I remember the sincere faith you have, the kind of faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice also had. I am sure that you have it also. For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave your when I laid hands on you. For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.

Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; neither be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ's sake. Instead, take your part in suffering for the Good News, as God gives you the strength for it. He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace by means of Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but now it has been revealed to us through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has ended the power of death and through the gospel has revealed immortal life.

2 Timothy 1:5-10

By the examples of our lives, we can pass on to our children our good names and our characters. But we can also pass on, almost like an heirloom, the very best gift of all time - immortal, everlasting life, because of our belief in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. There never has been, nor will there ever be a better gift than the grace our Lord bestowed on us. We do not deserve it, nor can we ever repay it, but it is still ours, and we can pass it down.

Our Daily Bread - September 9, 2001