II Timothy 1

What do we learn from this passage about God?

Verse 7  He "has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline" ( or sound judgement).
Verse 9 - He "has saved us; and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity." 
Verse 10  He revealed His purposes "by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life  and immortality to light through the gospel." 

What encouragement can we receive from this passage?

Verse 12 - We do not need to be ashamed - for we also believe and are convince that He is able to guard what we entrust to Him "until that day". 
Verse 14 - The Holy Spirit who "dwells in us" will help us guard "the treasure which has been entrusted to" us. 

What actions do we need to take in light of this passage?

Verse 6 - We need to "kindle afresh the gift of God" in us - to keep the fire burning in our hearts by relying on His power, His love, and His sound judgement.
Verse 8  - We need to "not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord" and unafraid to suffer "for the gospel"
Verse 13 We need to "Retain the standard of sound words... in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus"

Verses 15-18  Paul gives two examples - Phygelus and Hermogenes, who proved to be unfaithful, turning away from Paul and the Lord;  and Onesiphorus, who proved faithful to Paul and to the Lord.

Faithfulness to the God Who saved us and called us to live for Him and with Him is Paul's message to Timothy and to us:
We are faithful when we serve Him and keep fanning the flame of His gifts to us.
We are faithful when we serve Him with power, love, and self-discipline - supplied by the Holy Spirit.
We are faithful when we have courage to suffer for the gospel and are not ashamed of it.
We are faithful when we understand that God has entrusted us with the Truth and we openly share it with others.
We are faithful when we entrust God with our individual destinies;  believing that all that He promised will happen - that we will have life, eternal life, with Him!
We are faithful when we guard the Truth, the treasure that He has given to us, being careful to not distort, corrupt, delete, or add to it, with the help of His Holy Spirit.

Oh Father in heaven, may I be found faithful,  take me by the hand and lead me into Your love and into the steadfastness of Christ Jesus, my Lord. Amen.