September 6, 2018
2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
New International Version (NIV)
                 Most of us fear many things.  What do you fear most?  In our “age of anxiety,” fear of failure runs rampant.  College students at one school recently explained their inordinate fear by pointing to their strong feeling that they were never finished with their work. 

                Timothy may well have been a timid soul.  Following in the footsteps of a giant is never easy.  For all of Paul’s reassurance, Timothy still found himself away from his mentor.  How could he possibly succeed?  It apparently affected his health as well.  So Paul wrote to him and reminded him that God had not given him the spirit of fear.

                In a staff Bible study this week, one of our ministers remarked about the prevalence of the scriptural command, “Do not fear . . .”   What is the antidote for our anxiety?  First, know that God does not want us to live in fear.  Second understand that far from giving us a spirit of fear, God actually gives us power, love and sound judgment. 

                 Ultimately, God’s answer to our fear is the gift of himself.  Again and again in the Old Testament we hear God’s comforting voice, “I will be with you.”  David responds in Psalm 23, “I will not fear for you are with me.”  God’s promised presence to us takes the three-fold form of power, love and sound judgment.  Today, God will give you the power you need.  Today and every day, his love will never leave you.  Right now, as you seek him, God will help you make good decisions.  Trust him today.  Do not fear!

Pray with me:  
Father, so many of our fears are caused by calculating without you.  Let us not forget to factor the awesome power of your presence into our anxious arithmetic.  Say to our souls again that you are with us.  Then we will not fear.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
  This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story.  With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
 
Joyfully, 
 
Duane 
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