Power Up
This is the 2nd week of my June reset/spring-cleaning month. Last week I talked about the importance of fasting and praying. If you missed that post, you can read it here.
There is one verse that has really been ruminating in my mind and heart for the past week. That verse is 2 Timothy 1:7. It reads, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Another version says ..”a sound mind.”
This verse hits home for what is currently going on in our world as well as for me personally. First, we need to remember that we shouldn’t be in fear. Fear does not come from God - it comes from the devil and he is doing a good job at getting people snared in his web of fear that he is spinning.
The good news is that God HAS given us a spirit of POWER and LOVE. Christians have two commandments: 1. Love God and 2. Love others. Everything else falls under these two laws. What really resonated with me however, is the power part. Power and love are often linked together in scripture. (Deut. 4:37, Ps 40:10, Ps 89:24, Ps 97:10, Ps 136:12, Is 55:13, Jer. 32:18, Hos. 1:7, Rom 8:38, Eph 3:18-19)
The power is in the love - God’s love that reaches higher, deeper, longer, and wider than anything we could imagine. Why do you think there is so much division in our country right now? Because division breaks the power of love. Anytime you get wrapped up in complaining, or talking badly about someone, it stops the power of love to be at work in your life.
The last part of 2 Tim 1:7 talks about a sound mind or self-discipline. We can't control what is going on in the world, but we can control our minds. You can control what you focus on - focus on love. You can control your choices - choose love. You can control your words - speak in love. God has given you His love to live out of, but He won't force it on you. You have to discipline yourself to tap into love instead of fear.
If you want to totally have a soul spring-cleaning, you must be self-disciplined. Now, the verse says that self-discipline or self-control is a spiritual gift. However, it takes exercise in using this gift to have it manifest in your life. Stop giving excuses for not exercising or eating right, or talking bad about someone. Phil. 4:13 says, “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.” There is only so far that your own self-will and determination can take you. Typically, our default mode of relying on your 5 physical senses instead of listening to your re-created spirit wins out. If you are wanting to make changes to your health - physically, mentally, and spiritually, you must get serious about living in love and living self-disciplined.
Your challenge this week:
Meditate (think about) 2 Tim. 1:7. Ask yourself and God what areas in your life you need to exercise more self-discipline in.
Message me. Either comment below or send me an email letting me know how I can pray for you. As christians, we are not meant to go this road alone.
Remember that God IS love. The more you live out of Him and His love, the greater His power will be manifested in your life. As 1 John 4:4 says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” And that is GREAT NEWS!