God Gives What the World Cannot

-


2 Timothy 1:7

When we are facing troubles what is our default response? Do we look to God and his Word for our perfect and present help? Or do we succumb to the emotional roller coaster ride that swings between sudden distress and overwhelming panic?

The Choice is Ours

When life doesn’t make sense, God promises a priceless gift for the asking. When we go to him we can receive something better than relief from our distresses. It’s true. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7).

Help is There for the Asking

This verse in 2 Timothy helps us navigate some of life’s most difficult circumstances and instructs us as to how we should respond when life doesn’t make any sense from our perspective. Look at the bold statements used here. God has NOT given us a spirit of fear. Rather, God HAS given us a spirit described as powerful; and loving; and we have a sound mind to boot. Wow! What an amazing three-pronged promise.

Power, Love, Sound Mind

When you review these three God-given characteristics…which do you most value?

Of these three attributes: power; love; and sound mind, which of them do you struggle with most? In other words, what is your personal weak link among these three?

Ask God to enable you to view your current most troubling trial from his perspective. Then ask God to equip you to face your challenges by fully receiving his gift of courage to step forward in his power; his love; and with a sound mind.

God Equips Us to Meet Our Challenges

Since life is always in motion, one would assume that Christians who are sojourning through this life would expect that some seasons may have us struggling to keep pace. Given that every person’s life is fraught with challenges; disappointments; setbacks; and failure; God wants us to allow this truth, this amazing life-giving promise from 2 Timothy into the deepest parts of our hearts and minds.

God knows our frame and that we are but dust. And yet, he graciously beckons us to continue stepping up and stepping into the plan he has for our lives despite our fears of failing…again. Meditate on the promises God offers in this verse then quietly observe how your “next steps” will be affected.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

When amid a life-altering circumstance does your heart and mind respond with faith or fear? How does knowing this 2 Timothy promise to give you confidence in God’s perfect provision?

As you consider the challenges in your life, think about how these difficulties can become the impetus to positive changes within. Memorize this passage of Scripture as a continual reminder that God is equipping you with inner tools to face your giants.

Today remember to take time to quietly meditate upon this verse, word by word. Silently read and then reread this passage to cement its powerful truth into your heart and mind.

Take time each day this week to journal how God is working in and through the challenges ahead of you. Be sure to take note of his blessings and encouragements each and every day.

 

Popular posts from this blog

Speaking in tongues for today - Charles Stanley

-
Image
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. … But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. … And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. … Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way - 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 28, 30—31 The Lord Jesus Christ had come and gone. The church—newly birthed—was in a transition time. The new covenant was seen as a threat to the Jewish leaders; therefore, there was persecution for those who had chosen to follow Christ. The new religion, in its infant stages, had no Bible, few leaders, and absolutely no support from the government. Astounding that it survived, isn’t it?  How in the world did it survive with so little going for it? Power. Not just a force, but mighty, visible power. Th...
Read more

What is the glory (kabod) of God?

-
Image
2 CORINTHIANS 4:17 "This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." Scripture places a high value on God 's glory, and it is not hard to figure out why. Since the inherent glory of the Lord is something that He will not share with others (Isa. 42:8), we know that His glory is something that He prizes highly; indeed, He prizes it more highly than anything else. We should, therefore, set the glory of God as the goal and overarching emphasis of our lives. Whatever we lose for the sake of making the Lord's glory known will be worth it when we see the dazzling light and beauty of; the divine glory (28:5; Rev. 21:23). Glory has to do with light and beauty, but those aspects do not sum up what the Bible means when it speaks of the glory of God. Interestingly, the Hebrew word kabod , which is translated into English as "glory," has the root meaning of "weight" or "heaviness....
Read more

The Holy Spirit causes us to cry out: Abba, Father

-
Image
Pentecostés. Óleo sobre lienzo, 275 × 127 cm. Madrid, Museo del Prado. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) To bring out the same truth in another way, Paul says God sent Jesus (as a Man) to live under the Law in order “to redeem those under law, that we [Jews and Gentiles ] might receive the full rights [adoption] of sons” ( Galatians 4:5).  By “full rights” or “adoption” he means entering into the privileges and responsibilities of sonship. He uses it also of the sonship of Israel (Romans 9:4). Galatians 4:1, 2 indicate that the son and heir of a wealthy family in Paul’s day would be treated as a slave until he became of age.  Then he would receive the adoption, that is, all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that belonged to an adult member of that family. Adoption was also used in the modern sense, so that Gentiles who were not sons of Abraham became true heirs, true sons of God , by faith.  Jesus died, not just to save us from the fires of hell, bu...
Read more