As I was having my time in the Word the other morning, I realized I was not enjoying my Bible reading as I have in the past. Where are You, Lord? Why am I get bogged down in Ezekiel and also can't find anything to hold onto in II Timothy?

It was then that I realized that I had not been asking Jesus to give me wisdom or insight as I read. When had I stopped that practice? Was I willing to take the risk to ask again? Would He show up and answer that simple prayer? 

Well, of course, I knew the answer would be a resounding yes! So, I asked and boy did He deliver! I was reading II Timothy 1 and all of a sudden words and ideas seemed like they were exploding in my heart. The Bible was alive again!

II Timothy 1:7 has always been a life-giving verse for me.

"For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control." (The Passion Translation)

But I didn't realize until just then that it really goes along with verse 6 as well. Here they are together: 

"I’m writing to encourage you to fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to you when I laid my hands upon you. For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control." (TPT) 

We need to rekindle the spiritual gift(s) that God has given us. We need Holy Spirit in our lives because He is the One who gives us that mighty power, love, and self-control. When we allow Holy Spirit to fill us with God's power, love and self-control; there is no room for fear in our lives. Then, we can live our lives with risk-taking faith and step out in obedience. 

Are you willing to take a risk today? God is waiting for you to take a step and He will ALWAYS be there! Go ahead...ask Him your questions, He is ready and willing to answer! 

This post was prompted by Kate Motaung's "Five Minute Friday," which she hosts on the Five Minute Friday website. Kate posts a single word each week and each blogger sets a timer for 5 minutes to write and then posts, with little editing. (Some weeks I have more trouble with that part than others.) Check out the other writers on this topic!