#LiveBoldly Day 21: What I Learned in Church

I don’t know about y’all, but I literally cannot get over 2 Timothy 1: 7 these days. I know it’s a simple verse with a pretty straight-forward message, but applying it to my heart has just not been the easiest task. You would think I could read it, have my little revelation, and then move on – but no. Not happening.

So while one of the pastors was speaking in church yesterday I looked more deeply into the words and their meanings of 2 Timothy 1:7. The message being preached was good – very VERY good – but I know that the Lord has brought me to this place for a reason, and if he’s giving me the desire to look His word on deeper levels then I’m going to listen. So here’s basically what I wrote, what I took notes on, and how I looked at the meaning a little more closely.

First of all, 2 Timothy 1:7 reads, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline.” Simple, right? But when I broke down the three spirits that we HAVE been given this is what I found:

• POWER. The ability to act or produce an effect. Possession of control, authority or influence over others. He has given me abilities, authority and influence. I have those gifts – I don’t need to go out and get them. They are in me already through the Holy Spirit.
• LOVE. Strong affection for another. Warm attachment, enthusiasm or devotion. Unselfishly loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another. He has given me affection, attachment, enthusiasm, devotion and concern for others. Those feelings and abilities are always inside of me, and it is through God that I can use them to care well for others. Not only that, but I can give and give and give as much as I want because it is through God that I am filled up.
• SELF-DISCIPLINE. Correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement. He has given me the ability to improve myself. I don’t have to be happy just wallowing in sin and mediocrity, self-doubt and frustration. I CAN CHANGE – as long as the Holy Spirit is at the center of it. Then and only then will that change become a permanent part of my character.

I finished up my notes with this thought: Where God is, fear cannot exist: IS GOD IN YOU? And y’all, there are legitimate times I have to sit back and actually ask myself that question. I know that God is in me, but the majority of the time I don’t live like I do. I don’t allow Him to bring the peace that only He can bring. But those times that I do? It’s bliss. It’s life. It’s amazing. And I want more of that.