Face You Fears... They'll Disappear

While reading yesterday, I ran across a quote that spoke to me:

Fear knocked, faith answered; no one was there.

Isn't that powerful?

I know I often wrestle with fear. I come up with all sorts of reasons of why not to do something. I imagine all of the bad endings, what could go wrong, how I could be embarrassed. If I choose to pay attention to those fears, nothing will be done.

Many of us are standing in front of unlocked doors, but we're afraid to open them because we see our fears on the other side. We think that as soon as we open the door, what we fear will smack us in our face and cause us harm.

It's funny though. When we decide to face our fear, and when we decide to open up the door, we often find nothing there. In fact, instead of fear we find courage, we find accomplishment, we find strength, and we find our better selves.

Even if what we feared does show up, somehow it's not as bad as we imagined. Even if the worst possible scenario ensues, we look back and find that we had the strength to endure and were made better for it. When we get the courage to face what we fear, we are able to grow.

Gideon was so afraid of leading the Israelites that He asked the Lord for several signs showing that He was with Gideon. Yet, once Gideon faced his fear and began his mission, we see him as a valiant and courageous leader in the face of the enemy.

What are you afraid of? What fears do you hear knocking on the doors of your mind? What's keeping you standing still in your tracks?

Don't allow fear to keep you from your destiny. Don't allow fear to keep you from moving forward. God has already done His part and opened up the door for you. Now, stop listening to fear, open the door, and move forward!

Verse of the Day: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Feeling Lost?

Sometimes in life we lose our way, and wake up one day wondering how we got where we are. The place we find ourselves is foreign. We know we're not in God's will, but we don't know how to get back to Him.

In those times when we feel lost and alone, God is still there reaching out to us. When we are afraid of what we're facing, unsure of how to get back on the right path, and nervous about being accepted into the fold again, God is standing by.

In Jesus' parable of the lost sheep, he speaks of a shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep in search for the 1 that was lost. In the same way our Good Shepherd is willing to go into the highways and byways looking for us when we lose our way. He does not want to see any of us left behind.

We just have to position ourselves to accept His help when He comes. We have to follow His instructions to find our way through foreign territory. We have to let go of sin in order to bring our spirits back into right relationship with Him. We have to surrender our will to the Lord's will in order to get back on the right path.

We don't have to stay lost. We don't have to stay separated from God. No matter how far off we may have gotten, know that your Heavenly Father will go any distance to bring you back to Him.

Today, if you're feeling lost, cry out to the Lord. Ask Him to show you how to make your relationship right again. Tap into courage and take the necessary steps to let go of sin and embrace God's will for your life.

It doesn't matter how lost you may feel, God knows right where you are.

Verse of the Day: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38, 39

Faith Decision Moments

In our walk with the Lord, we will encounters faith decision moments. In those moments, we will decide either to move forward in faith or shrink back in fear.

Moses had his moment right before he stepped in to see Pharaoh after his time in the wilderness.

David had his moment after he picked up those five stones for his slingshot before facing Goliath.

Esther's was right before she walked in to see the king unannounced.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had their decision moment when the furnace doors were flung open and they felt the heat on their faces.

Peter's was right before he stepped out to minister to the crowds after the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Right before these men and women of God faced their greatest time, they had one moment where they could have decided to turn back. They could have consciously decided to not believe God. They could have listened to the fear, doubt, and indecision that was probably present in their minds. They could have decided not to follow through.

But they chose to walk forward boldly in faith. And when they decided to move forward, God was able to do what man had never seen before.

Maybe right now you're facing you're faith decision moment. Maybe right now you're poised to move into something that no one's experienced before. Maybe the Lord has placed something on your heart that seems out of this world to you, and you are pausing wondering if you should really follow through with what He has spoken.

Don't be like Jonah and run from the call! At the least, be like Gideon and find some more courage before moving forward. But, most importantly, move! Do what God is calling you to do! Decide to move forward in faith and watch what the Lord does with your life.

On the other side of your fear is greatness. On the other side of the unknown is victory! Don't allow indecision to snatch away your dreams. Don't allow doubt to keep you from your destiny in God.

Choose to move forward.

Verse of the Day: Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38

God's Got You!

In Psalm 56, David is praying to God for deliverance from his enemies. In the verses, David tells of being afraid and crying because of the way he is being targeted by evil men. Yet, in the midst of his despair, David had chosen to trust in the Lord. In the midst of his fear, David had decided to stand on the promises of God.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee... (Psalm 56:3)

Who do you run to when you are afraid? Do you run to the Lord? Or, do you only trust yourself to handle dire situations?

Maybe you do turn to the Lord, but do you turn to Him trusting that He can handle what you are facing? Do you come to Him with assurance that He can deliver you from the hands of your enemy?

David made the declaration that he would never fear what a man could do to him. He knew that with the God of the Universe on his side there was nothing the earth could present that could overtake him. He knew that with a cry to the Lord, his enemies would be turned around because God was fighting for him.

In the time of trouble, we should cry out to the Lord trusting in His righteousness and strength to save and deliver us. We should face the world with no fear because we know that we have the ultimate Winner on our side. There is nothing on this earth that can override the will of God.

As long as we're in His will, we have nothing to fear.

We just need to remember to call out to our Savior when trouble comes. We need to fill ourselves up with the Word of God, so we can have something to stand on when things get tight. We need to spend time with the Father to build a relationship so that our instinct is to turn to Him first before anyone else.

When trouble comes, you have someone who can keep you safe from all trouble and harm. Don't let the circumstances cause you to fear or falter. God's got your back!

Verse of the Day: When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Psalm 56:9-11

What Are You Expecting To Happen?

Yesterday I was inspired by a message by Joel Osteen. He was ministering on doing an act of faith to show God that you believe that He is going to answer you prayers. In the message, Joel mentioned the story of the lame man who was lowered through the roof and placed at Jesus' feet in a crowded house. As a result of their act of faith, their friend was healed.

This morning I am meditating on expectation. Those friends expected their lame friend to be healed. They brought him to Jesus on purpose expecting Jesus to heal him. And, even when they encountered a large crowd and couldn't get right to Jesus, they figured out a way to get their friend in that house because they knew that he would be made whole.

What are you expecting? Do you have anything up before the Lord? Are you expecting Him to answer your prayers? Or, are you just praying out of fear or formality or desperation?

When you expect something to happen, you act as if it's already done. You make plans based on that thing coming to pass. You look for signs of it showing up. You speak in terms that it has already happened. Your mind is set on what you are expecting and your mood matches that expectation.

Are you expecting the right thing? Are you choosing to stand on God's Word believing that it will come to pass just as He said? Or are you just hoping and wishing? Don't just hope with the Lord, stand strong in faith! Believe that His Word is true! Have faith that He is coming through for you!

It is faith that moves God to action. It is that positive expectation that the Lord will come through that prompts Him to do exactly that.

Verse of the Day: And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mark 2:4, 5

Know No Fear!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to encourage one of my friends who was going through a tough spot. I normally try to encourage those around me who need it, but this time I was especially motivated to say something because I saw my friend slipping too far into worry and fear. My friend was starting to stress out and I could see that the enemy was trying to lead them down into depression.

When trouble comes sometimes it's easy to just grab hold to fear, worry, and despair. We concentrate on what could go wrong, we start to fear that the worst could happen, and we stress out over the negative outcomes.

As believers in Christ, we should never give place to the enemy's suggestions! We should never entertain his lies or the fears he presents to our minds. Yes, we have to be practical in life and think ahead. Yet, with our relationship to the Lord, we should be thinking ahead with victory in mind! There is no reason for us to fear, worry, or get depressed. Even if the worst possible scenario does happen, God has us in the palm of His hand. He is still in control. We will still gain victory in the end.

Don't allow the 'what-ifs' of life to pull you down into a negative place. With God all things are possible! With Him, nothing can overtake you! Stop focusing on the negatives and start thinking on the positives! Everywhere you look there is evidence of God's love for you! Just being able to breathe in and out is evidence that He is keeping you.

Yes, things may be looking dark. I understand that the prognosis may actually be grim. It may seem like everything is going against you. But even if the only thing you have to hold onto is the fact that you are redeemed by Christ's love, that is more than the whole world against you!

Don't despair. God's got you. Rest in the strength of His embrace.

Verse of the Day: 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? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. Psalm 27:1-3

No Need to Fear

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  - 1 John 4:18

I love this Scripture because at one time I had a problem of fear. I used to be afraid to talk to people, I was afraid of messing up, I was fearful of other people's views of me... I had so many worries and concerns that plagued my mind.

Yet in this verse I learned that there was no reason for me to be afraid. As I allowed God's perfect love to envelop me and to fill me, I experienced a strength and assurance that drove away fear.

God's love is so strong that He would do anything to save you. He gave up His only Son, so you could live. His love placed you in the right moment in time, the right family, the right country, with the right abilities and talents to fulfill your destiny. His love for you is so great He makes Himself available to talk to you whenever you want. He allows you to experience His awesome presence and to hear His personal words of wisdom straight to you.

With love like that, what do you have to fear?

There is no circumstance that can beat you. There is nothing a human being can do to you to cause you to fall. There is no sickness that can overpower you. There is no mountain that can block you. You have no reason to be afraid.

Why? Because God's love is for you. With His love, God will make sure you succeed. He will make sure your destiny in Him is fulfilled. He will take care of your every need and destroy your every foe.

All you have to do is allow His love to lead. All you have to do is trust in the love that saved you. All you have to do is allow yourself to become perfected in His love.

Verse of the Day: And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:16, 17

Believe In Yourself

...We ask ourselves – who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous.

But honestly, who are you to not be so?... - Marianne Williamson

This year is still a year of purpose. Are you still walking out what God has placed in your heart?

I love this quote from Maya Angelou. It speaks to the heart of some things that I struggle with quite often. I'll begin a project, or start an endeavor, only to step back and try and "see" it from other people's eyes.

I pick whatever it is apart: It's not as good as so-and-so's... It doesn't have as much as hers... I'm not as talented as he was... Didn't someone already speak on this already?

It's amazing how quickly I can discredit myself. I line up all my little reasons and stop whatever I was doing. Just like that. I'm done.

Yet God created me - He created you - for a reason. There's something unique in our DNA that gives us abilities or qualities that no other person on this planet can do. We just have to believe in ourselves. We have to believe that God has placed that greatness in us for us to share with the world.

I was encouraging one of my friends last night to keep pressing towards a goal that he has. He's been working at things for a while and was getting discouraged because he wasn't seeing the results he wanted. I told him to keep going. He was born to succeed at his endeavor. He is talented beyond belief at what he does. I saw no reason for him to quit.

You'll never get a 'yes' if you quit asking, I said. The door won't have an opportunity to open if you don't knock. It's funny how you can speak life to someone else, but it's hard to convince your own self to act right.

So, today, let's have some faith in ourselves. Today, let's throw the excuses, self-criticism, and complacency aside. We were made in the image of God! (Genesis 1:26) We were called forth to fulfill His purpose! (2 Timothy 1:9) Who are we to discredit His work? Who are we to question the gifts He placed on the inside of us?

You can be successful! You can fulfill your dream! Believe in yourself.

God already has.

Verse of the Day: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Recognize the God Moves

The Lord moves in mysterious ways. Often it's in ways that we normally wouldn't pick or via avenues that we normally wouldn't travel. A move of God doesn't always come the traditional way. But if we keep our spiritual eyes open and our ears listening to the Holy Spirit, we can position ourselves to be a part of His miraculous moves.

The majority of the spies who scoped out Jericho were so busy looking at the negatives - the giants, the fortified walls, etc. - that they counted themselves out of a blessing. It was Joshua and Caleb who saw that the Lord could cause Israel to defeat the nation.

When the Hebrew boys were taken into captivity, their charge could not see how eating meals of vegetables and fruits would keep them as healthy as the other men who were feasting on the king's rich meats and foods. Yet, as the Hebrew boys kept up their diet, they fared far better than those around them.

When Jesus arrived on the scene, some people sneered that nothing good could come from Nazareth. They scoffed that the man they knew as the son of a carpenter could be a great prophet of God. And we all know that son of a carpenter went on to prove He was indeed the Son of God.

Every day God is working miracles around us. He is always orchestrating great moves and causing people to overcome, triumph, and succeed. Far too often, though, we miss out on his mighty moves.

Maybe we're like those scouts and we're focusing too much on the negatives in our vision. Or, maybe we are like the man in charge of the Hebrew boys. We are so used to the way things normally work, we distrust the new thing that God is placing in our path. Or, maybe we are like Jesus' community. We see someone that we've known for a long time and can't fathom how God could possibly use them for greatness.

Don't let your natural vision keep you from seeing the miraculousness of God! Don't let your normal thoughts keep you from taking in the higher thoughts of your Father! When God opens a door, don't look through with apprehension or distrust. No matter if it doesn't compute on your end, best believe that it works out on God's end! Go ahead and run through that door!

Today, keep your eyes peeled for the moves God is trying to make in your life. And when God presents and opportunity, take it! Don't question, analyze, or try to figure it out. Just move forward in faith.

Verse of the Day: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8, 9

Go On And Do It!

Good Morning and Happy Monday! I hope your holiday weekend was as pleasant as mine (minus the two days spent at the library). I enjoyed some good food, my family, and friends. Now, let my busy week begin!

When the Lord called Gideon to deliver the Israelites, Gideon was so skeptical that the Lord was with him. Gideon questioned God picking him. He balked at even considering that the Lord would favor him. Gideon's insecurity led him to test God several times with fleece.

Yet God went along with Gideon's tests. He showed Gideon that He was with him and assured Gideon that He was working with him. And once Gideon started acting on God's call, you never saw Gideon wavering again. What you did see was the miraculous working of the Lord through Gideon's hands.

Many of us have heard the call of the Lord ourselves. We've tried to question whether God really wanted to use us. We've tried to offer up our own little "tests" to prove that God is really with us.

But how many of us move past the questioning stage? How many of us actually step out in faith once God proves that He's with us?

Is there anyone still in bondage because we're too afraid to step out in faith? Are you missing out on experiencing miracles because of your fear?

Don't miss out on your destiny because of fear! God may have called you to do something so extraordinary, unheard of, and peculiar... but if God's asking you to do it - you can't expect anything but spectacular results!

Your life is supposed to be full of God's glory, but if you aren't doing what God is asking, how can His glory shine through?

Verse of the Day: And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. Judges 6:12-16

Fear Not!

Fear can be a complex, all-encompassing thing. 

Fear of the unknown. Fear of the known. Fear of success. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of living up to expectations...

Many people's whole lives are dictated by their Fears. They get so caught up in what might happen, that they react in ways that impede their progress.

That's the crazy thing about Fear. We don't know for certain. But Fear presents such a convincing case that we fall victim to it's piercing words. We may not know for a fact, but the possibility is so scary, we adjust our behavior accordingly.

The Bible states that God hasn't given us a spirit of Fear. (2 Timothy 1:7) In fact we are empowered, calmed, and loved through the Spirit God has blessed us with. However, we often choose to embrace Fear.

We get caught up in our thoughts or even the thoughts of others. We forget about the Greater One who resides on the inside of us and all the promises He has given us. We believe the mirage that Fear so readily plants in our field of vision.

Don't let Fear keep you from your purpose in God. Remember that you have been blessed with power, love and a sound mind. There is nothing Fear can produce that can overcome your Heavenly Father's will for your life. As long as you stand firmly planted, believing what God has to say, Fear can never have it's way with you again.

Verse of the Day: 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? Psalm 27:1

He Can Handle It

Please pray for your girl today. I am tired! I've kept waking up a couple times a night for the last few nights without being able to get back to sleep. Right now I'm counting down the hours til my lunch break, so I can go out to my car and get an hour's worth of sleep in.

Moving on...

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We are so blessed as children of God. We serve a God who is also our Father. As such, He takes a great interest in our well being, loves us, wants us to succeed, and helps us along the way. Our God is personal, caring about our every facet of life.

He cares so much that He told us to give Him our cares, and He would take care of them. (1 Peter 5:7) He doesn't want us walking around worried, insecure, or apprehensive. So, He will take any burden we carry off our hands. We just have to hand it over.

Are you carrying around any burdens? Is your heart sick with worry or fear?

There's no need for you to live that way. Your Heavenly Father will gladly take the load and remedy your situation. Why don't you give them over to Him?

Yes, you may have talked to God about it. You may have aired your issues and concerns in His ear. But did you leave your troubles with Him? Did you trust Him to take the information and figure it all out? Or did you pick up your burden again once you were finished speaking to continue to worry and fret about it?

We serve the God who holds all power in His hands! He knows the end from the beginning, and He can turn any situation around. Why not trust Him to handle your great quandaries?

We can only do so much. And what we can do is so very little. Give your burden to God. He won't leave you hanging. He won't forget you. He won't abandon you. He will answer your call.

Verse of the Day: He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalm 91:15

Live the Life of Your Dreams

One of the great things about my hour long commute is that it gives me time to think. It is the one place where I am totally alone with no interruptions. I love it.


Often, I find myself tuning out or turning off the radio and letting my mind think over all the wonderful places of purpose that I am on my way to. I think of projects I would like to start, places I want to go… I envision myself already walking in my destiny. I see myself active in my purpose. It really helps the time fly by.

This morning, I was in the midst of one of my “think tanks” and I remembered a question that I had come across: What would you do if you knew you wouldn’t fail? If you were guaranteed success, what would you do?

I let myself mull over that for a moment and was surprised at some of the things that popped up. It’s amazing how God has given us the ability to dream and have vision. He has placed inside of us the imagination, creativity, and gift of formulating ideas. Yet, so often, we all come short of turning those ideas into reality. Why?

We don’t believe that we have the capacity to make those dreams come to fruition.

We allow the fear of failure and ridicule, self-doubt and apprehension to take over before we attempt the first step toward the dream.

However, if we think about it, it’s the same God who gave us the ability to dream and have vision Who gives us the ability to walk those things out. He’s given you both the dream and the capacity to make that dream a reality!

God loves us so much, and He wants us to live our lives to their full potential. The only thing holding us back is ourselves.

Verse of the Day: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18