|
|
|
|
www.truthworks.com 25 SEP 03 devotion archive send this page to a friend |
|
|
FEAR FACTOR I tell you the Truth, For those of you that are not familiar
with my life verse, allow me to share it with you. 2 Timothy 1: Timidity, or fear, is not a spirit handed down from God. Fear is a manipulation of Satan. Now don’t confuse this fear with the fear of God. Fear of God is healthy. The fear I speak of has the symptoms of confusion, panic and hopelessness. God did not give us the spirit of confusion, panic and hopelessness. That fear is of Satan. Our God is in the business of calming fear, not causing panic. But we must first understand that our faith in God will be the key to overcoming the fear that Satan tries to dish out. Let’s take a look at some fellows who might help us understand fear when it leads to confusion, panic and hopelessness. Matthew 8: First of all, recognize that we’re
talking about the disciples of Jesus, many of whom were fishermen by trade.
These same fishermen had spent most of their lives on the water. It’s
assured that they had seen many storms at sea, yet this storm was obviously
worse than any they had encountered. This storm caused them to fear for
their lives. They became confused, panicked and felt hopeless. The
only thing they did right was to call upon the Lord to save them. Good
thing they were in the immediate presence of Jesus! The interesting thing
about the situation is what Jesus is doing at this time – sleeping. How could any man sleep during such a
storm? Think about it. Think about the storms in your life. I
personally know that when my life hits a storm, it’s difficult to sleep.
Worry sets in. Fear creeps up. Hope seems lost. But not Jesus.
He sleeps through the storm. No worries. No fear. Full of
hope. How? Simple. He was in control. It was His storm
to begin with. He called the storm into existence at that precise time.
He caused it to occur and with a simple command, caused it to cease. He is
God and in control of all things for he is omnipotent (all powerful). Jesus could sleep because He was in
control. You know the feeling. It’s like that special time when
everything seems to be just alright. Sleep seems so natural when we’re
in control of everything. And that’s just how Jesus was. And
that’s just how Jesus is. He’s still in control today. Remember this through the coming year.
God Almighty is in control. No matter what storm we face as an individual,
as a nation or as a world, it is by His hand that it occurs and by His hand that
it obeys. Why would God allow such storms? For the same reason He
created the one on that lake. He provides us with opportunity to lean upon
Him. And the place you and I want to be during such a storm is in the
presence of the One who can control it. Remember this during the little storms
and when the big storms hit you won’t have to be like the young disciples.
You’ll be like the mature disciples. These same fishermen who were afraid of
a storm would later martyr themselves and endure great persecution for the sake
of Christ. How? Because they understood that the Lord was in control
no matter how bad things got. He is faithful to deliver us from the storm. Don’t turn to fear. Turn to
Christ. What kind of man is He? Even the wind and waves obey Him!
Your Servant,
<*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< Prayer Requests (and Praises!) Last
night we had some exciting things take place during our revival.
There was a young man by the name of Daniel that gave his life to Jesus
yesterday and returned last night with a half dozen other youth to attend our
revival. Also, a young guy I’ve
requested pray for previously made it to church for the first time.
His name is Jonathan and he has MD. He
lives in a nursing home and has no family in the area.
The nursing home transported him to the church last night and he says he
wants to come back next week. Pray
that God has his way in all these lives that each of them respond in obedience
to His call on their lives. Please reply if you have prayer requests, comments or simply need an open ear. I always enjoy hearing from you. <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< Copyright © 2003 Truth Works Publishing. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise specified, all scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE,
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV.
|
Get your own Truth Works Devotions by email!
Check out the freshest discount
releases from: Prayer
List
Other
Truth WorksTM
Sites
Truth WorksTM
Partner Sites Get HELP NOW! SUPPORT TRUTH WORKS
TRUTH WORKS DEVOTIONS
TRUTH WORKS PUBLISHING
|
bravenet.com
