Scripture Text: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

We began the week calling on God to help us to resist the devil and his evil "roaring spirit gang", and we have had several who have written in and said thanks Pastor Wayne - that really worked. One lady said, she used to walk that way everyday, but somehow got away from it, and she thanked me for reminding her. Well, praise the Lord - because I was going through some things and it was He who reminded me.

But we're not done yet. You see, God isn't just a one-phased miracle working God - he is multi-faceted. First He reminds us that we can speak to that evil roaring spirit and tell him to flee, and then He completes us and brings us to that place of maturity that He spoke of in 1 Peter 8:10 by helping us to realize who we are in Him. That means that even the babes in Christ can begin to walk in the spirit immediately because of the "power" He gives us through His Holy Spirit to do so.

Look at Luke 24: 49

"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

What was He sending them and why? Jesus was saying that they had a mission and He knew that in this life it would be a difficult mission, and because of that He was sending them a Comforter(Holy Spirit), who would fit and qualify them for, and assist them in bearing a testimony for Him. He said that this Comforter would teach them "all things", lead them into "all truth"; and bring to their remembrance all things they had seen and heard.

This power not only comforts us by removing the "evil roaring gang of spirits", but He  gives to us the mind of Christ - which fortifies us from the evil reproaches of others who are being bothered by that "evil roaring gang of spirits", and even gives us the strength to endure the reproaches and persecutions for His sake, to endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross; to quit ourselves like men(ref., 1 Cor 16:13), men of wisdom and understanding; not like children with no skills or experience, unstable and weak. Men who would not carried and tossed about with every wind of doctrine; men who will search the Scriptures, and "try" (test - according to the scriptures) every doctrine by them; and having found what is truth abide in it, and be proficient in it, instructing and establishing ourselves and others by it.

In simple terms - He gives us the power to do the will and work of God in all of life's  circumstances. Sound like something you need? Me too!

Let's pray.

Father God: Give me that power today, to stave off the evil reproaches of man and the devil. Keep me in the center of your will today - in Jesus' Name, Amen.