For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV (6-26-2011)

Not timid. Check. That leads to power. Check. And self-discipline. Check.

But love?

That doesn’t sound like power. In our culture love is kind of associated with weakness.

But not in God’s culture.

Love is power. Love is bold. Love is self-disciplined.

Self-disciplined because our every inclination is against the selflessness that love requires.

Bold because God’s love is active, seeking those who need it, leaving the 99 to go out into the wilderness in search of the one.

And powerful because it is the way God unleashes Himself into a God-starved, love-starved, discipline-starved culture. God unleashed is power.

[Father, help me to truly, selflessly, actively, powerfully love today.]