…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7
The words that jump out to me are “God gave.”
In our modern mindset, we like to take credit for our successes. We pat ourselves on the back for the promotion, successful marriage, good kids, etc.
In contrast, we often don’t take responsibility for the fails; our floundering career, our failed marriage, messed up kids, etc. Instead, it must be somebody else’s fault.
In my neck of the woods, failing churches are often somebody else’s fault. Yet when a church is healthy, we want to make it clear that we were responsible. We can easily forget the most important “part” of the equation.
In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he’s telling the church and Timothy that all the equipment they need to share the good news of Jesus Christ they already possess. Through his Holy Spirit, God has given them power, love, and the disciplines necessary to dwell in the world and offer a change from the self-centered pride that entered it in the fall.
So today, I remind you that you have a new opportunity to dwell in 42’s power, love, and self control whether you are going to work, the mall, school, or the grocery store.
God has supplied everything you need. What a gift!
SEARCHING FOR 42 
the “self-control” part is where mankind goes astray
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