Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-12
Today’s Verse: 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
Stage fright is anxiety or fear experienced when someone is required to perform or speak in front of an audience.
It is often rooted in the fear of being judged or embarrassed by others.
While many of us will not have to perform before an audience, there is a call on our lives.
It is to spread the Word. To share the gospel.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul understood what a responsibility it was to be entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He saw this calling as a stewardship for which he would one day give an account to the Lord.
He was willing to suffer for the Lord.
He was standing on God’s promises.
“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).
He needed the strength in order to complete the task.
As believers, we have the same obligations to share the gospel with whomever the Father places in our lives.
We are likely to bear afflictions just like Paul.
But we have to ask ourselves if we have a similar level of commitment.
We can when acknowledge we have the strength and power from God to enable us to bear them.
Paul felt it was necessary to tell people about Christ.
He even said, “woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (2 Corinthians 9:16 KJV).
It did not matter how any treated him, he was not ashamed of the message of Christ.
We even read where the Prophet Jeremiah had a similar experience.
He was mocked and persecuted for delivering the Lord’s message of the coming judgement.
He wanted to give up.
He no longer wanted to make mention of the Lord, nor speak any more in His name.
Nevertheless, he discovered that by not speaking it created a far worse feeling in his heart.
It was like a fire shut up in his bones (Jeremiah 20:7-9 KJV).
There will be times when we may not want to warn people about God’s judgement.
All because we fear we will drive them away from Him.
In reality, the lost are already far from the Lord.
They really need to hear about His offer of forgiveness.
Apostle Paul was willing to die to get the message out.
Too often we are not willing to face a little discomfort to share our faith.
It may be frightening at times. That is why we have to stand on the Word.
With God all things are possible.
We are surrounded by people who need something, but they do not know what.
They need to know that the Savior can be trusted with their life, their soul and eternal interests.
The power of the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Always there to help us along the way.
Let us never be ashamed of spreading the best news ever offered to mankind.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, You have not given us the spirit of fear. You have given us the spirit of power. A spirit of courage. A spirit of change. Great confidence is found in You. The worries of difficulties and dangers we know how to handle. We are standing on the Word. Desiring to fulfill the missions You set for our lives. Thank You for entrusting us with the gospel. We know that Your loving Spirit will carry us through anything we face.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen