Unleashed: The Power Within - week seven

• II Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. NLT
  
  This may be a small verse but it is loaded with promises. Power, love and self-discipline. How many of us live in fear and are timid. I know I did for many years. I let fear rule me and that will definitely make you timid. That is not what God wants for us.
  
  II Timothy 1 beginning in verse 3 thru the end of the chapter is a letter from Paul to Timothy. Encouraging him to be faithful and reminding him of words spoken over him the last time Paul was with him. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline". Paul then urges him to never be ashamed to tell others about the Lord.
  
  Power, love, and self-discipline are all characteristics of a christian leader. We are all called to spread the gospel and be a leader. These are available to us because the Holy Spirit lives in us. We must believe we have the Holy Spirit in us and He is our power, love, and self-discipline. Galatians 5:22-23 lists many other products the Holy Spirit will give us.
  
  When I came to the point in my life that I finally said " I am not just going to sit, Lord you can use me". It was scary and I even questioned if it was His voice, but with practice and asking Him to reveal himself to me, I knew it was His voice. I can now give words in church and pray with someone and not be afraid or timid. God has so many times given me what a person needed prayer for and they are so amazed at what happens. It is learning to have confidence in our Lord and the Holy Spirit He left for us.
  
  
  I am reminded of the verse in Phillians 4:13 "For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." (NLT) I remind myself of this verse all the time. There are many other verses that remind us of the strength God supplies us. I urge you to look them up and grab ahold of the strength so the fear and timidity will not have root in you.
  
  This is how the dictionary describes the word timid:
• 
  lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery; easily alarmed; timorous; shy
• 
  characterized by or indicating fear: a timid approach to a problem
  
  There is that word fear again. Isaiah 41:10 says "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand". Here He promises again to strengthen. He will give us what we need to do His work. Claim His power, it is yours.
  
  
  Love In Christ!
  Sandy Heberlein