Power Not Fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
Dear Members of the Our Savior Lutheran Church Email Prayer Chain,

I am sorry that I will not be with you all in Bible Study and Worship this Sunday. We have had a serious family situation arise that necessitates that I must be in Atlanta, GA, Saturday and Sunday. Thank you all for your love and understanding.

Power Not Fear

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” –2 Timothy 1:7

The only fear that God encourages in a Christian’s life is the fear of God (2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Hebrews 10:31) Fear of people does not come from God. The problem is that many Christians fear people more than they fear God. Their fear hinders them from carrying out God’s will because they waste their efforts appeasing other people.

Timothy was a young man, timid by nature, and probably not strong physically (1 Timothy 5:23). He knew of Paul’s frequent trials and persecutions. He knew that he, too, might suffer those same persecutions. Paul reminded his young colleague that fear of others does not come from God.

Fear causes us to stop and question what God has clearly told us to do. Perhaps we were confident in our faithfulness until persecution came; now we doubt whether we heard God correctly. Most fear is fear of the unknown. We do not know what lies ahead of us, so we become apprehensive. Our imaginations can magnify problems until they seem insurmountable. We need a sound mind to see things in proper perspective. That is why God gave us His Holy Spirit, to enable us to see things as God sees them.

Fear is no excuse to live outside of God’s will for you. There is no reason to live in fear when you have the mighty presence of the Holy Spirit within you. Fear will enslave you, but Christ has come to set you free. Ask God to free you from any fear you are experiencing and to open your eyes. As he reveals the reality of your situation, He will enable you to continue in faithfulness.

REFLECTIONS

What or whom do you truly fear?
Can you think of a time when your fear prevented you carrying out God’s will for you?
When was the last time you asked the Holy Spirit for a spirit “of power and love and self-control”?

A Special Request from Jack Hiegel

Our Savior Lutheran School is in need of coaches for the upcoming 2008-09 school year. Qualifications necessary: 1) a love for the Lord; 2) the desire to help young people mature as Christian athletes; and, 3) possess adequate knowledge of the sport to be coached. Positions are available in volleyball, basketball, and track. Please pray about this opportunity. Contact Jack Hiegel (345-1950 or 426-0864) for more information.

PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of June 22, 2008

FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM CANCER OR CHRONIC ILLNESS

Jerry Woods [Father of Debbie Garvue] in the end stages of metastatic cancer
Ray Witte [Uncle of Kim Rye] Dealing with Lung Cancer and pain management issues)

FOR THOSE BEING BAPTIZED

Logan and Reagan Rye, twins of Kim and Jeff Rye

FOR THOSE CELEBRATING

Frank and Rosina Walker as they celebrate 50 years of marriage

FOR THE WORK OF THE CHURCH

We still are in need of people to volunteer for leading Summer Sunday School classes – Signup sheets are located on the windows of Paul Nickel’s office. We are still praying for the Lord to lead us to the persons in our congregation that He has selected to be our Sunday School Superintendents. Please pray with us that the Lord would lead us to that person or persons.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. --Romans 15:5, 6

In Christ’s Kingdom Together,
Paul Nickel
Director of Christian Education
Our Savior Lutheran Church
 

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