No Place For Fear May 27, 2009

There is no place for fear.  In the Esther study last night, Beth Moore, reminded us that God isn’t going to give us strength in our fear because there is no place for our fear.  We have a God who is fighting our battles for us.  We need to lift up our hands and give our fears and our battles over to God.

He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approchaing the battle against your enemies today.  Do not be fainthearted.  Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’  Deuteronomy 20:3-4

Surely there is victory in Him.

brave July 21, 2008

brave . . . like others who have gone before:  corrie, daniel, nehemiah, elliot, and theresa.
they’re not afraid yet sure without certainty of where the next steps are.
unconcerned with what the world says . . .eyes fixed upon Jesus
narrow in focus . . .wide in compassion
obeying the commands to know God and follow after Him with heart, soul, and mind.

knowing thy God July 19, 2008

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

This is one of my favorite quotes from Corrie ten Boom.  She was so fiercely brave; confident.  She was willing to take the next step even when she didn’t know what it was.  I believe it is because she wasn’t afraid since she know she would always be accompanied by God.  She knew God.  She knew his character, that he was faithful, sovereign, a refuge, and always right. 

God was and still is in control. 

Why is it so hard then to let go to the God who knows everything?

will You lift me up? July 17, 2008

Lord, I want to be like Abraham - willing to let it all go.  I want to trust so deeply that I am willing to take the risk.  I want to move from fear to FAITH – but it is so hard to get my feet out of this boat where it is dry and safe.  And so I ask, Lord, will You lift me up over the side of the boat?  Will You hold my hand?  Will you show me where to put my foot next?  If you lead – I will follow Lord.  It is my desire to walk in Your ways and do Your Will.  Amen

FAITH: the Antidote For Fear May 18, 2008

Victory over the world (and by the world I mean those who do not not know the truth – those who are false prophets and who are at the whim of any spirit and ultimately are separated from God) comes from believing that Jesus has the power to redeem our souls.  And when we have faith in this, the testimony of God - His truth and love – will live in us.

By His love there is no fear.
So Faith is the antidote for fear.

1st John 4:1-3  Beloved do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. . .

1st John 4:16-18  We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us.  God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgement; because as He is, so also are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

1st John 5: 4-5  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.  Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

but still i hear You call me May 14, 2008

a written plan You do not have for me
nor a step-by-step treasure map

clarity I do not know
but still I hear You call me through the fog of doubt

I lean in toward You
listening for Your voice
but have I let the darkness of a busy life drown You out

keep calling me I ask
I want to follow only You
I want to take the step
that of faith into Your plan

help me close my eyes and take the leap
rip away the fear that stops me
take away the voices of reason and replace them with truth
and lead me faithfully to the place where I know that You know that I know You want me to be

yes Lord – take me there

the cost of it all May 7, 2008

So what is the cost of it all?  The cost of following Jesus?

Matthew 16:24-25  Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. . . .”

It is not easy.  It is the cost of comfort.  It is the cost of releasing fear.  It is the cost of letting go of security.  It is the cost of our own desires. 

and yet . . .

It pays for a life with Jesus.  It is blessing and joy.  It is freedom.  It is the honor of doing God’s work.  It is the pleasure of being in his presence.  It is the practice of Faith.  It is seeing the impossible be possible.  It is assurance of the God who made all things.

It is worth it . . . now Lord, please help me to see past the cost and embrace into the vision you have for my life.  Amen

Thankful for . . . April 24, 2008

1 John 4:17-19

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 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.

We love because he first loved us.

Oh Thank You Lord!

Teach Me April 14, 2008

Psalm 86:10-12

For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
       you alone are God. 

Teach me your way, O LORD,
       and I will walk in your truth;
       give me an undivided heart,
       that I may fear your name.

I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
       I will glorify your name forever.

Lord – Let it be so – draw us near to You.  May we know your ways and walk in them.  May we be in awe of You – because You are God.  God – may Your praises by on our tongues and may they come straight from our hearts.  God may we fear only You and have faith only in You.  Amen.

Watering Your Seeds March 31, 2008

1 Peter 4:10-11  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Today a friend sent me a note of encouragement about the recent live CD that was created by my church.  I had the honor of writing two of the twelve songs and leading our church body in a live recording of our worship experience.  I have always been a singer – everyone tells me that they always know where I am because they can hear me humming a tune.  I have never, however, considered myself a musician, performer, or song writer.  But last year God gifted me with words to transform into music – worship of Him.  It was a very scary experience to me; working among seasoned artists and professional musicians.  But they embraced my offering – mostly I believe – because it wasn’t from me – it was a seed that God wanted to plant.  He gave me the strength and perseverance.  The process ended up being exhilarating and I can confidently say that God used me to help others worship our mighty God.  I am so thankful that God helped me step out of fear and experience a walk of faith. 

Thank you, Lord.  And so now I am asking, God, would you please lead me down this path again? Would you send me your “seeds” and would you water them in my life.  As another artist said. . . Give me words to speak of Your Glorious Name.  Amen.