Sharing Hope
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
READ 2 Timothy 3:10–17
As Emma shared how God helped her embrace
her identity as His beloved child, she weaved Scripture into our
conversation. I could barely figure out where the high school student
stopped speaking her words and began quoting the words of God.
When I commended her for being like a walking Bible, her brow furrowed.
She hadn’t been intentionally reciting Scripture verses. Through daily
reading of the Bible, the wisdom found in it had become a part of Emma’s
everyday vocabulary. She rejoiced in God’s constant presence and
enjoyed every opportunity He provided to share His truth with others.
But Emma isn’t the first young person God has used to inspire others to
prayerfully read, memorize, and apply Scripture.
When the apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to step into leadership, he
demonstrated confidence in this young man (1 Timothy 4:11–16). Paul
acknowledged that Timothy was rooted in Scripture from infancy (2
Timothy 3:15). Like Paul, Timothy faced doubters. Still, both men lived
as if they believed all Scripture was “God-breathed.” They recognized
Scripture was “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training
in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped
for every good work” (vv. 16–17).
When we hide God’s wisdom in our hearts, His truth and love can pour
into our conversations naturally. We can be like walking Bibles sharing
God’s eternal hope wherever we go.
By Xochitl Dixon |
How do you hide Scripture in your heart and mind? How has God’s wisdom helped you share His truth with others?
Father, saturate my heart with Your wisdom so I can share You with others naturally and courageously. | | | | |
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Timothy was Paul’s “true son in the faith”
(1 Timothy 1:2). We first see him in Acts 16:1–3, where we learn his
“mother [Eunice] was Jewish and a believer.” Later we read that his
grandmother Lois was also a believer (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy lived in
Lystra, and the believers there and in Iconium (about twenty miles
north) spoke well of him (Acts 16:2). And so when Paul visited there
during his second missionary journey, he took Timothy with him. But
first, Paul circumcised him because of the local Jews who knew his
father was a Greek or gentile (v. 3). Paul didn’t want to hinder the
spread of the gospel to the Jews. Timothy became a loved companion and
vital member of Paul’s missionary team and is mentioned throughout
Paul’s letters. Today’s passage (2 Timothy 3:10–17), includes some of
Paul’s final words to Timothy.
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