Empowered by the Spirit: Overcoming Fear and Living Boldly

Devotional

Day 1: God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear

God does not give His children a spirit of fear, but instead equips them with power, love, and a sound mind. Fear, anxiety, and worry are real struggles, but they are not from God; rather, He calls you to trust Him with your present and future, knowing that He is all-sufficient, all-knowing, and always working for your good. Even when you cannot see the whole path ahead, you are invited to take the next step in faith, believing that God’s Word will light your way and that He will provide what you need for every circumstance. [46:39]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Reflection: What is one fear or worry you are holding onto today that you need to surrender to God, trusting that He has given you power, love, and a sound mind instead?

Day 2: Stay Connected to the Source of Power

The Holy Spirit empowers you to be an overcomer, but you must remain connected to Him as your source. Just as a device cannot function without being plugged in, you cannot walk in spiritual power unless you are rooted in God’s Word and present in His presence. In His presence is where peace, power, and transformation happen, enabling you to boldly live out your calling and face any challenge with confidence. [52:47]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Reflection: In what practical way can you intentionally “plug in” to God’s presence and power today—through prayer, worship, or time in His Word?

Day 3: Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

God’s perfect love drives out all fear and empowers you to love others deeply, even when it requires sacrifice or interruption. When you allow His love to fill you, it overflows into your relationships and your sphere of influence, making you salt and light to those around you. True love is shown in caring for others beyond your own schedule or comfort, opening doors for God’s glory to be revealed in everyday moments. [54:42]

1 John 4:18 (ESV)
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can show God’s love to today, even if it means being interrupted or going out of your way?

Day 4: Renewing Your Mind for a Sound Mind

God has given you the gift of a sound mind—self-control, discipline, and the ability to process life through the truth of His Word. Your mind is the data processing center of your soul, and what you allow in shapes your actions and emotions. By regularly reading and speaking God’s Word out loud, you renew your mind, align your thoughts with His truth, and are equipped to live a life that honors Him and brings transformation to your world. [59:57]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one negative or anxious thought you can replace today by speaking God’s truth over your life?

Day 5: Boldness and Confidence in Your Calling

Because Jesus lives, you can face tomorrow with boldness and confidence, knowing that the Holy Spirit empowers you for the work God has set before you. No matter the external circumstances or storms you face, your hope is anchored in Christ, and you are called to carry this hope into your circles of influence. Go boldly, proclaim the gospel, love people well, and trust that God will work through you as you step out in faith. [01:06:23]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Reflection: Where is God calling you to step out in boldness this week, and how can you rely on His presence to give you courage?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered in a spirit of worship and unity, lifting up our church family, our state, and the global body of Christ in prayer. We interceded for the upcoming Network Conference, asking for God’s will to be done as a new superintendent is chosen to shepherd pastors and cast vision for Ohio. We celebrated the miracle of Lydia’s life, recognizing God’s faithfulness in her journey and believing for her continued healing. We also witnessed the beauty of God’s interconnected family, as relationships and care extended across states and even nations, reminding us that the Kingdom of God is far bigger than any one church or location.

As we step into a new series, “By the Spirit’s Power,” we are invited to deepen our relationship with the Holy Spirit, the promised gift from the Father. Jesus told His disciples that it was better for Him to go so that the Holy Spirit could come, empowering us to do even greater things. This same Spirit that established the early church is alive in us, equipping us to be witnesses and to carry the gospel into every sphere of influence God has entrusted to us.

Looking at Paul’s letter to Timothy, we see a powerful encouragement: do not let fear or external circumstances shake your inward conviction. Paul, writing from prison, urges Timothy to stand firm, reminding him that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. These are not just abstract concepts, but real gifts that enable us to live boldly and faithfully, regardless of the challenges we face.

Fear, anxiety, and worry are real, but they do not define us. God’s gifts are greater. The spirit of power enables us to overcome and to be bold in our witness. The spirit of love compels us to care deeply for others, opening doors for the gospel. The spirit of a sound mind gives us self-control and clarity, allowing us to process life’s challenges through the lens of God’s truth. As we remain connected to the source—God’s presence and His Word—we are renewed, strengthened, and able to declare with confidence: “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.” Let us carry this hope and boldness into our world, loving well and living out the truth of the gospel.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Will and the Power of Intercession: When we pray for God’s will—nothing more, nothing less, nothing else—we align ourselves with His purposes, not just for our lives but for the broader church and community. Intercession is not passive; it is spiritual warfare that affirms what God has already set in motion, and it invites us to participate in His unfolding plan. [28:22]
2. Miracles Require Both Faith and Preparation: The story of Lydia reminds us that God is still in the business of miracles, but faith is not just belief—it’s also preparation. When we prepare for the miracle, setting the crib and the room, we demonstrate our trust that God will move, even when the outcome is uncertain. Faith is active, not just expectant. [30:39]
3. The Holy Spirit Empowers Us Beyond Our Fears: Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would empower us to do greater things than even the disciples saw during His earthly ministry. This empowerment is not just for extraordinary moments but for everyday living—overcoming fear, standing firm in hostile environments, and being bold witnesses in our circles of influence. [42:33]
4. God’s Gifts: Power, Love, and a Sound Mind: God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Power enables us to overcome obstacles; love compels us to reach out and care for others; a sound mind gives us self-control and clarity. These gifts are practical tools for living out our faith in a world filled with anxiety and uncertainty. [45:32]
5. Renewal Comes Through Connection to the Staying connected to God’s presence and His Word is essential for spiritual health. Just as a device must be plugged in to receive power, we must remain in Christ to bear fruit, renew our minds, and live with boldness. Reading and declaring God’s Word out loud transforms our thinking and aligns our actions with His truth. [52:00]
** [52:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:22] - Praying for Network Conference and Leadership
[30:39] - Lydia’s Miracle and the Power of Faith
[32:33] - God’s Global Family and Interconnectedness
[34:10] - Investing in Pastors and Healthy Churches
[36:45] - Sowing into the Kingdom Beyond Ourselves
[38:20] - Introduction to “By the Spirit’s Power” Series
[42:33] - Jesus’ Promise of the Holy Spirit
[43:54] - Paul’s Encouragement to Timothy
[45:32] - No Fear, Just Gifts: 2 Timothy 1:7
[47:18] - Overcoming Anxiety and Worry
[52:00] - Staying Connected to the Source of Power
[54:42] - The Spirit of Love in Action
[57:06] - The Gift of a Sound Mind
[59:57] - Renewing Your Mind Through God’s Word
[62:05] - Declaring “Because He Lives” Over Our Circumstances
[66:23] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Timothy 1:7 — “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

- John 14:16-17, 26
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth... But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

- Matthew 6:33-34
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Observation Questions

According to 2 Timothy 1:7, what three gifts has God given us instead of a spirit of fear?
In the sermon, what was the reason Jesus said it was better for Him to go away? ([42:33])
What practical example did the pastor give about preparing for a miracle in Lydia’s story? ([30:39])
How does the sermon describe the way God’s family is interconnected beyond just one church or location? ([32:33])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes to Timothy that God has not given us a spirit of fear, especially considering Paul’s own situation in prison? ([43:54])
The pastor said, “Intercession is not passive; it is spiritual warfare.” What does this mean for how we should approach prayer for our church and community? ([28:22])
The sermon mentions that faith is not just belief, but also preparation. How does preparing for a miracle show trust in God? ([30:39])
What does it look like in everyday life to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be a witness, not just in extraordinary moments but in ordinary ones? ([42:33])

Application Questions

The pastor challenged us to pray for “God’s will—nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.” Is there a situation in your life or in our church where you need to pray this way? What would it look like to surrender your own desires in prayer? ([28:22])
In Lydia’s story, her family prepared the crib and the room before knowing the outcome. Is there an area in your life where you need to “set the crib”—to prepare in faith for what you’re asking God to do? What step could you take this week? ([30:39])
Fear, anxiety, and worry are real, but God’s gifts are greater. What is one fear or worry you are facing right now? How can you invite the Holy Spirit’s power, love, or sound mind into that specific area? ([47:18])
The sermon talked about staying connected to the source—God’s presence and His Word. What is one practical way you can “plug in” to God’s presence this week? Is there a specific time or place you can set aside? ([52:00])
The pastor said, “Reading and declaring God’s Word out loud transforms our thinking.” Have you ever tried this? If not, what is one verse you could start declaring over your life this week? ([59:57])
The spirit of love compels us to care deeply for others. Who is one person in your circle of influence that you can show God’s love to this week? What is one specific action you can take? ([54:42])
The message ended with the declaration, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.” What is one area of your life where you need to declare this truth? How can you remind yourself of it when challenges come? ([01:02:05])

Sermon Clips

But what God has called you to, he has fully resourced you for. He has both given you an assignment and the necessary gifts. You need to come here, gather together, encourage, equip, pray for each other. And then you need to go out boldly, boldly and with confidence of what God is doing in your life. [00:45:24] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

You cannot change your past. Okay? And I'm going to say this very carefully. You cannot predict your future. But you can live in obedience in your present walk into your future. [00:47:51] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

You've got to make sure that what you have done and what you're doing in your life is connected to his word that's living and active and can speak to every situation this side of eternity. And then you've got to make sure that you're in his presence because in his presence is where the work is done. In his presence is where peace is. In his presence is where the power is. In his presence is where the wonder, work, and blood of Jesus is. [00:52:20] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

He gives you a spirit of love. Guess what scripture says? Perfect love casts out all? Fear. Fear. He gives you a spirit of love. He himself is love. Perfect love casts out all fear. When he gives you the spirit of love, it's going to cast out the thing that is welling up inside of you that you need to do for him, right? [00:54:42] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

The things you're going through, those external circumstances that are trying to change your internal convictions, those external things that are happening that are keeping you too busy to do this or too distracted to accomplish that. The things that are rising up that take your eyes off of the author and perfecter of your faith. The things that are deviating your path, detouring your path. Those are those verses. But in the middle of all those chaos and those things happening in your life, I know that I can live. Why can I live? Because he lives. I can face tomorrow. Because he lives, all fear is gone. [01:02:35] (36 seconds) Edit Clip

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