In the Family (2 Timothy 1:1-10)

CLICK HERE TO READ 2 TIMOTHY 1:1-10

Daily Devotion from Brother Mike: 

Today’s pieces once belonged to my grandparents, Olen and Rowena Thompson, my mother’s mom and dad. The plague is a saying, still used in Christian art today, penned by an unknown author. The wood framed print is a copy of Warner Sallman’s wildly popular “Head of Christ” which he painted in 1940. There had been over half a billion reproductions of this painting by the end of the century.
We have no family story of the plague. It is a decorative piece that my grandparents either bought for themselves or received as a gift. The Scripture quote at the bottom is from Philippians 1:21. The plague appears to have been made sometime between the late 1940s and the early 1960s.

The Sallman print was a gift to my grandparents from their pastor and his wife. The card that they gave with the print is still taped on the back of the print; it reads: “In appreciation of your love, thoughtfulness, and generosity. His spirit has been yours! Derwood & Kathryn”

Rev. Derwood and Kathryn Blackwell were sent to serve the First Methodist Church of Katy in June of 1947. My mother remembers that Rev. Blackwell suffered some health problems while they were in Katy, and that Mrs. Blackwell did a lot of the work of ministry (except preaching). Mrs. Blackwell also lead the church’s youth group and had the gift of encouragement.

In our passage from 2 Timothy the Apostle Paul reminds Timothy of his grandmother, Lois, and mother, Eunice, who set a good example for Timothy to follow. Paul encourages Timothy “to make full use of the gift God gave you”.

“Use it well. God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.”

What gift (of gifts) has God given you for this day? How can you make full use of that gift? God’s gifts are not for hanging on the wall and looking good.

​Give it all you’ve got! Brother Mike