Tag Archives: Testimony

Christian Growth, Devotionals

Timid Timothy

CROPPED NOVEMBER 2012 PROFILE PICTURE

He hangs his head as he meets people in the marketplace. He avoids eye contact when speaking, has sweaty palms and shakes uncontrollably. She blushes easily, is uncomfortable in a crowd and avoids church fellowships.  Recognize these symptoms of timidity? There once was a man named Timothy…

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, (2 Timothy 1:6-8a KJV).”

Paul had ordained Timothy; he felt confident Timothy would serve His Lord faithfully. Yet, he sensed Timothy needed a booster shot to ward off timidity. He need not fear rejection of his listeners. He preached Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected and did do in response to Christ’s great commission. (Matthew 28: 18-20) Tenacious, I resist my tendency to be as timid Timothy!

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

Rest Stops Mandatory!

We make frequent trips from Louisiana-to-Florida, and take countless stops along the way. Rest room breaks are mandatory. We know locations of state rest areas, and patronize truck stops offering clean restrooms and ample numbers of stalls. Even those blessed with bladder control need to stop, stretch their legs, and get the kinks out. We get weary when we travel.

Jesus covered many miles in his years of ministry. He walked and He grew weary. “So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the field which Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob’s spring was there. So Jesus, tired from His journey, was sitting by the spring just as He was. It was about noon (John 4:5-6 Williams NT).”

We tend to forget the man Jesus, in our acknowledgment of His deity. As man, He hungered, experienced thirst and became physically weary. Jesus needed a rest stop. He purposely planned to be at Sychar for a divine appointment with a woman at a well. Never too tired to minister, He spoke to her of living water. (Verses7-26) She rushed away to testify!

“The woman then left her pitcher and went back to town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who has told me everything thing I ever did. He is not the Christ, is He?’ So the people left town and rushed out to see Him (John 4:28-30 Williams NT).” Was Jesus rest period productive? Had he moved people from attention-to-action?

“Many of the Samaritans in that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, when she said, “He has told me everything I ever did.’ So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they kept on urging him to stay with them; so He did stay there two days. Then a much larger number believed in Him because of what He said Himself (John 4:39-41 Williams NT).”

Jesus shared the message of salvation. He took time to talk to a woman. She told others… “and they were saying to the woman, ‘It is not merely because of what you said that we now believe, for we have heard Him ourselves, and we know that He is really the Savior of the world (John 4:42 Williams NT).” His rest stop brought rest to weary souls!

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