Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
5 5 2025
It’s a New Season… What’s God calling you to now?
Today, our Courageous Men’s group takes a break from our Monday night group meeting to meet offsite a little less frequently, in homes, coffee shops, or doing something else to keep their relationship with Jesus and each other thriving.
As one of the spiritual mentors to this group, I am both excited and prayerfully concerned.
Meeting off campus deepens their relationships in special ways.
Men seem to get closer when they intentionally meet on their own.
But too many aren’t as comfortable outside of the church structure. They don’t seem as drawn or compelled to meet on a more personal level. It is those, my heart cries out for in my prayers,
that they will not lose what they started to build. That they won’t neglect what they so drastically need to grow in God and give what they have in return.
Timothy was a young leader under intense pressure. I get the distinct impression that he was timid, unsure of himself, while serving in a divided and morally compromised culture (Ephesus).
(Not so different than today). Paul writes to fan into flame the gift of God in Timothy (2 Tim 1:6), reminding him of who he is, what he’s received, and who called him.
In speaking to the many courageous men who read this devotion and to others who have attended a bible study or a small group of believers. You men kept coming on Monday nights, because God called you to a deeper level of intimacy. He revealed your needs and uncovered a hunger in you for more of God. I want to give you the encouragement that Paul gave to Timothy. How did he do that?
And how can you be an instrument to give out the grace given to you?
1. He Spoke Identity Over Him
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice…” – 2 Timothy 1:5
- The Lesson: When someone is discouraged, remind them of their spiritual heritage and the faith already within them. A mustard seed is ridiculously small. I think the message is “come as you are”. Even the small bit of faith you’re feeling is more than enough to begin, and more than enough to share with others. It’s an identity that God has spoken over you and called you to. You will not know the peace and power of God until you surrender those thoughts and feelings to God himself.
- The Application: Paul reminded Timothy of the good that was already there. It may be buried under shame, failure, or fear, but it’s there! There’s enough for you to take another step of faith, for yourself, and to share what God has changed in your desire to seek him more. Doesn’t it speak to the peace you have felt and the discipline to engage with the body of Christ more?
- Paul urged him to be strong in the face of persecution and false teaching, encouraging him to endure and stand for the sake of the Gospel message.
- Today, relativism suggests that truth is subjective and personal, clearly undermining the Bible as the ultimate source of truth.
- How about legalism? It emphasizes strict adherence to external rules as the primary way to please God. Or a works-based salvation. Like earning your way to heaven. (which is impossible) while neglecting our faith in God alone and the grace he pours out in abundance.
- How about universalism, that all paths lead to salvation and everyone will be saved, directly contradicting the Bible’s teaching of the absolute need for faith in Jesus Christ.
- How about the denial of hell, which minimizes the severity of sin and the necessity of the need for God the Father to send Jesus as our Savior.
- What about modern-day false gods? People may worship nature, money, mankind, power, history, or social and political systems instead of the God who created them all.
I pray today that the Holy Spirit peels back the scales from your eyes to see deeper into what you are up against and why you need to be connected to the body of Christ in some way. Sunday church will not get you past the finish line. Look, Jesus didn’t call us to walk the world alone. He didn’t send his disciples out alone. He knew as, “Iron sharpen Iron”, that we need each other. Men and women cannot stand alone and do what God has called us to do. Why are we so stubborn? Discerning truth from the many falsehoods, and I have only named a few, requires critical thinking, being accountable, careful study of the scripture, and most importantly, reliance on the Holy Spirit. All things that men don’t do particularly well. Ask me…I know.
Paul Affirmed Timothy’s Calling and Gifts
“Fan into flame the gift of God… For God has not given us a spirit of fear…” – 2 Timothy 1:6–7
Paul’s lesson was spot on. Spiritually weak and confused people often doubt their value.
How can they not? They doubt themselves.
Every day is a struggle to keep their head above water spiritually. They haven’t come to the place yet to trust what God says about them…That’s their true spiritual identity.
Paul called Timothy to “Stir Up” what God had ALREADY given to him.
That’s exactly what I hope to do today. To stir up in you what God has already deposited.
What you already have a glimpse of. You have grown as a spiritual son or daughter since you have become part of that small group.
The feeling is distinct, comforting, encouraging, and empowering.
Don’t let that slip away.
Paul Gave Clear Instructions for Forward Movement
“Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching… Do not neglect your gift…” – 1 Timothy 4:13–14
- The Lesson: Encouragement is not just comfort—it’s direction. Paul helped Timothy know what to do next. I know what you’re thinking. I’m not a preacher or a teacher, and I don’t know my gifts. How does that speak to me as a younger Christian, even though I’m not so young? Paul instructs in 1 Tim 4:12 “to not let anyone look down on him because of his youth, but instead to be an example for others in their speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity”. He emphasized the importance of Timothy’s actions and words as a model for others, particularly due to his young age. But this message is not just about youth. Many are young in their faith, young in their discipline to say NO to that thorn they have in their flesh that keeps beating them up.
But each of us IS an INFLUENCER to family, friends, coworkers…to everyone in our circle. Just like our kids see everything, so do those in that circle, I am speaking of here. You DO make a difference., God has called you to be HIS MAN, His ambassador. Granted, there will be some who will not hold this “new you” as credible, but as Paul encouraged Timothy to rise above that perception. You can be an example and a model in many areas of life. Including your words, conduct, love, faith, as well as purity. Are you listening? None of us is too old or too young for this message.
- The Application: When a man is confused, don’t just pat his back—guide his next step towards a Godly purpose that the word of God teaches! But you must have a posture to want to learn…and you have. I am saying today…don’t let down your guard or the urgency in continuing to meet with your group. You may have already slipped away a little bit.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching… so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped.” – 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Finally, please do not tune me out. Paul encouraged Timothy 25 times to be strong and endure in his work in Ephesus. Maybe Timothy was naturally timid and easily discouraged, or perhaps…
He was a man of normal courage, who had real responsibilities and needed to be told often,
“Be Strong in the Lord and the Power of His Might”.
So, like Paul, can I ask you to “Meditate on these things?” and be a good example to others,
and do not let the message of your journey back die in a closed closet of your life.
Don’t just let others see how you have changed by God’s Holy Spirit… but tell them… testify to them,
how God has given you a newfound peace and confidence
that has really changed you.
It isn’t about being profound or eloquent, it’s about being real.
Stay connected. Be Humble, stay Faithful to His Calling, and Believe in who He says you are!
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CeCe Winans – Holy Forever
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