I Thank God For You – December 10, 2008

I Thank God For You

2 Timothy 1:3-4, 6

Jim Stephens

12-10-08

 

Scripture:

 

3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. (2 Timothy 1:3-4, 6 NLT)

 

Observation and Application:

 

Paul had met a lot of people in his travels.  He had friends all over the world.  But he had one relationship that was different from all the others – a God-initiated father-son relationship with Timothy.

 

Last night I received a phone call from Dale Robinson, a young Jamaican man I first met in Kingston in 1987.  At that time Dale was a 21 year old brand new Christ-follower who had grown up hating white people in general and Americans in particular.  In a Sunday service at Fellowship Tabernacle I spoke a prophecy to Dale about how God would use him in the future to touch the lives of many people and to influence people in other nations.  At that time I didn’t know Dale or his special prejudices.  If I had, I might not have spoken that word to him.

 

A special relationship formed through the years, even though we left Jamaica in a few years and moved to London.  Dale rose through the ranks at National Commercial Bank in Jamaica and was transferred to their office in London just 8 months before we left the UK and moved back to the US.

 

In a few years Dale became NCB’s director of operations in the UK.  He then felt God telling him to step out in faith and leave NCB, which he did a little over a year ago.  Now he is working for Grace International, a Jamaican food products company that is expanding their operations into Europe.  Dale is heading up the development of their company in the UK.

 

Dale called me last night at 6:30 (2:30 AM his time) to say that Jean and I had been on his mind for a couple of days and he was praying for us.  He said, “Whatever you’re going through, I’m going through it with you.”

 

After we talked and prayed (with some tears) I got this text message from my son in the faith, Dale Robinson; “Psalm 23.  I love you Dad, I’ll be keeping in touch regularly but please know that I’m available anytime you need me.  I don’t need much sleep anyway, so don’t even think about the time.  All my love, your son Dale.”

 

Prayer:

 

Father, thanks for relationships.  This morning I’m thinking deeply about how much relationships mean to you (Father – Son) and how much relationships are intended to mean to us.  Help me to be a better husband, dad, and friend.  Thank you for the precious gift of relationships.  Amen.