Twin Peaks

December 10

Happy Monday Everyone,

The scripture for today is 2 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

This is one of the defining scriptures of what our Heavenly Father imparts into the lives of His children, and He imparts to all of His children who ask the same Spirit that filled and directed the ministry of our Lord Jesus. In our scripture today, the word that is translated "sound mind," actually means discipline or self-control. When we compare scripture with scripture, we see the truth expressed here in other places in the Bible:

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" Acts 1:8 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18   "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (self-control)" Galatians 5:22 

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are filled with God Himself. As we yield to His Spirit within us, the fruit that His Spirit produces becomes evident to all. Our Heavenly Father offers each of His obedient children the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. All we have to do is ask Him from sincere and obedient hearts.  Jesus said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Luke 11:13  

Without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives we are like electric lamps with no electricity.  God intends that we have the power to live an overcoming life; He sends the Holy Spirit to empower us. When we are filled with His Spirit we do not express fear, but rather power; we do not express hatred, but rather love; we are not confused, we have the mind of Christ. We have the light of the Spirit of God that illuminates the darkness around us. He is there all the time; He never leaves us. Because of His presence, our focus is Christ, our life is Christ, and our light is Christ.  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim