OCTOBER 12
POWER, LOVE AND SELF-CONTROL
2 Timothy 1:7
For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. (WEB)
2 Timothy begins with the Apostle Paul offering words of encouragement to his spiritual son, Timothy. In his opening address to this young leader, Paul reminds Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God he received when this great apostle laid his hands on him.
The New International Version Bible translates 2 Timothy 1:6-7 this way... 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
What Paul is essentially telling Timothy is not to be afraid to use the gifts that God gave him because fear and love cannot exist together. 1 John 4:18 says that perfect love actually drives out all fear! My prayer today is that we all take to heart the words Paul shared with Timothy. God has not given us a spirit that makes us enslaved by fear. Instead, He has given us His Spirit, which empowers us to live in the love He has for us.
If you are struggling with fearful thoughts about yourself, your future, or anything else... Declare this truth over your life! God has not given me a spirit of fear! He has given me His own Spirit that is filled with power, love, and self-control! May the love of God drive all fear out of your heart as you fan into flame all of the gifts that He has given to you!
Romans 8:15
For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (WEB)
For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. (WEB)
2 Timothy begins with the Apostle Paul offering words of encouragement to his spiritual son, Timothy. In his opening address to this young leader, Paul reminds Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God he received when this great apostle laid his hands on him.
The New International Version Bible translates 2 Timothy 1:6-7 this way... 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
What Paul is essentially telling Timothy is not to be afraid to use the gifts that God gave him because fear and love cannot exist together. 1 John 4:18 says that perfect love actually drives out all fear! My prayer today is that we all take to heart the words Paul shared with Timothy. God has not given us a spirit that makes us enslaved by fear. Instead, He has given us His Spirit, which empowers us to live in the love He has for us.
If you are struggling with fearful thoughts about yourself, your future, or anything else... Declare this truth over your life! God has not given me a spirit of fear! He has given me His own Spirit that is filled with power, love, and self-control! May the love of God drive all fear out of your heart as you fan into flame all of the gifts that He has given to you!
Romans 8:15
For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (WEB)