Fearless Week 4 (Day 4)

Day 4 -
Then Jesus said to all the people:
If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me. (Luke 9:23 CEV)

There can be much fear associated with becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus. Because you will not live like the average church-goer in America. Putting self behind and Jesus first will bring persecution from those who say they are believers. You will be accused of being radical (which I take as a compliment), and those in your family and circle of friends will question your choices. This constant pressure and resistance can produce the fear of being rejected and constantly criticized. Can I encourage you? Take up the cross anyway and trust that following Jesus will lead to a life that makes a difference.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10 ESV)

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44 ESV)

Think... In what environments are you persecuted for you fully devoted lifestyle?

Pray....

Fearless Week 4 (Day 4)

Day 3 Our Lord and our God,
you are like the sun
and also like a shield.
You treat us with kindness
and with honor,
never denying any good thing
to those who live right. (Psalm 84:11 CEV)

When considering changes in your life, it perfectly normal to experience fear. Will I like this new way of life? Will I have enough to get by? Will others approve of my new way of doing life? Will I really be able to pull this off?

Let's look at what our verse for today says will happen to those who live right (Follow Gods commands and follow his promptings).

He gives us sun. Sun lights the way and makes you grow.
He shields. As you follow he will protect you.
He will be kind to you because he knows that you have stepped out of your comfort zone.
He will honor you because of the faith that is evident in your decision.
He will not deny you. He will give you everything that you need to make the transition and accomplish his purpose.

Wow! What a promise and how incredible is our Heavenly Father. Why we just not go for it? Because our faith has to be stronger than our fear. You are getting there. With each passing day, the scale is tipping in the direction of faith and soon you will have enough to go for it.

Think... What is that one decision you are considering that really pushes you out of your comfort zone?

Pray

Fearless Week 4 (Day 2)

Day 2 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV)

When facing your fears and challenges it always helps to have a godly person backing you. God works through others to give us courage, wisdom and endurance to overcome what we are facing. The verses today remind us that God puts people in our lives to bring reward, lift us up, and to keep us from breaking.

For years, I saw it as a weakness to reach out to others when I was struggling. I thought that admitting my fears would make me weak as a leader at home and in the church. I have discovered that being genuine with others actually gains their respect and draws me nearer to them. When I include others in my battles, I am stronger and more confident.

What is your greatest challenge for today?

What person/persons has God placed in your life that could help you as you face this battle?

Fearless (Week 4) Day 1

Fearless Devotionals
Week 4
Day 1 -Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. (Deuteronomy 31:7 ESV)

Following God is an adventure that calls for lots of courage when facing new challenges. Each year brings a different kind of challenge that is unlike the ones before. God sends us into situations, but he does not send us alone, "He goes before us". Whatever your next challenge is up ahead, God is already there to join you as you enter into the battle. These challenges all have a greater purpose and some of them we will not understand until we get to Heaven, but we can know what to do as we enter our challenges.
* Be strong and courageous
*Do not fear or dread
* Trust that God is with you
* Believe he will not leave or forsake you.

Fearless (Day 5) Week 3

Let's take some time today and think on how Great our God is.  Sometimes our problems in our lives seem HUGE simply because we fail to remember how big our God is ... Read through Psalm 77 and think on this passage today...


     I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens. I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal.  When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right," I didn't believe a word they said.  I remember God—and shake my head.  I bow my head—then wring my hands. I'm awake all night—not a wink of sleep; I can't even say what's bothering me. I go over the days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together.    
     Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Will he never smile again? Is his love worn threadbare?  Has his salvation promise burned out? Has God forgotten his manners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us? "Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business just the moment I need him." 
     Once again I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts.
    O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God! You're the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do— You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.
     Ocean saw you in action, God, saw you and trembled with fear; Deep Ocean was scared to death. Clouds belched buckets of rain, Sky exploded with thunder, your arrows flashing this way and that. From Whirlwind came your thundering voice, Lightning exposed the world, Earth reeled and rocked. You strode right through Ocean, walked straight through roaring Ocean, but nobody saw you come or go.
     Hidden in the hands of Moses and Aaron, You led your people like a flock of sheep.  (Psalm 77 The Message)


And spend some time relating the above passage with Acts 17:24-28 ...


The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.  And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him.  Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for "In him we live and move and have our being" ... (Acts 17:24-28)


Spend today looking at your life from God's perspective and trust Him to carry you through whatever you encounter.  We serve a BIG God! Celebrate Him today.

Fearless (Day 4) Week 3

"I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

   from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 121)

It's great to know that at different times in our lives we have friends who "have our back".  They'll be there in a moments notice if we need them.  But what about when they can't be there.  What about the times in our lives when they can't understand what it is we're going through.  What about the times when fear takes hold in our heart and we don't know what to do next.  This passage of the book of Psalms is a great reminder to me about where my help comes from each day of my life.  There are two things I want us to see out of this passage.


1. My help comes from the Lord.  And to be even more specific, He is the one who created everything around us.  When we remember that He set the stars in motion and holds it all in place, we can have confidence in the fact that He can handle what we have going on in our lives.  We can have confidence to face each day with a strength that can only come from Him.  Not only does my help come from the Lord ...


2.  He will keep me through each step I take (my going out and coming in).  God is always watching over us.  In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells us, "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  God knows each step we take and is there to guide us through each step.  He has a plan and that plan includes Him being actively involved in our lives.  When we  know that God "has our back" we will be confident.  


You have something today that you need God to show up and not only help you, but take you through each step.  We can do all things through Christ (Phil 4:13). Ask Him to not only make you aware of your options and have the boldness to be different, but also ask Him to help you Be Confident in Him.

Fearless (Day 3) Week 3

"And Benaiah the son Jehoiada was a valiant man of kabzeel, a doer of great deeds.  He struck down two ariels of Moab.  He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen." 2 Samuel 23:20

Benaiah possessed a boldness that we can all learn from.   He didn't see this lion as something to run away from.  He didn't see it as an overpowering obstacle.  I believe he saw this lion as an opportunity to chase his fears.  He boldly grabbed this lion by the mane and struck it down.  

We all have lions in our lives that stare us down.  Sadly too many Christians are running away from their lions.  They passively allow their lions to dictate the course of their lives.  But that doesn't have to be you.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through your life, you can boldly face your lions and strike them down.  No longer cowering in fear.  But living with a boldness that is found in the Lord. 

"We can cower in fear and run away from our greatest challenges.  Or we can chase our God- ordained destiny by seizing the God-ordained opportunity."  Mark Batterson

Lord, give us the courage and the boldness to be the people you have called us to be. 

Fearless (Day 2) Week 3

If we are going to live fearlessly we must be AWARE.  What exactly do we need to be aware of?

1.     Aware of God

Caleb was able to confidently say “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Num. 13:30) He was aware of the fact that God had already said he was going to give the land to them.

Jesus was able to withstand the attacks of Satan because he was aware of what God had spoken through his word (Luke 4:1-12).

When we live faith filled lives we must be aware of what God has spoken. “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7).

2.     Aware of our enemy

Our enemy wants to take us out!  He knows that through the power of the Holy Spirit you and I have the ability to change the world around us.  He also knows that when we’re not under the control of the Holy Spirit we can do much damage in little time.

Why is it so important to be aware of your enemy?  He’s aware of you.  ”And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13) “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

3.     Aware of ourselves

Each of us has weaknesses in our lives.  We all have sin that we struggle with.  But the key is STRUGGLE.  Many Christians don’t struggle with their sin.  They just tap out, give up, and give in.  Your greatest enemy is not the enemy.  You are your greatest enemy.  “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. “ (James 1:14)

Be aware yourself and the things that lure you away from God’s purposes for your life.  When tempted, remember God isn’t in it.  And if God isn’t in it, you need to get out of it.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

Fearless (Day 1) Week 3

Jonah 1:1-3 ¹Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ²"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil^[a] has come up before me." ³But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.


There are times in our lives when the Lord will lead us in a very specific direction.  It may be to work harder on our marriage, to make a career change, to speak to someone about spiritual things, to stand for Him even if we're alone.  We have opportunities every day to "Rise Up and Go".  At those times, we always have a choice of how to respond.  Jonah was told to rise up and go to Nineveh.  His response was to go the exact opposite direction.  His prejudice against the people of Nineveh kept him from moving forward and following God.  Jonah was afraid that the people of Nineveh would actually repent and turn to God.


Before we judge Jonah for what seems to be a VERY WRONG decision.  Let's look at our own lives.  We make choices everyday to follow what we want instead of what God wants because we let our fear win.  We're afraid of being "That Christian", of being different than our friends, of standing alone, of being rejected.  We let our fear drive our lives and as a result move further away from the presence of the Lord in our lives.  


What would change in your life if you began moving forward in the direction He has planned for you?  What can you do today that would move you towards your "Nineveh" in your life?

Fearless (Day 5) Week 2

Day 5 - He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39 NKJV)

Releasing control of our life and our plans to God can be a fearful event for us. Surrender is not a common act in our culture which promotes living independently. When making a decision, it seems we turn to people, current cultural trends, secular books and programs, and whatever ideas we can develop instead of seeking the God who created us. This verse, which happens to be one of my favorites tells us that "when we find our own life, we lose it". Chasing after any plan other than Gods will just waste time and energy and bring loss in our lives. However, when we surrender to Gods plan, we find a life of peace and purpose. On so many occasions, God has led me to trust in an idea that did not make sense to me at the time, but later I was able to see how he safely guided me to the right place in life. "He who loses his life for my sake will find life". You can never go wrong giving up your plans to live out his plan.

Think.... What decision are you facing today, and what steps having you been taking to find the solution? What could you do to discover Gods plan and to increase your faith to trust him?

Pray....

Fearless ( Week 2) Day 4

Day 4- How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14-17 ESV)

I am convinced that fear controls so many today because we minimized the importance of hearing the Word of God preached by God called men. Consistently attending a church where the truth is being spoken in power can transform your fear into radical faith and boldness. Even though I preach most every week, I still seek out sermons weekly through books, blogs, podcasts and other means to feed my faith and starve my fears. I have always been amazed with preaching and how God always seems to know just what I need to hear. I am grateful for the Pastors, Evangelists and Teachers that God has used and continues to use to create courage and boldness for the journey. "So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17 KJV).

Take time.... Write the names of those who have preached the word to you and strengthened your faith and pray for them.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 1:18 NKJV)

Fearless (Week 2) Day 3

Day 3 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:13-14 NLT)

As Israel came to the Red Sea and the Egyptian army came after them, fear set in the minds of the Israelites. Some of them complained to Moses that they should have stayed in Egypt, instead of seeking the land that God had promised. As we follow God there will be places along the journey where things look very uncertain. In these moments, when fear comes we will be tempted to come up with our own solutions. Fear can make us impulsive and cause us to take short cuts instead of waiting on God.

Look at the statements in this passage as you consider your own fears that you are facing.

Don't be afraid
Just stand still
Watch the Lord rescue you today.
The Lord himself will fight for you.
Just stay calm.

Fearless Week 2 (Day 2) "Right Thinking"

Day 2- "Right Thinking"

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Our thoughts determine the direction of our lives. The only way to establish control of your life is to get control of your thoughts. Satan is continually trying to create fear by feeding our minds with thoughts that are untrue. Prayer, Bible Study and accountability with the right people all serve as filters to help us discern what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. Remember, the only way to get your life under control is to get your thoughts under control.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)

Think... In the presence of God, think about all that God has done and is doing right now. This will help you to get your thoughts on what is true.


Pray...

Fearless (Week 2) Day 1

Fearless Devotionals
Week 2

Day 1 - You shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, (Deuteronomy 7:18 ESV)

When reading in the old testament, we see much reference to enemies. You and I are not fighting the Egyptians today, but we are battling enemies like addiction, worry, discontentment, inconsistency, confusion, etc ... All of which can spark fear in us. Our verse today encourages us to remember what God has done in the past when we faced other enemies. As you battle your own enemy today, would you take time to remember what God has brought you through in the past. Remembering...
Reminds us of Gods Faithfulness.
Gives us hope in our present battle.
Causes us to lean hard on Gods power.

Take time... To write down some occasions where God helped you to stand strong when an enemy threatened your peace and sanity.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 ESV)

Pray

Fearless (Week 1) Day 5

Day 5- But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."(Acts 5:29 ESV)

This verse has given me courage on so many occasions when people did not agree with the direction that God was taking my life. One of the hard realities of life is that not everyone rejoices with you when you do the will of God. Often, we are put in the position of pleasing God or others. This is difficult because most of us want to please others and we want everyone to celebrate our decisions. We know that God has plans for our life, but have you discovered that other people also have plans for us? There are going to be times where what God wants and what others want are going to clash. In these moments, fear can take over, if we are not firmly committed to following Christ and the desires that he has given to us. When I was called to preach the gospel, you would think that everyone would have celebrated my decision. It was not the case. Even some who were leaders in churches, encouraged me not to leave my career to pursue pastoring. Because I would be making less money and be leaving a promising career, they just couldn't see the wisdom in my decision. Can I be honest? There were moments when it didn't make sense to me either, but that is where faith takes over and launches us in the direction of Gods plan.

"The approval of others is desirable, but it is not necessary" (Howard Hendricks)

Think... What decision have you avoided, because you fear what others may say or think?

Are you presently being persecuted because you have chosen to follow God?

Pray....

Fearless (Day 4) Week 1

Day 4- Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (Philippians 3:13-15 ESV)

Do you find that as God opens doors in your life that often past failures enter your thoughts? "What if this turns out like last time?" I noticed that in our verses, we are to "forget" what is behind and notice the words "straining forward" and the word "press". This indicates that it will be a struggle to put the past in the past and move forward to the next step God wants you to make. How do we "strain forward" and how do we "press" forward?

1. Learn from the past, don't dwell on it.
2. Talk to a godly friend about your future.
3. Be willing to step into the unknown, if God is giving you a continual desire, go for it.
5. Believe that God is already at work in your future.
6. Don't be so consumed with what is ahead, that you ignore what needs to be done in the
present.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 ESV)

Think... What desire is God giving you for the future?

What experience from the past could be hindering forward movement?

Pray...

Fearless Day 3 (Week One)

Day 3- for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV)

I have noticed in recent years that fear causes me to feel insecure. I began to doubt myself, those around me and even God. When my fear is controlled, I do not feel powerless, but rather I have confidence that God is at work in my situation. I feel power! When fear is kept in check, I can love others because I am not so consumed with what is going to happen in my life. I am not selfish. I have love! When fear is under control, I am under control. I am free to give more thought to my choices and resist temptation. I have self control! The Holy Spirit is the one who helps us conquer our fears. As we seek God daily, during our times of study, prayer and meditation, the Holy Spirit transforms our mind with with the proper perspective for the challenges we will face that day.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Think... What fear is making you feel powerless, keeping you from loving, or causing you to lose control?

Take time to pray...

Fearless (Week 1) Day 2

Day 2- Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:31 ESV)

We worry about the "what if's" in our life. What if.... The problem with "what if's" is that most of the time they never happen and even if they do will God forsake us? If suddenly, our fears come true and our life heads in reverse, will we have to face it alone? Every morning I see the birds in my yard flying, eating, feeding their young, building their nests, singing and playing. Morning after morning God provides for them. Our verse says, "you are more valuable than many sparrows". Listen...

I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread. (Psalm 37:25 ESV)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 ESV)

The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. (Proverbs 29:25 ESV)

By the way, I saw the birds in my yard again today.

What fear are you battling today?

Think.... In the presence of God, think about your fear and about these verses. Allow God to speak into your life and share your thoughts with him.

Fear of reverse (Day 1)

Day 1- And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Even when our lives seem to be moving in reverse, Paul writes that "All things work together for good". We tend to think, if we are not moving forward that we are being hindered by the enemy, but God works in "all things" including reverse. Have you ever considered what driving would be like without reverse? Turning around in tight spots is made possible because of reverse on your car. On many occasions, God will move you in reverse, so that he can get you turned in the right direction to accomplish his purposes and to give you a more abundant life. Finally, the verse says, "For those who love God, all things work together for good". Our focus simply needs to be on "loving God", and then we can know that all things will be well. We tend to focus more on what is going to happen in our lives instead of simply loving God and trusting him to work everything together for our good.

Think.... In what area of your life does it seem that you are in reverse and how do you see God working for your good?

Take time to pray......