Every time that I reread "the faith chapter" (Hebrews 11) I am struck by the incredible faith represented in each of their lives.
I am excited, as I look ahead to the next chapter of our lives, to see where God is going to take us. It appears, at this point, that the physical location will be back in PA, but I am more interested in where He is going to take us spiritually. What opportunities are we going to have to minister to the poor, the needy, the widows, the orphans, etc? I find a tremendous in knowing that if we follow him wherever He leads we cannot possibly go wrong.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Fear
I realize it has been a long time since I have written anything, but this does not mean that God has not been doing anything in my life! Actually there have been a number of things going on, and I simply have not had the energy to try to put my thoughts together in coherent sentences.
God has been showing me recently how much of a problem fear is in my life. I have, for as long as I can remember, had trouble speaking up, making phone calls, going new places, meeting new people, etc. Recently we were listening to a tape of a message that we had heard a number of years back regarding "the Father's love". I was struck particularly by the verse from 1 John 4 that says, "Perfect love drives out all fear". In other words if I am comfortable with the Father's love I will not have any fear. If I know who I am in the Father, and realize deep in my heart, that He has made me just the way He wanted, and that He loves me just the way He has made me, I will not be bound by fear of man. I think I lay awake for a good part of that night repeating that verse over and over again, and basking in the peace and freedom that I felt with the realization that I do not need to live in fear of what others may think of me.
I am glad to say that since that night, a few weeks ago, I have been able to step out and do some things that I would have struggled to do before, and as I take those steps I enjoy an even greater release from fear.
I want to challenge you to honestly analyze your life to see whether fear may be keeping you from not only doing things that enjoy, but more importantly, keeping you from being obedient to God. Fight against that fear. Do not accept it! It is not from God! HE LOVES YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE! Why should you fear what ANYONE may think.
Blessings and Peace
God has been showing me recently how much of a problem fear is in my life. I have, for as long as I can remember, had trouble speaking up, making phone calls, going new places, meeting new people, etc. Recently we were listening to a tape of a message that we had heard a number of years back regarding "the Father's love". I was struck particularly by the verse from 1 John 4 that says, "Perfect love drives out all fear". In other words if I am comfortable with the Father's love I will not have any fear. If I know who I am in the Father, and realize deep in my heart, that He has made me just the way He wanted, and that He loves me just the way He has made me, I will not be bound by fear of man. I think I lay awake for a good part of that night repeating that verse over and over again, and basking in the peace and freedom that I felt with the realization that I do not need to live in fear of what others may think of me.
I am glad to say that since that night, a few weeks ago, I have been able to step out and do some things that I would have struggled to do before, and as I take those steps I enjoy an even greater release from fear.
I want to challenge you to honestly analyze your life to see whether fear may be keeping you from not only doing things that enjoy, but more importantly, keeping you from being obedient to God. Fight against that fear. Do not accept it! It is not from God! HE LOVES YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE! Why should you fear what ANYONE may think.
Blessings and Peace
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