“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV Fear is something I believe most, if not all of us, have dealt with in the last few years. In moments when I would personally feel fear, this scripture often came to mind. God has not given us a spirit of fear (fearfulness, timidity, cowardice) but rather a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Let’s break each one of those down. Power in this scripture can also be translated as “Dynamis.” According to…
“But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” Mark 5:19 Mark chapter five tells the story of a man who is possessed by evil spirits. These spirits make him howl and cut himself with sharp stones, living a life of torment and constant terror. No man can subdue him, for he appears to have superhuman strength, breaking chains and smashing shackles. Jesus speaks with these spirits, and they beg Him to allow them to enter into a herd of pigs. In the end,…
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust Him.” Psalms 91:1-2 There have been countless times in moments of anxiety and worry that I have clung to these words “He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust Him.” I have declared these statements over tragedy and loss, and I have whispered them through tears, struggling to believe them. Through…
“All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.” Romans 8:20-21 MSG Over the last few years, I have learned many lessons about grace and what it really means to extend it and…
“My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning” Psalm 130:6 KJV We often associate night with trials, and darkness with struggle and rough seasons of life. I certainly do not enjoy harsh seasons; I see them as something I need to suffer and claw my way out of, barely surviving. The above scripture in the New Living Translation says, “I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.” A sentry is a soldier…
“God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere” Psalms 19:1-3 MSG What an incredible image these scriptures spark in my mind. Morning and night, holding classes and lectures without uttering a sound, or even speaking a single word. Their silence fills the earth, and the unspoken truth is everywhere. What exactly does that mean, unspoken truth? To me, it shows the majesty and unchanging…