NO FEAR
Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 1
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
There are many foundations of shops and homes that can be seen in ancient Ephesus. In this photo you can see a threshold to what was once a shop or home. The symbols that can be seen indicate that a Christian lived here, and the many small round divots that were carved into the threshold had a very practical purpose…so that people would not slip as they entered.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The New King James translation is an excellent study Bible. The edition used for this blog is called “The Open Bible Expanded Edition.” Here are quotations from the commentary on 2nd Timothy: “It is clear from the sharp imperatives that his letter is really a combat manual for use in spiritual warfare: ‘stir up’ (verse 6) – ‘do not be ashamed’ (verses 8 & 12) – ‘share with me in the sufferings’ (verse 8 ) – ‘hold fast…sound words’ (verse 13) – ‘that good thing…keep’ (verse 14).”
These orders continue on throughout 2nd Timothy. Our key verse contains what may be the most important fact for us to know with absolute assurance. Fear cripples people. There is the fear of the unknown, of people, and of death, to name a few. Fear will cause us to shrink back by demoralizing us (1 Samuel 13:5-8) and by giving us an attitude of defeat (Numbers 13:30 – 14:2). God does not intend His people to live in fear!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I confess with my mouth, backed up by my whole heart, these words as I pray, “You have given me power, love, and a sound mind.” I ask for grace to take and use Your gifts to me again today and every day. May I seize the opportunities that surely will come my way over the next few hours. In the Name of the One whose motto could be, “NO FEAR,” Jesus, Himself, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I can imagine Timothy there in Ephesus, standing under the shadow of that immense Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, attempting to speak about Jesus with those who were entering or exiting the gigantic structure to give themselves to the goddess. I know that I would surely be in fervent prayer for boldness!
I take encouragement from Timothy. From the first letter I learned that Timothy may have had stomach problems (1 Timothy 5:23). Illness is a human problem we all face from time to time. I spent time in hospital this past week with a touch of pneumonia. To bolster my courage for today, I’ve read again 1 Timothy 6:12-16. I serve the One who is “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honour and everlasting power. Amen!” Almighty God has become One of us in the Person of Jesus! How amazing is that?
Yours for sharing Jesus today and every day with those we meet,
David
A closer view of the threshold described in the photo above.
Thank you for your blog each day with wise words to help us stay on track with reading the word of God daily. I appreciate and keep you in prayer .
So sorry to hear you were in the hospital Praise God He is The God that healeth thee we serve a mighty God that gives us love power and a sound mindand He doesn’t give is the spirit of fear Grace to you my brothers and sisters through Our Lord Jesus Christ Amen
Thank You David for your faithfullnes in writing and encouraging every day. I am praying for your health to be fully restored.
Sorry to hear you were in hospital and glad you must be feeling better now. Thank you for all your words of encouragement in this blog. I really like how you pull in scriptures from other parts of the Bible to amplify what is in the daily reading. Understanding the historical context is really helpful too.
Amen.
I was in the hospital a few years ago with the same thing– it was exhausting, you don’t realize how important being able to breathe is until you cannot do it effortlessly. I hope you give yourself plenty time to rest and time to get your strength back before going full steam again. Keeping you in my prayers.
Must be the week for hospitals! My husband was there also but for a different illness. Praise God you Pastor David, Donna and Kenneth my husband are on the mend and God’s healing hand is upon you.
Thanks you for your faithfulness to our blog Pastir David even in the midst of sickness.
Standing on the Promises! blessings to all.
Trusting that you are getting stronger each day, David, and others who have been ill. Sleep is important! (I’ll say no more on that)! I am quite a bit anxious at the moment about this: can anyone suggest to me, what our church should do with a badly aged and damaged large Bible. It is going to be replaced (is on the altar each week), but I am so worried about the previous one. What does one do with a beyond repair Bible? I can’t fathom garbage or burning of God’s Word. What can we do?
Wow! found the answer to my inquiry at http://www.compellingtruth.org/dispose-Bible.html If you ever come up with a similar situation, you may like to visit this site.
Hi Doreen. Excellent web site. Also, Catherine’s idea is great for some of these huge Bibles that are special treasures. This definitely would be a good suggestion for this church where the Bible has historical significance to the congregation. Samuel
Hi Doreen
Could the Bibke be put in a plexiglass case and displayed in a place of honour? Catherine
For some churches, that would be an excellent idea, Catherine. For us it is not as we rent the facilities and have to put everything away each week (and set up upon arrival as well). Good idea though.
Sorry to hear you were ill and in the hospital David. Will keep you in prayer. Yes, rest as you know can do a lot for us. I appreciate all you do for us and I trust you are fully restored soon. Meditating on the fact you shared that fear can demoralize us and give us an attitude of defeat. We have to be powered up in Jesus and not let that overcome us. Amen? I have the Max Lucado Inspirational Study Bible of the New king James version.
Thank you David for your inspiration every morning, even when you aren’t feeling well. Pray you are on the mend. Rest is good.
Praying for you that you are feeling much better, I pray every night for your “blog” and 100 Huntley Street, selfishly for me David, TAKE CARE OF YOUR SELF, I love you and need you in my daily life, so may The LORD JESUS keep you and your family HEALTHY always.
Take care of your self,
Love, Jenny.
Praying for you Rev David .Get lots of rest… About the well used
Bible I got one of my Bible recovered and it is good to use….
God Bless you all …R…
This one is beyond repair. it is VERY large and heavy and the spine split down the middle. We have a similar replacement for it though.
Trusting that the Lord speedily restore you David.
Yes Pastor David, you need to take it easy for awhile, praying you will get your strength back quickly. I am glad to be part of this daily blog even thought I don’t comment everyday, I read and pray for those who are sick and have problems, thank you for this opportunity. Bless you all, Eleanor M.
“Lord, I lift up Pastor David to you. Your ‘outstretched hand’ reaches David right where he is..touching his life, continuing your healing process, encouraging, strengthening him and assuring him that he is in your hands, safe and secure”.
“He strengthened me with strength in my soul” Psalm 138:3 KJV, Psalm 18:1-3a, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:1-3 , I love the line, “I have call you BY your name; YOU ARE MINE!” vs 1b . Blessings. Samuel
Amen.
How lonely it must have been for the Apostle in that prison…he indicates that all except one have abandoned him.
I pray for a refreshing and renewing of your health and strength Pastor David in the Name of Jesus the Greatest healer of all.
This past week I too have been home with a the flu…which included a persistent cough and tightness of chest. Praise God I am better and trust Jesus for total healing.
Prayers for quick recovery David!
Praying you are feeling on the mend, David, since being in the hospital last week. My heart and prayers go out to you for continued rest, strength and healing. I am so looking forward to seeing you and Norma-Jean this week-end at Wesley Acres. It will be a wonderful retreat! God bless you and all the saints!