Reflections

The moon reflects the sun
Over the still water its picture is clear
But when the waves roll in, the moon is indistinguishable
When we walk in peace with our God,
We reflect our Savior
But when turmoil rules within our hearts,
We no longer bear Christ’s image to the world

When we allow truth and love to abide inside us,

Peace rules
And we shine the light of Jesus to those around us
May our hearts know the calm
Of being cradled by our Heavenly Father

 

 

 

 

Overcoming Fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

It is easy to be moved by tumultuous circumstances. But as Christians we are commanded not to fear. When I was a young man, I struggled with a fear of the future. I approached my coming days with a lack of confidence. It was not until I faced my fears with the word of God that I found victory. I learned to take scriptures like 2 Timothy 1:7 and speak them aloud. By doing this, I strengthened my confidence, and I was able to loosen Satan's hold over my heart and mind.

God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. These gifts of grace cause us to overcome the spirit of fear. We also find victory over fear when we grow in our understanding of God's love for us. The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

Let's take our stand against any form of fear in our lives. Although we are to fear or respect our Lord, we are not to entertain any other kind of fear. As we submit to God and resist the devil, he will flee. Become grounded in the word of God and the love of our heavenly Father. The Lord will give you victory. He will lift you out of the mire of anxiety and trepidation. As you surrender to Him and take up your sword (the spoken word of God) and use it against the enemy, you will find freedom from all fear.

Now I live with a faith-filled expectation of the future ahead of me. You too can realize who you are in Christ. You are more than a conqueror in Him. With God's help you too can overcome your fears.

Let's Make Our Father Smile

Here is a post from the past that I hope you will enjoy...

And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. 1 Chronicles 21:1-2

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7

God calls His children to a life of faith. He wants us to trust Him in the big and little things. King David allowed Satan to influence his thinking and consequently his actions. David asked Joab to number the people.

You might ask, “What's the harm in numbering the nation?” But God listens to the rhythm of our hearts. He peers into the center of our souls. We humans recognize some sins as serious, such as murder and adultery, but God saw David's actions as a lack of faith. He did not trust God to protect Israel. Instead he fell into Satan's trap. The sin may have been more in the heart attitude of David than in the actual act of counting the individuals. Romans 14:23 says that everything that does not come from faith is sin. The Lord punished David by sending a plague to the nation.

David did repent of his sin, and the plague was eventually stayed by God, but there were many casualties. What can we learn from this unusual story? Our lack of faith displeases our Father. It also can cause us to do things that affect others. A lack of trust on our part can have a rippling effect. It can bring negative things in our lives and the lives of those around us.

What is the cure? First we must repent or turn about face and ask for forgiveness. Next we need to feed our faith with God's word. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing God's word. It is also beneficial for us to speak God's word over our lives; this helps to build our faith. Finally, we must obey God, and expect Him to do what He says He will do in His word.

Faith is a choice. When we choose faith, we please God. The decision to walk by faith also has a rippling effect. Our faith not only blesses our lives, it blesses others as well. When we give in to fear, doubt, and worry, we can come to the Father and receive His love and forgiveness. Let's allow our Lord to build us up in faith. As we act on this faith by trusting Him, we make our Father smile.

 

Dear Father God,

 

I want to please You. I want to walk by faith. I want to make You smile. Forgive me for doubting You at times. Help me to feed daily on Your written word so that my faith can be established. Lord I love You and I choose to put my trust in You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.