Positive Woman Connection

Hello wonderful PWC ladies. Today we are featuring another devotional written by one of our ladies. Her name is Carmyn Sparks and you can read her bio at the end of this blog. I’m thankful for the gifts and talents you all are sharing through PWC. Remember to RSVP for the upcoming PWC luncheons on February 22 (Prestonwood Country Club) and 23 (Cottonwood Creek church in Allen).

Here’s Carmyn’s devotional: 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and a sound mind.”

What is the root of fear?

Amy Carmichael says “when we are downhearted or fearful or weak, we are saying by the way of our fear and timidity, ‘After all, the Lord can’t be absolutely trusted.’”

Does God send this spirit of fear?

And if He does not send it to me, where does it come from?

I can will to will to will to choose by my glorious God ordained freedom to refuse it! How can that be?

I have a Savior who willingly gave His life for me that I might receive “everything (not just some but all)” pertaining to life (my outer physical needs) and to godliness (my inner spiritual needs)!

The One who redeemed me, created me. The One who created me knows me inside and outside! His Father in heaven is my Father in heaven!

My Father has never once failed Christ…..He will never fail me. He loved and led and guarded Christ all the days of His life on earth…..God has loved, and led, and guarded me all the 62 years of my life.

Is God unchanging, does His faithfulness fail when I am fearful? My answer determines my trust.

Yes, God has, God is and God will continue to love and lead and guard me all the days of my life.

Holy Spirit, I look to you now and pray from this foreboding shadow of fear that covers my mind for Your power within to set me free.

The reality of this shadow is the Presence of God’s light.

I unquestionably believe Your Word.

I choose to submit my fears to the Son and courageously resist this fear of darkness believing it must be swift to flee at the sound of Your Word.

Fill me now with a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind to discern the Truth of God’s Word.

Grant me courage and grip my heart with the perfect love that drives out fear. Can I trust God today?

Yes, I absolutely Trust God, therefore, I have no shadow of doubt that I now can emerge from this darkness of fear.

May I be a light to dispel others’ fears wherever I go today as You go with me.

Carmyn Sparks has been involved in women’s ministry for 30 years teaching church and home bible studies; speaking at retreats and seminars; and leading discipleship classes. She has served with Search Ministries; worked with Community Hospice of Texas serving on the advisory board as well as facilitating hospice training programs. Her heart’s passion is to share the redeeming grace and mercy of God’s transforming love for others no matter their past or present stories. She has published serveral poetic works in various anthologies by the International Library of Poetry. Carmyn lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband of 40 years, Hal. They have three married daughters and six grandchildren. Her life’s message is Jude 21 “Stay always within the boundaries of God’s love where He can reach and bless you” in order that His Son, Jesus Christ be glorified.