Listen

Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you heard from me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Protect this good thing that has been placed in your trust through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

2 Timothy 1:13-14

Think

In the very first story of the Bible, people are given the gift of creation, and we are to be stewards of that gift. If you think about it, that’s a large part of the God-People dynamic; God gives, and we are to take care of what God gives us. Our faith is no different; God gives us the gift of faith, and we are to take care of it. Or as the scripture says today, “Protect this good thing that has been placed in your trust through the Spirit…” (v. 14)

But how do you protect faith? Some things like documents we protect by stashing them away in a safe place. But faith isn’t something to be stashed away; it’s to be wrestled with and used and shared.

Maybe that’s the answer: we protect it by exposing it to the wear and tear of life and in doing so, it becomes stronger in us and us in it.

Kris “Bubba” Brammer

Pray

I haven’t always been the best steward of your gifts, O Lord. I hide it, I keep it for myself, I share it only when I feel safe.

Give me the courage to share your gifts, my faith, with all those I encounter, that we all may grow in your Spirit.

Amen.

Go

The gift of faith is yours;

Receive it so that it may refresh your soul,

Live it so that it brings inspiration to others,

And share it so that others may know the good gifts of God.