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| 6 | For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. |
| 7 | For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. |
| 8 | So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, |
| 9 | who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, |
| 10 | but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. |
| 11 | And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. |
| 12 | That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. |
| 13 | What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. |
| 14 | Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. |
Saturday, October 30A New Calling
Bible In A Year: Jeremiah 20–21; 2 Timothy 4
Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-14
He has saved us and called us to a holy life. [ 2 TIMOTHY 1:9]
Teenage gang leader Casey and his followers broke into homes and cars, robbed convenience stores, and fought other gangs. Eventually, Casey was arrested and sentenced. In prison, he became a “shot caller,” someone who handed out homemade knives during riots.
Sometime later, he was placed in solitary confinement. While daydreaming in his cell, Casey experienced a “movie” of sorts replaying key events of his life-and of Jesus, being led to and nailed to the cross and telling him, “I’m doing this for you.” Casey fell to the floor weeping and confessed his sins. Later, he shared his experience with a chaplain, who explained more about Jesus and gave him a Bible. “That was the start of my journey of faith,” Casey said. Eventually, he was released into the mainline prison population, where he was mistreated for his faith. But he felt at peace, because “[he] had found a new calling: telling other inmates about Jesus.”
In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul talks about the power of Christ to change lives: God calls us from lives of wrongdoing to follow and serve Jesus (2 TIMOTHY 1:9). When we receive Him by faith, we desire to be a living witness of Christ’s love. The Holy Spirit enables us to do so, even when suffering, in our quest to share the good news (V. 8). Like Casey, let’s live out our new calling. ALYSON KIEDA
When have you shared the gospel with someone, and what was the result? Did it ever lead to suffering? What happened?
Dear God, thank You for offering me a new calling through Your Son. And thank You for giving me the Spirit to live inside me to guide and empower me to serve You.
10월 30일 •토요일새로운 소명
성경읽기: 예레미야 20-21; 디모데후서 4
새찬송가: 436(통493)
오늘의 성경말씀: 디모데후서 1:6-14
하나님이 우리를 구원하사 거룩하신 소명으로 부르심은 [디모데후서 1:9]
십대 깡패 두목 케이시와 그 일당은 가정집이나 차를 부수고 들어가거나, 편의점을 털고, 다른 패거리와 싸움을 하곤 했습니다. 마침내 케이시는 체포되어 형을 받았는데, 교도소에서도 그는 “우두머리”가 되어 폭동이 일어났을 때 손으로 만든 칼을 나누어 주었습니다.
그 얼마 후 그는 독방에 수감되었습니다. 케이시는 독방에서 공상을 하던 중, 살면서 겪었던 주요 사건들을 마치 “영화”처럼 다시 보는 경험을 하게 되었고, 십자가에 끌려가 못 박히시는 예수님이 그에게 “이것은 다 너를 위한 일이다”라고 말씀하시는 것을 보았습니다. 케이시는 바닥에 엎드려 눈물을 흘리며 죄를 고백했습니다. 나중에 교도소 소속의 목사에게 이 경험을 이야기하자 그는 예수님에 대해 더 많이 설명해주고 성경책도 주었습니다. 케이시는 “그렇게 내 믿음의 여정이 시작되었다.”라고 말했습니다. 시간이 지나 일반 수용소로 다시 돌아온 그는 그의 믿음 때문에 학대를 받았습니다. 하지만 “다른 재소자들에게 예수님을 전하는 새로운 소명을 받았기” 때문에 그는 마음이 평안했습니다.
바울 사도는 디모데에게 보낸 편지에서 삶을 바꾸는 그리스도의 능력에 대해 이야기합니다. 하나님은 우리를 그릇된 삶에서 벗어나 예수님을 따르고 섬기는 삶으로 부르십니다(디모데후서 1:9). 믿음으로 예수님을 영접하면 그리스도의 사랑을 전하는 산증인이 되고 싶은 마음이 우러납니다. 우리가 고난 중에도 복음을 전하려고 노력할 때 성령님께서 우리를 도와 잘 감당할 수 있게 해주십니다(8절). 우리도 케이시처럼 새로운 소명에 따라 살아갈 수 있기를 바랍니다.
복음을 증거한 것이 언제였습니까? 그 결과는 어땠습니까? 혹 그것 때문에 고난을 당했습니까? 무슨 일이 있었습니까?
사랑하는 하나님, 성자 예수님을 통해 새 소명을 주시니 감사합니다. 또 우리 안에 성령을 주셔서 하나님을 섬기도록 인도하시고 능력 주시니 감사합니다.