The halfbaked Bard

2 Tim: 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. Why are you afraid, O my soul? The Spirit of the Almighty God is on your side and dwells within you. Why should you be afraid and concerned about the future? As long as the Spirit of God is with you as your Friend, your Advocate, and your Parakletos, you need not fear. Why should you be afraid of the principalities and powers of this world? The One who is in you is more powerful than the one who is in the world. Why should you be timid or feel unloved? The Spirit of God, the Spirit of unending Agape love, has loved you and called you His beloved. Why should you be afraid of old bad habits returning? The Spirit of self-discipline and the good Lord is with you. Image credit: https://screenrant.com/inside-out-movie-bill-hader-interview/

1Tim:6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Each of us have been given these entrustments. It can be family; it can be privileges and opportunities; it can be blessings in this world; or knowledge or insight from God;  it can be your job; it can a good habit.  Whatever you can think of- it is a gift from God entrusted to you. Guard it. Value it. Cherish it and take care of it with utmost thankfulness and seriousness. When you think of people, who do not have what you have, it fills you with gratitude to God. And you take care of it with seriousness; without a careless attitude. That will take away the routine mundane boredom to deal with it. Contentment is the key to gratitude. The truth to realise is - that you have been given. That you have been gifted. The reality is that all you have is not what you deserved. Therefore do not take these lightly. You have been just kept as a steward, not as an owner of what you "have". A steward does not deserve....

But to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Tim: 6:17 Putting hope in riches is futile. But putting hope in God, who is our provider, is not. He is Jehovah Jireh. He, out of His eternal riches, shall not only provide for our needs but also for our enjoyment. He will, for He has promised. He is true and will not lie. If He has said that He will provide, then He surely will. We have to trust Him and put our hope in the person that He is. Image courtesy: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=fishing+net

The charge given to a younger brother - something personal. 1 Tim:6:11-16 - Flee from all these - love for money. - Pursue - righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness - Fight the good fight of faith - Take hold of eternal life to which you were called. Image credit: https://www.asurion.com/connect/tech-tips/iphone-wont-charge/

But Godliness with contentment is great gain.  1Tim:6:6 Contentment is being happy with what you have. Contentment is the opposite to greed; covetousness; dissatisfaction; wanting for more. Godliness coupled with contentment is great gain. A surity that God would provide for all my needs. An assurance that God would supply all my needs according to His riches and glory. That He is Jehovah Jireh and I need not worry about my needs. He will take care. This will also help you to give. Like the widow who put the two copper coins which is all that she had. Knowing fully that her God would provide. Cheerfully we can give. Whether in surplous or in nothingness. Knowing for sure that God loves a cheerful giver, we can give happily. Knowing for sure that He would give back, in good measure, pressed down, shaken together.  And finally you will be free from greed. It starts well - planning, money orientedness, ultimately leading to compromising on many important things just t...

Keep yourself pure. 1 Tim:5:22 This world around you is full of sin. Keep yourself pure. Do not give a foot hold to the devil. For the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion to see whom to devour. Resists him. Stand firm in faith. Both keeping yourself pure and standing firm in faith resisting the devil are active efforts. You have to consciously work hard to keep yourself pure. It is a choice. Image credit; https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/male-lion-on-the-prowl--170292429633466449/