(ESV) 2 Timothy 1:6 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 God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
Verse 7 is one of my favorites in the Bible. Its easy to allow our flesh to take over when we are afraid. I have allowed some level of fear desuade me in doing what I felt called to do on many occations. But if we burn this into our consciousness, we should be emboldened to do what He asks us to do. It is not our task to complete, He is going to do His work with His power and will receive the Glory when the mission is accomplished and we get to be a part of that! Not only do we get to be a part, He wants us to be a part!!
His gift of love, power and self control could transform Our lives if we yield to it. I have felt the frustration of trying to do too much, the frustration of "just doing something" and expecting God to bless it and the frustration of not seeing the results that I wanted to see. Once again, it isn't my plan, I get to be a part. As a good slave, my job is just to execute the piece of the plan that my Master has given me. what freedom there can be in that. My witnessing may never lead to a person repenting and praying to reeceive Christ, but my execution of the witnessing is my part to play.
I hope we each can use the Power, Love and Self Control that lives within us for His Glory today.
Steve
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