Tag: Fear Not

Posted in Bible Journaling, Faith, Fear, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

What to do when the Walls close in

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on What to do when the Walls close in

exodus 14It’s a dreadful feeling to feel like the walls of life are closing in on you from within and without. I’m a frequent flyer with that emotion because I’ve a constant supply of things on my plate. I’m not the authority of teaching how to prevent it, although in my heart I’m relatively sure I know the answer (God). But my only problem with telling people “no” is that it always comes out of my mouth, “No… I wouldn’t mind.” Followed by the wall of emotion and the thought running through my mind, “What were you thinking!” But then…I finish the task at hand and that oozy goozy feeling that occurs when you’ve helped someone out comes over me and the overwhelmed feeling goes away…until tomorrow.

This morning as I pondered the 20 things I have on my plate and the three I have time for, the verse in Exodus stirred my soul with a word from Heaven. The wall of water for which the children of Israel walked through wasn’t to overwhelm them in its vastness or to create fear; it was to make the way while God held the world in its boundaries. And that became my prayer for today. Lord, keep the world in its boundaries and me on the path.

Exodus 14:13 gives us three points to ponder today if your plate is like mine:

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

Fear Not

Fear is a marvelous tool of the Devil to stop you in your tracks. It will put the journey of life on hold. I speak truth because I speak with experience. I’ve had some notions in my noggin for several months of a path I’d like to take, but I’ve allowed fear to stop me. Because it’s a great deal of work, and it’s a path I’ve never trod, it’s had me overwhelmed. I didn’t know where to start, even though God’s said go. I have a feeling when the children of Israel seen the sea before them and the Egyptians closing in behind, their apprehension level soared. What had they done?! They even ask Moses “have you taken us away to die?” At least in bondage they weren’t hunted down! That’s how they felt.

Well, that’s how I’ve felt since I began serving the Lord. Hunted. And Satan is a mighty hunter! But Moses give us the second point to ponder…

Stand Still

What?! With the enemy on our tail and you want us to stand still? That doesn’t work for me Lord. I like and need to be busy doing stuff. That’s my response. But my methodical busy work is often undoing what God is doing. The Lord wanted the Israelites to see that it was He who would make the way to their freedom, if they’d just stand still and not try to make another way. And then those miraculous walls went up! The ground was dry, the path was straight and they were going places! But not until they shushed and let God move.

And See

And so they did. They seen the walls go up and Pharaoh’s army go down. They seen what protected them had destroyed the enemy. That’s exciting news for me today, how about you? Rather than looking at the wall closing in, I’ll just stand still and wait for God to do something amazing!

Posted in Fear, Life Inspiration

From Fear to Faith with Apostle Paul

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on From Fear to Faith with Apostle Paul

chick scaredy pants

Faith… We study it, share it, preach it and proclaim it over the hurdles we must jump, but every new predicament in life brings us back to the beginning of striving again to obtain that mustard seed of faith that will bring us through. After almost twenty years of salvation, one would think that I have would have obtained great faith… after all, I’m the Jesus Chick right? And yet it takes so little to get my knees knocking and heart trembling. But as He always does, God shows me that I’m in the good company of Apostle Paul who boldly preached in the face of death, yet he had his knee knocking moments as well. So this morning I’m looking to shore up my faith in the Word of God. If you’re needing a prop or two in your life I hope you’ll come along with me as I unpack  1 Corinthians 2:1-5

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Mr. & Mrs. Smarty Pants

I am forever trying to plot out life in my own wisdom. In comparison to the wisdom of Paul I would still be in pre-school, and yet the Apostle Paul said that he was determined to know nothing but Christ. Regardless of the level of your intelligence, the letters behind your name or in front of your name, if you seek to know anything outside of the wisdom and will of God you’re in trouble. The first step to living in faith is stop thinking on your own and remember the price that God paid for you.

If God. The Creator and Knower of all designed you and your life, and then sent His Son to the cross of Calvary to pay for your life, will He not continue to care for it and put everything in your path to take you where He wants you to go. You and I are precious commodities in the Kingdom of God. We are the vessels that He pours Himself into and then places people and events in our path to bring glory to His Kingdom. Sometimes the paths are hard, but how much easier would it be if we just rode the wave rather than constantly fighting the current of the high waters about our neck. God’s got this.

Scaredy Pants

But I’m afraid! Paul was too! He said he was weak, afraid and trembling. That sounds pretty serious to me. Now granted… Paul was facing people who wanted him dead… What you and I usually face is far less, but God understands our fear. Paul, a learned scholar, didn’t rely on the wisdom that he had acquired through men, but allowed the Spirit of God to take over his faculties and bring the message to the people.

It’s hard to let loose of fear, because actually it’s the other way around, fear has a hold on us.  What bothers me this morning was lying in bed beside of me. (No, it wasn’t David) It was this ever present feeling of uncertainty. It was on my mind when I laid down and occupied my pillow throughout the night. So this morning I allowed God to lay hands on it. I don’t have that power! It is only through the Holy Spirit that I can be brave for today.

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

If we are to stand in faith we cannot stand in the wisdom of man, because man just doesn’t get it. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ~ Hebrews 11:1

Posted in Life Inspiration, Peace

But Now… Stop your worryin’

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on But Now… Stop your worryin’

CHICK NO WORRIES

Child of God or no, there are very few people that I’ve ever met that didn’t worry. If any really? Some call it “concern” and in the spiritual sense I get that. We know that God has this world under control and that nothing occurs without first having His stamp of approval on it. But when you’re in the thick of heartache and trouble, serious “concern” has a way of creeping up on you.

Isaiah 43 is looking at the release of the Jews out of their captivity and looking even further than that to the redemption of them and us through the Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 1 through 7 are filled with great promises for us to cling to when Satan is whispering in your ear… “you’re  goin’ down.”

7  Promises in Isaiah 43

1 – 1But now thus saith the Lord that created thee,

If God can speak the universe into existence, is there anything He cannot do? Yes… lie.

O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for 2 – I have redeemed thee,

On the cross of Calvary Jesus redeemed us, purchased every child of God with His very own blood sacrifice. As the teens and I studied the “Crazy Love” of Jesus Christ in our Wednesday night service a little girl came to know His saving grace. It was one of those nights where you could feel the Spirit moving and had absolutely nothing to do with me. God had shown up and anointed that class room with His presence before I ever opened my mouth. Two thousand years ago He redeemed little Theresa and planned it out so I could be there the day she came to understand.

3 – I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

There’s something awesome in knowing that God owns me. I belong to the Creator of all the universe and He has plans for me. He called me for a purpose. It’s like having the CEO of the universe ring your number today and say, “Hey, I have a little something for you to do.” How cool is that!

2 When thou passest through the waters, 4 – I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

No matter the troubles we face, we’re going through. They cannot consume us for we are eternal beings in the hand of God. Many days I’d just rather not go through. I’d much rather go around. But I have yet to go through a trial where I didn’t see the purpose when I arrived on the other side. Every heartache and trial I’ve endured has allowed me to glorify God to someone later. It’s not fun, but if we didn’t have the bad times, we NEVER  appreciate the good times.

3 For 5 – I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

When the children of Israel went through the plagues prior to leaving Egpyt, a great many Egyptians died. God didn’t take that lightly. He did not want those people to suffer, and He didn’t want the Israelites to forget that their freedom came with a high price and ours with an even higher price, His Son. The Egyptians were rebellious and refused to heed God’s request. Jesus willingly went to the cross with no sin of His own to pay our debt, because those whom He creatare precious in his sight.

6  – 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

7 – 5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; 6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; 7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

He’s with us now and He’s going to bring all His children together someday soon. Oh glory!!!! That’s a promise that I love holding on to.