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 I use 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 today. 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 his 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. 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 again David for faithfully sharing and encouraging. I share 100Words.ca daily on one Facebook Page every morning which potentially reaches around the 5,000 friends allowed and on another FB page which potentially reaches just over 24,000 worldwide.
Thank you David I agree with you prayer that is one of the scriptures I lean on.
Soon I heard that I will be getting a Philips Life Line Alert system someone is coming today ask questions and I typed some myself. It will not only help me , but reassure my family as well I am excited.
Bless you Lianne I to am excited for you. Have a great day.
Amen Lianne …excited for you!
PTL! also very happy for you Lianne! Lord surround this pp with Your mighty angels to keep her safe and comfortable, grant her a happy and long life and we thank You Lord that You are walking with her every day! Thank you Lord!
God bless you Pastor David. Loving 1st and 2nd Timothy as it is so realistic for pastoral ministry today. Was thinking of the song taken from scripture today, “I Know Whom I Have Believed.” Can get it on You Tube. Blessings to all saints and prayers for those in the path of Hurricane Irma.
Amen Ger Praying about Irma.
Here’s the link to the hymn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igC3fYB5AOU&sns=em
Thank you Luisa and Ger for that song!
Yes, prayers for those in the path of Hurricane Irma!!
Dear Pastor David, I so enjoy reading this blog this everyday, it is such an uplifting time and encouragement to me. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Eleanor M. Blessings to all.
Please help us, Lord, with courage, kindness, compassion, and boldness, to let Your light in us shine; to let it out, so others will see and hear and come to know for themselves that You are good. In Jesus’s name, amen
I love you Mr. Mainse but your comment from yesterday about the Papal Army was purely wrong. If it wasn’t for the Papal Army, Europe would have been muslim many centuries ago. And let us thank the Papal Army and the Crusades who tried to liberate Palestine from Muslim oppression and butchery against the Christian pilgrims.
Pastor David, your prayer, the links you posted and the photos, are very meaningful and appreciated. I pray for continuing healing for you and a blessing on you and your family this day. Thanking each of you involved in posting this daily manna for us to feed on. God Bless you!
Today’s scripture reveals Paul’s heart for Timothy, his spiritual son. His encouraging him and guiding him, also sensing his need.
You presenting this daily manna for us and your words of wisdom and encouragement are not unlike that of Paul’s. Again, thank you!
Singing: “He’s the Saviour of my soul, my Jesus, my Jesus, He’s the Saviour of my soul, He’s the Saviour of my soul.”
What a great choice of scripture from todays reading…that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind…2 Timothy 1:7. So many people are glued to the news on the progress of the hurricane that it is easy to get anxious and upset, me included….God settled me down with a prayer for this monster storm to turn back into the sea, and disintergrate. My dear friends would be in the path of the storm in Palm Beach and many other dear ones we have in our lives live there in Florida too……Trusting our Lord…….l pray that many will come to Jesus, through all of this…. Just heard our friends are away on vacation and are not at home in Palm Beach!! They are wonderful servants of our Lord. Lord please undertake for the many dear souls in other places that have been hit.
I have been a long time supporter, even welcomed you to my rooftop apt in Wpg ! I tell peoplr how impressed I was by your humility when I asked to pray for you. You leaped up from the couch and knelt before my footstool
I just finally hooked up to 100 Words and am really enjoying it each morning. I am amazed that you are able to keep doing it EVERY morning all these years !
BLESSINGS, BLESSINGS, BLESSINGS ! !
Lord please forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us! Lord we pray for the rain to come to put out the fires in British Columbia; rain so that the grasses and shrubs can grow and become lush and healthy green1
Give government departments the skills on how to prevent these fires! Destroying dead wood and so on! Would be many jobs for students! Thank you Lord for all the blessings of this day!
Thank you Luisa for posting that song. God bless you!