Influences in your life
by Pastor Jim Strelan
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I have been reminded of your sure faith which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and I am persuaded now lives in you also (1 Timothy 1:5).
Think for a moment about the person who has had the most influence in your life in terms of your walk with Jesus. It could be a parent, a teacher, a pastor or a friend. It’s interesting that in many cases, the one who most influenced us is a woman. Maybe it’s their tendency to be the nurturer, and they see the nurturing of you includes a fostering of your faith. Maybe you had a mother as I did who taught me to pray, sang songs and verses of hymns to me, and who I know prayed for me all the way through to adulthood. Whoever that main influence might be, thank God for them.
Pauls reminds Timothy that the first flame of faith was kindled by his grandmother and mother and still resides in him. It seems that Timothy lacked a little in terms of confidence. So Paul reminds Timothy of the strong ones in his life. Then Paul reminds Timothy that he laid hands on him, so he has the Spirit of God with him. And he reminds him that the heart of the gospel message is Jesus through whom we know the grace of God. So, Paul says, don’t be timid and don’t be ashamed.
If you are blessed to stand in a line of believers going back generations, then thank God for it. And be determined to continue that influence with the young ones in your life. If you don’t have that long connection with faithful believers, then you make a start. Pass on what you have – be a Lois and a Eunice, regardless of which gender you are. The faith you have and want to pass on is a faith in a God who has the power and authority and pours his Spirit into you.
Thank you, God, for those who have had the most influence in my life by showing me Jesus. Empower me to do the same in the power of Jesus. Amen.
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