Dear Precious Friends,
On this amazing new day, this beautiful gift from God I pray that despite Punxsutawney Phils prediction of 6 more weeks of winter, we embrace this day and remember God has us here for such a time as this, with a purpose and we are to stand firm in His truth no matter what is going on around us. Where do we go for His truth? His absolute truth is His gift to us in His word.
There is alot of concerns being thrown at us each day which can lead us to feel fear. In looking at Pauls incredible reminder in 1 Timothy 1:7 lets us jump into where Paul was. He was writing his final letter to a young minister in Ephesus named Timothy. Its purpose was to encourage him to continue faithfully in the work of God.
Timothy faced challenges. SOUND FAMILIAR??? We are facing challenges. He argued against false doctrines and faced persecution for preaching the gospel. Apparently–– perhaps due to timidity––Timothy held back some ministry work. Paul admonishes him to fan the flames of the spiritual gifts God gave him, not to be ashamed of the Lord, and to expect sufferings in the proclamation of the Good News: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Paul reminded Timothy that he has been given power to encounter all his enemies. The Holy Spirit is the Power, which Jesus promised would come and fill all believers: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
Also, genuine love and self-discipline inspire courage and bold authority ( 1 Corinthians 2:4). That is great truth!!!
“Basically, fear comes down to a lack of trust in God. Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear.”
Let me repeat: "FEAR COMES DOWN TO A LACK OF TRUST IN GOD. TRUSTING GOD IS A REFUSAL TO GIVE IN TO FEAR!!!"
Worse days would come (2 Timothy 3:1–9). But through it all, Paul’s solemn charge to Timothy was to remain faithful to the things he was taught. To stay the course without fear, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2:1). To study and “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching” (4:2).
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Devotionally, 2 Timothy 1:7 exhorts us to stand firm by God’s power, exhibiting His love and exercising true Christian character.
My Friends, let us fill ourselves with His word, His truth, armor up and walk out into our days knowing these truths:
“In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:11).
, A Jewish Philosopher said: "Your noblest quality before God is your fear of Him.”
Rather than the spirit of fear, we are to have a reverential, fearful respect of the Person of God. For God, through Jesus Christ, saved us and called us to live for Him. The admonition: “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11).
WOW... Marching orders!!! “Fear not” and “be not afraid” appear in the Bible 365 times.. one for each day.
Let's go out and walk by Faith knowing He has given us His power His authority, His love and His sound mind!!
AMEN!!!
