Addressing Fear

Addressing Fear

Exodus 23: ²⁷ “I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. ²⁸ And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. ²⁹ I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. ³⁰ Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. ³¹ And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. ³² You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. ³³ They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE addressed fear.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew the people feared the numerous groups of people who inhabited the promise land.
• GOD’s reputation of destroying Sodom and dismantling the Egyptian ways were not enough for the children of Israel.
• GOD would use something small, yet powerful to drive out their enemies, namely hornets.

 

Fear, confusion and hornets would be the weapons GOD would use to drive out the people. HE could have killed those who oppose HIS way, BUT GOD acts graciously. HE allowed them to live, but HE would drive them out. This promise would be forgotten by the children of Israel.

 

When they finally were ready to take the promised land, they would forget that the LORD would do the fighting. We do the same. When something seems large and daunting, we feel GOD cannot handle it. GOD used very small things to address the big things.

 

Strong armies were no match for hornets. HE would drive them out little by little. I believe GOD does the same for you and me. HE drives away the large problem, little by little until it is gone. Then HIS large promise can easily be fulfilled.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS promise?
• Has GOD put you in a situation where you have to depend on HIM clearing the way first?
• Can you address your fear by watching GOD work out the large promise HE made to you?

Fear Introduced to Salvation

Fear Introduced to Salvation

Exodus 14: ¹⁰ And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. ¹¹ Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? ¹² Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”

 

¹³ And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

 

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When the millions of people saw the hundreds of chariots coming in the distance, they panicked. First they cried out to the LORD. Then they turned to Moses and blamed him for bringing them out of Egypt. Moses calmly told the people to “Stand still.”

 

My Observations:

• The children of Israel had a slave mindset that kept them from dreaming, solving problems for themselves or fighting.
• The children of Israel wanted complacent, controlled pain versus facing the unknown with GOD.
• Moses did not rebuke the children of Israel for being afraid.

 

Before the plagues, Moses and Aaron showed the children of Israel what GOD was going to do to the Egyptians. They all believed and praised GOD. But when Pharaoh took away their straw and kept the quota of bricks, they complained about Moses and GOD’s desire to free them. Their expectations of what GOD was going to do were not being met.

 

After the plagues, they were driven out of Egypt. They left excited. But when Pharaoh pursued them, they immediately were filled with fear. Six hundred thousand men were afraid of six hundred men. Moses did not yell. He calmly told them to “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord,.” He also said GOD would fight the battle and the problem would not happen again. GOD would take care of their fear.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the reaction of the children of Israel to Pharaoh’s pursuit?
• Have you ever blamed GOD for how he is delivering you?
• Can you stand still and see the salvation of the LORD that will happen today so you can hold your peace?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, thank YOU for helping us slow down, sit down and lay down. GOD the battle is YOURS. Please fight the battle that tries to rob us of our peace. Please go before us as we place our fragile trust before YOUR throne. amen

Response to Livestock Diseased – Hard Heart

Response to Livestock Diseased – Hard Heart

Exodus 9: ⁷ Then Pharaoh sent, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go.

 

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GOD killed all of the Egyptian livestock as HE promised. Pharaoh checked to see if it was only the Egyptian livestock that was affected or did it include the children of Israel. “Indeed” it was only the Egyptian livestock that was killed. Pharaoh’s reaction, a hard heart.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh faced his worst catastrophe and allowed pride of his position to not relent to GOD’s power.
• Pharaoh was not acting out of fear, rather he may have been trying to prove he was still in power.
• Pharaoh seemed to need to be in control at other people’s expense.

 

With the transportation, food and farm animals all being dead, Pharaoh had to make his own people suffer more by checking on the Israelites by foot. When the report came back that the Israelite livestock was not affected, Pharaoh believed he was a god even more. He probably said, “I can fix this.”

 

I believe Pharaoh devised a plan to take some of the Israelite animals by force. The Bible does not say this, but the next couple of plagues imply that the Egyptians obtained more animals. Since GOD is telling Moses what to write, HE omits the story about Pharaoh’s misuse of power and keeps the focus on how HE was dismantling the mindset that a human can be a god.

 

Pharaoh may have convinced himself that there was a power behind his title. Meanwhile, the people around him had to suffer. The more he dug into his belief, the more people around him suffered. The heart of Pharaoh was hurting his own. GOD remained in control and Pharaoh’s illusion of control was fading.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to the death of all Egyptian livestock?
• Have you made decisions that adversely affected people around you, yet you continued anyway?
• Can you surrender your decisions that ultimately affect people by seeking GOD for wisdom and changing your mindset?

Not Acting Like It

Not Acting Like It

Genesis 20: ⁸ So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid. ⁹ And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.” ¹⁰ Then Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?”

 

¹¹ And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife. ¹² But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. ¹³ And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, ‘This is your kindness that you should do for me: in every place, wherever we go, say of me, “He is my brother.” ’ ”

 

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After his encounter with GOD, Abimelech got up “early” in the morning, bringing “all” his servants with him to talk with the men. A town hall meeting was brought together to hear what GOD said to Abimelech. When everyone heard what was said, they became afraid. Abimelech was young and the king.

 

My Observations:

• Abimelech heard from GOD that Abraham was a prophet and Sarah was protected by HIM.
• Abraham had not lied, in Egypt or in Gerar when he said Sarah was his sister.
• Abraham feared, by the actions of the people, that Sarah would be taken

 

It seemed that women were more desirable if they were married to someone. Kings would take the best for themselves and his henchmen would take the rest. This city seemed to be doing the same. They did not seem to fear GOD in any way.

 

Abraham finally came out with the truth about Sarah. Her father was Terah, Abraham’s father. But she had a different mother. He feared being killed because the men of that city acted like they would commit murder to take the wife, permanently. GOD intervened to protect Sarah.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think Abraham tells the truth about Sarah to Abimelech and not to the Pharoah of Egypt?
• Have you ever gone through so much that you realized the truth is the best way?
• Are you acting like you belong to CHRIST who is all knowing and all powerful?

New Faith

 

New Faith

Acts 27: ²⁷ On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. ²⁸ They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. ²⁹ Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. ³⁰ In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. ³¹ Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” ³² So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.

 

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“Do you really know how to do this?” my boss asked. My first inclination was to lie. I mean, I was about to get in trouble for misrepresenting myself. Something inside me said “tell the truth this time.” While I disappointed the person, I felt good that I was no longer living a lie. I had finally started to grow up.

 

• There was a time when I started to have faith.
• There was a time when I wanted to use the old ways, but chose faith.
• There was a time when I got tired of life beating me up so I chose faith.

 

Paul had warned the professional sailors not to sail, and they did it anyway. Now the ship was id dire trouble. After fourteen nights of being tossed around, the sailors could sense they were coming close to land. A few of them wanted to use their old ways to save themselves by sneaking a lifeboat overboard. Paul warned the centurion and the soldiers cut the rope.

 

• GOD wants me to have faith like a child when HE tells me something.
• GOD wants me to believe HE can and will do anything.
• GOD wants me to have new faith in HIM every day.

 

Having new faith means I can let go of my old way of thinking and allow GOD to execute HIS plan without me needing to know if the plan is working or not. It takes faith to take the first step towards GOD’s ways. I mean, when things go wrong, it takes faith to remain calm in the middle of the storm.

 

It also take faith to admit wrong, or to be patient with “that” person or to pray lovingly for those who attack me. Each day my faith is tried. Some days I fail and some days I’m filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. I am grateful GOD’s faithfulness is everlasting.

 

• Do you have new faith?
• Are you tired of the old way of doing things?
• Will you quiet down and listen to GOD so HE will guide you and grow your faith in HIM today?

Hesitance

Hesitance

Acts 9: ¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children^[c] of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

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“Come serve with me in a country in Africa” was the challenge posed to me. The image that popped in my mind was a starving baby with flies circling, for that was the primary image chosen from the country I lived in.

I hesitated in my response. “Get up and go” was the overwhelming feeling inside me. Family added to the fear with questions about the unknown. When I arrived in the country for the missions trip, it was a booming metropolis with skyscrapers and fast food joints. What was I worried about?

• There were times when the situation made me hesitate on my decision.
• There were times when the unknown made me think twice about doing what I was called to do.
• There were times when the circumstance seemed dismal and made me stop and think “should I do this?”

Ananias seemed hesitant in going to Saul. Whether it was his own safety or the fact that he was serving a known killer, he questioned the calling. BUT GOD confirmed the mission.

• GOD wants me to trust in HIS plan regardless of the circumstance.
• GOD wants me to believe HE has a larger picture than the one I can see.
• GOD wants me to obey HIS calling even though I may have questions.

“Are YOU sure?” is a question that pops in my head sometimes when I hear from GOD. I mean, usually the question comes because I am asked to do something beyond what I thought I should be doing.

GOD’s power is endless and mine is nothing. GOD wants me to believe in HIS power, protection and provision whenever HE calls me to serve HIM. I am grateful HE calls me.

• Are you being called and are hesitant?
• Does the circumstance seem dismal, yet GOD wants you to serve HIM anyway?
• Will you accept HIS calling and obey the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Fear

Fear

Acts 4: ¹⁸ So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. ²⁰ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” ²¹ So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. ²² For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

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After seeing the horror movie, I was a bit shaken. I drove home and traversed the seemingly longer walk from the garage to the house. It was dark. I got my keys to the house out of my pocket in preparation for a quick entry. “Boo!” said a neighbor, who jumped from out of adjoining bushes. I ran screaming, only to hear laughter.

• There have been times when I have been afraid.
• There have been times when I could rationalize why I was afraid.
• There have been times when I was so afraid that I could not think rationally.

Peter and John were threatened by the same church leaders who had JESUS killed. This intimidation would make most people cower in fear. But Peter and John had solidified who they serve, namely JESUS. They did not walk in fear.

• GOD says to me “The only healthy fear is the fear of the LORD.”
• GOD says to me “I AM your protector, and your provider.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the only salvation.”

Humans threaten life and death. BUT GOD is the only one who can fulfill it. I mean HE says “There is an appointed time for everything”, including death. Very real human threats and situations can only thwarted by GOD.

HE wants me to have healthy fear which is fear of not doing what HE says to do. HE wants me to choose HIM over anything I can grasp onto in this life. JESUS is my Savior and purpose. Whom shall I fear? I may get scared, but the spirit of fear no longer holds me.

• Are you gripped with fear that does not seem to go away?
• Are you spreading fear by calling people foolish and stating threats people face?
• Will you trade your “spirit of fear” for the “fear of the LORD” by spreading peace today?

Equipped with peace

Equipped with peace

John 20: ¹⁹ Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

²¹ So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” ²² And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

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Unsettled, I could not sleep. There were so many thing I had to worry about, I could not find rest. I mean, what am I to do about declining health, waning wealth, increased pressure and broken relationships? All attempts for me to “fix” them satisfactorily for all involved have failed.

• There have been many times when I have worried.
• There have been many times when I have been filled with fear about the future.
• There have been many times when I could not see any solution to the situations because there were too many.

Hidden from the Jews, the disciples did not know what to do next. JESUS, who performed all kinds of miracles, was dead in their minds. How can they protect themselves? JESUS appeared in the locked room and gave them some things that they needed.

• JESUS shows me HE cares for me by seeking me daily.
• JESUS gave me the HOLY SPIRIT so I do not have to rely on my own power.
• JESUS sends me out with a purpose to forgive those HE has forgiven.

Forgiveness brings peace. This can only come from the HOLY SPIRIT who reminds me about what JESUS did for me. I mean, if I am enraged or filled with fear or lost, the HOLY SPIRIT calms me down by saying “Peace to you.” This peace is actually equipment I can use versus something that is fleeting.

When I use peace as a tool, I can allow the situation to play itself out, knowing GOD has the best outcome already taken care of. The outcome may not be the one “I” choose, but I have noticed GOD’s choices are always the best choices. I receive HIS peace today.

• Are you losing sleep?
• Are you worried about the future?
• Will you stop dwelling in GOD’s realm, namely the future and focus on the present where HE gives you peace through the HOLY SPIRIT?

Scared

Scared

John 12: ²⁷ “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify Your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

²⁹ Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

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“I’m not going down there!” I said in terror. With fears of the “Boogey Man” being in the basement of our home, I refused to go downstairs unless someone was with me. All the lights had to be on.

• Sometimes I get scared of the unknown.
• Sometimes I get worried about situations people have told me about.
• Sometimes I get filled with fear over a huge situation facing me.

Death was facing JESUS and HIS humanity showed. HE expressed HIS fear out loud. THE FATHER heard HIS voice and responded with assurance. JESUS accepted the responsibility.

• GOD is there when I have fears.
• GOD is there when I have doubts.
• GOD is there when I worry about big situations.

Worry easily creeps in when the answer to a problem is out of my control. I mean when I cannot do something to resolve the situation, my mind spins, trying to come up with a solution. BUT GOD knows the outcome.

HE wants me to trust that HE has the situation under control and HE can use the circumstance for HIS glory. HE rewards me greatly for obeying HIS plan and for this I am grateful.

• Are you worried?
• Is there a very large situation in front of you that seems too big to handle?
• Will you ask GOD to not only give you strength, but comfort as well?

Real Motive

Real Motive

John 11: ⁴⁵ Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. ⁴⁶ But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. ⁴⁷ Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. ⁴⁸ If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

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“Why do you want this leadership position?” they asked me in the interview. I couldn’t say, I thought most of the department was lazy and deserved to be fired. I replied, “To further the interests of the company.”

• There were times when I had “other” motives.
• There were times when I protected my motives so I could protect my position.
• There were times when I wanted something because of the wrong motives.

Many Jews believed, but some slipped off and told the church leaders that JESUS raised a person from the dead. This was an impossible act to follow. The church leaders became extremely worried and finally mentioned their real motive. They preached just enough to keep everyone focused on them rather on the true GOD.

• GOD wants me to point people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to allow HIM to be the center of attention.
• GOD wants my motive for doing things to be because of HIM.

Motive needs to be checked every day. No one knows my motives, but GOD. HE can see right down to the core and know when I am telling the truth and when I am fooling myself to believe a lie that HE wants me to let go of. GOD wants me to place every thought in front of HIM.

Even when my thoughts are not aligned with GOD, HE wants me to give those to HIM too. HE desires that I willingly come to HIM with everything I have. HE wants to be in control and gently guides me to let go of the power I may seek. I place my trust in JESUS.

• What perception are you trying to protect?
• Are you clinging onto hidden things so you will look good to others?
• Will you take the less popular route and admit to others your flaws, so they will know it is alright to accept GOD just as they are?

I Doubt It

Matthew 14: ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

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After searching for a while I prayed, “LORD help me find my license.” Then it came to me, “Look behind the desk.” It was there. After being in school for too long I stubbornly prayed, “LORD please help me graduate.” Seemingly in no time, I graduated. After job loss and bills were mounting I thought, “I wonder if GOD will hear me.” I doubt it.

• There are situations that I think are too large for GOD.
• There are times when the world is coming at me so fast that I think GOD cannot possibly handle this!
• There are circumstances where I think my sin is greater than GOD’s grace so I doubt HIS grace.

During the winds of life I simply want things under “my” control. I try to place logic around what’s going on and somehow I can’t make things make sense. The question “why” would pop into my mind without resolution. My doubt grew. BUT GOD had a remedy.

• GOD wants me to focus on praising HIM so I can build stronger faith.
• GOD wants me to rest in HIM so I can calm down enough to hear HIS voice.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM versus seeking to always “fix” the problem.

Sometimes it is best to let go of the problem for a while and just walk out to GOD. HE can handle life’s troubles while I take steps towards HIM. Since GOD was only an earshot away, Peter wasn’t far from making it all the way to HIM, same with me.

GOD wants me to have total trust that HE has the situation fully covered. HE wants me to stop looking around and look at only at HIM.  GOD is my complete Savior.

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Have you trusted HIM in the past and are choosing not to trust HIM now?
• Can you drop your timelines and focus only on how GOD is blessing you today?
• Will you take more steps towards HIM today?

Two People

Matthew 13: ²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

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Every day I have a choice of which person I will be. Person one in this passage sowed “good” seed and person two sowed “bad” seed or weeds. Each seed grew in the story.

• Some days I sow bad seed of fear, worry and doubt.
• Some days I sow bad seed of lust, slander and rage.
• Some days I sow bad seed of self-centeredness, self-promotion and self-righteousness.

There are many reasons I sow these seeds, none of which are good. BUT GOD wants me to prepare myself for something different.

• GOD wants me to prepare myself daily to sow “good” seeds.
• GOD wants me to seize every opportunity to plant something “good.”
• GOD wants me to seek out situations where I can say something “good.”

Complaints, slander and arguments weaken my “good” seed. In fact, every negative word I speak grows in weird ways I cannot imagine. GOD wants me to speak the “Good” seed about HIS SON especially when I feel like spreading bad seed.

• Which person will you be today?
• Will you choose to sow GOD’s “good” seeds or your own seeds which could contain weeds?
• Can you identify negative words and positive words that come from your mouth?

Mindful Trust

Isaiah 26: ³ You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.
⁴ Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

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Seized with fear I stared at the wheel one more time. I puffed out three quick breaths, pushed off with my left foot and found myself gliding down the sidewalk on my bike. I rode past three or four houses without falling this time and when I fell, I got up excited. The next time I got on I was at peace and I could ride even further.

• Sometimes fear takes away my peace.
• Sometimes worry makes me doubt.
• Sometimes anguish makes me think I cannot overcome “this” circumstance.

I am so happy that I learned how to ride a bike but it took pain to do it. I flipped over the handlebars on a few occasions and came into the house with a bloody lip on others. I had to go through the pain in order to have peace.

• GOD takes me through storms, so I need to have trust in HIS plan.
• GOD takes me though painful situations and heals me from my bumps and bruises.
• GOD takes me through difficult circumstances, providing peace along the way.

Just like riding a bike, having peace takes practice. Instead of getting worried about the situation I had to learn how to have peace in the middle of the storm. I started small by not worrying about misplacing my security shirt I fashioned into my carry around buddy; to not worrying about the fact that someone broke into my car to now worrying about larger life events.

GOD grows my peace the more I trust HIM instead of the thing I worry about. HE may have a good reason for allowing whatever to be removed or destroyed. HE helps me grow and gives me peace. I trust in HIS plan.

• Are you worried?
• Are you nervous?
• Can you take three deep breaths and decide to follow GOD?
• Will you put your trust in HIS plan for you today?

Praising Takes Practice

Psalm 100: ¹ Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

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News about the impending doom couldn’t have come at the worst time. With a second child, it was already difficult enough to make ends meet and for the first time, this particular company was going to do severe cuts in order to keep the stock market happy. When I got to work everyone, including myself was worried. One person said “Praise GOD” and another said “Trust in the LORD.” How in the world can they say that when the world is on fire?!

• Sometimes I am worried to the point where I cannot see GOD.
• Sometimes I am worried to the point where I cannot hear GOD.
• Sometimes I am worried to the point where I cannot speak GOD.

With my world crashing around me I felt helpless and alone, even though there were plenty of others going through the same thing. How in the world could this person say “Praise GOD” at a time like this? They don’t understand “my” situation, or do they?

• Praising GOD in the face of adversity makes me stronger each day.
• Praising GOD in the middle of the storm gives HIM the strength and takes the load off of me.
• Praising GOD in the brunt of the trial enables me to see, hear and speak about GOD.

What I’ve noticed is GOD says “Take heart for I am with you” quite often. HE says “Do not be afraid” more and more to me because there will be scary times in life where it seems like nothing will go “right.” Praising GOD isn’t an appeal to worship the egotistical figurehead that I sometimes think HE is. Praising GOD is actually a spiritual weapon that helps me fight against worry, doubt and fear.

Without praise, I fall into a trap of disbelief. Everyone around me becomes a problem rather than a solution. GOD wants me to carry the spirit of gratitude and to speak about HIS ways to everyone. HE wants me to douse lying spirits and praise HIS holy name.

• Are you worried?
• Do you feel even those who usually pray for you, are against you?
• Do the words “Trust in the LORD” turn your stomach because “these words” seem empty?
• Can you stop and turn to GOD and hear that HE does love you in spite of what you are going through?
• Will you take a moment, even if it is a tiny moment, to praise GOD today?

Am I Mourning Over the Right Things?

Ezra 10: ⁶ Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. While he was there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he continued to mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.

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Pouting over my defeat, I sat at my desk moping. I was asked to be the head of one company’s multi-million dollar technology group and when asked “could you let 30% of your workforce go?” my answer was “no.” I wrestled with that. Was I being a wimp?

• The world calls what I stand up for “crazy.”
• The world says what I follow is absolutely “nuts.”
• The world declares what I believe is “insane.”

“You should have had the courage to go for the money” is what I would hear other people say as they spoke of their acts of “being tough” in this setting. I mourned for a while but looking back I pray for those who fell prey to the economics of politics rather standing firm in the pasture of prayer.

• GOD wants me to mourn over the direction the world is heading, not just the country.
• GOD wants me to mourn over where my neighborhood is heading, not just my city.
• GOD wants me to mourn over the state of my block, not just my part of town.

Get out and do something about it is what I hear. I have to mourn over my sins and the world around me. With absolutely no power to remove win, I need to mourn and point to the being who can do something about it, namely JESUS.

Only GOD can sustain me so mourning over the loss of my wallet, car or job should be minimized. I am not belittling the situation; BUT GOD has a way of saying, focus on ME, have compassion on those around you and you will be blessed. Stop caring about politics and start caring about people.

• What are you mourning over?
• What worries you?
• Can you open your eyes to your neighbors and mourn over them until you see them understand who CHRIST is?
• Will you add compassion for the people around you so they can come to know the living GOD?

Keep Going in Spite of Fear

Ezra 3 ³ Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.

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⁶ On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, though the foundation of the Lord’s temple had not yet been laid.

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¹⁰ When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel.

¹¹ With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:

“He is good;
    his love toward Israel endures forever.”

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

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Things looked quite pitiful for a while. Setback after setback it looked as if the project would never be done. We finally had to cut loose one part of the project that we struggled over because it just wasn’t coming to fruition. I remember being called into the president’s office and being asked, “Is this thing ever going to fly?” When I walked out of the office I could feel the tension from everyone around me. My boss said, “Keep going you are almost there.”

• Sometimes things around me seem grim.
• Sometimes situations I’m in seem lost.
• Sometimes my efforts seem fruitless and everyone around me is full of fear.

When things look grim it seems like more and more things go wrong. More things break and more those who oppose what I am doing seem to salivate at the calamity.  BUT GOD says not to react.

• GOD says keep going “For I am with you.”
• GOD says keep going “For MY burden is light.”
• GOD says keep going “For MY love is great for you and MY plan is to prosper you.”

We finished the project and everyone was rewarded heavily. It was a true success that made news. All of the nay-sayers and assassins had to back off. Only GOD brought me through the tough times and HE continues to this day.

• Are you facing a difficult time?
• Are you filled with fear?
• Can you follow GOD in spite of your fear?
• Will you continue to follow HIS leading and keep moving forward? 
• Can you praise GOD today for enabling you to take another step?

The Battle is Not Yours

2 Chronicles 20: ⁵ He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

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Worry on one side, fear on another, sleep escaped me and I was awake again. This was my pattern when something very “big” was going to happen. I would think about it and rethink it until I would get myself all keyed up in a tizzy.

• Sometimes I can’t see any fix to a problem.
• Sometimes I think I have no way out.
• Sometimes I think I have to fix everything with no tools, skills or resources.

Fear, doubt and worry come from me trying to fight my own battles. Sometimes it also comes from me fighting GOD. What can I do when I feel afraid?

• GOD says “Do not be afraid for I am with you.”
• GOD says “Do not be discouraged over something that seems huge.”
• GOD says “The battle is the LORD’s.”

GOD knows my fears, doubts and worries. HE even knows when I can’t let go of the think I am supposed to give to HIM.  HE relaxes me and sits me besides still waters. HE restores my soul.

• Are you worried?
• Do you doubt that GOD will not deliver you and that is causing you to be more anxious?
• Can you relax and know that GOD can AND will deliver you?
• Will you praise HIM today and allow HIM to do HIS work?

A Prayer for the Powerless

2 Chronicles 14: ¹¹ Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”

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Surrounded on all sides again, GOD’s people felt scared, worried and full of fear. There seemed to be no way out. BUT GOD fought the battle again.

HE wants full reliance on HIM. Mere mortals will not prevail against GOD’s wonderful plan for me.

Ask HOW to do it

1 Chronicles 15: ¹² He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 

¹³ It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.”

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Three O’clock in the morning and I could not get to sleep.  My boss who was hard as nails gave me little instruction for my daunting task. I fumbled to get something together for her but felt it wasn’t my best work. I nervously gave her my report and she stopped me from leaving. “Uh-oh” I thought.

She said in a calm yet firm voice, “All you had to do was ask and I would have clarified what I wanted.”

• Sometimes when I feel intimidated I back away.
• Sometimes when I feel inadequate I put together a flimsy plan.
• Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed I want to ball up and crawl in a corner.

Fear drives me to stand in the road and get hit by a truck. It makes me dream of problems more and more rather than focusing on what I am supposed to be doing. The more fear I have the more problems I see. BUT GOD wants me to behave differently.

• GOD wants me to ask HIM how HE wants to be served.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom before I seek my plans.
• GOD wants me to give HIM worship daily which means I need to stop and have time with HIM.

When I feel like GOD has disappeared and withdrawn, HE wants me to ask HIM what HE wants me to do next. HE can handle as many requests I can give HIM regarding clarity to serve HIM. HE knows my intentions and knows when I am trying to manipulate HIM to get my way.

HE will always see beyond my sins in order to being me to a better place. HE knows HIS wonderful plans for me, plans to prosper me.

• Are you trying to accomplish something?
• Do you feel your plans are falling apart?
• Can you ask GOD for clarification of what HE wants you to do today?

Fear makes me do dumb things

1 Samuel 21: ¹⁰ That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. ¹¹ But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances:

“‘Saul has slain his thousands,
    and David his tens of thousands’?”

¹² David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. ¹³ So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.

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Walking from one school to the next, a buddy and I chatted along the trek. We turned the corner and was met with a pack of street dogs. A couple of them began to growl. My friend took his book bag and waved it at the dogs. I on the other hand saw a tall bush, not a tree, a bush.

It was manicured with no branches at the bottom and flimsiness at the top. I quickly tried to escape in this thing to no avail. I had to join in on the fight.

• Fear makes me react on first impulse.
• Fear makes me think the worst is going to happen.
• Fear makes me play out suppositions in my mind that really aren’t true.

Fear makes me think things are disastrous. Even my shadow scares me when I’m fearful. I then start playing out “what would happen” scenarios and I go down a path that makes me even more fearful! BUT GOD says different.

• GOD wants me to trust HIM instead of being fearful.
• GOD wants me to give my fears to HIM in prayer.
• GOD wants me to agree HE is mighty and on my side so there is no need to have fear.

Many times I have feared the worst and GOD says to me “do not be afraid.” HE knows the situation seems bleak BUT HIS power is far greater than any situation I can face. HE understands my fear, worry or doubt and asks that I give to HIM “specifically” calling out the fear to HIM in prayer. HE then grants me peace that I don’t understand.

• Do you have fears?
• Are you afraid of a particular situation?
• Can you put your trust in HIM today?
• Won’t you mature in CHRIST by placing your faith in HIM?