Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

Daily Devotion:

Dead to Dread!

"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power...so be ready to suffer for the proclamation of the Good News" (2 Tim 1:7,8)

When a great multitude of people with swords and clubs, led by the betrayer, came to take Jesus, "all the disciples forsook Him and fled." One young man even left his clothes and fled away naked! (Mt 26:56; Mk 14:50-52). But Jesus stood like a lion and declared thrice, "I am He!" (Jn 18:4-8). Peter denied, swore against and cursed Jesus. What was the secret of Christ's fearlessness? He had prepared Himself well in prayer. He had strengthened His willing spirit to overcome the weak flesh (Mt 26:41). This is where the disciples failed. Instead of praying, they were sleeping and snoring. The knee-failure is the underlying cause of our weakness in witnessing. The early Church did not buckle under threats because they did not neglect "the hour of prayer" (Acts 3:1). Even a daring apostle like Paul repeatedly requested the prayer of God's people for "boldness" (Eph 6:19).

Another secret of Jesus' boldness was the anointing of the Spirit that was on Him. Missionary work and evangelistic outreach are direct confrontations with the power of Satan. It's neither by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts that we can bang and break open the "gates of hades" to release the captives (Lk 4:17-21). It's foolish to fight a spiritual battle with our intellectual brilliance, oratorical skill, technological expertise, social status, financial power or institutional strength.

While encouraging young Timothy to fight for the faith relentlessly and proclaim the Gospel dauntlessly, apostle Paul reminded him of "Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate" (1 Tim 6:12,13). Jesus was ready to die and therefore He had nothing to fear. He set the standard for His followers: "He who loses his life for My sake will find it!" (Mt 10:32-39).

Bible Translator William Tyndale (1494-1536) had removed the word "fear" from his vocabulary. That's why he stood firm in his conviction even though he was to be burnt alive!

Dare to be a Daniel! Dare to stand alone!

Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known!

Hold the Gospel banner high! On to vict'ry grand!

Satan and his host defy, and shout for Daniel's Band! (Philip P. Bliss, 1838-1876)

Prayer:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,and enkindle in them the fire of your love.Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created And you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.