A Spirit Of Power, Love And Sound Mind

God is crying out for His unfaithful children to return to Him.

Posted on

Do you lack confidence in who you are?  Are you a self-starter or do you need another person to motivate you?  Do you need to be pushed out to get moving?  

God has created each of us so differently.  Some are more aggressive and straightforward, while others are passive and laid back.  Some of us have come under a label called laziness when all the deficiency of motivation was simply a lack of confidence.  

Paul is writing to Timothy, his mentee, telling him, “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind (self-discipline).”  (2 Timothy 1: 7)

In other words, he’s saying, “Boy, get to work.” He continues in the art of raising Timothy’s self-confidence by saying, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother, Lois, and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded now lives in you.”  (2 Timothy 1: 5)  

He’s saying, basically, “It’s in you Timothy.”  

  • It’s more than what’s in us, it’s who is in us.  That who is Jesus.
  • Be persuaded by who and what’s in you, God’s gifting’s, not by what you see in others.  

Just like Timothy, the faith that was imparted through prayers and perhaps, from a Godly mother or grandmother, are still being activated in our lives today.  

Paul’s spurs Timothy on further saying, “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”  (2 Timothy 1: 6)  

  • The prayers and gifts imparted through anointed hands were not without effect.  
  • Those gifts given were imparted by the Holy Spirit who is the third person of the Trinity–full of power, love and wisdom.
  • Pray for those dormant gifts to be activated inside of you.
  • Step out and practice and implement those gifts.  

Paul says, “Open your mouth, son.  Don’t be afraid to testify about the Lord.  God has called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of His purpose and grace.  

  • God’s own purpose will stand.
  • God’s grace was given in Jesus before the beginning of time.  
  • Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life.  

The same power resides in us, as believers.  

(Shared from 2 Timothy 1, Modified)  

Power In Truth

Jeremiah is declaring that the Lord looks for those who hold to the truth.  “O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth?”  (Jeremiah 5: 3)  

He can’t find anyone who is upright.  Neither could Jesus, that’s why He came and died.  

Jeremiah is still looking for one who is righteous, upright.  He speaks of the people and even the leaders but can find no one.  “The house of Israel and the house of Judah have been utterly unfaithful to me, declare the Lord.”  (Jeremiah 5: 11)

He says, “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land:  The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way.”  (Jeremiah 5: 31)

  • Some things never change.  
  • Yet, the God who doesn’t change changes hearts.

Power In Obedience

God is crying out for His unfaithful children to return to Him.  He’s longing and warns them to turn back.  His heart is broken because of their turning away.

  • God has lots and lots of prodigals. 
  • He identifies with parents whose children are not following the Lord.

He cries out, like a parent, who may feel like they are speaking to a brick wall.  He says, “To whom can I speak and give warning?  Who will listen to me?  Their ears are closed so they cannot hear.  The Word of the Lord is offensive to them, they find no pleasure in it.”  (Jeremiah 6: 10) 

  • Yes, Jesus associates with those who are dealing with hard-hearted, rebellious children.  
  • Keep calling them back through prayer, even if they are not listening.  

Power In Choice

If you’re standing wondering which way to turn, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your soul.”  (Jeremiah 6: 16)  

  • The good way is the God way.  

Are we asking for the way we want to go, or are we submitting and asking the Lord for His direction?  There is a difference.  

Jeremiah was telling them to ask which way to go when standing at the crossroads of life.  The ancient paths are the tried and true ways of Judah’s Godly ancestors.  

When God appoints you in His Godly path or way, step out and walk in it.  Knowing which way to go, but staying idle is not moving out. It’s disobedience, actually.  Ouch!  I stepped on some toes!  

Choose this path of obedience and you’ll receive His beautiful, peaceful rest that settles deep within our soul.  

  • There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you are walking in the Lord’s plan for your life.   
  • This supernatural peace and rest only comes from obedience. 
  • Choose the right way. 
  • There’s power that will be released to you and through you.  It’s sustaining wonder-working power that the world needs to see.  

(Shared from Jeremiah 5-6, Modified)

Power In Looking Up

Take the advice of the Psalmist and pray, “I lift my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  (Psalm 121: 1)  

Our God is our Maker, the one who made all things.  We can’t hide anything from Him.  He resides in those hidden places to bring us up and out.  That’s why He wants us to look up, it’s the direction that releases help, His divine help. 

As you are looking up, pray this prayer, “The Lord will keep you from all harm–He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over our coming and going, both now and forever.”  (Psalm 121: 7-8)

  • Pray that for your children as they come and go.  
  • He has a watchful eye over everything and everyone that concerns us.  

(Shared for Psalm 121, Modified)

 

 

 


UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES

You can find all of the Unbroken Love series posts by clicking the button below.

VISIT SERIES PAGE

The views and opinions expressed by Kingdom Winds Collective Members, authors, and contributors are their own and do not represent the views of Kingdom Winds LLC.

About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com