I can always count on Preacher Roger Carter for truth through the word of God, and a chuckle. Roger was blessed with the glorious ability through the Spirit to expound the truth of God in a way that (like Paul) common man can identify with. Paul wrote to his friends, like Timothy, who he thought more of as a son, to encourage them to continue on in the faith and to update them on how the Spirit was brining him through those days of trial. Would to God that the church would begin that again. Can you imagine, how encouraging that would be?
It’s why I love to read and write, because I cannot rehash those thoughts in my mind again and again without concern for proper remembrance. It’s why I scribbled on my iPad during revival service last night when Roger said “God doesn’t need antacids.” What a thought! Silly that it is, but how I needed it in this troubled world. I needed reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7 ~ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Do you know why God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear? Because He doesn’t possess it. Glory to God in the highest! No antacids for Him. God doesn’t even have a Medicine cabinet.
Three things God gave us for our “medicine cabinet” from that verse:
He’s given us Power!
Some days I feel like I wear a super girl cape, other days I feel like it’s a blanky to cover up with and wait for the Calvary. The blanket days are the days that I’m not tuned into the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds Timothy that within him is a gift of God.
2 Timothy 1:6-14 KJVS
[6] Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
That gift is where our power lies. It’s within you. But you’ve got to tap into your own super power. For me it’s creativity, be it in the form of writing, art, or song. But for you it could be something entirely different. But rest assured it’s a Kingdom gift, and you need it!
[7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. [8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; [9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
He’s given us Love!
Not only the love of people, but the love of doing something for Him. Paul tells us through His letter to Timothy, not to be ashamed of our testimony. Of course I believe that refers to what God is doing in our lives, but I also believe that that refers to what God is doing through us. When we follow through on what God “before the world began” placed within us, it brings great glory to Him.
It seems most everything in my life points me back to Jeremiah 1:5
Jeremiah 1:5 KJVS
[5] Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Before I was created, I had purpose. And so did you!
And that purpose is an ability within us that God created us to love. I love to write, sing, create! It’s my way of testifying of the goodness of God. What is within you that is trying to bust out? I have seen so many, many people who are not using their God given abilities, even though it would bring them such joy. Because they’ve bought the lie of Satan to fear the opinion of man.
He’s given us a Sound Mind!
This is were the thought for me comes in that “God doesn’t need antacids.” He’s not worried about how this world is going to turn out, it’s a done deal. Read the book! It’s in there. But Satan loves to create a fear with in us, knowing that it will cause us to hesitate on our actions and second guess what we know we’ve been called to do.
When I got up to sing last night at the revival, I was feeling anything but secure. I was unprepared, and really just wanted to take my super girl cape off, go back down in the pew and wait for service to be over. True story. But I didn’t. Through the Spirit I sang, I spoke, I cried and it was good. Did I have a sound mind? Not until I was obedient. Because up until that point Satan was still trying to mess with my head.
Every day he does. Every time I see this world gone mad, I have an anxious moment. But then, (when I tune into the Spirit) I am reminded of what God has placed within me, and I am strengthened. It’s why preaching such a powerful thing and why we need it. Oh how Roger stirred my soul last night with his obedience.
I was tired, I had ran all day for various reasons and I just wanted to go home and be in bed with my iPad and a cup of coffee. But God gave me purpose, to sing. He gave Roger purpose, to preach. And through our purpose and subsequent obedience, we did our part to encourage the body of Christ and each other. We need each other!
Paul was proud of his gifts that God provided and he trusted God to take his purpose and use it for God’s glory!
[10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: [11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. [12] For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. [13] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Your medicine cabinet: POWER, LOVE, SOUND MIND.
Take one of each, and call on God every morning!