April 21 – And so …

And so after Paul reminded Timothy of the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind that he had, Paul writes that:

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” 2 Timothy 2v8 (King James Version)

“Do not blush or be ashamed then, to testify to and for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but [with me] take your share of the suffering [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the power of God.” 2 Timothy 2v8 (Amplified Bible)

“So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for Him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.” 2 Timothy 2v8 (New Living Translation).

And so easy to fall into the trap of being scared to talk about Jesus – I mean what will other’s think, what will they say, will they accept me, hmmm… what if I get into trouble. But Paul reminds us, as he did Timothy, that we do not have a spirit of fear, but one of love, of power, and of a sound mind.

I remember yesterday, at a train station, there was a man singing about “she’s a flirt,” and I longed to ask him if he would like to play and I would free style because the more he sings she’s a flirt, maybe the more she will be one, unless she knows her worth, who she is. Now I didn’t do that, but recalling the Spirit I had in me, I was able to tell him he sounded nice, and give him a flash card with bible verses.

Let us not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Not because of our own abilities, but because of the power of God that worketh through us and is waiting just to manifest once we step out in faith.

Have a blessed day.

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Verses for thought:
“So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1v15-17