Many times, what keeps us from staying on the right track and doing what we know we should do is simply the absence of a little encouragement. The apostle Paul had a protégé named Timothy, whom he called his “true son in the faith.” Paul trusted Timothy so deeply that, as his own ministry was nearing its end, he left Timothy in Ephesus to pastor the church while Paul continued his work elsewhere. Yet Paul did not simply throw Timothy to the wolves; he stayed in touch, strengthened him, and offered the encouragement he needed. In the book of 1 Timothy, we have one of those communications—one inspired by God not only for Timothy, but also for us. I hope you will join me in this message as we consider the encouragement Paul gave to young Pastor Tim, because there is much here for us to gain today.