fear

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Love Casts Out Fear

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:17-19, NKJV)

In 1998 the leader of a prayer group that I attended began sharing with us about the love of God, agape. While I had already learned about His great love for me in that Jesus died on the cross for me while I was still a sinner, what this prayer group leader began sharing with us went even deeper still. I wish I could share it all here and now, and I will delve deeper in future posts as I have in past posts, today I mention this because of a recent experience I had that proved to be life-changing.

I have lived in Texas all my life. My husband and I are on our 5th Texas home, all lovely, all great homes, but each led us closer to our home with a little land which I have always wanted. In all the homes that I have lived in, I have never lived in an area as windy as where we live now. When we see a storm rolling in, often we grab our dogs and quickly run indoors because the wind can pick up fast and crazy in no time flat.

After 2.5 years here we’ve learned to move a smallish metal outdoor table and chairs away from one of the patio windows when we see a storm brewing. The wind has knocked the table and chairs into one of the patio windows in the past and into the yard during several storms. So when we see a storm coming we move them into the yard around the corner from the windows.

A few months ago I saw another storm brewing and the winding picking up. I went outside to move the table and chairs. I picked up the first chair and found myself suddenly in the yard with the chair flying out of my hands and blowing across the yard. It took me by surprise and I thought, “That was kind of weird.” I returned to the patio and picked up the metal table and once again, I suddenly found myself in the yard. The wind had blown me off the patio and the table was now blowing across the yard. My thoughts were, “Wow, that was very weird.” I returned for the second chair. The same scenario repeated with me blown into the yard and the chair blowing end upon end across the yard. I then turned to go indoors and had to literally fight the wind to make it back onto the patio. When I finally made it in the back door, I had to use my full body weight leaning against the door to be able to close it against the extreme wind. Once again I thought, “Wow, that was crazy weird!”

The next day I saw a weather report for our area. The meteorologist said that either a weak tornado or straight line winds had hit our area the day before. So that’s what that was.

Over the next week I often found these words rolling through my thoughts, “weak tornado”. It popped up into my mind so many times, that I finally thought to ask God, “Is there something that You want to tell me about that?” And He did.

He said to me, “Do you want to know why that tornado was weak?”

Me: “Yes, of course Lord.”

God: “It was weak because you did not fear it.”

Then these words were began rolling through my thoughts over the next few days. “It was weak because I did not fear it? I did not ’empower’ the tornado with fear?”

The account from Mark 4 of Jesus and His disciples encountering a storm while out in a boat came to mind.

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them. ‘Why are you so fearful?…” (Mark 4:37-40, NKJV)

What are you afraid of today? There are many powers that be these days that are stoking the flames of fear all around us. What are you empowering, who are you empowering with fear?

Since this experience I have found God’s words comforting and I have found myself living a life of greater love and a life free of fear.

God’s love does cast out all fear. If you find yourself afraid, draw near to God and learn of His love. It is unconditional. It is patient and kind. It is POWERFUL!

“Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it–because it does….” (1 Corinthians 14:1, MSG)

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NKJV)

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Love Makes a Way

Yesterday I shared on the phrase “where there is a will there is a way”. This is a continuation on that post based on a conversation I had later that day.

During a conversation about people’s differences and fears in the church I made this statement,

Love drives out all fear. Love others in their weaknesses as they love us in ours.

I immediately sensed that this statement didn’t come from my heart as much as it had come from God’s heart.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35, NKJV

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love covers a multitude of sins.’ 1 Peter 4:8, NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control… Galatians 5:22-23, Amp

In our own strength we could never fully and truly love one another as He has loved us, but He hasn’t asked us to do it by our own strength, but by the empowerment of His Presence within us.

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6, NKJV

It got me to thinking I wonder how much we are stuck in our own weakness and may not even see them because we are so focused on the weaknesses of others.

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-3, NKJV

Perhaps in our judgment and offense towards others we step out of love and find ourselves stuck in the same sins and weaknesses we have struggled with for years. Faith works by love. What happens to our faith when we judge others and are offended?

He didn’t command us to judge. He commanded us to love. It doesn’t mean we don’t have standards and boundaries. It does mean that even while holding to the standard of His Word, we do so in an attitude, a heart full, of love.

I believe His command to love one another was part of the plan to see us all enter His grace, freedom, and empowerment to do His will on this earth as His Body.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing-life forevermore. Psalms 133, NKJV

Love makes a way for the anointing to flow in our lives and in the lives of others. Let us yield to His Presence within and fully, truly love one another.

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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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Free to Love

Love “seeketh not her own”. (1 Corinthians 13:5, KJV)

In Britain the Englishman is devoted, and rightly, to his rights. But there come times when a man may exercise even the higher right of giving up his rights. Yet Paul does not summon us to give up our rights. Love strikes much deeper. It would have us not seek them at all, ignore them, eliminate the personal element altogether from our calculations. It is not hard to give up our rights. They are often external. The difficult thing is to give up ourselves. (Henry Drummond, The Greatest Thing In The World, 1891)

Unfortunately these days, it is not hard to find examples of selfishness in this world. We see it on the roads. We see it in the stores. We see it in our homes. Impatience, unkindness, rudeness because someone is not getting their way, their needs met, their interests considered. Fear of not getting what they feel they need or feel they deserve. Fear of being taken advantage of or being taken for granted. At the center of all this is “What about me.”

And here in 1 Corinthians we see that we are not to seek our own interests, but the interests of others. For some this may cause fear or even anger to rise up in their hearts. Why? Because they don’t really know the love of the Father. When you really know how much He loves you and that He has your best interest in His heart, you are now free to love without a care in the world.

Spend time daily in the Presence of Love Himself. Let His Words of Love penetrate your heart. Let the Spirit of Love overwhelm you with a sense of being loved by your heavenly Father. Receive the love that He has for you.

How will you know that you are receiving His love? You will be overwhelmed by a sense of peace and joy. And you will find that in your interactions with others, you are not the center of your focus. You will not be looking for what they can do for you, but what you can do for them. You will not be afraid of what your interaction with this person might cost you. You will be free to love because you know the King of the Universe loves you and He is taking care of you.

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? (Psalm 118:6, KJV)

Love is on your side. Get in the flow of that love by trusting in Him and in His love for you, and by loving Him and letting Him freely love others through you.

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Following Peace

Yesterday I began sharing on how to hear from God. Today I want to continue on that topic. My fellowship with God has brought such joy and peace into my life and I want so much to share that with others. There is nothing on this earth that can compare to a life lived walking and talking with God.

In yesterday’s post I shared how the more time you spend listening for and responding to God’s voice in His word, the more you come to recognize His voice when He speaks. Let’s take a look at a scripture that describes another way you will hear from God.

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. – Colossians 3:15, Amplified

Let the peace which comes from Christ act as umpire in your hearts. That is called following peace. When you have a decision to make and want to hear from the Lord on it, ask Him, in faith, and then follow peace.

A friend of mine once had to make a very difficult decision and she was afraid of making the wrong choice. First I helped her deal with the fear. Remember perfected love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). I always tell people that fear is not a lack of peace, it is a lack of faith. You don’t want to be led around by fear.

So I ministered the love of God to my friend until the fear left and the faith in His desire to lead her and to help her came. Then I told her to look at all her options and without actually committing to one, to head in all three directions and then follow that path where she sensed the peace of God.

She was far behind on her mortgage. Her husband was out of work. They were trying to decide whether to refinance, borrow the money from a friend, or just walk away and rent another home. I told her to talk to the mortgage company about refinancing, but don’t agree to anything yet. Second, I told her to talk to the friend who had offered the money, but don’t take the money yet. Thirdly, I told her to begin looking at homes to rent.

She talked to the mortgage company and she said it didn’t go so well. She talked to the friend, but she felt no peace about borrowing the money. She also looked at several homes to rent in her price range and was very discouraged and disappointed. Then one day she walked in to a beautiful home and for the first time in months she felt peace. She knew in her heart this was their home. And it was in her price range.

That home and the landlord ended up being such a blessing to her and her family. At one time when her husband was out of work again and they had gotten behind on the rent, the landlord showed up at the door with a new one- year lease to sign. She thought he was going to kick them out. He told them he knew they would catch up again. How often does that happen?

The Lord knew exactly where they needed to be. I visited their home often and the house, the yard, the neighborhood felt like being in a park setting. It had the feel of a little oasis in the midst of a busy city. It was God’s style all around.

He wants to lead each one of us into a place of love, joy, peace and well-being. Begin to watch for His leading. Be quick to respond to His leading. Look for and follow after the Prince of Peace.

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America

We are in a very interesting and intense time in this nation. Times look hard. People have taken sides and are pointing fingers. Seeds of division are being sown all around. Unfortunately, more and more this is the way things are in this nation, but more so at election time. But one thing needs to remain clear, regardless of what side we are on, and what the other side is doing, it is not an excuse to step out of love. It is not an excuse to disregard and break the commandment we received from our King.

Does that mean we have to agree on everything? No. But even in disagreement we must remember that love is patient and kind. We must remember that love is humble and courteous. We must remember that it is the love way, God’s way, that never fails. He did not tell us to love so that we would be trampled on and overcome by evil. No, He was telling us the way to overcome is by love.

If the enemy can get us into fear, out of faith and love, he can and will overrun this nation. Please know that I am not talking about a particular party or candidate. I’m talking about an enemy that hates what this nation stands for: “One nation under God with liberty and justice for all”. The enemy knows a house divided cannot stand. He is hoping to divide this nation and watch it fall. Refuse to be divided in your heart from this nation or the people of this nation. Whether you agree or not, you can and still must love.

I was praying over these things yesterday. I wasn’t praying in fear, but in faith and in love and from my heavenly seat of authority. And God dropped a familiar phrase into my heart. “Fear not. Only believe and she shall be made whole.”

Fear not. Only believe. And she, America, shall be made whole. Remember it is love that casts out all fear. Yield to love. Trust God, Who is Love. Believe to see the goodness of the LORD, hesed – God’s love, in the land of the living (Psalm 27:3). If we in the Body of Christ will fear not (stay out of divisive hate, doesn’t mean you have to agree); only believe – trust God, believe to see His goodness in America; she, America will be made whole.

I voted today. I voted from a place of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (faith), gentleness (meekness, humility) and self-control. I cast my vote in love and love never fails!

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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.