A Spirit of Power

God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7

Meditation: We have everything we need for life and godliness. God gives us the power but so many men live defeated, fearful lives. They allow fear of criticism, offending others, or being labeled as one of “those radical, closed minded, fundamentalist” Christians to keep them from living open Christian lives. Some allow past sin or mistakes to keep them from standing up for what is right, lest they be called hypocrites or have their past pointed out to them. Society today is more open to people proclaiming their sinful lives than it is to people proclaiming the need for holy living. It is more acceptable to be an alcoholic or promiscuous than it is to be self-disciplined and abstain from the desires of the flesh. Men, this is not the way it should be! We can not change the world, but we can stand up in God’s power and live lives of love and self-discipline.

The world needs to see men standing up for righteousness, truth and holy living. There needs to be a revival within the church of men living lives honoring the Lord. We need to be salt and light, showing the world its depravity by our holy living. It is time to stand up in power and proclaim the Lord to this dark, sinful world. Forget the past and push forward toward the goal of the high calling ion Christ Jesus. It is time to develop a godly vision for our lives and then live a life that fulfills our vision. We need to forsake the world and all of its temptations and walk in a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. God’s power will enable us to live this life.

Challenge: Walk in the Spirit. Reject the temptations of the flesh and the world. Live a life surrendered to the Lord. Do not allow past failures to hold you back. Boldly stand up for righteousness and truth.

Thought for the Day: Lord, empower me by Your Spirit to live the life You have called me to live. Work through me to proclaim Your love and truth to my family, friends and all those you have brought into my life.

Chris Garner

Used by permission – Fortified Marriages.

Maxim of the Moment

Success is getting up one more time than the number of times you fall down. - Julie Bowden