Fear Not

I've had on my heart to post this for a few days now then this morning I received some scripture in my inbox (from a free service from MOPS and 411God.net). So I thought maybe that was God spurring me on. Here is a portion of the scripture in the New Living Translation:

Isaiah 35:3-4
3 With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
and encourage those who have weak knees.
4 Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”

Isn't that encouraging? I think so!

We (all of us) have a great opportunity to live in fear... fear of sickness, fear of death, fear of losing someone close to us, fear of financial ruin, fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of... (you fill in the blank).

But isn't it great that our God addressed this issue SO MANY TIMES in His Word!? I LOVE how God is on top of stuff! I have heard that the phrase "Fear Not" is in God's Word well over 100 times. I wish I knew that number... if YOU do, please comment below! Not only does HE tell us NOT to fear... He tells us WHY we don't need to. One is the scripture above that I wasn't really familiar with. Numerous times in the Psalms we can see WHY we don't need to! He's all powerful... the one in control. But some scripture I think we are all familiar with BUT we need to have on the tip of our tongue is:

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

That says it all, doesn't it?

Some may say, "That's great. But the thoughts of my problem overwhelm me. How can this REALLY help me?"

Well the scripture says, we have to take our thoughts captive.

2 Cor 10:5
5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

So what does that mean? Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ?

I think (based on God's Word & other reading I've done), that it means whenever you have a thought that does not line up with God's Word (in today's case a fearful one), then you consciously CHOOSE to stop that thought from playing in your mind 1000 times. Well, we all know we can't just think NOTHING... so we have to REPLACE this thought with a thought that is "obedient to Christ." Where do we find thoughts that are obedient to Christ? In His Word, of course! Yea for having God's Word so readily available to us! So, if you have a fearful thought, you need to quote a scripture contrary to that spirit of fear. Choosing one of the above about being strong because He is coming to save us, is a good one, or the classic... 2 Timothy verse... or any verse that fits your circumstance.

I have to confess that the reason this has been on my heart is that I have been battling the spirit of fear. It shouldn't be such a battle. God has already won. He's on my side. God reminded me of these truths, and I felt His nudge to share them with you, so I hope this is a blessing to you!

In my battle of fear, I have used these other verses, too:

Psalm 139 (about our little one)

Matthew 6:25-34 (as we transition from one mission organization to another)

Phil 4:5-7 (good for ANYTHING)

Well, there is my heart. I hope God can use it to speak to you as He has been speaking to me. I encourage you to spend time in His Word (as I need to be more of) ESPECIALLY during this crazy time of year that SHOULD be focused on our Lord instead of all this busyness that is bossing us around!

Love,
Melinda =0)

PS If you have something you'd like to have me be praying with you about, e-mail me or post below. Together we are stronger.

PPS I think you need to read this right now before leaving...
Phil 4:5-7
5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Now, isn't that what it is all about... our GENTLENESS being EVIDENT to all? Who would receive the Glory for that? GOD! Especially if people know our circumstances BUT see that PEACE of God that transcends all understanding! Praise the Lord! May HE receive Glory! That is why we were created... for HIS GLORY!

Father, help us bring you glory. Help each of us have EVIDENT GENTLENESS. May your PEACE guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Thank you for your Word. Thank you for being WITH us, our Emmanuel. Thank you, Father. In Jesus name, Amen!