Love, Power, and a Sound Mind

Over the last few weeks, we have been engaged in a series based out of 2 Timothy 1:7. For God has not given us a spirit of fear (timidity, cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear) but of power, and of love and of calm and well balanced mind and discipline and self control (Amplified version).

We come face to face with many trials in our lives. People mistreat us, use us, cause us to question ourselves. We doubt and lose focus. We may even begin to fear the future and all of the problems the world has. However, we are equipped with the power to not only endure these troubling times, but to also conquer fear and live life with confidence that God is and will always be in control. We must not forget that 'today' is preparation for tomorrow. The tests we face are not to destroy us, but to bring us closer to God so that we may help others through their tests.

We have the POWER because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. God has a perfect plan for us and will give us all of the qualifications at the exact time we will need them. We will have all the power we need to accomplish these plans.

We have the LOVE. Love causes us to be obedient to Him. Any fear that we may have love will drive out, because perfect love casts out all fear. We are the one that Jesus loves and so our responses should always be rooted in love. Love is innate in us. It is a key ingredient that we need in our lives.

We have a SOUND MIND. The mind is connected to us both physically and spiritually in our lives. A sound mind is the ability to think things through and enables us to make sober decisions reason things properly. It allows us to focus completely on Him.

Sometimes we get busy in our lives. We lose focus and miss the people who need us. It is important to show kindness, respect and to show God's love. Those are things we can do. We can be there for those who are lost and hurting. We all need encouragement sometimes so Let God use you.

I encourage you today that when life gets hard and sometimes fearful, remember that God's love for you - His perfect LOVE - will cast out any fear we will have. He will give us the calm and well balanced mind. Shift your focus from your troubles to helping someone in need. Show the same love that God has shown you. You have the power within you to be all that God has called you to be,

Love you!

LRC