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to serve God

2 Timothy 1:1&2
"1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."

This past week we read about God's plan. We are created to glorify God and to enjoy God forever. When we do not glorify God and enjoy God, we are at odds with God. Jesus told His Disciples to spread the Gospel message in their city - Jerusalem, their state- Judaea, their neighboring country - Samaria, and the rest of the world! The early Church experienced persecution that motivated early Christians to leave their homes and go "abroad." This helped spread the Gospel message. Then we read the results of Philip the Evangelist's energetic preaching, performing miracles and baptizing hundreds, if not thousands of people! "...there was GREAT JOY in that city."

Today we turn to another letter written by Paul as he was locked up in a Roman prison. He knew he would be executed soon and wrote to his trusted protégé Timothy. "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, MY DEARLY BELOVED SON: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."

They had a close relationship. Paul thought of Timothy as his son. It might be obvious, but bares exploration, faith did not start with Paul. Faith goes back even before Jesus was born for generations. Every generation is called to fulfill the Great Commission. TO SERVE GOD'S purposes as fully as possible.
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