6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
Tonight God blessed me with another great conversation with some great friends at one of my favorite Coffee places. One of my friends talked about her struggle with fear and anxiety. And as she poured out about this, I noticed my other friend starting to look at her phone and swipe through it. I really couldn't believe my friend was looking at her phone while my friend was literally putting her heart on her sleeve here, but then after my friend was finished talking about her struggle, my other friend read this verse from her phone: "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." (She was looking up the verse on her phone! ♥) The conclusion we came to was, fear is not of God. The opposite of love isn't hatred, it's fear; because perfect love casts out all fear (as the friend who was opening up wisely stated). God calls us to amazing things, through Him. He calls us to live our lives way beyond and past our fears. Fear exists because of the fall of man. God calls us to the opposite of fear- love.
"He has saved us and called us to holy life-- NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE BUT BECAUSE OF HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE." This passage highlights some of God's main convictions for us-to live with His power, love, and self-discipline; and to live a holy life in light of His love, purpose, and grace. We could never do anything to gain our way to heaven. Today in my Rock and Roll History class, we studied the famous song "Stairway to Heaven." The first and last lyric of the song is "She bought a stairway to heaven..." and our teacher even went out to explain how this was symbolic of the inability to gain spirituality through materialism. This is the same with good works. You can't get into heaven through our own works, but only through God's grace and love. You can't buy a stairway to heaven.
"This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." If I am being completely honest, the idea of death scares me. Funny how that works, because God didn't give us a spirit of fear. And Christ has already conquered death. Everything is adding up... :) It's amazing to think Christ's purpose has existed before beginning... existed.
Paul also addresses a lot about suffering for the Gospel and because of it... which we also don't need to fear, because God has called us to love, power, and self- discipline... NOT to fear! :) We rejoice in our suffering in His name.
Dear Lord, we thank You so much for this passage and the author behind this passage. We pray that these words would reach the heart of everyone on earth. I thank You for saving us from fear and death. Thank You everyday, forever. Please cleanse us of our fears Lord, please make them cease to exist. Please always remind us of our higher calling to love, self-discipline, and power. Thank You for saving us out of Your own love and willingness, not by anything we did. If it was because of anything we did we would be in a heap of trouble. I pray for those who truly suffer because of Your gospel, martyrs and those imprisoned and persecuted, people like Pastor Saeed Lord. We lift those people up to You Lord, and ask that You would bless them immensely and constantly show Yourself and Your purpose to them. Please take away the pain, and please bring them safely home once Your word has reached across the world. We pray for those who receive their word as well. We love You and praise You with our whole hearts, Lord. Thank You again for this passage! In Jesus name, Amen
♥ Chrissy
"He has saved us and called us to holy life-- NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE BUT BECAUSE OF HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE." This passage highlights some of God's main convictions for us-to live with His power, love, and self-discipline; and to live a holy life in light of His love, purpose, and grace. We could never do anything to gain our way to heaven. Today in my Rock and Roll History class, we studied the famous song "Stairway to Heaven." The first and last lyric of the song is "She bought a stairway to heaven..." and our teacher even went out to explain how this was symbolic of the inability to gain spirituality through materialism. This is the same with good works. You can't get into heaven through our own works, but only through God's grace and love. You can't buy a stairway to heaven.
"This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." If I am being completely honest, the idea of death scares me. Funny how that works, because God didn't give us a spirit of fear. And Christ has already conquered death. Everything is adding up... :) It's amazing to think Christ's purpose has existed before beginning... existed.
Paul also addresses a lot about suffering for the Gospel and because of it... which we also don't need to fear, because God has called us to love, power, and self- discipline... NOT to fear! :) We rejoice in our suffering in His name.
Dear Lord, we thank You so much for this passage and the author behind this passage. We pray that these words would reach the heart of everyone on earth. I thank You for saving us from fear and death. Thank You everyday, forever. Please cleanse us of our fears Lord, please make them cease to exist. Please always remind us of our higher calling to love, self-discipline, and power. Thank You for saving us out of Your own love and willingness, not by anything we did. If it was because of anything we did we would be in a heap of trouble. I pray for those who truly suffer because of Your gospel, martyrs and those imprisoned and persecuted, people like Pastor Saeed Lord. We lift those people up to You Lord, and ask that You would bless them immensely and constantly show Yourself and Your purpose to them. Please take away the pain, and please bring them safely home once Your word has reached across the world. We pray for those who receive their word as well. We love You and praise You with our whole hearts, Lord. Thank You again for this passage! In Jesus name, Amen
♥ Chrissy
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