2 Timothy 1, 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life-- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. (NIV)

Pauls asks Timothy to join him in the suffering for the gospel. And he encourages him, that God did not give us the Spirit of fear, but of Power and Love! The Power of God and the Love of God... neither of which is to be found within us...

I just spoke to one of our Students. He is from the land of Myanmar. A great nation with many needs. Since the civil war about 20 years ago, the land is full of orphans and in the remote areas there is a great need for education. Since it is not easy to preach the gospel freely, they use the great needs to help practically with Orphanages, but also with an Education Programm that allows them to go to remote areas to officially teach.

While teaching on certain subjects they also teach the Bible and in this way they are able to lead people to the Lord and also disciple them. David is a young man and he is the leader of an Organization that has now 12 full time teachers and goes into different remote areas in Myanmar. Although they have lost their support in 2009 and do not receive any salaries anylonger, the teachers still go into these remote areas and teach and share the Gospel!

I asked him about the resistance they face from the Government. He said: "We decided to just teach and preach openly anyways. The government changes its policy all the time and if we would go with that, it would be really difficult to reach this generation. If we do not teach and preach boldly our Generation will have the same problems as the Generation before and the people will not be reached with the Gospel!"

This is a bold statement. For they really do suffer for the Gospel, like Paul shares here to Timothy. I just want to encourage you afresh today. If you are afraid or people put pressure on you because you call on the Name of Jesus, than be bold! Ask the Lord to give you His Spirit and fill you with His Power and Love and Self-Discipline! Pray like the first Apostles when they were persecuted (Acts 4): "29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."