1 John 4:4

Overcoming Fear - No fear, but Power!! (2 Timothy 1:3-7)

9:00 PM


Today's reading: 2 Timothy 1:3-7
As we close this week we can be sure of two things:
- Fear is one of the greatest weapons Satan uses against us, as it attacks our minds. Filling it with doubts and insecurities; debilitating our faith and taking away our peace. These thoughts affect us all, he picks on everyone; no one is spared.
- We do not have to live in Fear, because as children of God, in Him we are overcomers! (1John 3:1)
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Tim. 1:7)
Paul is saying that this kind of fear hinders what God has given us: His power, love and sound mind (self-control). This kind of fear is not of God but of the enemy. But how can we fight against this?
Our God has equipped us to overcome by giving us of His Power: 
Spirit of Power: This is His Holy Spirit that dwells inside of us   It is same the Spirit of God that he promised to His timid, fearful disciples and transformed them into bold apostles! (John 16:5-7, 33; Acts 1:8, 2 Cor. 5:5).  The Holy Spirit works in us to preserve us daily and help us to live a life that is pleasing to God.

 Spirit of Love: Another characteristic of the Holy Spirit is love.  Jesus said in John 15:12, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
"But if we love one another [with unselfish concern], God abides in us, and His love [the love that is His essence abides in us and] is completed and perfected in us." (1 John 4:12b)

 Yes, if we live in obedience and total surrender, we will live in His Power. (1 John 4:7-21) -You can also read here -
The Holy Spirit, who is given to us, gives us confidence (not fear) in whatever situation we may encounter in this world. This perfect love of God casts out all fear because “there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1), and He gives confidence in the Day of Judgment.
I remember years ago when my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he would not only suffer from the anxiety of this illness, but of his salvation. Our God gave me the privilege to lead him to His Savior and whenever satan would accuse him, he would call me over the phone and through God’s Word and prayer, my father received His peace as he waited for the final day when Jesus would take him Home!
Spirit of Self-Control:  Whenever we are tempted to fear, His Holy Spirit will clear our minds and bring our thoughts to His Word, taking captive those thoughts that are not of Him 

 “ The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Cor. 10:4-5)

 Our hearts and minds are renewed and restored in Jesus Christ (physically, mentally and spiritually). Romans 8:29 tells us that those who are foreknown by God are “predestined to be conformed into the image of His Son.
 “The Christian doctrine is a trust committed to us; it is of unspeakable value in itself, and will be of unspeakable advantage to us. It is committed to us, to be preserved pure and entire, yet we must not think to keep it by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us; and it will not be gained by those who trust in their own hearts, and lean to their own understandings.” M. Henry

Fear and timidity will keep you from using the gifts God has given you for His Purpose: to reach His people and a needy world. God wants you to take His power, His love, and His sound mind to overcome fear, so you can be used by Him with all the gifts He has given you! 

Remember, we can face this 2019 with the assurance that we are under the care and direction of the Holy Spirit. In Him “we are more than conquerors” (Rom. 8:37) because “He who is in you is greater than he that is in the world”!! (1 John 4:4).



Blessings my sisters,

Mari




Becky Austin

The Good Shepherd

3:31 AM


David was a courageous and mighty warrior. But, David knew fear. He had to live on the run, fleeing for his life when King Saul was in pursuit of him to kill him. In many of the Psalms, we are privy to the expressions of David as he entrusts his circumstances to God. In the most known of all Psalms, David paints a beautiful picture of the relationship between sheep and their shepherd which parallels the relationship that we have with God. It is a relationship of love and protection that can calm our worries and fears.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
David was a shepherd in his youth and he knew that being a good shepherd was critical for the well being of a flock of sheep. Sheep are completely dependent on a shepherd for their needs. On their own, they would not survive. We, too, have spiritual needs that can only be met in the care of our Creator. David took comfort in being dependent on the Lord for he knew that he would be well cared for and have the best quality of life. Shepherds knew their sheep so well that they would give them individual names and the sheep would respond to the voice of their shepherd. Jesus promised us an intimate relationship like that. 
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
John 10:14 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: 
Sheep needed nutrient rich pastures. The shepherd would seek out and move the sheep to varying places to ensure they had good pastures to graze in. Because the sheep were fearful creatures, and usually fearful of running water, the shepherd would often find quieter pools of water for them to drink from.  The quiet and nourishment helped the flock remain calm and rested. 
God provides spiritual nourishment for us through His Word and promises us rest for our souls. The more we know His Word and seek his counsel, the more comforted and at peace we will be. Our time with the Lord should be like a restoring oasis, helping us deal with the depleting trials of everyday life. 

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 
Shepherds often have to lead their sheep through precarious places, and it is imperative that the sheep stay on the safe path. If the sheep were threatened by predators, the shepherd had the weapons and tools to fight off the attackers and the tools to reach for and retrieve any lost strays. Jesus has already defeated our greatest enemy, Satan. No power of evil can prevail against him. We have been given the gift of eternal salvation and we have been made righteous through Christ. We do not have to fear death.



Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 
We do not live in a perfect world. We have enemies to deal with and we will have illnesses and varying trials as well. Jesus promises to be with us and to help us, providing care and comfort. Even in the midst of evil, we can know the blessings and provision of the Lord. Shepherds often used oil to attend to physical impairments and injuries the sheep suffered and we have the Great Physician as our minister. God wants us to entrust our fears, our sufferings and worries to His wisdom and provision. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
David knew many trials in his lifetime but his outlook remained positive because he focused on God’s goodness and mercy and on the eternal future promised to him. Our focus on the goodness of God and all that awaits us in heaven can help us dispel the fears of the unknown. Day by day, step by step, we need to trust that God will guide us, care for us, and bless us as we humbly submit to His leadership and are obedient to His will. 


Additional Reading:
1 Peter 2:25

Faith

Rejecting Our Fears? {Joshua 1:1-9}

8:30 PM

Reading for Wednesday, January 23rd is Joshua 1:1-9,

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses… 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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.” (Joshua 1:1-9 emphasis mine)


Can you imagine being assigned the duty of filling Moses’ shoes? I’d liken it to being asked to fill Billy Graham’s today I suppose. It seems like an impossible task!

 Moses is gone and Joshua is now responsible for not only leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, BUT having to lead them into battle to destroy the Canaanites and take the land for themselves!  

Joshua had been by Moses’ side for years, but he never quite had the relationship with God that Moses had. AND not only did Joshua need to take the people into the Promised Land and conquer it, he also needed to make sure the new settlements were divided fairly and according to God's plan, while constantly reminding the people that they were only there because of The Lord’s great love for them! This would be a huge task!

So God comes to Joshua and tells him:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go...Only be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:9, 18b)

It gets really interesting when we look a bit more closely at the meaning of each word above:

Commanded —  Tsavah has military overtones, as would befit a military commander. God gave Joshua not just an order but a commission to reject his fear. "Have I not commanded you?

 Strong — Chazaq means to strengthen, but it's more than that. It means to be firm, prevail, withstand. The meaning of the word almost assumes success. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong..." 

Courageous —  'amats, is similar to chazaq, but  speaks of being alert and brave. Strength is good, but it needs a direction, which 'amats begins to give. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

Frightened —  'arats  means to tremble with fear, to be terrified. Joshua, who had watched God work through Moses, and had been one of two ready to take on the Canaanites forty years ago, (Numbers 13), was shaking in his sandals. His task seemed overwhelming, and he suddenly didn’t feel up to it. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened,

Dismayed — Chathath means to be so dismayed and afraid that you shatter into pieces. Joshua was that afraid!! "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,"

Have you ever know such fear? To be so afraid that you’re body trembles?

I have! My heart has beat so hard I thought it was banging on my chest! I can remember even feeling sick and trembling, for things far less severe than all Joshua had to face at this moment.

Which is why I found it odd that God orders Joshua to reject his fear, to be firm, to prevail against his enemies, and be brave in the face of impossible odds. I completely understand his fear in facing what seems impossible, but how was Joshua to dismiss his fears completely?

The key for all of us when we’re facing insurmountable mountains is found in The Lord's next statement:  

God didn't leave Joshua to do it on his own. He made a way through a promise: "...for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."


God promised to go with Joshua. That’s faith! Joshua would be stepping out in faith… in God and not himself. But there is another key element we all need to remember:

The LORD was going to be with Joshua because Joshua was going where God wanted him to go. God could promise Joshua that He would be with him because He knew Joshua would follow His leading and encourage the Israelites to do the same.

This means we too can reject our fears, stand firm, prevail against the enemy and bravely face what seem impossible odds. We too can step out in faith; knowing God goes with us when we’re following Him. And we can also encourage others to do the same!