For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Fear immobilizes us like a poisonous dart that spreads paralysis. Fear is one of Satan’s most potent and most used weapons. All of us have been guilty of yielding to its sway at times. Fear has many faces. There is the fear of failure, the fear of man, the fear of sickness, the fear of responsibility, the fear of heights, the fear of being alone, and the fear of death to name a few.
The good news is that the remedy for this demonic foe is found in Christ. The word of God says that God has not given us a spirit of timidity or fear. Instead, he has clothed us with a spirit of power (God’s ability and authority), love, and self-discipline or a sound mind. When we are tempted to fear, we must speak God’s word against the enemy of our souls. 2 Timothy 1:7 is a good scripture to begin with. We have also been give authority to use the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus against our adversary. Here is an example of how we can pray and exercise spiritual warfare:
Father God, I thank you that You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. In the name of Jesus, I command you spirit of fear to flee from me for I am covered by the blood of Jesus. You have no right to come against me. I command you to flee in Jesus name.
Father God I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit afresh and anew, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
We must recognize that we are in a spiritual battle and that fear is a spirit. It is also important that we learn to face our fears. Many times the enemy works to make us afraid to keep us from flowing in a spiritual gift. When I was a young Christian, I had a strong desire to tell others about the good news of salvation. There was one problem - I struggled with a fear of man and had a difficult time sharing my faith with unbelievers because of it. But I began to face my fears. I would buy gospel tracks and place them in phone booths and on car windows. These actions helped to break the fear of witnessing over me. Now I have much more freedom in this area and because of God’s grace I have had the opportunity of leading a number of people to Jesus.
If you are battling with a specific fear, identify it and ask God to help you overcome it. Stand on His word. Exercise spiritual warfare, and learn to face your fears. Step by step God will bring you out into the wide open space of His liberty.
The last thing I would like to remind you of is that God loves you. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” The more we receive God’s love for us the more we will love Him and others and the more we will find release from fear. Meditate on scriptures that focus on God’s love for you. This kind of revelation will banish fear from your presence.
If you are feeling afraid, know that God has not left you alone. He has given you the tools to triumph. Take to heart what I have shared with you and put these things into practice. I believe the Lord would say to you, “Fear not my child for I am with you always.”
Friday, September 30, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
God's Love
It's the greatest thing in heaven and earth
It triumphs over all the world
Its hand can heal the twisted soul
Make broken lives completely whole
It is love, God's love
When Christ hung
On that splintered cross
It was love that moved Him
To save the lost
It was love, God's love
When we face an enemy
And choose to pray for him or her
On bended knee
When we extend our hands
To feed the poor
And to the outcast open the door
We display
Love, God's love
For no attribute can compare
To the greatest gift we have to share
Though many live unaware
Let's give to each other love, God's love
For have you heard? Did you know?
That God is love from head to toe.
If He's the One we're living for
We'll walk in love, God's love
It triumphs over all the world
Its hand can heal the twisted soul
Make broken lives completely whole
It is love, God's love
When Christ hung
On that splintered cross
It was love that moved Him
To save the lost
It was love, God's love
When we face an enemy
And choose to pray for him or her
On bended knee
When we extend our hands
To feed the poor
And to the outcast open the door
We display
Love, God's love
For no attribute can compare
To the greatest gift we have to share
Though many live unaware
Let's give to each other love, God's love
For have you heard? Did you know?
That God is love from head to toe.
If He's the One we're living for
We'll walk in love, God's love
Friday, September 9, 2011
Good News Bears Expression
“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15
A young woman lies silent in a hospital bed. Infected with a dangerous virus; her health plummets. Many pray for her healing. During the first and second day in the hospital, she remains unconscious. It is as if she is courting death. But after three days she awakes and her husband hears the doctor say, “She will live and not die.” The words, like a flash of lightening, ignite the man’s soul.
He phones his friends and relatives to communicate the good news. Good news bears expression. When we are excited about something wonderful that has happened to us, we are compelled to share it with others.
When we receive blessings from God’s hand whether we experience salvation, healing, protection, deliverance, or provision, we are inspired to share what we have received with others. Jesus commanded each of us to go and publish the good news of salvation – the news that was once new to us. We have been commissioned to gossip the gospel – to let others know what the Lord can do for them. We are lights in a world with blinders on. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can make an eternal difference in their lives. They, like us in the past, are doomed to die. But Jesus is the remedy for their plight. Because of Him, they can live and not die.
Let us be the bearers of good news to those who haven’t heard they can be forgiven. The world is waiting – what a privilege, what an awesome opportunity. Let’s say yes to the call.
Dear Lord of the Harvest,
Help me to realize all that You’ve done for me. Help me to remember especially how you brought me out of darkness and welcomed me into the light. Enable me to go and make disciples of those lost in the dark. Thank you Jesus for entrusting me with this all-important responsibility. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
A young woman lies silent in a hospital bed. Infected with a dangerous virus; her health plummets. Many pray for her healing. During the first and second day in the hospital, she remains unconscious. It is as if she is courting death. But after three days she awakes and her husband hears the doctor say, “She will live and not die.” The words, like a flash of lightening, ignite the man’s soul.
He phones his friends and relatives to communicate the good news. Good news bears expression. When we are excited about something wonderful that has happened to us, we are compelled to share it with others.
When we receive blessings from God’s hand whether we experience salvation, healing, protection, deliverance, or provision, we are inspired to share what we have received with others. Jesus commanded each of us to go and publish the good news of salvation – the news that was once new to us. We have been commissioned to gossip the gospel – to let others know what the Lord can do for them. We are lights in a world with blinders on. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can make an eternal difference in their lives. They, like us in the past, are doomed to die. But Jesus is the remedy for their plight. Because of Him, they can live and not die.
Let us be the bearers of good news to those who haven’t heard they can be forgiven. The world is waiting – what a privilege, what an awesome opportunity. Let’s say yes to the call.
Dear Lord of the Harvest,
Help me to realize all that You’ve done for me. Help me to remember especially how you brought me out of darkness and welcomed me into the light. Enable me to go and make disciples of those lost in the dark. Thank you Jesus for entrusting me with this all-important responsibility. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
A Prophetic Word, 9/4/11
Here is a prophetic word that the Lord had me give this morning at my church (Family Life Christian Center). I hope it is an encouragement to you.
Salvation is coming on the clouds. My healing, My power, My glory is coming on the clouds. Fresh waves of My Spirit will come to you as you expect me to meet you. I am the glory and the lifter of your head. I am your exceedingly great reward. I am your peace and your strength in troubled times. I am your Champion. I will protect you from the evil one. Let me guide you. Let me lead you in bringing my glory to others to those who have not tasted that the Lord is good. Let me use you as a beacon to shine my light in the dark places. Behold I am coming soon. Be ready. I love you My children, My chosen ones. I love you.
Salvation is coming on the clouds. My healing, My power, My glory is coming on the clouds. Fresh waves of My Spirit will come to you as you expect me to meet you. I am the glory and the lifter of your head. I am your exceedingly great reward. I am your peace and your strength in troubled times. I am your Champion. I will protect you from the evil one. Let me guide you. Let me lead you in bringing my glory to others to those who have not tasted that the Lord is good. Let me use you as a beacon to shine my light in the dark places. Behold I am coming soon. Be ready. I love you My children, My chosen ones. I love you.
Monday, August 22, 2011
When Mercy Came
Mercy opened my eyes to see
Your glory now revealed
Mercy healed my broken heart
Forged a brand new start
Mercy calmed the tempestuous tides
Within this heart of mine
Created peace inside me
Fashioned perfect harmony
Pain and bitterness melted away
When You arrived on the scene
Fear and gloom took flight
Thank You Jesus Christ
For You are Love
You are Mercy Personified
God bless the day
When Mercy came to stay
Your glory now revealed
Mercy healed my broken heart
Forged a brand new start
Mercy calmed the tempestuous tides
Within this heart of mine
Created peace inside me
Fashioned perfect harmony
Pain and bitterness melted away
When You arrived on the scene
Fear and gloom took flight
Thank You Jesus Christ
For You are Love
You are Mercy Personified
God bless the day
When Mercy came to stay
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
While We Wait
They say that good things come to those who wait
But what happens when we procrastinate?
Do we wait for God to move without moving ourselves?
Is there something we should be doing
While we exercise patience?
Yes, we must believe for the promise to arrive
But faith without works is dead
Is there something in our hand to offer God
While He waits for the opportune time to bless us?
Lord search our hearts and help us
To prepare for all you have for us
Give us wisdom and grace
To win the race
To see Your promise face to face
But what happens when we procrastinate?
Do we wait for God to move without moving ourselves?
Is there something we should be doing
While we exercise patience?
Yes, we must believe for the promise to arrive
But faith without works is dead
Is there something in our hand to offer God
While He waits for the opportune time to bless us?
Lord search our hearts and help us
To prepare for all you have for us
Give us wisdom and grace
To win the race
To see Your promise face to face
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Overcoming Sexual Temptation
I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.
Job 31:1
God has called His children to sexual purity. We are to have clean hands and a pure heart. But many believers are falling prey to pornography, and some Christians have participated in premarital sex or have had an affair. Sexual intimacy was created by God. It is a beautiful thing when enjoyed within the context of a marital relationship.
When I was a teenager I had a problem with lust. Although I became a Christian at age 18, my struggles continued. It wasn't until I began to saturate myself with God's word concerning this issue and began to speak it aloud in the face of temptation that I found greater and greater victory. When Jesus was tempted, He spoke the word of God to the devil. This was how Jesus won the battle and it is also how we can triumph over our foe (See Matthew 4:1-11).
Another way to overcome the temptation of lust is to bring it out into the open. Find a believer who is mature and trustworthy and share your struggles with this individual. Ask this person to pray for you and to be an accountability partner for you. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
A third step in growing in purity is to run from temptation. 2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” We are to run from sexual temptation. This means that we are to keep ourselves from looking at images on the Internet that would compromise our integrity. It may mean that we purchase software that will protect us from pornographic sites. It means that we are to grow in discernment and discretion when interacting with the opposite sex.
Please understand that there is mercy for us when we fall. God forgives our every sin. There are consequences because of our sin that we may have to deal with, but our Lord always forgives us when we confess and repent of our wrongdoing.
It took me a number of years to find substantial victory in this area. I praise God for His overcoming power. He really does set the captives free.
If you are struggling with sexual temptation please pray the prayer below.
Dear Merciful Lord,
Your word says in Romans 6:11 that I am to count myself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. I confess to You that I struggle with sexual temptation. I ask you Lord to set me free. I choose to saturate myself in your word concerning this issue. I choose to speak it out loud in the face of temptation. I ask to you to show me who I can talk with about my struggles and I promise to do my best, with Your help, to run from temptation. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Job 31:1
God has called His children to sexual purity. We are to have clean hands and a pure heart. But many believers are falling prey to pornography, and some Christians have participated in premarital sex or have had an affair. Sexual intimacy was created by God. It is a beautiful thing when enjoyed within the context of a marital relationship.
When I was a teenager I had a problem with lust. Although I became a Christian at age 18, my struggles continued. It wasn't until I began to saturate myself with God's word concerning this issue and began to speak it aloud in the face of temptation that I found greater and greater victory. When Jesus was tempted, He spoke the word of God to the devil. This was how Jesus won the battle and it is also how we can triumph over our foe (See Matthew 4:1-11).
Another way to overcome the temptation of lust is to bring it out into the open. Find a believer who is mature and trustworthy and share your struggles with this individual. Ask this person to pray for you and to be an accountability partner for you. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
A third step in growing in purity is to run from temptation. 2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” We are to run from sexual temptation. This means that we are to keep ourselves from looking at images on the Internet that would compromise our integrity. It may mean that we purchase software that will protect us from pornographic sites. It means that we are to grow in discernment and discretion when interacting with the opposite sex.
Please understand that there is mercy for us when we fall. God forgives our every sin. There are consequences because of our sin that we may have to deal with, but our Lord always forgives us when we confess and repent of our wrongdoing.
It took me a number of years to find substantial victory in this area. I praise God for His overcoming power. He really does set the captives free.
If you are struggling with sexual temptation please pray the prayer below.
Dear Merciful Lord,
Your word says in Romans 6:11 that I am to count myself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. I confess to You that I struggle with sexual temptation. I ask you Lord to set me free. I choose to saturate myself in your word concerning this issue. I choose to speak it out loud in the face of temptation. I ask to you to show me who I can talk with about my struggles and I promise to do my best, with Your help, to run from temptation. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
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