SCRIPTURE
II Timothy 1: 1-14
“Rekindle the gift of God that is within you”
1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise
of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3
I am grateful to God-- whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors
did-- when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4
Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 5
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your
grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. 6
For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you
through the laying on of my hands; 7 for God did not give us a spirit
of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. 8
Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner,
but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 9
who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but
according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ
Jesus before the ages began, 10 but it has now been revealed through
the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life
and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 For this gospel I was
appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, 12 and for this
reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have
put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have
entrusted to him. 13 Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you
have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14
Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit
living in us.