Facing Fear with Faith

Facing Fear with Faith

Genesis 12: ⁴ So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. ⁵ Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. ⁶ Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land.

 

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For some reason, GOD mentions age again. Abram’s ancestors lived much longer than his generation. At the same age Terah, his father, birthed him, Abram set out on a strange journey set forth by GOD. He was told to leave his father’s house and the place they lived in, but was not given a destination.

 

Abram was extremely obedient to GOD. He immediately told his family and those who joined them, to leave. Terah must have taught Abram and Lot how to handle their wealth while traveling, so this was second nature for them. He decided to face the greatest opposition to those who talked to the LORD, namely the Canaanites.

 

My Observations:

• Abram must have practiced his faith in GOD from a very young age.
• Abram was immediately faithful to GOD’s command.
• Abram went to the Canaanites, perhaps because of their strength.

 

Abram’s leadership was growing. He learned a lot from Terah, who learned from the Chaldeans. But one thing Abram did that was different than his father was leave because GOD said to do so. His request may have been questioned by everyone, because Haran, named after his deceased brother, was great for raising animals and providing food.

 

But Abram was sent on a mission. He may have listened to GOD tell him to do things in the past and the things he did worked out well. This may not have been the first time he had to do something that was scary and undefined. He had seventy-five years of practice and was ready to do what GOD said. This is the first time the terebinth tree was mentioned. It is a very strong tree.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD mentions Abram’s age to Moses?
• What fear do you have in your life that requires GOD’s intervention?
• Can you take small steps towards faith in GOD no matter how old or young you are?

Steps to Growth

Steps to Growth

1 Peter 2:  Rid yourselves, then, of all evil; no more lying or hypocrisy or jealousy or insulting language. ² Be like newborn babies, always thirsty for the pure spiritual milk, so that by drinking it you may grow up and be saved. ³ As the scripture says, “You have found out for yourselves how kind the Lord is.”

 

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Tired of my scrawny stature, I joined a gym. I didn’t know how to lift weights, but it couldn’t be that hard, right? I watched the brawny people pick up heavy objects and put them back down. I tried it myself and couldn’t. Some people approached me and showed me what I was doing wrong. They had me start over using the correct form and lighter weights.

 

• I was too embarrassed to ask for help, so I watched and tried to do things on my own.
• I knew I needed to do something different, but I did not know what to change.
• I needed to start off with what I could handle, then progress to something heavier.

 

Pater identified steps to spiritual growth. First he gave a list of symptoms that would keep a person from growing spiritually. He listed a small list of blockers that included, lying, hypocrisy, jealousy and insulting language. These were probably problems with those who wore masks and pretended to be holy. He then gave the true remedy, namely becoming thirsty for spiritual milk.

 

My Observations:

• Embarrassment leads me to seek the wisdom of the world, BUT GOD wants me to seek HIS wisdom as the beginning of knowledge.
• Insecurity leads me to want to cover up my flaws, BUT GOD wants me to be secure in my faith with HIM so I can address issues versus covering them up.
• Starting over makes me think I will never arrive, BUT GOD wants me to tear down patterns of thinking that may have existed for decades.

 

Seeking GOD as a little baby means I can’t think about what I ingest, I should just eat it up. Unfortunately, there have been those who have presented the Gospel in a manipulative way, causing me to have pause. BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

HE wants me to listen to other people and read the Bible for myself. HE wants me to understand the scriptures for myself and continue to seek HIS face with an insatiable thirst. Life can bring hard lessons. That is why GOD wants me to know HE is there with me at all times. I am grateful GOD has given the scriptures for all to be comforted.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer start the list with what to get rid of?
• Have you ever tried to hide your flaws behind a goody, goody mask?
• Will you start over with a better foundation and seek GOD as a little child versus seeing HIM through the world’s hurts today?

Obtaining the Invisible

Obtaining the Invisible

Hebrews 11: Now faith is the ^]substance of things hoped for, the  evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

 

³ By faith we understand that the  worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

 

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Driving uphill, I came to an intersection. I could not see the road in front of me because the incline was too steep. Thoughts ran through my mind. “What if there is no road in front of me?” A little fear set in and I hesitated for a while. I was a new driver.  A car came behind me, blew the horn and I was forced to make a decision to go. I went and was relieved there was a road.

 

• Fear made me create a picture of something bad.
• Doubt made me think something was wrong.
• Uncertainty made me hesitate when I could have easily gone forward.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, had just told everyone to keep moving forward by saying “no turning back.” He then explains why… because you have to have faith. Now he gives the definition of what faith is.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knows I cannot handle life’s decisions all at once, so HE shows me a little at a time.
• GOD does not show me everything I will face, probably to protect me from fearing moving forward.
• GOD knows the outcome of where HE is taking me and asks me to have faith.

 

Trusting GOD is hard sometimes. I mean, when it is hard to see how in the world is “this” going to come together or “this” be resolved, I start to get scared and look for ways to “see” my path forward. In may instances, GOD does not show me the path but says “Trust ME.”

 

I take a deep breath and step out into the unknown. The first step is the most scary one. The second is a relief because I am now on a path GOD has chosen. I am grateful, GOD wants to grow me up and does not show me everything so my faith will grow.

 

Challenge

• What parts of the writer’s definition stick out to you?
• When did you use faith and what was the outcome?
• Will you place your faith in GOD so HIS plan can be made known through your life today?

Trying Too Hard

 

Trying Too Hard

Hebrews 8: ⁷ If there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, there would have been no need for a second one. ⁸ But God finds fault with his people when he says,

“The days are coming, says the Lord,
    when I will draw up a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
⁹ It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors
    on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt.
They were not faithful to the covenant I made with them,
    and so I paid no attention to them.
¹⁰ Now, this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel
    in the days to come, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds
    and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
¹¹ None of them will have to teach their friends
    or tell their neighbors,
    ‘Know the Lord.’
For they will all know me,
    from the least to the greatest.
¹² I will forgive their sins
    and will no longer remember their wrongs.”

¹³ By speaking of a new covenant, God has made the first one old; and anything that becomes old and worn out will soon disappear.

 

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“Don’t set your alarm, but ask GOD to wake you up” were the instructions of someone who was well meaning. I tried it and overslept. After this exercise I questioned GOD. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

 

• I wanted to see if this GOD thing would work.
• I wanted to test whether or not GOD would do “as I say?”
• I wanted to have special powers that I didn’t possess.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, says some remarkable things about what GOD did for humanity. He mentions that GOD took care of the relationship that was broken and lost by a permanent repair through a second covenant.

 

My Observations:

• GOD did not leave anything up to chance when it came to having a relationship with me.
• GOD placed HIS laws in my mind and wrote them on my heart.
• GOD made me “know the LORD” and has forgiven me of my sins and does not remember any wrong I did.

 

It was all GOD! I mean, HE knew that I would not choose HIM, yet HE chose me. HE took it one step further. HE wrote HIS laws in my mind and in my heart. I do not have the responsibility to try to convince someone to “know the LORD.” But this seems confusing. What about the great commission?

 

You and I are part of the “I will.” HE never says how HE will put the laws in the minds of people or how HE will be their GOD. I am glad HE uses people to tell the Good News!

 

Challenge

• What words from the writer are shocking to you?
• Do you feel relieved that you do not have the responsibility of forcing people to accept JESUS?
• Will you simply “be” a follower of JESUS and be ready to explain your relationship with HIM to anyone HE places in front of you today?

 

Pseudo Parent

Pseudo Parent

2 Corinthians 12: ¹⁴ This is now the third time that I am ready to come to visit you—and I will not make any demands on you. It is you I want, not your money. After all, children should not have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children. ¹⁵ I will be glad to spend all I have, and myself as well, in order to help you. Will you love me less because I love you so much?

 

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“Come in and have some dinner” were the words I delighted ti hear. Many households invited me in to eat with them in the community I grew up. What was it about these people who took time out of their busy lives to help us kids? They did it from their heart.

 

• I was blessed to have many pseudo parents who cared for me.
• I was blessed to be watched over by those who had hearts large enough to care for others.
• I was blessed to have so many people who would take me places, feed me, and mostly teach me how to grow up.

 

Pau was about to visit. He explained that he was not coming there for their money. This may have been a selfish concern on their part that he wanted to ease. Instead, he was being a pseudo parent and wanted to show his love.

 

My Observations

• GOD doesn’t mind if I remain a child.
• GOD wants me to grow up to love others the way I can.
• GOD wants me to understand the purpose of having the HOLY SPIRIT live inside me is to stretch my heart to fit others.

 

When life is all about me, my words sound different. I mean, I have more complaints than solutions when I am a child. BUT GOD wants me to grow up and point others to HIM as the only solution to life’s problems.

 

HE allows fiery trials in my life to burn away the things that do not belong. HE then opens my eyes to other people HE wants me to reach. HE provides enough for me and her or him as I encounter each person. I am glad I have had great parents and pseudo parents to grow me in many ways.

 

Challenge

• Do you feel the care of the writer?
• Have you ever been tempted to speak about GOD only for money?
• Will you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to stretch your heart to fit other people and serve them so they can believe in JESUS in a saving way today?

Basis of Decisions

 

Basis of Decisions

Romans 14: ¹⁹ So then, we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another. ²⁰ Do not, because of food, destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin. ²¹ The right thing to do is to keep from eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that will make other believers fall. ²² Keep what you believe about this matter, then, between yourself and God. Happy are those who do not feel guilty when they do something they judge is right! ²³ But if they have doubts about what they eat, God condemns them when they eat it, because their action is not based on faith. And anything that is not based on faith is sin.

 

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Being unsure of myself, I tried a tactic I did not like. One guy was good at eavesdropping on conversations. He would take what little facts he knew and try to put his own spin on it, to stay ahead of people. It seemed to work so I tried it. I listened in on someone else’s hallway conversation and overheard the wrong facts. I spread the wrong information. Now my credibility was shot.

 

• There have been many times when I have been scared, so I looked for direction to make decisions.
• There have been many times when I made decisions out of fear.
• There have been many times when I used what people said as the basis of my decision making and wound up in a worse spot than I was at the beginning or my worries.

 

Paul concludes his Spirit filled plea to help everyone refrain from tearing down what GOD has done. If someone were to eat or not eat something, then opposing the person would be hurtful. This action would not be based on faith but possibly pride. “Anything that is not based on faith is sin.”

 

• GOD wants me to run my decisions through HIM first.
• GOD wants ne to believe in what HE told me and continue on HIS path.
• GOD wants me to have faith in HIS plan for me and not feel guilty when I do something I judge as right for HIS kingdom.

 

Having a personal  relationship with JESUS requires faith. This means doubt needs to go somewhere else. I must move forward in faith, but if my faith is harmful to someone nearby, then GOD wants me to keep it between me and HIM. This pertains to a local interaction. But what about my other decisions?

 

GOD wants all my decisions to flow through faith in HIS power. HIS plans and promises are not to harm me but to provide me with a hope and a future. I gladly move forward with the faith that HE allows me to “do something I judge as right.”

 

• Are you questioning a decision GOD told you to make?
• Do you crumble at the smallest problem that may seem huge to you?
• Will you relook at the decision through the faith GOD wants you to have and allow HIM to do HIS plan, HIS way, while you continue to judge what is right in clear conscience today?

Tools of a Child

 

Tools of a Child

Romans 8: ¹² So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. ¹³ For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. ¹⁴ Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. ¹⁵ For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!” ¹⁶ God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. ¹⁷ Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory.

 

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Seeing another ride caught my attention. I left the group to feed my curiosity. When I looked around, I could not see any familiar faces. Immediately I whipped out the best tool I knew. I cried “I want my mommy and daddy!”

 

Unfortunately, they were not on this church trip to the amusement park. I was taken to an office where questions flew at me, but I had no answers. Shortly after, the bus returned.

 

• When I was a child I was not afraid to see something new.
• When I was a child I cried out for help as my only tool for fixing the situation.
• When I was a child I needed everything and possessed nothing.

 

Paul tells everyone of a serious obligation. Live by human sinful nature and die or live by the Spirit and live. He then explains that we are GOD’s children, not HIS adults or peers or pals. The HOLY SPIRIT caused our Spirits to be part of GOD’s family. GOD takes care of HIS children.

 

• GOD wants me to have the faith of a child.
• GOD wants me to have total dependence on HIM.
• GOD wants me to be freed from fear, doubt and worry so I can hear HIS leading.

 

Age brings pride. I mean, the older I got, the more I thought “I” was doing the things to get me in places or through situations. Soon I believed in “my” abilities to fix any situation. BUT GOD did not like that dead type of thinking.

 

GOD placed situations in front of me that seemed impossible to fix. All I could do was cry “FATHER! My FATHER.” When I surrendered to HIM, HE sent HIS rescue. I am grateful GOD watches over me, HIS child, every day.

 

• Are you desperately trying to fix your situation?
• Do you believe you have to be strong and not cry?
• Will you cry out to GOD who hears you because you are HIS child, so HE will enable you to see all who are suffering and raise you and them up to share in the glory of CHRIST?

 

What I do have I give you

What I do have I give you

Acts 3: Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. ² And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; ³ who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. ⁴ And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” ⁵ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. ⁸ So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God. ¹⁰ Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

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Desiring superpowers, I grabbed a towel and shoved one end in the back of my shirt as a cape. Holding my arms out in front of me, I circled the yard as if I were flying. I was invincible! Later, when I fell and skinned my knee, I went in the house crying.

• There were times when I wanted to feel special.
• There were times when I desired to be stronger.
• There were times when I wished I could be something more than what I was.

Peter had experienced GOD’s mighty power in his life on several occasions. He just witnessed tongues of fire and preached so boldly that thousands people believed. He was so filled with excitement that he told a lame man to walk and GOD healed him. This was done so others can see and believe in GOD.

• GOD wants me to be excited about HIM so HE can use me.
• GOD wants me to be ready to be used by HIM at a moment’s notice.
• GOD wants me to want others to see HIM, and not see me.

Wanting to perform miracles is nice, BUT GOD wants me to want the miracle to happen, whether through me or if GOD chooses to do it without a person. The goal of miracles is not to make a human feel special. GOD needs to be praised for that is where the power comes form.

Miracles cannot happen with half-belief. Peter had to be restored by JESUS and even then GOD had to show him that the power comes from HIM. Some people cry out things in the “name of JESUS” and nothing happens. GOD works through those who are fully restored. I am grateful GOD restores me.

• Are you calling on JESUS to heal and nothing is happening?
• Do you believe in GOD fully to restore you and that person to being whole?
• If you know you have a part of you that does not believe, then will you give the small part that does to someone today?

All In

All In

John 20: ²⁴ Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

²⁶ And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” ²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

²⁸ And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Jesus said to him,  “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

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“Your turn” they said to me as they handed me the skateboard. I had barely been on one, let alone attempted what I was about to try. The makeshift ramp consisted of wobbly bricks, precariously placed under a board found in a field somewhere. I saw the others make it over the ramp, but I had doubts. I reserved energy by not skating fast to soften the fall. I did fall.

• Sometimes I get so scared that my solutions cause me to fail.
• Sometimes I think about my safety instead of thinking about the leap I need to take.
• Sometimes I remember getting hurt more than I remember being protected.

Thomas had doubts that everyone had seen the LORD. He may have been fooled before by others who claimed to be CHRIST and wasn’t going to fall for it again. BUT JESUS was merciful and returned specifically for Thomas. JESUS gave him the proof he needed and also gave a word on belief.

• GOD wants me to believe with my whole heart.
• GOD wants me to believe without doubt.
• GOD wants me to believe as a child but grow as a spiritual adult.

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” are the words I get excited over. I mean believing in JESUS without having seen HIS miracles HE performed thousands of years ago is amazing. Only the HOLY SPIRIT can enable someone to believe in this day and age.

JESUS says to those who believe without seeing, “Your faith is something special.” That’s the “Blessed” part of HIS statement. When I believe JESUS will do exactly as HE said HE would do, without doubt, I am blessed. I am excited for GOD’s amazing plan HE has for me to reach others.

• Do you doubt GOD’s amazing plan HE has for you?
• Do you think you should hold back so you can protect yourself?
• Will you jump all the way in and thoroughly believe that GOD is excited about you today?

Evidence

Evidence

John 20: ³ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. ⁴ So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. ⁵ And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, ⁷ and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. ⁸ Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. ⁹ For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

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“Seek proof” was the bad advice I took to heart. I listened to a suspicious person and became suspicious. From that moment on, I asked more questions, trying to get to the bottom of “this”, whatever “this” was.

• There were many times I did not believe.
• There were many times I sought after evidence.
• There were many times that I wasted time in disbelief only to find out later I should have believed all the time.

Two zealous disciples heard the news about JESUS’ missing body. They ran to the tomb, one outrunning the other, and observed the heavy bandages laying all over the place. The handkerchief that was on JESUS’s head was folded. One disciple immediately believed that JESUS had arose.

• GOD wants me to believe as a child with immediacy and without question.
• GOD wants my faith to grow so I do not need evidence to know HE has what’s best in mind for me.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge I do not know everything,  but HE definitely does.

Evidence of GOD can be seen just by using our senses. Every texture, odor, sound, flavor or observation screams GOD is right there with me. Unfortunately the world dullens my senses, stealing the glory from GOD, making me seek which human can get the trophy of discovery.

We seek evidence that GOD has already told us and reward humans for finding what is already there. BUT GOD enables pure belief and makes it available to anyone who wants it. HE rewards me for seeking HIM without the need for evidence. I drop my suspicions, little by little. One day I want pure belief.

• Are you a suspicious person?
• Do you thrive on evidence?
• Will you seek GOD today without needing as much evidence?

Be Different

Be Different

John 10: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. ² But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

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Seeing the professor compliment one of the students made me glad I did not go first. I quickly adjusted my speech to sound like theirs. I figured that would get me extra points. I gave my speech and it seemed like the excitement went out of the room. “Thanks” was all I got. I asked for feedback. “You sounded like everyone else”, was the response.

• There were times when I wanted to be safe with what I said.
• There were times when I wanted everyone to agree with what I said.
• There were times when I wanted to fit in, so I said what “they” said.

JESUS had just told the church leaders they were blind. They taught what they felt the people wanted to hear. Eventually they got a large following that increased their power. They spoke about GOD, but not about JESUS being GOD. JESUS then says “But the sheep will know the Shepherd’s voice.”

• JESUS says to me “Speak about MY kingdom.”
• JESUS says to me “Bring people to ME and I will guide them.”
• JESUS says to me “Take MY yoke upon you and learn of ME.”

Loving yet offensive, is the message of JESUS. I mean HIS word offends everyone because they have to admit they are a sinner. It makes me say “I am wrong and need help that I cannot get from a human.” This offends those who love religions, programs and especially those who have all the answers.

GOD is the only answer and JESUS is the only way. HIS message is so simple that people walk away from it, thinking it has no power. BUT GOD says be different. HE wants me to tell people I am a weak sinner, but I have hope. This hope comes from JESUS. I am grateful for HIS vast power.

• What do you sound like in public?
• Do you sound and act like the world?
• Will you dare to be different and admit “your” sins to people so they will feel comfortable admitting their sins?
• Will you lift JESUS up to where HE should be when you talk about solutions today?