will more fully exhibit these characteristics.  

Why God Sometimes Says “Not Yet”

In Hebrews 10:36-37 I read, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.'" (NIV)

If I’m discouraged because of God’s delay in answering my prayers, understand the delay is not a denial. Just because the answer or the miracle hasn’t come yet doesn’t mean God isn’t going to answer, or that he’s forgotten me or doesn’t care about me. It simply means “not yet”!

Part of becoming spiritually mature is learning the difference between “no” and “not yet,” between a denial and a delay. The Bible tells us, “He who is coming will come and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37 NIV).

God’s delay may be a test of my patience. Anybody can be patient once. And most people can be patient twice, or even three times. God tests my patience over and over.

Does he do this to see how patient I am? No, he does it so I can see how patient I can be. His testing helps me to see God’s power at work in me and to determine my level of commitment to him.

God tests me also so that I can know he is faithful, even if the answers I seek are delayed.

When I go through difficult times, I may be discouraged because the situation I’m facing seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.

It may seem unbearable, and inside I’m basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t take it anymore!” But I can.

I can stay with it longer because God is with me. He’ll equip me to press on.

Remember, I am never a failure until I quit. Resist discouragement, and finish the race God has set before me.

In summary, learn to persevere so that when I have dTone the will of God, I will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay. Don’t be discouraged because of God’s delay in answering my prayers. Understand that delay is not a denial, It simply means “not yet”!  Part of becoming spiritually mature is learning the difference between “no '' and “not yet, God’s delay may be a test of my patience. And He tests my patience over and over. He does it so I can see how patient I can be. His testing helps me to see His power at work in me and to determine my level of commitment to him. God tests me also so that I can know he is faithful. When I go through difficult times, I may be discouraged because the situation I’m facing seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair. It may seem unbearable, and inside I’m basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. But I can. I can stay with it longer because God is with me. He’ll equip me to press on. I am never a failure until I quit. Resist discouragement, and finish the race God has set before me.

God's Word gives me a clear choice between two life directions. Because life often forks off in two directions, I must take the higher road, even through it looks more difficult and treacherous. That road gets steep in places. The climb takes a toll on my energy. It gets lonely. Not many are on it, but more that I imagined, and some because of my example. It gets slippery; the devil blows ice on the narrow passages.  Despite its dangers, the higher road is bound for the peak, and I'll make it, God has a lifeline around me. When I am tempted to falter in my faith or to turn back fro following Christ, keep focused on what he has done for me and what he offers in the future. Then keep climbing.  Remain steadfast to hold firm. Because Christ lives in me, I can have that kind of endurance. Jesus predicted that his followers would be severely persecuted by those who hated him. In the midst of terrible persecution, they could have hope, however, knowing that salvation was theirs. Times of trial server to sift true Christians from false or fair-weather Christians. When I am pressured to give up and turn my back on Christ, remember the benefits of standing firm and continue to live for Christ. Patient endurance is not a way to be saved but the evidence that I am really committed to Jesus.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen. 

What to Do When It Makes No Sense

In Job 42:2-3, 6 I read, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me . . . I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” (NLT)

Instead of always asking God “why” when I don’t understand, start trusting him.

For 37 chapters in his book, Job asks: “Why is this happening to me? Why are you allowing this? Why so much pain? Why so much discomfort? Why haven’t you answered my prayers?”

But in chapter 38, Job then stops asking “why.” And God says, “Now I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

For the next two chapters, God bombards Job with questions that only God could answer. He asks things like, “Where were you when I made the universe? Can you explain the law of gravity?”

After two chapters, Job realizes that he is just a man and his knowledge is limited. Who is he to question God?

Job stops questioning, and starts trusting. He replies to the Lord, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me . . . I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance” (Job 42:2-3, 6 NLT).

What do I do in a situation where I can’t see the whole picture, things aren’t clear, and life doesn’t make sense?

I can remind myself of the things I know about God. Even while doubting, Job affirmed what he knew to be true about God: God is loving (Job 10:12), God is all powerful (Job 36:22), God is in control (Job 34:13), God had a plan for his life (Job 23:14), God would protect him (Job 5:11).

God is passionately and intimately aware of every detail. He’s paying attention to my every breath. Nothing misses God’s attention.

So While I may not understand what I’m going through, I can still say this to God: “I know you’re good, loving and powerful. I know you notice the details of my life. I know you’re in control. I know you have a plan. I know you will protect me.”

Then set aside my “why” questions and trust God, no matter what.

In summary, I know that you God can do anything, and no one can stop you. I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance. Instead of always asking God “why” when I don’t understand, start trusting him. Job asks: “Why is this happening to me? Why are you allowing this? Why so much pain? Why so much discomfort? Why haven’t you answered my prayers?” Job then stops asking “why.” And God says, “Now I’d like to ask you a few questions.” God then bombards Job with questions that only God could answer. Job realizes that he is just a man and his knowledge is limited. Who is he to question God? Job stops questioning, and starts trusting. What do I do in a situation where I can’t see the whole picture, things aren’t clear, and life doesn’t make sense? I can remind myself of the things I know about God. God is loving, all powerful, and in control, God has a plan for my life, and will protect me. God is passionately and intimately aware of every detail. Nothing misses God’s attention. So While I may not understand what I’m going through, I can still say this to God: “I know you’re good, loving and powerful. I know you notice the details of my life. I know you’re in control. I know you have a plan. I know you will protect me.” Then set aside my “why” questions and trust God, no matter what.

Throughout the book of Job, Job's friends had asked him to admit his sin and ask for forgiveness, and eventually Job did indeed repent. Ironically, Job's repentance was not the kind called for by his friends. He did not ask forgiveness for committing secret sins, but for questioning God's sovereignty and justice. Job repented of his attitude and acknowledged God's great power and perfect justice.  I sin when I angrily ask, "if God is in control, how could he let this happen?" Because I am locked into time, unable to see beyond today, I cannot know the reasons for everything that happens. Thus, I must often choose between doubt and trust. Will I trust God with my unanswered questions? Don't use what I can't understand as an excuse for my lack of trust. Admit to God that I don't even have enough faith to trust him. True faith begins in such humility.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.