Sunday, April 29, 2018

Fear

Image result for love my anti fear
 
We are all well acquainted with the emotion that bears a choke hold.  It's ruthless.  It's torment.  It's an enemy to faith, a thief that robs you of life - imprisons you to a false reality. 

Anxiety, depression, doubt, worry, hurt, anger, sadness, low self-esteem, unworthiness, hatred, prejudice.  It comes disguised underneath many different emotions, but it all comes down to one thing:
 
FEAR.
 
The paralysis for some is the dread of what could happen years down the road, anxiety associated with an unpredictable economy, and for many it is the torment of what today, the next hour, the next minute will bring. 

"...fear has torment." 1 John 4:18a

Fear is not only an emotion, but a spiritual force. It is very similar to faith in that both have an unshakable belief in an unseen future. Fear trusts circumstances, natural predictions, the enemy's lies, and self.  Faith trusts God and what His Word says.  Fear is negative faith. 
 
Fear is an enemy of God.  It in essence rips Him of His lordship in our lives. We become self focused and not God focused.  We put our trust in the wisdom of man rather than in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5).  We no longer see Him for Who He is and who He desires to be in our lives...  He solely becomes a gateway to Heaven, but in our day to day living He is diminished to a dusty figure placed on a shelf.   

God is love, and the Bible says that Perfect Love casts out fear.  God is THAT perfect love. 
 
"There is no fear in love (dread does not exist), but perfect love turns fears out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment.  He who is afraid has not fully experienced His perfect love." 1 John 4:18

Image result for chains broken jesusFather, we want to know Your love... Your love is our freedom.  Your love removes shackles. Your love delivers us from all fear.  You are not what our circumstances look like. You are not what the latest trends define You as.  We commit to growing in the knowledge of who You truly are as defined in Your Word, and through that knowledge - growing in intimacy with You... We know that in experiencing that intimate love - fear has no more room in our lives. Thank You for Your love and the hope and peace it brings.
 
 
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Transparency

 
 
 
Why is it that you hide from Me
As if I do not see?
Why do you remain silent
When your very thoughts I read?

You want to feel My presence
But you can’t see past the walls
that hardness of heart built over the years
When will they ever fall?

I need you to be transparent
Speak to Me what you feel
If you want to build a relationship
You have to be real

I’m not looking for fancy speeches
Don’t waste time trying to impress
I just need you to begin to speak to Me
And allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest

Share with Me your struggles
No matter how shameful they may be
I already know the temptations you face
I’m the One to set you free

You fear the thought of surrender
Afraid I will strip everything from you
Do you really think I will do you harm?
I only want what is best for you

There’s freedom in your surrender
Time to give up the fight
Your heart will never find the rest it needs
Until you and I are right

Be open to Me – and be transparent
No more excuses to not even try
I can see you snuggled behind your “comfortable” walls
So why even try and hide?
 
-etb

Thursday, April 12, 2018

El Roi


 
 Image result for you are the God who sees me

 
An ever-present comfort 
That transcends my sight
Who I Can’t See holds my head
Through the tear-filled nights
 
He sees the piercing arrows
That tear me apart
From the one called to protect
Abba’s daughter’s heart
 
Silence and confusion
Uncertainty and fear
The crushing spirit of control
Left lost and insecure
 
From Heaven He watches
Disturbed by what He sees
Time to shake what can be shaken
On this sadistic scene
 
Deep calls out to deep
He enlightens my sight
Courage for the moment
To stay strong through that night
 
No hurt had gone past His eyes
He watched it take its toll
The Sea Opener makes a way of escape
From what’s destroying my soul
 
The aftermath not easy
Flashbacks pierce my heart
Fear shows up with its cruel smile
To try to tear what’s left apart
 
Breathing peace into my heart
Support and love He sends
His healing hand will get me to
A life that He intends
 
Image result for God who sees picture