Monthly Archives: September 2010

Fear Not

Posted on by

“Fear not; stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today…”  II Chronicles 20:17

Moses knew the Israelites were struggling with fear.  That is why he said, “Fear not!”  Once when they were fearful, the children of Israel said, “Just leave us alone” (Exodus 14:12).

When you have lived under bondage for a long time, as the children of Israel had, you don’t know how to live in freedom.  You can actually be fearful of the unknown.  Pharaoh had complete control over the children of Israel, which was bondage; but they had lived under his control for so long they were fearful of another way of life.

When someone has had control over you, and you step outside of their control, be aware you will feel different at first.  You may feel an apprehension of the unknown; so, be careful not to give in to the “fear of the unknown.”  The fear of living outside of that person’s influence is sometimes stronger than the fear of being controlled.  If someone has controlled you, your feelings, your decisions, and even dictated your choices, you won’t know how to stand on your own two feet.  If you give in to fear, you can begin to think it is better to be back under that person and submit to their lordship rather than to believe that you can trust the Lord, hear His voice, and make your own decisions.

If you have lived under fear of how someone will respond when you make your own decision, then you are allowing their emotional responses to control you.  I can just hear the children of Israel, “Oh, no, He is really mad now!  You know what happens when Pharaoh gets mad.”  My question to you today is this:  Do you find yourself saying something similar?  “I don’t want _________to get mad. Or, “I will do anything to keep him happy.”

Another fear is the “fear of punishment.”  We don’t live in Egypt under Pharaoh, but we can live in bondage to other people and be fearful of their punishment of rejection, which is a form of emotional abuse.  Many people who have an unmet need for acceptance are in bondage because of their need for acceptance and approval from others.

You will get a drop of approval from a person, but never get a full glass.  You then wait and wait for another drop, but it never comes.  That person is controlling you by that one drop they gave you.  Don’t be overcome by the “fear of rejection.”  That person will only continue to drag you along into their games of manipulation and control.  If they see you are beginning to falter, they will give you one more drop to keep you in their snare.

A person who keeps you in fear of being rejected is not being a true friend.  Fear is not a friend; fear is your enemy.  Draw nigh to God, resist the devil (fear) and he will flee from you (James 4:7).  The Word “resist” simply means:  stand firm, oppose, and refuse to go along with that person who is causing you to be in fear.

Are You Serious? Do You Want to Change

Posted on by

If you are wanting to change your life, it’s time to take a serious look at the things that are hindering you.

Recently, we had ants in our kitchen. We were covered in ants even after we had our house exterminated three times. What we failed to do was find the main source they were coming from. Once we discovered it, our ant problem was solved. It’s the same with sin. Once we discover the hidden iniquity, the main source, then our sin problem can be solved.

If you are serious about getting rid of the annoying things in your life, you must find the source. In Nehemiah 9:2-3, Nehemiah told the people of his time that there was a direct correlation between their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

“Then the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers” (Nehemiah 9:2).

Everyone knows to confess their sins, but that is not all that needs to be done. Sin is a representation of something much deeper; it represents an iniquity. We must dig deep to discover iniquities, which are the origin of sins. Satan wants the main source, the iniquity, to remain hidden. Iniquity is Satan’s access point to you and your entire family line.

When a sin is brought to your attention, confess the sin and the iniquity where it originated. “I acknowledge my sin unto thee and mine iniquity have I not hid…and thou forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).

Example: If you struggle with fudging and cheating, you may not think it is a big problem. However, when you realize the iniquity behind it correlates with one of the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not lie,” it is a big thing. Confess your sin and the iniquity.

Dwelling in the Peace of God

Posted on by

“I will lie down, both in peace and in sleep for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” Psalm 4:8.

As God’s children, we possess a powerful gift that the rest of this world is trying to obtain. We possess peace. We can lie down at night after a long, hard day with peace in our hearts knowing that the Lord is going to take care of everything that is troubling us. That is a wonderful gift.

Most of this world longs to be rescued from the troubles of life. Although we can’t escape every problem, as Christians, we can be assured that we serve a God who is big enough to take care of us in every way!

If you know of someone who is constantly allowing the troubles of life to burden them, pray for them. Ask them if you can help carry some of that load for them. We should all desire for others to dwell in the peace and safety that God offers. Without His peace, we are sure to give up and lose the hope we need to be able to conquer life’s difficulties.

Wait For The Lord

Posted on by

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14

My hope is in you Lord!

Many times, the things that you are hoping for may require a time of waiting. Patiently waiting is a spiritual discipline.  This means it must be practiced in order for it to be established as a part of your nature.

By nature we are impatient and want things to happen quickly.  When you run ahead of the Lord instead of waiting patiently for Him, you will find yourself tired and weary.  When you wait until He releases you, then you will go forward in His strength and not your own.  The great reward for those who wait upon the Lord is their renewed strength.  You may be tired, weary, and need to stop to rest awhile.  If you are serving others, a time of rest is essential to wait on the Lord for the next step or the next assignment.

To wait does not mean you are inactive in your daily life, but means you are waiting for clear direction and renewed strength.

And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee. Psalm 39:7

An eagle will wait patiently on a mountain cliff until a warm, upward wind current comes and then he spreads his wings as he is lifted up into the heavens.  We, like an eagle, can enjoy the benefit of soaring high if we acquire the discipline of waiting.  Learning to wait only comes with faith and hope in the Lord.

He is the one who holds the world in His hands and He is the one who knows your next step.  If you will wait and listen, He will tell you when to jump in again.  Then, when your feet hit the ground, you will run and not grow weary.

Pray this prayer…Lord, I cannot see the next step. Take me up to the mountain and I will wait on you. As I wait, like an eagle waits, I ask you to renew my strength so that when you release me again I can soar effortlessly. Then, whether I walk or run, I will not grow weary.

The Path Of Life

Posted on by

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy.  At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

God wants to show you the path of life He has prepared for you.  He has a prepared a unique path for you and with just a few steps you can be on your way.  You will know you are on that path by the joy that floods your soul. All along the way if you listen closely, you will hear Him say, “This is the way, walk in it.” Staying on the path of life that God has prepared is one of the greatest joys a Christian can have because in his presence there is fullness of joy!

Today, if you are seeking to know the joy of being on the right path there are just two steps:  first listen for God’s voice.  Once your ear is tuned to hear His voice then you will know it is Him when He calls.  Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice.”

The next step is obedience.  Being obedient to what He says is actually how you stay on the right path.  Sometimes it is not easy to stay on the path because you don’t want to change your ways.  You may have been going the wrong way so long it will require a complete turn-around to get on the path of life.  This I know, the higher you go up a mountain path the more narrow it becomes and harder to climb.

Everyone at some point in their life wants to know where their particular path of life is.  I have found that when you ask God with a sincere heart, He will show you.  And just as climbing up a high mountain is not for amateurs; so it is with God’s calling.  If you know that you’re calling is great, then you must know that your path will be narrow.

If you are ready to get on the path of life, the path that leads to your destiny, ask the Lord to show you.  Spend quiet time with Him, read His word, and listen. Don’t give in to distractions, if you can’t hear Him, go to a quieter place.  Seek Him diligently and ask Him to show you the next step before you move forward.

We are living in the days when we must not take a step that is not prompted and directed by the Spirit of God.  Expect Him to guide you continually, and know that He will!

Resist the Snare

Posted on by

”That they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26

If you are aware of the plan of the enemy, you can choose to stay on the path God has set for you.  God has a great plan for your life and the way to get there.  It is a higher way than you have traveled in the past.

The Highway, like a major interstate, is a faster and smoother way.  The old way is like a back road, a gravel road with holes and traps to fall into.
Resist the fleeting thoughts:

Have you ever been driving down the interstate, and all of a sudden with one fleeting thought you decide to exit off and take the back road?  The back roads will slow you down and hinder you from getting to your desired destination.  So, we must all resist these thoughts.  Take every thought captive, especially those thoughts that lead you astray.  The thought may be as simple as, “I would rather take the scenic route,” but you fail to remember it was the scenic road that led you off course before.  We must learn from our mistakes so we don’t repeat them.  Once you are on the Highway, stay on it and resist fleeting thoughts that get you off track.  Stay on Isaiah 35:8, the Highway of Holiness.

A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; it shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35: 8-10

A Fresh Word

Posted on by

“Receive and welcome the Word, which implanted and rooted [in your hearts], contains the power to save your soul.” James 1:21 Amp

Have you received a Word from God today?  Just one Word –  like a seed that is readily received and welcomed into your heart, can change your day, your family situation, and your life.

Today is a new day.   So, receive a fresh new Word for this day.  It is amazing what just one Word can do when it is gently planted into the soil of your heart.  The soil of your heart is like natural soil; it must be cleared and prepared to receive a Word.

When all the broken branches, dead leaves, and debris from yesterday’s storms and troubles are moved out of the way, and all distractions and hindrances are pushed back, then the soil of your heart is ready for the seed.   Once planted, the Word, like a seed will begin to take root and the life inside that seed will sprout forth.  The power of God that is in His Word can travel into every cell in your body, and thought in your mind if you will by faith receive it.  Think about it – the power of one Word from God can change your entire life.   The mighty oak tree begins with one seed and so does an “Oak of Righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3) planted, and watered daily by the Lord.

The Covenant of Peace

Posted on by

“He will show them His covenant” (Psalm 25:14).

God’s blessings flow from His covenant promises. A covenant is a life long promise that never changes. One of the covenants that the Lord revealed to me many years ago was His covenant of peace.

The covenant of peace is found in Isaiah 54:10, “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that has mercy on thee.”

From the day that God revealed this covenant promise to me, He has been faithful and has always kept His promise. His covenant of peace is like a blanket that He wraps around me. Even if an earthquake shakes my world, I can stand, wrapped up in His peace knowing it will soon pass.

During your own time with the Lord ask Him to reveal His covenant promises to you. A covenant promise is like a solid rock, once you receive it, you will always be able to stand on it.

Do Not Give-in To Fear

Posted on by

The Lord has a path paved out before us that we are to walk on. He wants us to walk in His ways regardless of our circumstances. The ways of the Lord are very simple and written out plainly in His Word. It’s when we veer off track that our life gets complicated.

God has said, “Fear not, for I am with you…” This is not just a suggestion; it is a commandment and it is for our ultimate good.

If you give in and become fearful, you are focusing on the circumstances and not trusting that God will take care of you in your present situation. Fear shuts your spirit down and actually hinders you from hearing God’s voice. Fear will cause you to become inactive and even miss opportunities when God opens doors. If you are fearful and your spirit is slumbering and shut down, you will be unable to walk through the door God has opened for you.

Another way fear affects our life in through anxiety. If you become anxious over your circumstances and take things into your own hands instead of listening for the prompting of the Lord, things will not work out right. Trusting in the Lord does not mean you sit down and become inactive; it means you are moving in accordance with the instruction of the Lord.

His still small voice within will let you know which way to go and what to do at all times. The children of Israel watched for the cloud to move and then they moved. We don’t need to watch clouds, but we do need to listen for His voice, the inward witness of His presence. Apart from the leading of the Holy Spirit we will veer off track and go our own way.

Stay on the Path of Life

Posted on by

“You will show me the path of life.” Psalms 16:11

God offers us an abundant life.  We just need to be willing to embrace it.

I have learned over the past 50 years that staying on track takes self-control and discipline.   Self-control is actually planted in you by the Spirit and is growing inside of you as a fruit of the Spirit.

Self- control and self -discipline develop as you are obedient to the Still Small Voice of the Lord on a daily basis.  Set the boundaries that He says to set. The little things count! Obedience to the little things is how we learn to be led by God’s Holy Spirit.  What He says no to, do not touch!  He will guide us and give us His counsel.

“ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me. Psalm 16:7

You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.  For with You is the fountain of life. Psalm 36:8b, 9a

He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.  Psalm 18:33

We drink from the fountain when we are in the presence of God, and this fountain sustains us in seasons of trouble and drought.  You see now why you must stay close to Him as you are traveling along the path of life.  It is not an easy road or a scenic road!  It is narrow and can be very steep and dangerous, so we must not go too close to the edge. That is why we need hind’s feet for the climb.  We need to be living in truth, speaking truth, walking in the way of truth to be safe.

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Mathew 7:14

Since the way is narrow, we must look to God’s Word and gain wisdom on how to set boundaries in our lives and safeguards to keep us on the path. We need to listen, because sometimes we need guidance, but other times we need warnings and correction. We actually gain wisdom from mistakes so we will not repeat them. I know where I can’t go.  I have learned where my boundaries are for my safety.

He who keeps instruction is in the way of life.  But he who refuses correction goes astray. Proverbs 10:17

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. Proverbs 11:30

In the way of righteousness is life. Proverbs 12:28