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

Father, 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.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEyRoj2sFc4

 

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

 

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.  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

Father, 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.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k

 

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

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.  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

Father, 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.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k

 

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

Heaven's Will and Earth Collide

What is it that stopped Jesus in His tracks to tend to Bartimaeus' need in Luke 18:35-43? 

Here is a man who thought money or goods were his greatest need as he sat on the road begging that day.  That is until he overhears that Jesus is passing by.   Something stirs within him.  His spirit leaps when he hears that the Man of Compassion is in his midst.   Faith arises.  Bartimaeus becomes desperate to receive more than what a fallen world had dealt him.   He becomes bold.   He pushes past the fear of men; men, who had sight, yet were blind to what his soul was reaching for.   He refuses to keep silent.   He no longer accepts “the bad report,” but to trust in the Name above all names. 

 

Heaven’s will and earth collided that day.  Bartimaeus walked away with far more than eyes that could see, but a life changing encounter with Love Himself.  

 

 

Begging for what I thought

To be life’s greatest need

Until Love’s presence passed me by

And my soul cried to be freed

 

Refusing to keep quiet

A heart in desperate plea

To reach the ears of Messiah

Simple words - that I believe

 

Unashamed persistence

Abandoned fear of man

Confident pursuit in the One

Who holds my need in His hands

Relentless in pursuit

Crying out all the more

The King of Glory turns to me

“What is it your soul longs for?”

 

Simple faith and confidence

Stopped Mercy in His tracks

Healing my sight to fully see

True Love move on my behalf

 

-ets

 

 

 

Name Above All Names

 

When my son was three years old,  I overheard him saying, "There's power in the Name of Jesus! Grrr!"

Made me chuckle at the surety in the statement coming from such a small vessel, but it threw me quickly into a moment of reflection.  How often we forget what's behind that Name: JESUS.

"Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the Name above all other names, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11) 

EVERY other name is subject to the Name of Jesus!  

What "name" are you battling?  Is it addiction?  Anger?  Anxiety?  Broken relationships?  Depression?  Disease?  Fear?  Grief?  Guilt?  Poverty?  Sickness?  Begin to speak His Name over your situation.  Even if you can only muster enough strength to whisper, "Jesus" - continue to do it over and over again. There is unfathomable power and authority behind that Name! (Matthew 28:18)

Salvation in the Name of Jesus:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

Demons flee and protection found in the Name of Jesus:

“But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.” Acts 16:18

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17

Strength and soundness of mind in the Name of Jesus:

“And His name, through faith in His Name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16

Healing in the Name of Jesus:

“Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the Name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. By faith in the Name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ Name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:6

The Name that saves.  The name that delivers. The Name that heals.  The Name that strengthens.  The Name that calms the storm. The Name of hope. The Name of victory.

Jesus.

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.” John 20:30-31

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zpLPh6LibE

Hero

Boldness arises

Strength to speak truth

Words somehow choked

Left broken and confused

 

Blamed when standing up against

This chief of control

Explaining creates havoc

Shut up and let it go

 

Repressing our desires

Invalidating our need

Gasping for a breath

That’s far out of reach

 

Martyr emerges

“Takes one for the team”

Grants air he sees unnecessary

Enough to let us breathe

 

Self proclaimed hero

Master puppeteer

What is considered normal to most

Does not reside here

 

Forced into a reality

Devised for a dwelling of one

Irrational expectations

Simple things made cumbersome

 

Fear based way of living

Will I do it right?

Basic things that people do

Should I ask for it and chance a fight?

 

Silent rejection

Ambience turns dense

Did I walk too hard?  Laugh too loud?

Find joy in what to him makes no sense?

 

Little room for freedom

Occasional sips from his hand

Just enough to make one think

He’s starting to understand

 

Show excessive thanks when permitted

What he considers a futile wish

Shower this hero with accolades

As he allows some humanness

 

Lives sacrificed on an altar

In his inverted world

Basic normalcy given up

An act of respect with no reward

 

Surprise curve balls of liberty

Occasionally enter this field

Confusion and guilt muddle the mind

What is it I really feel?

 

Have the internal complaints on our part

Been rebellious and self-seeking?

Or has too much power been given

To one who does not care about our well being?

-ets

 

 



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.  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

Father, 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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uztHkNujb5o

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

True Beauty

"We have to STOP agreeing with what the world has said about us while it exploits us: We are only as good as we are sexually desirable." ~Beth Moore

From early on, young girls are subliminally trained to "use what you've got to get what or who you want" ... For those who don't feel they measure up to what society portrays as a woman, life can be an ongoing body image struggle resulting in eating disorders and depression.  Sadly, life's goal becomes minimalized to squeezing into a size 0. 

This is NOT what the Lord intends for His daughters.  It is an ugly lie from the enemy that is embedded in us as women.  It has infiltrated us to the point of "normal" - where we don't even recognize how non-stop we are bombarded with it.  It is a clever decoy to keep us focused on everything but who we are called as women to be in Christ. 

Feeling beautiful, the need to feel beautiful is okay, but Hollywood does not define true beauty. 

"You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful." 1 Peter 3:4-5

Not only are we bombarded with "image based" worth, but men are seeing the very same thing and getting a warped sense of who a real woman really is, expecting us to live up to unattainable ideals.  Fact of the matter is, we ALL, men and women alike, are being deceived into a false reality all in order to keep us flesh conscious.  If the enemy can keep us there, we will not be walking in the spirit ~ where our true worth is found. 

"Perfect love casts out fear."  This whole issue is fear based.  Fear of not measuring up, fear of rejection, fear of being unwanted, fear of being second best...  I pray that we all can get to the point where we allow Christ's perfect love to penetrate every broken part so we can walk in wholeness ~ viewing ourselves the way He intended.

"But God told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 MSG)

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.  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

Father, 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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uztHkNujb5o

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4