We have no reason to be timid!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
(2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV))

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt timid and intimidated?

Do you remember details about that situation and why you felt like that?

According to Merriam-Webster, we feel this way because we lack courage or self-confidence. We lack boldness or determination. In other words, we feel inferior and because of this we want to retreat and hide.

Does this sound like an attitude that anyone should have who professes a faith in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior?

We have a hope and a faith that should spur us on because our hope and faith are placed in the only One who has the power and authority to back up the claims.

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
(2 Corinthians 3:12 (NIV))

It all comes down to a simple question that Jesus asked long ago and is still asking each of us to this day.

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
(Matthew 16:15 (NIV))

Your answer will determine so much. The wrong answer will leave you doubting. The right answer will give you assurance and boldness. It will give you confidence. It will give you a peace that passes understanding. It will give you the power and the authority to call upon Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. It will prove beyond any doubt that you are loved by God. It will prove that you are a redeemed child of God!

We have no reason to be timid!

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Are we seeing a lack of Godly training in the world?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
(Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV))

It seems like anyone and everyone can quote this passage, even if they don’t know any other passages. Sadly, we appear to be seeing the truth behind these words unfolding right before us.

Just what is training?

In essence, the concept of training implies the teaching of discipline and the importance of following that discipline. Instilling self-discipline into the life of someone starts early in childhood. For example, I am sure that most of you were told at some point early in your life that you were old enough that your wants won’t hurt you. In other words, you had been taught that just because you want something doesn’t mean that it will happen no matter how big of a temper tantrum you may throw. Usually, this statement resulted in the application of a different passage.

He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
(Proverbs 13:24 (NKJV))

Am I the only one who sees a direct correlation between training and discipline?

It appears that we are seeing what happens when children who are not disciplined grow up and still act like spoiled brats. Parents who raised their children to think that they can do no wrong have committed a great disservice to their children, to society and to the Lord! Perhaps Proverbs 22:6 could be paraphrased in this manner.

Discipline a child when he does wrong and when he grows up, he will have learned how to behave.

Sadly, no matter what translation you may quote or how you choose to paraphrase this passage, the results of not applying this Godly principle are a lack of discipline and a total lack of respect for anything that is contrary to someone’s feelings. Discipline teaches that feelings can be manipulated. Truth is always the truth. Discipline teaches to seek the truth beyond the feelings.

Are we seeing a lack of Godly training in the world?

Copyright 1998 – 2020 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Godly confidence

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
(John 16:24 (NIV))

Are you hesitant to ask God for something in the name of Jesus? What is your hesitation? Is it an uncertainty about what you want to ask? Is it the fear that what you are asking for is not something that God wants you to have? Is it a fear that you are being selfish by asking? Perhaps it is even the fear that He will give you what you are asking for!

Let’s face the truth about human nature. We always want what we don’t have, yet, at the same time, we are afraid to get what we ask for. We are comfortable in our current condition. We know how to handle our current situation. If we are given something new, we have to learn a new way of handling our life. We will have to come up with something new to ask for.

How much of this is an attack from the enemy, after all, Satan despises anything that God has created. He despises God for he longs to replace Him. These doubts and fears are nothing more than subtle attacks from the enemy so that we begin to doubt ourselves and God. We soon begin to replace our doubt with fear and then Satan has won.

We can overcome Satan.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
(2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV))

We must overcome the spirit of fear and embrace the power and love that God longs to give us. We have Jesus to intercede for us, “who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand–with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” (1 Peter 3:22 (NIV))

If we desire God’s Will, we can ask confidently.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
(1 John 5:14 (NIV))

Copyright 1998 – 2013 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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