Christ Jesus help me live into your Spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline...

2 Timothy 1:1-8

My office is chilly; I shiver.  Oh no! I forgot to plug in the heater yet again. Just as a heater is designed to be plugged in to function well, so I am designed to function well by being connected into the Holy Spirit of God. St. Paul encouraged his trainee, Timothy, to rekindle  (a.k.a plug into) “the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.” After a life-time of dynamic missions and teaching, culminating in writing twelve letters that continue to inspire and instruct millions of Christians around the world today,  Paul told his student the secret of his liveliness – the spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline that was in Christ Jesus. Although power is also a component of the spirit of the world, the power that was in Christ Jesus was founded not in control or triumph over others, but rather in the deep understanding of who he was in God’s eyes. The Love of the Spirit of Christ is also different from the ‘love’ that gives license to passions and projects that often lead to the harm of self of others. The Love of Christ is unconditional, and good for all concerned. And the self-discipline Paul preached was the holy occupation of constantly choosing thoughts, words and actions that give a glimpse of the glory of God, the Holy Father of our family.  Will I ‘plug in’ my life to the Holy Spirit of God so that my life might be warmed up by God’s love and regulated by his commandments, that I might be transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus, enlivening the world by God’s Mercy? Christ Jesus, help me live into your spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
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Ascribe to the Lord, o families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.   (Psalm 96:7)
 
As you walk through the valley of the unknown, you will find the footprints of Jesus both in front of you and beside you.
Charles Stanley   
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei                                                                                                           
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