Quietude: July 16th, 2017

Greg Ortega

When I see the same story or the same quote or the same Bible verse over and over, it doesn’t take rocket science to know that God wants to get a message through to me. Yes, I have been known to be thick-headed. This scripture from Paul’s second letter to Timothy has now been put in front of me at least six times in as many days.

Yes, Lord, I get it. There is a message in it for me.

I am not a fearful or timid woman. I consider myself fairly brave and quite assertive. I haven’t always been but there is a certain courage that comes with aging!

This admonition from Paul to young Timothy encourages me THREE ways:

1. Power: I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4.13  Even if I do something afraid – and there are times we have to plow through the afraid and ‘do it anyway.’
2. Love: Perfect love casts out all fear. 1 John 4.18  This is why I don’t have to fear – because Christ’s perfect love has expelled the fear!
3. Self-discipline: Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…2 Corinthians 10.4-6  We have weapons of mass destruction! Our weapons are ignited by the power of God Himself! We must engage these heavenly weapons and take our thoughts captive. We can control ourselves – we can be self-disciplined.

Here’s our Sabbath ponderings:

Do I live in His strength or in my own weakness?

Do I fully embrace God’s love and live it out in my daily life?

Do I use God’s weaponry to bring my every thought and vain imagination captive to the obedience of Christ?

Do I?

xo

The quiet hour of prayer is one of the most favorable opportunities He has in which to speak to us seriously. In quietude and solitude before the face of God our souls can hear better than at any other time. O.Hallesby

When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? Job 34.29