aBible.com     

2 Timothy 1:7 - Holy Spirit Power, Love and Self-Control.

2 Timothy 1:7 - Holy Spirit Power, Love and Self-Control.  

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) For the Spirit God gave us does not make us 
timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.  

2 Timothy 1:7 (CEV) God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. 
The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.  

2 Timothy 1:7 (ERV) The Spirit God gave us does not make us 
afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control. 

   God does not give a spirit of fear, that is, timidity or 
cowardice; rather God provides: 
   *	Power -- We do not need to have naturally powerful 
personalities. God gives strength of character and confidence that wins us 
respect when we face opposition as we speak, preach, and live the truth. 
God supernaturally replaces any timidity on the servant's part with 
boldness.  
   *	Love -- Accompanying the power to speak the truth must be 
love for the listeners, believers and nonbelievers alike. Love 
separates Christians from the heathen world around them. Jesus promised, 
"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love 
for one another" (John 13:35 NKJV).  
   *	Self-discipline -- This can also be translated 
"self-control" or "sound mind." In order to lead others, the true minister must 
have control over himself. To put it another way, a good leader must 
have a cool head. Self-discipline and self-control sound like 
self-effort. But Paul explained them as divinely bestowed on his servants, 
resulting in soundness of mind.  
   All of these qualities (boldness, power, love, and 
self-control) are gifts of the Spirit, not just natural tendencies. They 
function best in harmony. Boldness and power are tempered by love and 
self-control. Under the pressures of leadership, people tend to gravitate 
toward a desire for power and boldness as the most effective tools for 
success. But used alone, these qualities are self-defeating. The 
inclusion of love and self-control clearly indicates that a leader's 
effectiveness comes from God's Spirit. We may be impressed by a leader who 
exhibits boldness and power, but without love or self-control, such a 
leader is little more than a bully.... 
   The expression a spirit of timidity is probably another way 
of saying "a timid disposition," which Timothy probably had by 
nature. But the Holy Spirit has given believers power (Acts 1:8), love 
(Rom 5:5), and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Thus, to have a spirit 
with these qualities is to have a human spirit that has been 
regenerated by the the Holy Spirit. (Life Application Commentary) 

Are You Afraid or Fearful the Christian Life Is Too Hard?

   There is a very common excuse, that it is a very hard thing 
to be a Christian....  Is it true that the Lord is a hard master, 
and the devil an easy one?....  Go and ask that child of God, who 
has been serving Christ twenty or thirty years, whether He is a hard 
master.  He will tell you that His yoke is easy and His burden light.... 
 And all the men who are serving the devil faithfully will say 
that they find the way hard.... 
   Don't go off with that delusion that it is a hard thing to 
serve God.  I will tell you where you have made a mistake.  You have 
tried to serve God in the flesh, before you have been born of the 
Spirit, and you have failed...  It is not only a hard thing, but it is 
impossible for any one to serve God in the flesh....  But when the Lord Jesus 
comes into the heart, and we have been born of the Spirit, and have 
passed from death into life and become heirs of eternal life...  I 
testify to it that the yoke is easy and the burden is light. D. L. 
Moody; The Gospel Awakening; [Spirit Filled Life Devotional SB] 

Do You Have Other Fears Or Worries?

   Imagine how many hours we waste each year worrying about 
things that never happen, things that are out of our control. Worry is 
not an emotion, but a mental obsession. It causes lack of sleep, 
irritability, strain on relationships, and the feeling that life is floating 
out there just beyond reach. I am learning that worry is the direct 
opposite of faith - and fear in disguise.  
   I want to live smarter, understanding what I can and cannot 
control. I can't control the lives of others or the circumstances I will 
have to face. But I can control how I respond to them. Will I allow 
myself to become obsessed? Will I allow my fear to create enormous 
monsters in my mind, monsters intent on pulling me down and away from my 
faith in God?  
   With God's help, I won't let that happen. Instead, I will 
seek God daily, saturate my mind with God's Word - the Bible - and 
immerse myself in prayer. I will turn my worries over to God before they 
can become obsessions. Then I'm going to record it in my journal. 
Finally, I'm going to reach out to the people God has placed in my life. 
I will invite them to tell me if they see something in my life 
that I need to deal with. I'm going to live the next year free of 
mental obsessions by seeing that God is in control of my life.  
   Dear Lord, you are the only one who controls the affairs of 
this life. Help me as I work to castoff mental obsessions and take on 
your peace. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily 
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

   It is good that you recognize your weakness. That keeps you 
looking to Me, your Strength. Abundant life is not necessarily health 
and wealth; it is living in continual dependence on Me. Instead of 
trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, relax and be on the 
lookout for what I am doing. This mind-set will free you to enjoy Me and 
to find what I have planned for you to do. This is far better than 
trying to make things go according to your own plan. 
   Don't take yourself so seriously. Lighten up and laugh with 
Me. You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about? I can 
equip you to do absolutely anything, as long as it is My will. The 
more difficult your day, the more I yearn to help you. Anxiety wraps 
you up in yourself, trapping you in your own thoughts. When you look 
to Me and whisper My Name, you break free and receive My help. 
Focus on Me, and you will find Peace in My Presence. (Phi. 4:13; Pro. 
17:22) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

CLOSING SPIRITUAL PEARL

God's gift of faith is like a flame, and when the embers of the 
fire have cooled you must fan them again and keep them ablaze. [The 
Voice re 2Tim. 1:8-10] 

GREAT PRAISE MUSIC VIDEO:

In Moments Like These: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAhlIHCZw5A 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20101022-1309.html

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20061023-0828.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782

Music Devotional On Christian Living: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c  

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY:

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/

LINKS FOR PROPHECY SEMINARS:

Revelation Today by Pastor John Bradshaw: 
https://revelationtoday.com/other-streams/  

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657