Tuesday Devo

Question: As we embark on this AOE trip tomorrow I have a question I’d like you to ponder while we go through this devo: What are you fearful of and why are you fearful of it?

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*Open with prayer* (2 Timothy 1:7-8) In this passage, Paul is writing to Timothy to encourage him to spread the Gospel and practice the gift he has been given by God. Timothy had not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Similarly, we as believers have also been given a mind like Timothy’s through The Holy Spirit, therefore we should not be ashamed to speak the testimony of Jesus. (1 John 4:18) This passage develops the idea of love in the mind of the believer and describes how love will cast out fear. so it is no use tormenting our minds by thinking about whether someone will accept us, berate us, or act aggressively toward us because when we dwell on our fears and worries we torment ourselves and render ourselves ineffective for ministry.

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Worry and fear are normal human responses to new or uncomfortable experiences, however, worrying adds nothing to us according to (Matthew 6:27) says: “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature”. so if you find yourself lacking in boldness and courage understand that the Word of God tells us that instead of being anxious we can receive all the supplication we need from the Father because He has given us the means to request what we need through prayer (Phil. 4:6; Psalms 56:3). We are instructed to ask the Father for things in prayer, but many neglect the application of what God has already promised us in His Word (Joshua 1:9)

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God told Joshua in the previous passage to be strong, have courage, and disregard fear because the Lord would be with Him wherever He went. We know that God is always with us like He was with Joshua because Scripture tells us that The Holy Spirit dwells within us (2 Timothy 1:14). God helped Joshua conquer Canaan despite many trials, so can we not expect that He would lead us and protect us when we travel to new places and territories in His name? So Whenever we are afraid we can trust in God who indwells us and directs us.

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*Open for discussion of the previous question*

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What are you doing to prepare for ministry? Prayer is crucial to discerning God’s will for you and for seeking supplication for your personal ministry, but are you only praying when you should be praying and applying the truth of God’s Word to your life? Don’t forget that God has given us a book of answers for the very thing we are about to set out and do, So that we can set out to evangelize without the fear of men (Psalms 118:6; Matt. 10:28).

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Closing statement: Satan is the author of fear and he will use it at any opportunity to make you ineffective for Christ’s great commission. Do not fall victim to the tools of Satan, rather pursue Christ despite your fears and He will make you all the better for His purpose.