SUMMER IN THE SPIRIT: NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE

We continue through our Summer in the Spirit. We hope you are sensing the power of the Holy Spirit working in your heart and life. The Spirit is the force of God’s power, presence, and purpose to empower us in our continued spiritual growth. This spiritual growth enables us to experience the abundant life that God intends for every believer. Yet, it is not without struggle. The spiritual forces of the enemy seek to lead us to doubt and discouragement. As we look at our world, we can readily see how the enemy continues to use fear and uncertainty on every level of our society. It is not just in our society, but it seeps into our souls. The voices of anxiety are ever present. The sermon this week in our series is Non-anxious Presence. This is based on Psalm 16 and 2 Timothy 1:1-7. It is the non-anxious presence of the Holy Spirit that allowed David to say: “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8, NIV) This presence allowed Paul to encourage Timothy to continue to build God’s Church! What about us? This presence is for us today. God’s purposes have not changed. He wants you to find this abundant life that can overcome all the voices of fear to lead us into joy and hope! We pray you experience the power of God’s Spirit as you read Psalm 16 and 2 Timothy 1:1-7.

Psalms 16: 1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. 2 O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” 3 As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips.5 O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. 7 I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Shaol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

2 Timothy 1:1-7: 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.