Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Attitude”
Our Bible verse for today: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but (He has given us a spirit) of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (Amplified Bible)
Our thought for today: “Be bold”
The Amplified Bible is a very unique translation of the Bible which is especially helpful in assisting us English speakers in grasping the full meaning of the original Biblical languages. Hebrew and Greek are rich languages filled with words that have deep, nuanced, and multi-layered meanings. The challenge for Bible translators attempting to translate the original language into English is to find comparable English words which accurately communicate the meaning intended in the original language.
Towards that end, the translators of the Amplified Bible include all the English words and phrases needed in order to convey the full meaning of the original Hebrew or Greek. Sometimes that makes for elongated and cumbersome sentences in English, but it does provide us with all the words and phrases needed in order to grasp the full meaning intended by the original writer. That’s why 2 Timothy 1:7 reads a bit differently in the Amplified Bible than it probably does in whatever translation you normally use.
And so, reading that verse in the Amplified translation we understand very clearly that God wants His people to be bold. We are not to approach any situation in life with a spirit of timidity or cowardice or craven and cringing and fawning fear, but instead He gives us a spirit of power and love, a calm and well-balanced mind, discipline and self-control. That’s what the Holy Spirit offers us. The other mindset comes from Satan.
This is not a new Biblical principle first introduced by Paul in 2 Timothy. Instead it’s a principle God has been speaking to His people from the earliest days. Almost fifteen hundred years before the time of Paul God spoke these words to Joshua:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (AMP)
Although I haven’t counted them myself I have heard it said that there are 365 instances in the Bible where God has commanded us to “fear not”, or some variation of that statement. That would be one “fear not” for every day of the year.
As we begin our new attitude for the New Year I want to encourage you to reject the spirits of fear and doubt. That’s of Satan. Instead, make it a point to embrace the spirit of boldness and confidence that is rightfully yours as a child of God.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 