Today you should read: 2 Timothy 1:7-12
2 Timothy 2:7 has been speaking to me a lot lately. Leading church “stuff” has been a whole new experience for me. It’s been almost two years since I started at our Richmond campus, but it still feels very new in many ways. On top of all that, we are currently trying something totally new, exciting, and even risky. In case you haven’t heard, we are moving out of our current location and will begin having Sunday morning services at Clark-Moores Middle School on January 5th. We believe this will platform us to have a greater impact in Madison County.
I’ll be straight with you. I have my fair share of insecurities. I’m not always confident. In fact, I frequently wonder why people listen to what I have to say when I teach. I fear at times that I’m incapable of leading a church because, let me be honest, I don’t always know what I am doing. I hope I am doing and saying what is right. I get timid when I have to lead strongly. I get nervous. I think people don’t like me or want to be around me. That’s the world I live in often times.
This was not intentional, but I just re-read that last paragraph. Look at how many sentences begin with “I”. It’s no wonder I have some of these insecurities. My confidence is often in me instead of the power that is within me. God has not given me a spirit of timidity for which to serve Him. Quite the contrary, He has given me a spirit of power and love and self-discipline with which to lead. That power comes from the God who has saved me and called me to Himself because He wants to use me for His purposes.
There’s freedom and power that comes from recognizing the power that Christ gives me. Paul would agree. Look at all of the “I’s” in verse 12. Paul recognized his Power Source and his purpose. When I do the same, “I” can also suffer, “I” don’t have to be ashamed, “I” know in Whom I believe, “I” am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him.
I pray for strong confidence to lead well today. What about you? Do you need to lay down a spirit of timidity when it comes to leading, or sharing the gospel, or saying something that needs to be said? Where do you need to experience the power of love and discipline today so that you can serve and lead with great confidence and purpose for His glory?
Posted by:Rich Duffield
JumpstartCPC.com 
Good words and thoughts about my own timidity. To know that through HIS grace , He has given us the opportunity and means to leave a legacy with our children is one of the most important things we can do during our time here in this world. Blessings CPC!
Happy Thanksgiving CPC Family! Thanks for your transparency and honesty Rich! If we are really honest with ourselves, most of us have insecurities which satan uses to keep us from being impactful for the Gospel. We need to empty ourselves of the “I” and fill it with CHRIST so that God can do great things through us. I can’t wait to hear about the great things Christ is going to do through CPC Richmond in 2014!