for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
This was a good reminder for me this morning. God has given me everything I need to live a godly life. I have His power by His Spirit who dwells in me and is with me. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. God has also poured out His love in my heart...By His grace I can love the people around me with His self-sacrificing love. I, personally think the key to this verse is this last one...God has given me self-control...the NKJV calls it a sound mind. The Bible tells me I have the mind of Christ! His truth is hidden in my heart. As I meditate on it and cry out for it in my inward being, I am rooted and grounded...sober-minded and self-controlled with right priorities. My heart is sound in His statutes..obedient to His word. As I go through trials, I focus on the sovereign nature of my God as well as His perfect purposes. The Spirit of God living in my heart uses the word of God to produce godly wisdom and confidence in every situation I face. He gives me understanding and unites my heart to fear Him.
"Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed."—Ps 119:80
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15, ESV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27, ESV)
