The Power of Remembrances

196 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Ti 1:3-5, “ I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. (2 Tim 1:3-5) Thank God for remembrances! We should not forget that Paul is writing this letter from a Roman dungeon. His home now an underground prison with only a hole in the ceiling to let in light and air! Peter has already been crucified upside down, many other Christians have suffered similar martyrdom, and Paul is on a short list of who's next. His friends have abandoned him, only Luke remains at his side! But Paul thanks God for bringing Timothy and his genuine faith to mind often! (without ceasing!) Many long hours in the dungeon and I'm sure Paul was assailed by doubts. Was this really worth it? At moments like these God brings to mind Timothy, Paul's son in the faith. He recalls grandma Lois, and Timothy's mother Eunice and how they and Timothy came to the faith of their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through the preaching of the Gospel! Paul is not talking about the misplaced faith of the Pharisees, but the true faith of Abraham who simply “believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness,” This is the faith that produces a pure conscience! It is the gospel promise that Jesus, (who came from the seed of Abraham) would die on the cross for the sins of the world and as many as believed in Him would have the same right of Abraham to be called a child of God! This Jesus in whom Paul has faith, has cleared his conscience of any wrongdoing. It has convinced him that no matter his past, he will one day soon stand before God and declared “not guilty!” No wonder Paul is overflowing with thanks! It was worth it! It is worth it! We may struggle at times with that same question, “Is this worth it?” When we do, may God cause us to remember the depth of His forgiveness for us and also those times He used us to make a difference in the lives of others, and may we turn our doubts into concrete expressions of praise!