Category: I Am Afraid!

Romans 8:14-16 NIV
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  

“When our hearts are being filled with the greatness of God, we have less room for the question ‘What are people going to think of me?’ If you have ever walked among giant redwoods, you will never be overwhelmed by the size of a dogwood tree. If you have been through a hurricane, a spring rain is nothing to fear. If you have been in the presence of the Almighty God, everything that once controlled you suddenly has less power.” (Ed Welch, When People Are Big and God Is Small, 108)

Today, the incredible truth is that by the Spirit, we can confidently run into God’s presence and cry out, “Abba Father!” May his greatness set us free from fear’s grip and enable us to relate to and pray for others with Spirit-given love for them.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the Spirit who testifies to us that we are your children. In the fullness and security of your love, we are free to love you and to love others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s declare God’s goodness and greatness as we sing this version of “How Great Thou Art” by Matt Redman & Mitch Wong. (click here).

-JL

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. 

Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

“This essentially means to think the right way in all situations. When we are afraid, our thoughts go astray and we struggle to focus on what is true about God, ourselves, and our situation. However, Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit directs our thoughts and minds to focus on what is pleasing and honoring to the Lord…God’s Spirit gives us the ability to think correctly when we are tempted toward fear. Do you regularly meditate on God, His character, promises, and precepts to help you overcome the fear of man?” (Dereck Stone, “Promises for Overcoming the Fear of Man”)

Let’s spend some time to meditate on and memorize today’s Scripture from 2 Timothy and Isaiah 26. Whatever fears plague or tempt us right now, let’s declare the truth of God’s Word over our hearts and minds. We welcome and trust the Holy Spirit to continue instructing and forming a sound mind within us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power of your Word and the work of your Spirit who gives me a sound mind that thinks correctly in your truth. May my thoughts be honoring and pleasing to you today. Fill me with your perfect peace, I trust in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s sing “Knowing You” by Graham Kendrick. (click here).

-JL

 

Pastor Tim Keller wrote, “The only thing that casts out the fear of man is a deep love relationship with God.” Let’s desire and grow in deep love for God and for others as we read aloud the following Scripture:

Psalm 27:4 NIV
One thing I ask from the LORD,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
    and to seek him in his temple.

1 John 4:15-19 NIV
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, by your Spirit, fill me with your perfect love that drives out all fear. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s be overcome again with God’s love as we sing “Fierce” by Jesus Culture. (click here).

-JL

2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. 

Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

“Paul says the Holy Spirit gives us supernatural power to live the Christian life and overcome fear with boldness and courage…What great encouragement to know that the Holy Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives in us and is working for our good! God promises power from the Holy Spirit to overcome the fear of man and to do what He is calling us to do! Do you believe and act on this?” (Dereck Stone, “Promises for Overcoming the Fear of Man”)

Today, let’s “fan into flame” the Holy Spirit within us by believing and asking for his filling and empowering. Thank God that the boldness and courage we need is not found in our own strength or ability. Rather, we receive the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead!

Prayer: Lord, fill me with Spirit-given power today to take new steps of trust and obedience before you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s sing “Not Afraid“ by Jesus Culture. (click here).

-JL

Proverbs 29:25 NRSVUE
The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the LORD is secure.

“Scripture gives three basic reasons why we fear other people…We fear people because they can:

• • expose and humiliate us,
  • ridicule and reject us, and
  • attack, threaten, or oppress us.

These three reasons have one thing in common: they see people as ‘bigger’ (that is, more powerful and significant) than God, and, out of the fear that creates in us, we give other people the power to tell us what to feel, think, and do…

In the biblical sense, what we fear shows our allegiances. It shows where we put our trust. It shows who is big in our lives.” (Ed Welch, When People Are Big and God Is Small, p. 29, 48)

Today, let’s confess our fears of others to the Lord and take to heart his Word that says the “one who trusts in the LORD is secure.” As we continue to open-wide our hearts to Scripture’s counsel and the Spirit’s ministry, may God become bigger and take his rightful place in our lives.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you love me so much. Today, I confess that nothing and no one else is worthy of my worship and allegiance. I declare that you alone are the Lord of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, that I may surrender and trust you in deeper measure, for you alone make me secure. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s sing “I Speak Jesus” by Charity Gayle. (click here)

-JL