Opening: God
tells us not to fear. Over 365 times in
the Scriptures we are told to fear not – do not be afraid. Most every day I talk to someone who is afraid or anxious
(which is generalized fear). Maybe you fear what people think of you… Not
having enough money… Public speaking, flying, being far from home, or spiders…
Failure or rejection… Losing a loved one… Disease or pain… Death… We all long for more of God’s peace in the
midst of the stresses of our lives! In fact, there are some fears
that are instinctive – to protect us: Imminent danger, Personal security or
pain is threatened, perceived loss of safety.
Our emotional brains react immediately to defend against a possible threat,
then later we can comprehend the situation more fully and decide on the best
action to take. We must be careful that we are not anxious or worried about
life.
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)
When we sense fear, worry or anxiety in life – we must
realize that these things are NOT from God – we are to face life knowing God is
in control and we are to have courage. God wants you to live courageously for
Him!
“As
for you, my son Solomon, know the
God of your father, and serve Him
with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all
hearts, and understands every intent of
the thoughts. If you seek Him, He
will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider now, for
the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.” 1
Chronicles 28:9-10
1. FEAR will
keep you from being obedient to God.
David
also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do
not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will
not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of
the Lord is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20
2. COURAGE will grow as you trust in God.
“Be
strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for
the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until
all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20
Courage:
Strong, mighty, to prevail
God is WITH me.
“Be strong and have strength of heart. Do not be afraid or
troubled because of the king of Assyria and all those who are with him. For the
One with us is greater than the one with him. 2 Chronicles 32:7
(NLV)
I have
told you these things so you may have peace in Me. In the world you will have much trouble. But take courage!
I have power over the world!”
John 16:33
Lance Whit – Replenish Chapter:
Does your soul have a backbone?
“As Martin Luther King
Jr. began to receive threatening phone calls and letters, fear began to
paralyze him. He had a defining moment one night with just him and God.
It seemed as though I
heard an inner voice, saying “Stand up for righteousness, stand up for
truth. God will be at your side forever.” Almost at once my fears began to pass
from me. . . . The outer situation remained the same, but God
had given me inner calm. Three nights later, our home was bombed. Strangely
enough, I accepted the word of the bombing calmly. My experience with God had
given me new strength and trust. I know now that God is able to give us the
interior resources to face the storms of life.
Let his words soak in. “My
experience with God had given me new strength and trust.” Abiding in the Vine
not only produces fruit, it makes us strong and courageous. I am also intrigued
by King’s statement that “God is able to give us interior resources to face the
storm.” It wasn’t primarily the cause and the community that sparked courage; it was his communion with the Father.
Be strong! Be courageous! Do not be afraid of them! For the
Lord your God will be with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6(LB)
God is FAITHFUL.
Therefore,
being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body
we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by
sight— we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the
body and to be at home with the Lord. 2
Corinthians 5:6-8 (NASB)
Understand,
therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who
keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love
on those who love him and obey his commands.
Deuteronomy 7:9 (LB)
Only
be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the
law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or
to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. Joshua
1:7 (NASB)
Plan NOW to join us next Sunday for the concluding message in this teaching series.
No comments:
Post a Comment