II Timothy 1:1-7
Another oft-quoted verse: …for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (v. 7) Not fear of whatever it is, but Holy Spirit power over it! Not fear of ?that person?, but Jesus’ love toward him or her. Not fear of whatever it is, but God-given self-control to deal with it! Our Trinitarian God has given us the tools to deal with fear. Don’t let fear overwhelm you!!
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (v. 5) How often have we felt the warmth of this verse, looking at our parents who passed their faith on to us and to our children to whom we hope to have passed our faith on to them. We pray and leave the results to God!
As I remember your tears… (v. 4a) Three times in our married life Carol and I have left our strong bonds of faith-friends and moved hundreds or (twice) thousands of miles away – from Maryland to Texas and back to Maryland and on to Kentucky. And there were tears…, in our eyes and in those of our friends. Thankfully God went before us with each move and prepared a new home with new faith-friends. It took God one week to accomplish that in Texas, one year back in Maryland, and eleven years to bring us to St. Andrew’s! No doubt He used us (and taught us) while we were at Our Saviour in Richmond, and no doubt He was preparing us (and you) for our ministry here at St. Andrew’s. In the end, we are fully blessed to be where we are, but we also remain ready to move on again if He calls us somewhere else – but we’re not pushing Him or praying for that!!
Slava Bohu!
We are thankful that God led (pushed?) you to St Andrew’s!
The Spirit of power, love… then self-discipline? I had been pondering on the third in the list. I hadn’t really thought of the Spirit of self-discipline, sounds contradictory. I appreciate the way you put it Fred.