Power-Love-Self-Control - Encourage the Disheartened

God's Word: For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle  and disruptive, encourage the disheartened [timid], help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always,17 pray continually,18 give thanks in all circumstances;(AG) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.(AH) 20 Do not treat prophecies(AI) with contempt 21 but test them all;(AJ) hold on to what is good,(AK) 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Wisdom Shared: 

This morning as I awoke,  2 Corinthians Chapter 1 came to my thoughts... The God of all comfort; ... 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ... Christ shared all our sufferings therefore making him the great comforter in our time of great need.  Our sufferings occur so that we can be strengthened by the almighty Father... While we receive the comfort through Christ, we then are equip to give the same comfort we have received.  The encouragement, the lifting up the listening ear ... yes Beloved, it is the power of love through Christ that empowers us to be the ministers to those suffering especially the fearful.  God's word is sharper than any double edged sword,  it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 ... May God's word empower you to encourage the timid, as you move forth in your routine today, tomorrow and always.

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance,

In Christ Love,

Jennifer Pettiford

Love-Excellently~

Bible References for Study and Meditation: 

Encourage the Disheartened/Timid-

2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.2 Timothy 1:6-8 (in Context) 2 Timothy 1 (Whole Chapter)

Deuteronomy 10:12
[ Fear the LORD ] And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,Deuteronomy 10:11-13 (in Context) Deuteronomy 10 (Whole Chapter)

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.