fear not

by

The Heart

I had an interesting experience today as I ministered to a man who had just had heart surgery. As I visited him in the ICU he began to share some things with me that he had seen on the news that had upset him. As he spoke of these things I noticed on the monitor that his blood pressure began to rise. The monitor began to beep as his blood pressure rose. I shared some scriptures that brought him peace and as I shared the scriptures his blood pressure began to drop.

A few minutes later he began to relate to me another thing he had seen on t.v. that had upset him. Once again his blood pressure began to rise, but then he shared how the Lord had helped him deal with what he had seen. As he shared about the goodness of God, his blood pressure began to drop once again.

Right there in the ICU the Lord brought this scripture to my remembrance.

David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of this Philistine… (1 Samuel 17:32, Amplified)

David was speaking here of Goliath who had come out for forty days and had intimidated the armies of Israel with his threats and taunts. It says in verse eleven that “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid” (KJV).

The news today is full of words that could cause a person to be dismayed and greatly afraid. However, just like David, we don’t have to be afraid. Just like David our hearts don’t have to fail us and we can help others who find themselves dismayed and greatly afraid.

What did David know that gave him such confidence when others feared?

He knew he had a covenant with God and that God was on his side (1 Samuel 17:26, David refers to this ‘uncircumcised’ Philistine; circumcision was the sign of the covenant).

The name David means ‘Beloved’. He knew he was loved. Perfected love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). Also God’s covenant is based on hesed which is His unfailing love and David knew this (Psalm 23:6, Amplified – “Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life…”; the words unfailing love in that translation come from the Hebrew word hesed which was simply translated mercy in the King James).

He knew God. He had a relationship with Him from all his time of fellowship with God as he tended the sheep in the fields and from his love and knowledge of God’s Word.

I shared these things with that man in ICU and his blood pressure continued to drop as he heard these truths. I also shared these two scriptures with him.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7, KJV)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8, KJV)

We too have a covenant with God through Jesus (Hebrews 8:6). We too are loved of God (1 John 4:19). We too now have fellowship with him by His Spirit and His Word (1 John 1:3). We too can have confidence and fear not!

And one last scripture to keep in mind.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine… (Proverbs 17:22, KJV)

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22, Amplified)

🙂

by

My Father Loves Me

I grew up riddled with fears. I was afraid of going to school, so I made myself sick, literally sick, quite often. I was very familiar with stomach aches and hives. I tried to get out of every spelling bee and test that I could. I stuttered often when speaking to individuals and I really stuttered if I ever had to speak to a group of people.

I had a car accident at the age of 17. I didn’t drive again for two years. When I did start driving again, I was terrified of having another accident. My childhood and high school years were mostly full of fears and insecurities.

Then something wonderful happened. I found out that God loves me. This changed everything. I wasn’t afraid anymore. The little things in life, like talking to new people, trying new things and even driving no longer were cause for fear and anxiety. I knew God loved me and I trusted Him to take care of me.

Shortly after this I started attending a new church. The Lord led me to start volunteering with the church’s hospital ministry. What did it require? I had to drive to hospitals all over the Dallas/Fort Worth area talking to strangers about God’s Word on healing and praying for them.

Within a year I was also asked to begin teaching a session in our yearly healing workshops. I had to stand up and speak in front of large groups of people. I now teach large groups of people at least once a week. I minister in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons. Oh, and gas stations, grocery stores and malls 🙂

How did I go from a fearful, timid girl to a confident, bold woman? The love of God!

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! (1 John 4:18, Amp)

God has placed big dreams in my heart. Dreams I wouldn’t have dared to dream during those fearful days. They seem impossible. They seem risky. And I’m looking forward to them. If God is leading me to do them, then I trust Him to equip me and to guide me through to success.

I was talking to a friend today and he used this example of stepping out on the things of God. He said it was like getting off the bank and jumping in the river. There might be rapids. There may be obstacles. But as I yield to Daddy, I know He will guide me safely and successfully through. How do I know this? Because I know My Father loves me and I fully trust Him because of it.

Fear not: believe only… (Luke 8:50, KJV)

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Fear Not, Only Believe

Many years ago there was a situation in my family that I was greatly concerned about. It involved a child. And everytime I thought about her and her situation I would become anxious. I knew this would not help the situation at all, but I also was having so much trouble not letting the situation disturb me. I finally said to the Lord, I need a word from You to stand on concerning this situation. I knew if I heard from Him that was it, this thing was over, even if the situation didn’t change immediately.

The Lord spoke to me through His Word one day as I read the account of Jairus’ daughter being raised from the dead (Luke 8). That was a pretty bleak situation, much worse than my own. As I read the account, these words jumped off the page and entered my heart, “Fear not, only believe and she shall be made whole.”

The voice of Love had just spoken to me about my situation. This word had been written centuries ago, but this Living Word spoke to me about my current situation. It was settled. If I stayed out of fear and only believed she would be whole at the end of all this.

This scripture along with two others brought peace to my heart and wholeness to this child. Every time a fearful thought came up, I refused to fear and replaced the fearful thought with thoughts on the words Love had spoken to me. In 1 John 4:18 the Bible tells us that “there is no fear in love” (Amplified). There was no reason to fear. God loves me. I knew He loved this child. And we could trust Love.

Also, 1 Peter 5:7 says, “casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares for you watchfully” (Amplified). I would just say, “Lord I cast the care of Sally (not her real name) over on You because You care for Sally and You care for me and You are taking care of this situation.” And He did just that. She is whole.

He cares for you. He cares about your situation. Trust Love to get you through. Fear not, only believe.