Faith over Fear

We are facing such interesting times right now. Our world is ravaged by fear and uncertainty as this virus, Covid-19, makes it way across the world. While the virus is our enemy, it is not our main enemy. We have an Enemy who has masterminded this set of circumstances. And it is time for the body of Christ to take a stand. 

Now, let me first say that I am all for doing what you can to protect yourself, your family and those vulnerable around you from contracting this disease. But this is not the time to live in fear. This is not a time to stop living. That is exactly what the Enemy wants us to do. 

We can see how he has isolated us as a people through social distancing. We can see how he has turned us against one another as people hatefully attack others for various reasons. Again, I will say, I am all for using your brain and being smart and proactive about not spreading the disease. But, people are not your enemy. 

Ephesians 6:10-12

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 

As a believer, my heart has been unsettled these last few weeks. We keep hearing that we are living in unprecedented times. And quite frankly, those words can strike fear very quickly that takes over one's mind and heart. But as a believer, let's look at this situation through a different lens.

• We have an innate desire placed within our soul for community, to do life with other people. The Enemy has attempted to strip this away from us. We are not powerless to live in isolation, though. We have the opportunity to really see the people around us. Those living under our roof, those living next door to us, those the Lord brings to our minds and hearts. We have the opportunity, now, to be intentional in our relationships-to invest through time and presence with the precious family in our home, to serve our neighbors through whatever means possible and to use technology to connect with those He puts on our hearts. We do not have to succumb to the Enemy's attempt to isolate us. 
• We see the Enemy's attempt to keep us trapped in fear-fear of the unknown, fear of what could be, fear of man. But, we have the truth of 1 Timothy 1:7. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and sound judgment." We have the opportunity to allow God to grow our faith and trust in Him. We do not have to be slaves of fear. Through God, because of His great grace and love for us, He has given us freedom from fear. And, as this verse says, He doesn't just give us freedom from fear but gives us a spirit of power, love and sound judgment.
• We see the Enemy's attempt to silence the Church as the doors of churches have been closed. But the Church is not a building, the Church is the people, the body of Christ. As such, we can take His good news to every corner of our home, our neighborhood and our world. Let's not neglect the opportunity and the call we each have on our lives as children of God to take His truth to our lost and scared world. Matthew 28: 19-20 "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  
• We see the Enemy's attack to turn us against one another, making us live in fear of one another. We are afraid of our neighbors and those we come in contact with grocery shopping-afraid that we may get the virus from them, afraid that they will 'turn us in' if we are not following the guidelines to a T, afraid of how the people in our government are potentially taking away our liberties one by one. That is a lot of fear towards people who are made in the image of God. But here's the thing, we have another promise from Scripture regarding our fear of man. Romans 8:31(b) "If God is for us, who is against us?" Just as I am for my children, God is for me. And He is for you, too, if you are His child. 
• We see the Enemy's attempt in making us think our voice doesn't matter and isn't heard. We may try harder and harder to make our voice heard to those around us, especially through social media in this time of social distancing, but it seems there is always someone who comes against our voice to silence us. But, we have a God who hears us and deeply desires that we bring every single concern and word to Him. Matthew 6:6 "But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." 1 Peter 5:7 "casting all your cares on Him, because He cares about you."

What I keep coming back to is a deep desire to not waste this time and opportunity trapped in fear. My desire and prayer everyday is that the Lord would fully ignite every barely flickering flame in His children across our country and across our world. For I know in my life and in our country, it is terribly easy to become complacent and comfortable in our daily lives and keep God out of our daily life. But this pandemic has stirred us up. Taken away our comfort and normal living. Let's not waste this time. 

The Lord is coming back. He will take His children home with Him once and for all, sooner than later. But He is so gracious and kind. He is delaying to allow every single person possible the opportunity to be with Him forever. Church, do not waste this time. Do not miss this opportunity to live out your faith. Do not miss this opportunity to share your faith. Remember, because of Jesus, because of the cross, His victory is ours. Make today, this new start to a new month, the day you forever say no to fear and a resounding yes to faith!

First Love

This summer the Lord has been taking me on a journey of simplicity, of contentment, awe and wonder at Who He is and what He has done for me. How He desperately loves me and pursues me every.single.day. Sitting in His presence and just being with Him, I have been blown away by Him.

It all started in the book of Philippians as I sat, really sat and pondered, 2:6-8. Listen to these words- "(6)who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7)but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. (8)Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."


Reread that a time or two and ask the Lord to really soften your heart to His gift to us. We grasp this amazing truth when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, but I fear too often and too soon we forget this incredible gift.

If you are like me, you have had a relationship with the Lord for a long time. You have walked with Him and your relationship with Him has grown and matured. But somewhere along the way, we have forgotten our First Love. We do 'all the things' for Him, but not with Him. Does that make sense? Somewhere along the way we have made it about measuring up for Him instead of humbling ourselves to Him.

So, over the last few weeks, He has been peeling back the layers of my heart and mind, drawing me to Him. To just come, sit and soak Him in every day. Nothing else.

Through that my heart has returned to my First Love. My Lord and Savior. I sit in awe of Him. I sit in awe of how He poured Himself out, humbled Himself to the point of death, all for a relationship with me.

And when I sit with that truth and reality, it makes me wonder how I could ever lose sight of it in the first place. How on earth does life creep in and cover the precious truth that He loves me and invites me to simply rest in Him?

And yet there He is, with all His grace, arms wide open saying "It's ok. Just come to me. Let Me hold you and love you perfectly just as you are."

I encourage you to run to Him today. Ask Him to peel away the layers weighing you down and free you to live today in His love, His peace, His grace. Go back to your First Love and remember the sweet truth of Philippians 2:6-8.

Waiting

Wait. Waiting. It's not something we're too accustomed to in our culture. We want the biggest, the best and we want it right now

But there is tremendous value in waiting. It teaches us patience. It teaches us self-control and self-discipline. It teaches us to live in the moment.

 

Psalm 130: 5-6 says "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning."

Often times, we find ourselves waiting in His presence when life is hard, when things don't make sense, when we're ‘watching for the morning’. The nights, dry spells, wearisome seasons can be so very long. We may be struggling financially, relationally, to have children, to have a spouse, to have friends. Our long nights and trying seasons can look very different from each other’s. But, we have the same promise.   Morning always comes. The Lord always comes.

Psalm 33:20 says “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”

Matthew 11:28-30 declares “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

There is sweet refreshment and strengthening when we sit before the Lord, waiting. He longs for us to wait in His presence. Linger...just a little longer with Him in His word, in His presence. Patiently listen to His voice. Letting His promises and His word sink deep into our soul until we are convinced we have no other hope than Him.

Whatever your burden is today, whatever your night looks like, causing you to long for morning, lean close into Him. Wait with Him. Wait for Him. Sit in His presence and let Him speak to you today. Let Him love you. Let Him show you His faithfulness. Let Him redeem you and your cares to Him. He will not let you down!