The biggest deterrent we have from doing the Will of God is fear. Fear stops many of us from following that still small Voice pressing us forward. But take courage! This verse shows us we don’t have to fear…for with Jesus living in us, like Him, we also have overcome the world and all the negative emotions attached to it. We have conquered and triumphed over fear because the One living in us is greater than the one in the world.
Tag: God
John 2: 24-25 ” Jesus did not commit Himself to them…for He knew what was in man.”
Yes, Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. He’s completely aware of every secret sin we’ve ever commited. He knows too well every deceitful, untruthful, and hypocritical thing we’ve ever said or done. But even though Jesus knows who we really are…He’s not cynical or bitter…and He will never lose hope in us.
I John 3:24 ” Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: we know it by the Spirit He gave us.”
The indwelling Holy Spirit is our Comforter, our Encourager, our Counselor, and our Friend. Ever the gentleman, that still small voice can be drowned out very quickly in the noise of the world…but the Holy Spirit is also very persistent, and will continue to warn when we’re headed down that wrong path.
Luke 9:61 ” Lord, I will follow You but….”
We’ve all had similar conversations with God. “Yes Lord, I’ll do that, except I can’t right now because…..” Why do we continually make excuses when the Lord prompts us to do something? Why do we hold back and falter when He’s pushing us ahead? Sometimes it’s from foolish pride, sometimes from insecurities, but a lot of the time it’s founded in fear. I saw a sign recently that said – “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” What could you do for the Lord if fear was removed from the equation? Think of all the good that could be done around the world if Christians weren’t afraid to follow His leading.
Mark 4:31 ” It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the garden.”
There is vivid contrast between the tiny mustard seed and the huge nine foot plant it becomes. As brand new Christians, we’re like that tiny mustard seed…the Holy Spirit is planted in our hearts and our new life starts to grow. And just like that mustard seed, everything needed for us to mature is contained inside, for the Holy Spirit is that kernel of Truth that takes hold – teaching, encouraging, and admonishing us to develop. By listening to that still small voice, we grow in our Christian walk, maturing into strong, confident Believers.
Galatians 5:6 ” The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
All the Spiritual notches you have in your gun mean nothing to God… if the people around you don’t have any idea that you’re a Christian. All the Bible reading and Scripture memorization mean nothing… if you never put His Words into action. The only thing that truly matters is actively showing your faith to others through Christ-like love.
Psalm 143: 8 ” Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.”
We have all uttered the prayer, ” Show me the way Lord!”, in times of confusion, chaos, and disorder. But this simple request far reaches those panic-filled times of our lives. Asking the Lord to guide us through our daily journey is just part of our continuing relationship with Him, and should be on our lips and in our minds constantly.
Jonah 1:17 ” But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.”
God assigned and appointed that big fish for a specific task…to gulp Jonah down and carry him around in its belly until Jonah changed his mind about the people of Nineveh. There are three interesting theories concerning this fish. Did God pick a fish already in existence to carry out His plan for Jonah? Or did He instantly create that fish the moment He needed it? Or was that fish created way beforehand for the sole purpose of swallowing Jonah at some point in the future? Any way you think about it, God’s creativity is boundless…His imagination endless.
I Peter 5:6 ” Humble yourselves therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”
We all have “Seasons” of our lives when God uses us in special ways. But it’s during those off periods that it’s difficult to remain unassuming and humble. Those decisive points in time the Lord elevates us to greatness are few and far between…most of the time we’re down in the trenches, laboring away in preparation for the next “Season” to come.
Luke 6: 27-28 ” But I tell you who hear Me; love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
It’s so very easy to love your brothers and hate your enemies, but Jesus is asking us to go beyond what the world does. He’s commanding us to not only be kind to our enemies, but to actively seek them out to do good. And when we do this, two things happen…our hearts are changed, and so is theirs.
Safetypinlove 