A Spirit of Power, Love and Self Discipline (Sharon Thomas)

2 Timothy 7-12

Through this passage we are reminded that God has imparted  the gift of the Spirit onto each and every one of us – enabling  us to testify about his goodness unashamed with a spirit of  love, power and self-discipline to those around us. Paul  reminds Timothy of how God has saved us while we were still  sinners because of His power and His grace – and not by any  action by us. Therefore, we should testify unashamed, in love,  of His love for us that passes all understanding. Especially  when it comes to suffering for the Gospel, we have much to  learn from Paul who was imprisoned and beaten for his faith  and yet remained unwavering in it. This Lenten season let us  learn from Paul’s confidence despite his struggles in life that  God is good in every situation and use that to spread His love  to those around us. 

CLOSING PRAYER 

Dear Jesus, we thank you for who you are and all that you  have done for us. We have sinned much more than what we  can acknowledge, yet your love for us is far beyond all what we  can imagine. Teach us to be steadfast in our faith through the  suffering that we might come across in this lifetime knowing  that it is only a fraction of all that you have suffered for our  sins. Help us to not be ashamed to testify about your love but  live a holy life with you – one that is full of love, power and self discipline. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Our  Lord. Amen