Your Identity In Christ: Day 11 - Pastor Ryan Shook
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“God doesn't want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (MSG)
Realizing who you are in Christ will embolden you. It will give you the courage to receive and exercise the gifts God has given you and release you from the intimidating shyness that often causes us to shrink back in fear when God is calling us to move forward in faith. Young Timothy was a disciple of the Apostle Paul. He came from the spiritual mismatch of an unsaved Gentile Greek father and a Christian Jewish mother. To the Jews, Timothy would be looked down on as a half-breed, like a Samaritan. He probably became a Christian after Paul’s first missionary visit to Lystra in Acts 16. It was in Lystra where Paul was stoned, dragged out of town, and left for dead. But God wasn’t through with this apostle. He would return to Lystra on a second visit and invite Timothy to join his missionary team. I can only imagine the reluctance and excitement he must have felt. No other team member became as close a companion with Paul as did Timothy. Paul referred to him as his “son in the faith” and became like a spiritual father to Timothy. He writes two letters to Timothy to encourage and instruct him to see the potential and gifts that God had given him. But Timothy suffered from a shy timidity he would only overcome when he realized who he was in Christ.
One of the great encouragements Paul gave young Timothy was to help him begin to see his identity in Christ. In his second letter, he writes, “God doesn’t want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (MSG) Another translation you may be more familiar with says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (NKJV)
Maybe you can relate to young Timothy. You struggle with your identity in Jesus. You haven’t come to fully realize who you are in Christ and the gifts He has given you. God wants to set you free from that shyness. Receive His gifts of love, power, and a sound mind. In Him, you are bold, loving, and sensible. He is shaping your character for your calling. It’s time to step into your calling in the power of the Holy Spirit and be bold. Like Timothy, it will take the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, and like Timothy, you can do it! You are in training now. Don’t shrink back in fear. Your true self in Christ has been gifted with all you need to accomplish His purpose. Just lean on Him and step out in faith.
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.