The Lord has impressed something on my heart so mightily today...FEAR is a LIAR! When I run into an issue in life, it's startling how fear seems to be a common thread. Why is that? I am convinced that it is a mighty weapon that the Enemy has forged. In fact, it is the only weapon he has. Do I have fear...yes. Do I have it all figured out...no. I do know that Jesus knew my hangup with fear and offered his life for me!
I am amazed at Jesus' own encouragement; John 14:24 (NLT) “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Jesus is that peace that will dispel fear. When he tells us to not be "troubled or afraid" it is because he can backup his encouragement. It is not a void statement. Jesus went "all in" with his obedience when hanging on a cross. What the Enemy intended for evil was the climax of triumph! Jesus defeated death! Even typing this I well up with tears just thinking about all that Jesus did for us! If he would die on a cross for us, I am taking him at his word. Colossians 2:15 (NLT) "In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross." So when he says to not be troubled or afraid, I am trying my hardest to rest in the truth that the gift from Jesus is peace of mind and heart!
This is why community among believers is so important! There are times that we do fear, doubt, worry, fret... When we are in community, we can remind each other of the truths that our Lord gave us! The gift of peace! Jesus is peace!
John writes in 1 John 4:18-19 (NLT) "Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first." John is not condemning us, but rather encouraging us! He points to Jesus as the example of that perfect love. Because he first loved us, we can follow in that example!
As brothers and sisters in Christ, how privileged are we to do life together! If faced with fear today, tell it to go away. Audibly! Fear. Must. Go! Speak to the lie so that we bring honor to Jesus and our Lord! It will take practice, it will take tweaking, but when we start to act in that authority granted to us by Jesus, we push closer to Peace. We walk straighter in Truth. We make an impact in the Kingdom. When I got out of bed this morning, the Enemy was put on notice. Not in my house. Not in my car. Not at my son's school. Not at work. He has absolutely no right to where light is. Praise God that we are called to be that light in the world! Matthew 13:43 (NLT) "Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!"
If I can come along in prayer for you, please let me know. There will be those times I will ask for prayer myself. The battle WILL get weary. We WILL need the support of our brothers and sisters. This, again, is why community and small groups are so important! We can stand in agreement and say NO to fear and support each other!
Love & Peace to all of you!
