Promise for Today - Moving Against Your Fear

Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

Matthew 25:28-29 (NLT)

What keeps you from investing your life? What keeps you from moving toward financial freedom? I’ll tell you what it is: fear.

Many kinds of fear can hold you back. One type of fear is self-doubt, which says: “You’ve failed in the past, so you’re never going to try again.” But just because you fail doesn’t mean you should give up. Everybody fails; it’s the only way you learn what works! God uses ordinary people who choose to keep on going after failure instead of giving up.

Two disciples, Judas and Peter, denied Jesus before his crucifixion. They committed the same sin, but they reacted differently to their failure. Judas focused on his sin and not the forgiveness of God. His remorse overwhelmed him, and he ultimately took his own life. When Peter realized his sin, he repented and asked God for forgiveness. Not long after, Peter preached on Pentecost, and 3,000 people were saved the first day. 

Jesus chose to build the church on the biggest failure in the bunch. What a God! He didn’t choose the superstar. He chose the guy who had blown it the worst.

You may have really messed up financially or in other ways. But it doesn’t matter where you’ve been. What matters is the direction you are going right now.

In the parable of the talents we looked at yesterday in Matthew 25, a rich man entrusted his money to three servants before leaving on a long trip. When he returned, he asked for an account from the servants. Two of them had doubled the master’s money, but the third had been afraid and had hidden his portion instead of working and investing it. His fear disappointed and angered his master, who said, “Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver” (Matthew 25:28 NLT). The master took away everything the servant had been given.

When you try to do things God’s way, you may feel afraid. In fact, Satan will try to get you to ignore God’s principles for money management by making you afraid of failure or making you doubt your ability to be a good steward of God’s money. But if you’re going to be successful in life, you have to move against your fears. You have to do the very thing that you fear the most!

As Matthew 25:29 says, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away”. When you move forward in faith and follow God’s guidelines for financial peace, you will experience his blessing; like the servant, God may give you even more...

Talk It Over

What financial failure has kept you from moving forward with God’s financial principles for your life?

Do you pray for God to give you more financial responsibility as a steward of his money? Why or why not?

What is it about God’s way of handling money that makes you afraid to be obedient? Talk to God about those fears today.

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for the many blessings You have poured into our lives. Help us to cultivate a heart of contentment and gratitude, even when facing financial challenges or uncertainties. Guard our hearts from feelings of envy or dissatisfaction, and remind us daily of the abundance we have in You. 

        Give us wisdom to manage our finances responsibly and in ways that honor You. Teach us to resist impulsive spending and to embrace discipline in creating and following a budget. Help us prioritize You over material desires and to steward our resources for Your glory. May we be generous with what we have, sharing with others in need and trusting Your provision for our own needs. Inspire us to use our finances as a tool for good and to reflect Your love in all that we do. Thank You for Your unwavering guidance. Strengthen our faith as we trust in Your timing and direction. Help us to remain faithful, patient, and trusting in Your perfect timing. Remind us that Your plans are greater than our own, and that You are always working for our good. Help us remember that all we have and all we are comes from You and is meant to be used for Your glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder - The Question is...

Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God's Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren't smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up!Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? 

Galatians 3:2-5a The Message

A friend of mine once made a profound statement of Truth that just about floored me. He said, "Self-sufficiency is such a sign of no faith." Did you catch it? Listen. "Self-sufficiency is such a sign of NO faith."

Now, if this were Old Testament writing, I'd have to follow that statement with 'selah'...which is from a music mark indicating a pause. (According to Fausset's Bible Dictionary, the implication in Scripture is that, [Selah] is a call to calm reflection on the preceding words.) Self-sufficiency, no faith. Self-sufficiency, no faith! Man! It wasn't too many years ago, I would have gone ballistic over that one. Now, I humbly recognize the Truth in it.

If we never rely on God for anything - if we count only on ourselves and our own abilities to make or take care of our lives, our children, our jobs, our finances, our future, then it requires no faith. And just as sure as fear itself is the absence of faith, so is NOT trusting God. You see, NOT trusting God IS fear. Fear that He won't take care of you, fear that He won't keep you well, that He won't provide for you and what belongs to you. Fear that He really hasn't forgiven you and doubt that He even would consider it. Or worse, PRIDE - perhaps thinking you could do a better job yourself...

So... the question on the table is, Does the God who lavishly provides you with His own presence, His Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does He do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust Him to do them in you?

Prayer:

Father,
            We cannot begin to praise You or thank You enough for shining the Light of Your Truth on our lives. Thank You for setting us free to live in You, unbound by our own controlling methods of self-sufficiency. Keep us unfettered - set free from serving ourselves - and turned on to serving You and Yours. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Lent - Day Fourteen - I Am; do not be afraid

 Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024 

19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 

John 6:19-20

While the previous section might serve as a reminder of God’s provision, here we are reminded of his protection. In biblical times, darkness, seas, and storms were viewed with fear for they presented real difficulties. People thought they represented evil, danger, or chaos. Here, all three are combined.

Earlier, Jesus perceived that the crowds wanted to make him king. Here, by walking on the water, in the midst of the storm and darkness, Jesus shows the disciples that he is the heavenly king over all of creation. As our Lord approaches the frightened disciples, He invokes the personal name of God (a detail lost in our English translations). “I Am; do not be afraid.”

When we face hardships, when life’s difficulties pile on, or when problems overwhelm, we often jump to questioning God’s presence. At times, our trust can be so fragile that our fears and worries cause us to lose faith in his protection and to doubt his care. Jesus speaks the same words to us as he did to those disciples, “I Am; do not be afraid.” He walked on water to reach the disciples. He hung on the cross to accomplish our salvation. He is with us with the same mercy and power that defeated sin and death. His invitation to us, in the midst of our fear, is to turn to him for protection against danger and deliverance from evil.

Prayer: 

Lord, 

         There are many evils in this world. Shine Your light in the midst of darkness. When I am fearful or overwhelmed, lead me by Your Word, which is a lamp to my feet, that I may always rest in the shelter of Your protection. Amen.

Reading Further: John 6:16-27

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

From Now Until Easter - Designed to Be

From Ash Wednesday until Easter, I will post from Lent and Easter devotionals offered online. Today's post features excerpts written by Jennifer Heeren - a regular contributor to Crosswalk.com.
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There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 NLT

When I give up something for Lent, I want it to come from a heart that truly wants to glorify God. I want it to be something that magnifies my view of the resurrection season at the end of the forty days. This year, I want the Lenten season to be a time of meditating on who God designed me to be and then taking steps to live like that person more often. I want to give up some of my behaviors that serve to emphasize the boundaries of my comfort zone instead of expanding them. I tend to hide my true self by simply going along with the flow of what other people are doing and saying. I do not want to rock any boats by bringing up opposing viewpoints. On the surface, it may seem like I am keeping the peace but really, most of the time, I am just too afraid to stand out. Fitting in is more comfortable. The result of this behavior is lukewarm living and God does not like lukewarm attitudes and behaviors (Revelation 3:16).

One reason that it is more comfortable to fit in is my habit of comparing myself with other people. When I compare myself with others, I find myself lacking, and then I am fearful of sharing anything because I do not feel worthy. Therefore, meditating on who God designed me to be should help. Psalm 139:13-16 says that he made all of the intricate details of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. His workmanship is wonderful and he made me. He knew everything that I would do—good, bad, or indifferent—before I took my first breath. Yet, he chose me anyway. Like a lonely child in an orphanage on the day of a long-awaited adoption, God chose me to be one of His own.

These truths should make me perfectly content and secure but I do not always live as if they do. Often I live as if people’s opinions are the epitome and God’s opinion is hard to grasp. Therefore, for forty days I will meditate on God’s love for me. I will think about how he designed me for a good purpose and he wants me to live within that purpose. It is okay to do and say things that I believe wholeheartedly in my soul even when rejection comes back to me. After all, if God is for me, who can be against me?

Focusing for forty days on contentment with who God designed me to be should help me to relish the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection more because He died so that I could have a full and abundant life. He did not die so that I could hide and cower.

Prayer:

Father,
           I pray that out of Your glorious riches, You may strengthen us with power through Your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And, I pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know His love that surpasses knowledge and that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16-19). When we are afraid of others' opinions, help us to remember that You love us with a perfect love and perfect love drives away fear. In Jesus' Name. Amen

From Now Until Easter - Fear the Lord

From Ash Wednesday until Easter, I will post from Lent and Easter devotionals offered online. Tonight's post features excerpts written by Tom McCrossan, currently assistant chaplain, guest advocate, and compliance coordinator at City Mission of Schenectady, New York.
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8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. …
18 Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 

19 to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Psalm 33:8-9, 18-19

I have visited the Grand Canyon several times. Each time is breathtaking. I notice people want to get as close as possible to the edge to peer into the depths. Some even try to climb the barriers for a closer look. They fear falling into the abyss, but they still want to get as close as possible. They know they could die, but they go as far as they dare. Facing something so awesome, their fear makes them respectful even as they’re drawn to the dangerous beauty.

This is like the biblical fear of God. Psalm 33 calls us to praise God’s faithfulness, righteousness, and justice. This is the almighty Creator whom we should fear and in whom we stand in awe (v. 8). The One who judges nations; the One who delivers His people; our just and righteous God.

But never take this One for granted. Always respect God’s power. Fear God—our hope and shield against all that the world, the flesh, and the devil throw at us. God who comes to us, invites us to draw as close as we dare to Him—with His awesome power and steadfast love.

Prayer: 

Awesome and loving God, 

                                     Help us to fear You more than any person or thing. Help us to open ourselves to Your love that surpasses knowledge. Your Word says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. And it says that in the end, the greatest thing is love. Fill us with wisdom and love. Fill us with Yourself. Amen.

What Time?

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalm 56:3 KJV

Scripture doesn't tell us we'll never be afraid, but it does tell us not to fear. There is a difference. 

Fear will come - just like every other test and trial - but in God's Word, there is an answer - an antidote - for every one of them, including fear. 

The miraculous thing is the antidote is the same for each of them... trust in God.

Some might say that's over-simplifying the message. No, it's not easy to trust God in the middle of it all. It's quite difficult. It takes FAITH. Ask Peter. Ask Abraham. Ask Mary...and the list goes on and on.

What time? Any time, EVERY time, all the time. Wherever, whenever. Trust in God. He not only has the answer, He IS the answer.

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us for not exercising the measure of faith You have given each of us. We choose to trust You - no matter the circumstance. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen. 

Faith Over Fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Almost every day we face situations that compel us to respond in faith or react in fear. Thankfully, Jesus warned us and also made provision for us to be able to walk in faith and experience His peace. In John 16:33 NKJV, He tells us, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. 

"Faith over fear" became very popular during the pandemic, and yet that's been God's message since the beginning. How many "Fear not" Scriptures can you recall? God included so many to build our faith. Romans 10:17, So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. 

Listen, this world may be full of fearful and fear-inducing situations, but our hearts don't have to be full of them. It is written, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Prayer:

Father,

           Forgive us for the times we try to control everything because of fear, thereby excluding You from the solution. We lay it all down, Father. We never want to exclude You from anything in our lives. We recognize and acknowledge that You are the answer to everything. Help us to see You more clearly, more perfectly in every situation. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What We Know

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1a  NLT

Our fears come in waves - mostly of the unknown, if you think about it. What you don't know, can and often does hurt us because we give in to the fear of not knowing. We don't know if we'll get sick and die. We don't know if we'll lose our jobs. We don't know if someone will hurt our children. We don't know...

Let's focus on what we do know. The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid? If He is our light, there is nothing hiding in the shadows. If He is our salvation, then we are saved from whatever would try to keep us from His way. 

The whole chapter is rich with the assurance of rescue from whatever the world throws at us. There is no need to fear, no reason to doubt. This is what we DO know - I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.

Prayer:

Father,

           Help us to hold Your Truths next to our hearts.  Let us be quick to grasp Your Truths and overcome the fears of the world. Thank You for Your Word, rich in Truth and salvation and light. Help us to share and shine Your light of truth and salvation to a lost and fearful world. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

For the Thing I Greatly Feared...

For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me...
Job 3:25a NKJV

God is very clear about Fear Not... it is one thing He kept repeating. Don't fear, don't be afraid, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid... over and over. Why do we ignore Him?

A friend of mine planned to retire, but because of the economic downturn, he lost a lot of money in his investments and didn't have the money to retire. It was what he feared the most. Often times, I have heard people say, "I was afraid this would happen" or "that would happen." I've said it myself and you probably have, too.

No doubt about it, people fear a lot of things - and the media makes their living from it. Terrorism, financial ruin, virulent viruses, cancer, heart disease. But in Truth, there is only one thing we are to fear - and that with holy reverence - the Lord our God.

Deuteronomy 6:1-2, reads, Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.

Jesus said in John 14:1-3, Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

What if the only thing we feared was the Lord our God? Then it would be with joy and great celebration that we would utter the words, For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me... Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Prayer:

Father,
            Forgive us for fearing anything other than You. Forgive us for not recognizing, acknowledging and accepting Your promises to be with us and to guide us and to protect us. Keep us from all unrighteousness, Father. We need Your mercy and Your grace and the courage to walk out our convictions. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Faithless

Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” 

Revelation 21:7-8 NIV

Have you ever been afraid? If so, this Scripture could strike fear into your heart and mind. Pun intended. Whoever thought that being cowardly and unbelieving would be listed with the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars? 

In the KJV and several others, cowardly is translated as fearful; it is the Greek word 'deilos' which, according to the Strong's concordance means 'timid, fearful, and by implication, faithless'. Remember, without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Interestingly, this particular Greek word is only used three times in the New Testament, and two of those times were when Christ was asleep in the boat and the disciples woke Him asking if He cared that they were going to drown (Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:40). The third is in our Promise for Today.  Its full implication is more about believers who because of fear give way under persecutions and renounce their beliefs.

As Christians, we have been taught that Faith is the opposite of fear - and that's true - but there is more. Peace and confidence are also opposites of fear. Jesus promises us His peace, not the world's version (John 14:27), and provides us with the confidence that whatever we ask according to His will, He hears us (1st John 5:14). Additionally, trust, boldness and security are opposites of fear (Psalm 91:1-2).  When we follow God wholeheartedly, He is our strength. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). If you've been a Christian for any length of time, you have heard that, and also that in our weakness, He is strength (2nd Corinthians 12:9). Not that we are to be weak, but that when we are, we go to God for strength, which also is the opposite of fear. 

As you can clearly see, all these things in their truest form are found only in Christ. So how do we go about striking fear FROM our lives? 

1st John 5:5 provides the perfect response,  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Prayer:

Father, 
           Forgive us for being feckless and fearful. We believe that Jesus is Your Son. Help us to see clearly all that is ours through the redemptive power of Christ. Grow us up to be the sons and daughters You created us to be, according to Your plan. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Truth is Truth - It Bears Repeating

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matthew 6:34 The Message

Times are tough right now. There is a pervasive undercurrent of fear - not rippling - it's ripping around the globe. The uncertainty is a breeding ground for fear. There is only one antidote for fear.

Faith. Faith in God.

The Bible teaches us that He is our Source for everything (Ephesians 4:14-16 The Message). It also teaches us that He is the same - yesterday, today and forever. He does not change. God being God does not change with a pandemic, with the weather, or with the price of oil. If your trust is in God and His Word, it doesn't matter what the circumstances look like. He does not change and He will see you through "whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

Prayer:

Father,
            Help us to keep our eyes off our circumstances. In our search for You and Your ways, help us to rise above what may or may not happen tomorrow and see only Your Truth - that You care for us today and every day. And You are our Provider! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

He Knows

[Jesus speaking] Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25-27 NIV

I realize that God will use anything, including the coronavirus 19, to change our hearts and draw us toward Him. I know that God will take what satan meant for bad and turn it for good, so I've been asking the Holy Spirit, "What would You have me learn in all this?" Today, I was reminded yet again that I need to have more compassion, and not be so quick to judge. Thank God for His Word in Jude, But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion... 

I was very compassionate at first, but lately, I've been angry at the media for whipping people into a frenzy. I've been angry at the people for allowing themselves to be whipped into a frenzy. And I hate to admit it, but I have to admit so I can be forgiven that I've been angrier with the Christians than I have been with the non-believers. We are supposed to walk in faith, not in fear. Yet, instead of having compassion and encouraging their fledgling faith, I just was mad. (Yes, I have asked God to forgive my sin.)

I also read the following commentary in my study Bible today. 

"Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply. Worry may (1) damage your health, (2) disrupt your productivity, (3) negatively affect the way you treat others, and (4) reduce your ability to trust God. How many ill effects of worry are you experiencing?" (Besides the shortage of toilet paper...)

If we read down a little further in Matthew 6, we find Jesus still talking to us,  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Our heavenly Father knows what we need. Compassion. Correction. Courage. We may not get what we want, but He will ALWAYS give us what we need. He knows.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for always watching over us. Thank You for loving us enough to correct us. Please continue to do so.  Father, we come before You praying and believing for Your intervention with regard to CoVid-19. Stop this plague, Lord. Your Word says when the enemy comes in like a flood that You will lift up the standard against him, and we humbly ask You, Father, to do that now. Help us to walk in love toward one another, not only helping with supplying physical needs but more importantly - helping to build one another's faith. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.

What's Your Answer?

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2nd Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Everywhere you look, everything you listen to, chances are most people you speak with are talking about CoVid-19. First, let me say I pray for the comfort and peace for the families of those who have passed away from this disease. I pray for wisdom and guidance for all healthcare providers and the leaders making decisions. I pray for all the countries that are affected by it, but most of all - I come against it in the Name of Jesus Christ who is our Jehovah Raphe, our Healer. By whose stripes we are healed according to God's Word. Whose Name is above everything that is named, including Covid-19. 

There's a lot of misinformation and an overwhelming, disproportionate amount of fear-mongering. As Christians, I believe we are to stand against anything that raises its ugly head in fear because fear is the opposite of faith and without faith, it is impossible to please God. The Bible talks about times like this, in Luke 21, "...people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world", but it goes on to say, Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. That is cause for peace in the midst of the storm. So I would say, "Heads-up, people! Don't be in fear about what is going on around you." The answer to every crisis - no matter what, no matter how, no matter when - is always Jesus.

Search His Word. In it is where you will find your answers. 1st Peter 3:15b NIV tells us, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. What's your hope? What's your answer?

Prayer:

Father,

          We come against the spirit of fear that is not of You, and we come against it the Name of Jesus Christ. We pray healing for all those who are ill, by the power of the stripes that Jesus took on His back to purchase our healing. We pray, Father, for a fresh anointing of Your peace, the kind of peace that only You can bring. We pray for the restoration of common sense and calm. We know that Your Word says when the enemy comes in like a flood that You will lift up a standard against him. Lift up the standard, Father. Stop the onslaught of the enemy and his diseases, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Without Fear

We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.
Luke 1:74-75 NLT

How important do you think it is to serve God without fear? For as many times as it appears in the Scriptures to fear not, I'd say God is not just suggesting that we don't, but commanding that we don't. Why? Because He IS love and perfect love casts out all fear. 1st John 4:18 reads, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

So, let me share with you how important it is to NOT be fearful. Revelation 21:7-8 AKJV reads, He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. [emphasis mine].

The fearful and unbelieving are lumped right in with perverts and murderers, and all liars... NONE of whom has a place in heaven.

Prayer:

Father,
             Help us to trust in Your perfect love at all times. We know You have our best interests at heart always. Help us to trust Your sovereign goodness and move forward with confidence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - No, I Can't

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Mark 2:17 NLT

Moses did it. Gideon did, too. Let's not forget Peter. How many people do you know (maybe yourself included) who tell God 'No, I can't' when He asks them to do a specific task and all because they are all too familiar with their own shortcomings? And some will even go one step farther and list all their limitations in an effort to convince God... as if He doesn't already know! Ha! 

One of Alan Neel's great quotes is - "Christ doesn't call us because of what we've been, but because of what He's called us to be."

I've said it before and I'll say it again, and in all reality, will probably keep on saying it - If there was never going to be a need for forgiveness, the crucifixion of Jesus would never have taken place. This inexpressible gift of mercy is there to move us past our sin. We are the ones distracted by our shortcomings and sin. God isn't. He has a purpose for our lives beyond our sin.

In 2nd Thessalonians, Chapter 1, Paul, Silas and Timothy write, So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

What will you choose today - fear or your faith?

Prayer:

Father,
           Shine the light of Your Truth on us every time we open our mouths to say, "I can't." It is true that in and of ourselves, we can't, but YOU can - through us - if we'll walk in the measure of faith that You have given us. Your Word declares, This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. Help us to take the leap of faith, relying totally on You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

When the Wind Stopped

“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.
Matthew 14:29-32 NLT

This has always been one of my favorite passages of Scripture. I don't care how many people point out Peter's fear and doubt, I don't see anyone else's name mentioned as going over the side of the boat IN THE STORM and walking on the water. It lends a whole new meaning to "getting your sea legs."

I thought I'd heard this story taught from every angle. I was wrong. My pastor taught on this last night and I heard another pastor's sermon on YouTube this morning that seemed to be the extension of last night's teaching and both were exactly what I needed to hear. I've lived long enough to know that when God repeats something, verily verily I'd better pay close attention.

Just to refresh - In this story of the storm and Peter, verse 24 tells us, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. The waves that Jesus was walking on. The same waves that Peter stepped into when he went over the side of the boat. The point being that the circumstances had not changed. Jesus was there, but the storm was still raging. Jesus bid Peter come and walk to Him and the storm raged on. It didn't stop when Jesus showed up. It didn't stop when Jesus reached down and pulled Peter out of the water. It didn't stop as they were climbing to get into the boat -which was no easy task...  It stopped after they got back into the boat. After...  

Sometimes the circumstances don't change, but I can guarantee you that Jesus is there because His Word promises He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5). And we know that God works ALL things together for our good. Storms, dark nights, tears. Faith is never strengthened without being tested. When did the wind stop? AFTER the waves, after the dark, after the fear, after he was sinking, after he climbed back up into the boat. Where was Jesus? Right there. Always right there.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the encouragement to grow our faith. Thank You for never leaving us. Thank You for Your presence at all times. Remind us to give thanks IN all things. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Whole Lotta Shaking

[Jesus speaking] There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
Luke 21:25-26 NIV

There's unshakeable, there's shaken together and there's shaking with fear - all with different consequences. A vast majority is shaken with fear by the frenetic pace of changes taking place - in the world views and values, the political scene, and in the way history is being rewritten.

However, there is One who can never be shaken. Hebrews 12:26-28 tells us, When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakeable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakeable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

The Word of God tells us over and over, it's going to happen. The earth and heavens will be shaken. Only unshakeable things will remain. Jesus said it, too. The writer of Hebrews warns in 12:25, Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!

Jesus continued speaking, in Luke 12:27-28, At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

So what will you choose to be - unshakeable or shaking in your boots?  Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1st Corinthians 15:58). 

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for Your Word that clearly shows us how to become and how to remain unshakeable in our faith and trust in You. Give us Your strength and Your grace to be unswerving in our daily choices to follow in Your footsteps. You tell us in Mark 13:31, Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Help us to live by Your unshakeable Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* No, I Can't

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Mark 2:17 NLT

Moses did it. Gideon did, too. Let's not forget Peter. How many people do you know (maybe yourself included) who tell God 'No, I can't' when He asks them to do a specific task and all because they know their own shortcomings? And some will even go one step farther and list all their limitations in an effort to convince God... as if He doesn't already know! Ha! 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, and in all reality, will probably keep on saying it - If there was never going to be a need for forgiveness, the crucifixion of Jesus would never have taken place. This inexpressible gift of mercy is there to move us past our sin. We are the ones distracted by our shortcomings and sin. God isn't. He has a purpose for our lives beyond our sin.

One of Alan Neel's great quotes is - "Christ doesn't call us because of what we've been, but because of what He's called us to be."

In 2nd Thessalonians 1, Paul, Silas and Timothy write, So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

What will you choose today - your fear or your faith?

Prayer:

Father,
           Shine the light of Your Truth on us every time we open our mouths to say, "I can't." It is true that in and of ourselves, we can't, but YOU can - through us - if we'll walk in the measure of faith that You have given us. Your Word declares, This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. Help us to take the leap of faith, relying totally on You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

100% Sure +

God is not a man, so he does not lie.
    He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
    Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
Numbers 23:19 NLT

We have all been let down by someone in our lives, at one point or another. Maybe it wasn't intentional - someone just forgot what he or she promised. But maybe it was on purpose (that hurts more). Maybe it wasn't within the time frame that was expected - that can lead to misunderstandings and might even break a trust. We wouldn't be as quick to trust or believe the next time, would we? Thank God, HE'S not like that!

One of the most basic, foundational Truths that ALL Christians believe is that God does not lie. Would you agree? Our Promise for Today assures us of this very Truth, right? Right?

As I was reading other passages today, I was convicted to the depth of my soul! How many times have I been fearful or afraid to do something that I believed God asked me to do or wanted me to do?!? Afraid of what - people's opinions? Fear of failure? Did God say it? If so, then why didn't I believe it and act on it? 

How many times have I not walked in the measure of faith He supplied to all of us? How many times have I allowed my perception of a situation to determine my actions rather than my faith? How can we be sure?

1st John 4:16-18 tells us, And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

God has told us numerous times to not fear. HE is love. It is HIS perfect love that drives out fear, according to His Word. Of that, we can be 100% sure!

Prayer:

Father,
          As it is written - the words of Your only begotten Son -Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Let the Truth of Your Word pierce our hearts, rightly dividing between soul and spirit. Cause our hearts to cry out as the child's father in Mark 9, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Just for Today

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:34 NLT

When we don't have the answer. When we don't even know the question. When we can't figure out how, when, or why we're going to fix "it". When the "if-I-don't-fix-it-now-what-will-it-be-in-another-week-month-year... years-from-now" stress kicks in. Stress. Doubt. Fear. Is there any room for God in there?

I was busy (read 'angrily') telling the God of the universe (who, by the way, has NOT posted for an assistant, nor does He need one) that the particular situation in my life is NOT something I can see myself having to contend with for the next 20 years or so. And I railed that I just could NOT do it - it was that plain and simple. I.Can't.Do.It...!!

Then immediately, I heard Him say, "I'm not asking you to do it for 20 years or so. Can you do it for today? Just for today?" and instantly, I was reminded of today's Scripture promise. And with it came the assurance He would be with me. Today and every day... one day at a time. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

We can do it - by His grace that is sufficient for all things - and with His promise that He will never leave or forsake us. We CAN do it - just for today.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for Your infinite wisdom and for always planning out the details of our lives. You are trustworthy. Remind us always to listen for Your voice and seek Your peace in the midst of the chaos of daily living. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen