Whom Shall I Fear?

Franklin Graham tells the story about a little girl he saw in Rwanda, after that country's civil war a few years ago. She was a refugee who had just witnessed the murder of her entire family, and she was sitting in the back of a truck, clutching a blanket and singing. He asked one of the soldiers what she was saying, and the soldier translated it: "Jesus loves me, this I know..." She had just lost everyone and everything that she knew, and she was singing praise to God!

Not many of us face such horrific circumstances in our lives, and that's by the mercy of God. But we all face battles where we are tempted to doubt the goodness or the power of God. This is part of spiritual warfare. Paul puts it this way: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).

The faithful Christian understands that there is an intense battle going on at all times. There are enemies all around, and hell doesn't give you a standing ovation when you commit your life to Christ. Jesus Himself knew warfare—His earthly ministry began with forty days of warfare with Satan in the wilderness, and it ended in Gethsemane, with Jesus sweating great drops of blood, before the last great battle on the cross.

As Christians, we are not exempt from suffering. It may come in the form of sickness or loss of a job, or through the terrible events like the little Rwandan girl experienced. Suffering intensifies spiritual warfare and the fear that may make us doubt the grace and the mercy of God.

Yet, we should not fear. Psalm 27 is a song of confidence in the Lord. It was written during the time when David was on the run from Saul, who was trying to kill him. Listen to what David says: "Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident... For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock" (v. 3, 5).

I encourage you to spend some time with this Psalm. Read it. Meditate on the truths it expresses. God knows and understands the battles you face. He knows, and He cares. Even if you are forsaken by everyone and everything else, the Lord will take care of you (see v. 10).

Whatever the challenges, whatever the battles, we can all say, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (v. 1).

By
Skip Heitzig

Look For The Best In The Worst

When Thomas Carlyle completed his manuscript on the French Revolution, he asked his neighbor John Stuart Mill to read it. Later Mill came to Carlyle’s house, shaken and pale. His maid had inadvertently used it to light the fire! Carlyle despaired—two years lost! Writing it initially was daunting enough; rewriting it was unthinkable. Then one day, watching a stonemason build a wall, he observed it was going up one brick at a time. Inspired, he thought, “I’ll write a page today and one tomorrow. One at a time; that’s all I’ll think about.” It was slow, tedious work, but he persevered and the result outshone his original. Jon Gordon writes, “If you’re concerned about the future…I know how you feel. I lost my job in 2001…the company sank faster than the Titanic…I thought it was the worst event of my life. I was two months away from bankruptcy. I’d a wife, two children, a mortgage, no health insurance, and very little savings. I was a paycheck away from losing it all and…I had to make some important decisions. Eventually they led to the work I now do as a writer, consultant, and speaker. I went from Fired to Fired-up! My layoff led to my life’s mission…what I thought was the worst…led to the best…When the wave hits we have a choice…allow it to crush us, or learn from it and ride it to a positive future. We can move forward with determination and faith that our best days are ahead.” Rejoice. Refocus. God can turn the curse into a blessing.

From
Newlifeoakwood.org

Living By Faith

Read Matthew 21:18-22
In Mark 9:17-26, we read about a father whose son was possessed by a demon. The man came to Jesus, asking Him to heal the boy, if it was possible. The Lord lovingly shared that He could accomplish anything if the man had faith. The dad responded, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

What a revealing statement. Even Christians will experience some doubt with regard to God’s ways, truth, or ability. Thankfully, He is gracious and meets His children where they are.

But the Bible is clear that doubt causes difficulty. First, it affects the believer’s fellowship with God. Second, disbelief thwarts one’s prayer life, as the Lord does not answer a doubting heart. Third, uncertainty can lead to dependence upon the flesh and, therefore, inhibits fruitful service. All of these can lead to discouragement.

Let’s explore how to overcome a lack of assurance. Prayerfully consider what causes you to question. For example, were you taught something untrue such as an “all law, no grace” understanding of God? Or perhaps there is not enough of His Word hidden in your heart. Now, recall a time when you trusted the Lord and He responded; remember how it felt to rely totally upon Him. And, most importantly, meditate upon Scripture.

God wants you to walk in the freedom of faith-full confidence in Him. This eliminates anxiety because the almighty, all-knowing, loving Father is able to guide, strengthen, and lead His children to victory. If you haven’t been living with belief, start today. Don’t miss out on His best!

By
Dr. Charles F. Stanley

When Jesus Comes

Isaiah 40:1-10
Today we focus on a word from God through the Prophet Isaiah to Judah. Isaiah's assignment from the throne room of heaven is to call the nation of Judah back to God and to tell of God’s salvation through the Messiah. In other words, Isaiah is prophesying or foretelling the coming of the One who would be called Jesus. He is charged with delivering this message at a time in the life of Judah where all they know and have known is pain and misery.

The setting is one where the Jews have been in continuous captivity and now find themselves with some time to go before they are restored. But the good news is that they will be restored. So Isaiah is helping to prepare the way for the coming of the Christ, by telling the nation of Judah as we see in verse 1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says the Lord. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her in full for her sins.” They have been pardoned but they still have some time to go before they are restored.

God desires that His people understand that He has made a way for us to go from ruin to restoration from pain to praise, from doubting to dancing even though it hasn’t happened yet. Delayed does not mean not coming. God wants to use your life, your mess, your stuff, everything about you to help prepare the way for Jesus to come into someone’s life. There are sometimes that we will find ourselves in places where “can’t nobody” but God comfort us, it’s also in that place that while He’s comforting you He’s helping you to be in position to help prepare the way and not be in the way.

Don’t let the enemy hold you in a place that God has already released you from. The enemy is anybody who is not preparing the way for your release but ensuring that you remain captive. They’re not preparing the way, they’re just in the way.

Don’t let the enemy hold in you in a place that God has already released you from.
Don’t let your situation cause you to be in the way.
Tell somebody about Jesus and all He’s done for you.
Tell somebody there is therefore now no condemnation.
Tell somebody that His blood cleanses as white as snow.
Tell somebody that He is a just God.
Tell somebody He didn’t even spare His only Son.
Tell somebody He’s using me to help prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.

God desires to use us and all of our stuff to help prepare the way – help somebody else get ready for Jesus to come into their life.

By
Pastor Marvin Moss