brave

Overcoming Fear- A Visitor Not A Resident {Deuteronomy 31-1:13}

11:04 PM





Monday's Reading- Deuteronomy 31:1-13

“The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident.”...Max Lucado 

I love the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. One of my favorite quotes comes from his book “The Lord of the Rings” in which the hobbit Bilbo Baggins tells his young cousin, “It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” That’s how it is living in a fallen world. Scary things can be found all around us. And if we aren’t careful, we can find ourselves getting swept away into living lives focused on all there is to be afraid of, overwhelmed by things out of our control, and unable to enjoy God’s very best.  But by putting our faith and trust in the Lord and keeping our feet firmly planted on the path He provides, when fear comes to call we can make sure it stays a visitor and doesn’t become a resident.

Throughout the Bible we read of people who despite feeling afraid accomplished great things for God. Joshua is one such person. After following Moses for forty years and witnessing the awesome miracles he performed, it became Joshua’s turn to lead. Imagine the fear and panic that ran through his head knowing that now it was him in charge of over two million people. And not just any people, God’s people. Moses, who I’m sure could relate to what Joshua was feeling, gave him some sage advice. “Be strong and courageous.” “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:6,8) By applying these words to our own lives, we can break the grip of fear and its hold over our minds and hearts.

Be Strong-“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13) Instead of standing alone when we stand in the spiritual strength that can only be found in the Lord, we experience the power we need to face down even the deepest and darkest fear. 

Be Courageous- “Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.” (1 Cor. 16:13) Although God promises to provide the strength to face our fears, we must muster up the courage. In a poem titled “Equipment”, Edgar Guest writes, “Courage must come from the soul within, the man must furnish the will to win.”

The Lord Goes Ahead-“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” (Ps. 139:5) No matter what we face great or small, God is there. We have nothing to fear knowing He's always one step ahead lighting and leading us down the path that He Himself has carefully and lovingly laid out for us. 

God Is Faithful-“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (2 Thes. 3:3) When others can’t understand what it is we’re feeling or the fears running through our minds they may judge us, turn away or let us down. Not God. He will never forsake, fail, or forget us. His love never changes and we can always depend on Him. 

Do Not Fear-“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (Ps. 56:3) Notice David doesn’t say, “if I am afraid”, he says, “when I am afraid.” Fear is an emotion that none of us can escape. God knows our thoughts and feelings, and tells us to bring them all to Him and trust that He is bigger than any fear you may face.

Fear is a part of life and not all fear is bad. There is the healthy fear that helps keep us from harm, and the fear of the Lord which is the “beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7) But far too often the fear that fills us is the kind that keeps us stuck and under the thumb of the Enemy. If you are struggling, give it all to God. Open your heart to His love and your ears to His words as He says to you His precious child, “Fear not, for I am with you.” (Is. 41:10)



afraid

Scripture Saturday ~ Joshua 1:9 ~ Wherever you go! ~ Overcoming Fear

12:00 AM

Saturday, January 19, 2019



Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

 This coming week's memory verse is Joshua 1:9...

 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)

What fears do you face? Name them. What personal battles do you have to fight, or what strange land are you about to enter? As God promised Joshua, so He extends the same promise to you…There is no place you can go that God is not, and nothing He will ask you to do that He will not first prepare you for.
Remember that Joshua drew strength not from his own physical or emotional resources but rather from the promise of the presence of God. Review today’s memory verse again, but substitute your own name when “you” is used. Rest in His promise. (iWorship)

 Have a blessed day and week everyone!


1 Corinthians

Be Steadfast ... {1 Corinthians 15}

12:30 AM

    Paul grabbed my attention on the very first verse of chapter 15! “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.-15:1. Is it really necessary to be reminded of something we should already know? You-bet-IT-is!

I remember one Sunday as a new Christian, sitting next to a much maturer Christian women that I highly respected, in a ladies’ Sunday School class. The class was being taught by the pastor’s wife, and it seemed like fireworks were going off in my head!! I just sat there and “oohed” and “aahed” over every little truth she expounded upon! Until all of a sudden I happened to look over at the women sitting next to me, who I assumed had probably heard all of this before, and wondered if she was bored with all that was being said. After all, it was all new to me and very exciting at the moment, but one day would it all become “boring”? And since inquisitive minds need to know, I leaned over and asked her at that very minute, and I’ve never forgotten her response!

Sue was also committed to meeting with me every Thursday morning for one year and allowed me to ask her any questions I had about this new Christian life. She taught me all the basic beliefs every Christian should know, but best of all, she helped create in me a hunger to know more! Her answer actually started me on a journey I’m still on today! She said, “Never! God’s Word is always new and fresh; alive and never boring, which is why I love to meet with new believers, because I never grow tired of the basic doctrinal beliefs! In fact, I find I need to be constantly reminded of them myself in order to stay grounded in my own faith.”

That sealed my fate! I too would focus on building a solid foundation for other believers to stand on, all the while always grounding my own faith as well. And I have to add that  I’ve discovered over the past 30+ years since then, that Sue was absolutely right! And Paul knew it too! Just look how he chose to close the chapter,

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work is not in vain in the Lord.”- 1 Corinthians 15:58

We’ve got to have a solid foundation in order to be able to stand firm or steadfast, which is why Paul felt it necessary to remind the Corinthians and us, “of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.” (15:1)

Steadfast means "to be firmly fixed in place or determined". Paul explains this a bit better in his letter to the Colossians - “You must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly [be steadfast] in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.” Colossians 1:23

Do you know of anyone who has “drifted away” from the truth of the Gospel today?

What should we do to stand firm or be steadfast in this life? What should we do if we don't want to be, “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching” (Ephesians 4:14) or “deceived by the serpent”. (2 Corinthians 11:3)?

We’ve got to get into the Word and make sure those we know and love are getting into it too! Paul explained it to Timothy this way,  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (1 Timothy 2:15). We need to not only read it, but live it. Jesus told us,. “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.” John 8:31

Immovable” or “steady”-(1 Corinthians 15:58b) is a lot like being steadfast, although immovable means, “one is not capable of being sidetracked (emotionally or physically) from their purpose”! Think about that for a moment, for this has huge implications for Christians!  Paul’s desire was for the Corinthians to be unmoved by the false teachers of that day, but what about today? What does it look like to be immovable/standing strong in our lives today? How can we hold fast to the teachings of Jesus when it seems like everyone is doing their own thing and going their own way and we’re called out as bigots or worse because of our stand on God’s Word?

  His Word is here to help us with this and these are just a few suggestions it offers:

  • Be in Constant Prayer- (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18): Prayer fills us and fuels us with all that’s necessary to stand firm in our beliefs. It helps and protects during the trials of life! Twelve times in the Scripture Jesus went off to prayer in times of conflict and when simply seeking wisdom!
  • Rejoice! -(1Thessalonians 5:16) : Remember an attitude of joy comes from a strong faith, for we trust in the One who is always in control!
  • “Take heart, because I (Jesus) have overcome the world.” John 16:33
  • Be “filled” (Ephesians 5:18) and “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 4:30) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing … singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16

“Always abounding in the work of the Lord” – 1 Corinthians 15:58c. Paul is quick to point out  here that when the believer is steadfast and immovable success in the Lord’s work was sure to follow them. Abound actually means “to overflow or be abundant”. Paul wants us to soar, “knowing that your work is not in vain in the Lord.” -1 Corinthians 15:58d

As Christians we are all called to be missionaries wherever we’re located; communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ! And Scripture promises us that if we’ll abound and  “... not grow weary of doing good... in due season” we will succeed! (Galatians 6:9) Paul not only wants to remind all of us of simple, basic, doctrinal truth, he wants all of us to live out this Christian life in a strong, steady and successful way!

I know I may be just “preaching to the choir” here. I’m sure all of you who are reading this today can say, “I’m in God’s Word each day! I’m praying, seeking to be filled and walking in the Spirit daily, abounding in the Lord’s work!” And to that I would say, “Hallelujah! But are you also helping others to do the same?”

Christ’s church is shrinking today. I believe we need Paul’s exhortations now more than ever it seems.