A friend of mine who surfs every morning on the beaches of Hawaii, told me a story about his buddy who came face to face with a large tiger shark. His friend said that what surprised him the most about the encounter was that he simply, froze!
Today with the erratic stock market, world economy, joblessness and the current season of American politics, many are frozen and paralyzed in fear. It is sapping their joy and strength – even among Christians. This is no way to live! “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Tim 1:7)
Did you know that Christians come from a long line of fearless and courageous people?
In 180 A.D., church father Tertullian wrote, “The Lord challenges us to suffer persecutions and to confess Him. He wants those who belong to Him to be brave and fearless. He Himself shows how weakness of the flesh is overcome by courage of the Spirit. This is the testimony of the apostles, and in particular of the representative administrating Spirit. A Christian is fearless.”
Fearless?
Ask yourself, “Is God bigger to me than my circumstances?” “Do I believe that God’s love is provisional and redemptive?” “Do I believe that the Lord wants to powerfully use me today?”
The Lord wants us to live fearless and courageous. Famed actor John Wayne put it this way, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway!”
Let me encourage you today to “Saddle Up” in three ways:
First, stand by faith that the same Spirit that indwells you is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead! (Romans 8:11).
Secondly, take in the reality that you are a child of the most awesome Being in the universe! Jesus taught us to absorb this reality in prayer and worship. He taught us to “hallow” the name of our Heavenly Father who is Omnipotent, Eternal, and our Provider and more! (Matthew 6:9).
Thirdly, “Saddle up” by keeping your heart for, and on, Jesus Christ -knowing that He will supply what you need. Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33).
Keep in mind that God is shaping you to live fearless and courageous in your outlook of the future, trusting that He will provide for your needs. He wants you to be freed up to to whole-heartedly live out your life as a Jesus Christ follower, no matter where that might lead you!
Saddle up!
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
Here is the good news for all of us…
WE DO MATTER!
WE WERE CREATED TO MATTER.
WE WERE BORN WITH A PLAN AND A PURPOSE.
Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible)
11For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
We are very important. Truth begins to crack our child like hearts.
We see clearly all the past lies satan told us.
The Truth will set us free and we need to look at scriptures that will prove we are more significant than we have deceived ourselves to believe.
In Max Lucado’s book, Fearless, on page 26, paragraph 1 & 2a, let’s see a mirror before us:
Fear of insignificance creates the result of dreads, arrives at the destination it tries to avoid, facilitates the scenario lit disdains.
If a basketball player stands at the foul line repeating, “I’ll never make the shot, I’ll never make the shot,” guess what? He’ll never make the shot.
If you pass your days mumbling, I’ll never make a difference; I’m not worth anything,” guess what? You will be sentenced yourself to a life of gloom without parole.
Even more, you are disagreeing with God.
Questioning His judgement.
Second guessing his taste. According to Him you were “skillfully wrought.” (Ps. 139:15) He can’t stop thinking about us!!
Read Psalms 139: 14-18
14I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well.
15My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery].
16Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.
17How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!(A)
18If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You.
Read: Ephesians 2:10
10For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [a]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
We must find our significance in God, first and foremost!
Sure we may have made mistakes in the past because of the lies satan has told us, maybe we have deceived ourselves,
but the Truth is WE ARE SET FREE! God say all things work together for the good and according to His purpose to bring Himself honor and glory. This can be the first day of the rest of your life.
The choice is ours…
Let God’s word the sword of Truth cut the bonds that have held us captive for along time.
Imagine our life, wholly untouched by angst.
What if faith, not fear, was our default reaction to threats?
If we could hover a fear magnet over our heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, and doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, when we could trust more and fear less. Can we even imagine our life without fear?
YES!
In Christ ALL THINGS are possible!
Thank you for this blog post, Pastor Greg… Just what I needed to hear! God Bless You!
Great Word!! I’m looking forward to seeing your Revelation Study on Podcast!