Fear is more than an emotion but a spiritual force. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear [emphasis mine]; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (KJV).
With such a rich promise of a sound mind, we are not live in a constant state of fear though we encounter any number of fears in a given day.
We may fear losing our jobs, a sleepless night from a reoccurring nightmare, a failed marriage leading to divorce or some other painful events and experiences that give way to fear.
Psalms 27:1-3 asks an excellent question.... whom shall I fear? And it's a good question to ask ourselves when fear rises up and wants to take over our hearts.
You see fear has a tendency to exaggerate and make something appear more than what it really is - we lose our focus and our thinking narrows to fight or flight - when sometimes God may say, "Wait, hold on."
I recall my martial arts instructor tell us that we must learn to relax in the face of fear. Too many over react when an opponent moves in to attack. They make the situation worse because they are not thinking clearly. I understand when we are afraid the blood drains from our heads and is quickly directed to the arms and legs to react.
Perhaps that is why David reminds himself that "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (verse 1, KJV). Fear must downsize at the greatness of our God! And to the measure of hope we possess is the strength to overcome any fear. David's heart was set on the house of God not on who was attacking or threaten to attack him (verses 3-4). With eyes fixed firmly on Christ, David was not going to give way to fear.
Whom shall I fear?
Only one should we fear and that is God.
Beloved, stand in reverent awe of His presence and all other fears must bow to His name. They can't whisper to you at night threatening to kill you or during the day that you are going under. No, beloved, when we keep our eyes on Him we find great grace and peace that will swallow up our fears. God calms the storms of our minds with just a single word. Peace. Peace be still.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Saturday, August 22, 2015
'Tis Now, I Love You More
For some unknown reason I once asked my grandfather about death.
"Grandpa, what are you going to do when you have to cross that river?"
He understood immediately what I was asking and without hesitation replied, "I'm going to give it everything I got."
His eyes radiated with passion and hope. Death was nothing to this aged and wise man. The love of God so made him want to rush through the darken, cold waters to greet Him.
I'm reminded of a poem written by William R. Featherston who penned My Jesus, I Love Thee at age 12 or 16. When he died at 27 years old, his aunt sought publication and much later it was put to a melody.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
Everyday we learn to die to ourselves so that we may walk more fully in the Spirit of Christ. We may need to cross a raging river like Joshua to enter into the promises that God has us awaiting on the other side. Beloved, we only live fully when we surrender completely to His will.
If ever we must love Him when we can't explain the trials and pain in our lives that serve to mortify our flesh; tis now we must love Him.
When was the last time you looked heavenward and whispered, "I love you, Jesus. I really love you." How the heart of God aches to hear one less voice cursing or accusing Him to hear someone say simply I love you. It moves His heart to compassion. He draws near to that voice that ask no petition or want to be granted but just confess his or her love for Him.
1 John 4:19 says, "We love him, because he first loved us." (KJV). When we grasp that truth that He loved us first will cause our love for Him to increase.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
If you are need or want today...
Suffering pain or weary in body or mind..
When words fail in prayer and complaining rises....
Or relationships turn bitter and hurtful....
Tis now, we must love Him even more.
Love Him, saints, love Him with all your heart.
"Grandpa, what are you going to do when you have to cross that river?"
He understood immediately what I was asking and without hesitation replied, "I'm going to give it everything I got."
His eyes radiated with passion and hope. Death was nothing to this aged and wise man. The love of God so made him want to rush through the darken, cold waters to greet Him.
I'm reminded of a poem written by William R. Featherston who penned My Jesus, I Love Thee at age 12 or 16. When he died at 27 years old, his aunt sought publication and much later it was put to a melody.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
Everyday we learn to die to ourselves so that we may walk more fully in the Spirit of Christ. We may need to cross a raging river like Joshua to enter into the promises that God has us awaiting on the other side. Beloved, we only live fully when we surrender completely to His will.
If ever we must love Him when we can't explain the trials and pain in our lives that serve to mortify our flesh; tis now we must love Him.
When was the last time you looked heavenward and whispered, "I love you, Jesus. I really love you." How the heart of God aches to hear one less voice cursing or accusing Him to hear someone say simply I love you. It moves His heart to compassion. He draws near to that voice that ask no petition or want to be granted but just confess his or her love for Him.
1 John 4:19 says, "We love him, because he first loved us." (KJV). When we grasp that truth that He loved us first will cause our love for Him to increase.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
If you are need or want today...
Suffering pain or weary in body or mind..
When words fail in prayer and complaining rises....
Or relationships turn bitter and hurtful....
Tis now, we must love Him even more.
Love Him, saints, love Him with all your heart.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Let There Be Light
My aunt texted me the other day in response to a question I had asked and at the end of her note she wrote, "I remember your first word spoken to me - you said, 'light'."
Light?
I recalled a dream several years ago in Bible school where I saw an open Bible and light pouring through the pages. I began to speak in response to what I saw in the dream. The next day my roommate who is a Baptist told me he was awaken in the night when he heard me speaking in tongues!
From the beginning God said let there be light and I believe such a directive is still true today. He is the light of the world and we must not hide the light of the gospel. We are light bearers that every where we go darkness is pushed back through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.
A word to godly men who are husbands and/or fathers. We must be light in our homes. Don't let the TV darken the living room and corrupt the spiritual atmosphere but rather turn it off. A praying man brings light to his family so they don't stumble. They will see clearly Christ shinning through your life. So many young adults need guidance, direction and purpose. Such will be a praying man to shed light on a path of righteousness for their children to follow. Proverbs 6:23 says, "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life" (KJV).
Beloved, let's learn to live in the light of His countenance with honesty and integrity. Prophet Jeremiah said, "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty." (NIV). The more we are honest about our present condition not hiding or holding anything back from God; the greater the light is given to us through His word which is our source of delight. He will enlighten our hearts. And He will open our eyes to the wondrous truths in the Scriptures.
And finally, let our prayers be sown in light not laden with unbelief and human reasoning. Psalms 97:11 says, "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." (KJV). When we pray let us believe in asking the Light of world, Jesus, for the darkness to flee from the hearts and minds of those held captive to the world and to devil. He will send forth His light to bring liberty to the prisoner!
Let His light so shine!
Light?
I recalled a dream several years ago in Bible school where I saw an open Bible and light pouring through the pages. I began to speak in response to what I saw in the dream. The next day my roommate who is a Baptist told me he was awaken in the night when he heard me speaking in tongues!
From the beginning God said let there be light and I believe such a directive is still true today. He is the light of the world and we must not hide the light of the gospel. We are light bearers that every where we go darkness is pushed back through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.
A word to godly men who are husbands and/or fathers. We must be light in our homes. Don't let the TV darken the living room and corrupt the spiritual atmosphere but rather turn it off. A praying man brings light to his family so they don't stumble. They will see clearly Christ shinning through your life. So many young adults need guidance, direction and purpose. Such will be a praying man to shed light on a path of righteousness for their children to follow. Proverbs 6:23 says, "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life" (KJV).
Beloved, let's learn to live in the light of His countenance with honesty and integrity. Prophet Jeremiah said, "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty." (NIV). The more we are honest about our present condition not hiding or holding anything back from God; the greater the light is given to us through His word which is our source of delight. He will enlighten our hearts. And He will open our eyes to the wondrous truths in the Scriptures.
And finally, let our prayers be sown in light not laden with unbelief and human reasoning. Psalms 97:11 says, "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." (KJV). When we pray let us believe in asking the Light of world, Jesus, for the darkness to flee from the hearts and minds of those held captive to the world and to devil. He will send forth His light to bring liberty to the prisoner!
Let His light so shine!
Saturday, August 8, 2015
No More Diminished Returns
My two sisters are in a crisis in their relationships that appears broken beyond repair. The men they had believed who loved and cared for them soon showed their true character. At one time their hearts felt a surge of hope and life seemed bright, full of opportunity and potential with the man of their dreams by their side.
Now everything has turned dark.
They are left with mounting bills and crying children. Long hours at work have left them exhausted to meet the demands waiting at home. In the lonely, dark hours of the night their thoughts turn to God but it seems the heavens are like brass. They whisper a prayer for relief and comfort but it feels like sand slipping through their fingers tips. Nothing seems certain except another day of struggling and yearning for some break through to take them far from this place.
As I listened to them, I kept hearing the words, "diminished returns". How many lives invest in a relationship with the hope of having some return of love, respect and care only to find that no matter their effort; the return is small or non-existent. It makes you wonder was it worth spending and pouring out your soul for someone who leaves you to mop up the mess they make?
God is not like human relationships. Remember the woman who poured out her worship by spilling costly perfume. Though the religious decried such waste (Mark 14:4) but Jesus saw it differently. At His feet was a broken woman from a life that may have been unkind and cruel. He saw what relationships both failed and promising had done to her heart. Her smallest effort to reach His heart moved Jesus so much that He said that where ever the gospel is preached that what she did will be a lasting memorial!
Beloved, you may be experiencing pain from broken relationships. Your son may have turned to a life of drugs. A daughter set on marrying a man that is not godly. A husband who is not faithful or a wife that refuses to tell what is really going on. No matter what you feel or the condition of the relationship call out to Him! Prayer is never a wasted effort. God hears the cry of the broken. The Scriptures tells us that He bottles our tears (Psalm 56:8).
God has invested His Son's life for your life. How much more can we give Him our lives - broken, wasted and used up. Here's a promise to comfort you in times of distress that no matter how broken a relationship you are loved by Him enough that He'll exchange anything to have you!
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. (Isaiah 43:4 NIV).
Now everything has turned dark.
They are left with mounting bills and crying children. Long hours at work have left them exhausted to meet the demands waiting at home. In the lonely, dark hours of the night their thoughts turn to God but it seems the heavens are like brass. They whisper a prayer for relief and comfort but it feels like sand slipping through their fingers tips. Nothing seems certain except another day of struggling and yearning for some break through to take them far from this place.
As I listened to them, I kept hearing the words, "diminished returns". How many lives invest in a relationship with the hope of having some return of love, respect and care only to find that no matter their effort; the return is small or non-existent. It makes you wonder was it worth spending and pouring out your soul for someone who leaves you to mop up the mess they make?
God is not like human relationships. Remember the woman who poured out her worship by spilling costly perfume. Though the religious decried such waste (Mark 14:4) but Jesus saw it differently. At His feet was a broken woman from a life that may have been unkind and cruel. He saw what relationships both failed and promising had done to her heart. Her smallest effort to reach His heart moved Jesus so much that He said that where ever the gospel is preached that what she did will be a lasting memorial!
Beloved, you may be experiencing pain from broken relationships. Your son may have turned to a life of drugs. A daughter set on marrying a man that is not godly. A husband who is not faithful or a wife that refuses to tell what is really going on. No matter what you feel or the condition of the relationship call out to Him! Prayer is never a wasted effort. God hears the cry of the broken. The Scriptures tells us that He bottles our tears (Psalm 56:8).
God has invested His Son's life for your life. How much more can we give Him our lives - broken, wasted and used up. Here's a promise to comfort you in times of distress that no matter how broken a relationship you are loved by Him enough that He'll exchange anything to have you!
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. (Isaiah 43:4 NIV).
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Comforter
My brother recently encouraged me to ask the Holy Spirit for comfort. He is called the Comforter after all. And my brother added in so many words, "This is Holy Spirit's job so ask Him to do His work on your behalf."
The following morning in prayer I acknowledged the Holy Spirit lives in me because God allowed His presence to take residence in my heart. Therefore, I asked with all reverence for the Holy Spirit to do as He promised. Jesus said to his disciples, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16, KJV).
Words can't describe it but I felt a shift in the spiritual atmosphere when acknowledging God is present and He is at work in me. I sensed His nearness and the strength to uphold me. The result was true worship that broke through the pain and discomfort I was feeling at the moment.
Make no mistake. The Holy Spirit is not at our beck and call for our fleshly whims and desires. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ and we must always submit to Him. And the Holy Spirit is the Person of the Godhead (the trinity) not a presence just to stir our emotions in order to make us feel good. He leads, guides, teaches and convicts to mature us in the faith.
How many believers who claim they are Spirit filled yet fail to acknowledge the Spirit of God cares enough to do anything in their moments of distress? Sadly, the spirit of unbelief cuts off any flow of power, comfort, joy and other needful resources that He desires to provide. He is restricted because the present work He came to do in our lives is not acknowledged!
Beloved, if there is any lie that Enemy has so well crafted is the one that says God is not real. This is the reason for prayerlessness that has given way to powerless people in the body of Christ. God has become fiction than fact. Faith has been swallowed up by an attitude of fate. When we say God is real we say all that He promises is yes and amen in Christ. God can not lie. He will do just as He promised us in the Word of God.
I believe it brings the heart of God great pleasure that we pray His promises. We don't come to Him with our merits, our list of good deeds or make promises and vows to do better. We come to Him and say with all humility, "Comfort me Holy Spirit because I believe you are the Comforter!"
And oh the sweet communion and comfort that flows when a heart takes Him at His word!
The following morning in prayer I acknowledged the Holy Spirit lives in me because God allowed His presence to take residence in my heart. Therefore, I asked with all reverence for the Holy Spirit to do as He promised. Jesus said to his disciples, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16, KJV).
Words can't describe it but I felt a shift in the spiritual atmosphere when acknowledging God is present and He is at work in me. I sensed His nearness and the strength to uphold me. The result was true worship that broke through the pain and discomfort I was feeling at the moment.
Make no mistake. The Holy Spirit is not at our beck and call for our fleshly whims and desires. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ and we must always submit to Him. And the Holy Spirit is the Person of the Godhead (the trinity) not a presence just to stir our emotions in order to make us feel good. He leads, guides, teaches and convicts to mature us in the faith.
How many believers who claim they are Spirit filled yet fail to acknowledge the Spirit of God cares enough to do anything in their moments of distress? Sadly, the spirit of unbelief cuts off any flow of power, comfort, joy and other needful resources that He desires to provide. He is restricted because the present work He came to do in our lives is not acknowledged!
Beloved, if there is any lie that Enemy has so well crafted is the one that says God is not real. This is the reason for prayerlessness that has given way to powerless people in the body of Christ. God has become fiction than fact. Faith has been swallowed up by an attitude of fate. When we say God is real we say all that He promises is yes and amen in Christ. God can not lie. He will do just as He promised us in the Word of God.
I believe it brings the heart of God great pleasure that we pray His promises. We don't come to Him with our merits, our list of good deeds or make promises and vows to do better. We come to Him and say with all humility, "Comfort me Holy Spirit because I believe you are the Comforter!"
And oh the sweet communion and comfort that flows when a heart takes Him at His word!