Lean Not on Your Own Understanding

Fear has been a common theme amongst Christians as of late. The enemy is trying his hardest to make sure that we're kept in fear. Fear from the unknown. Fear from the past. Fear of everything. And I acknowledged that in my last post.

Since we talked about what, or should I say Who, casts out fear, we also have to know that faith and trust is also imperative in casting it out.

A Bible verse that has been in my head is Proverbs 3:5. And although it doesn't exactly say not to fear, there are some little gold nuggets that we can discern from this verse.

First is the obvious. Trust in the Lord. When we put our complete trust in God, what shall we fear? What can anyone do to us that God can't handle? The Bible is always telling us to trust God, but it isn't always so easy. We want to take matters into our own hands and try to handle our situations on our own. But that won't work. We manage to mess it up further, so God has to fix our mistakes and bring us back around to what we're supposed to be doing. We could have avoided all of that if only we had trusted God.

Take Psalm 56:3-4 for instance.  "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?" Psalm 56:3-4

Even David knew the importance of trusting in God. There's no need to fear because our trust is in God.

Side note: I particularly like "I will praise His word." Why? Because praise ALWAYS stops the enemy. It's important to praise, especially when it's the last thing we want to do. Praise brings us out of fear and into trust because we're focusing on God, not our fears (problems).

Then we have this little part of "with all of your heart." That doesn't mean with part of your heart. It means with ALL. If we trust in God with ALL of our heart, that means there's no room for fear and doubts. Hard right?

Fear and doubt are sneaky little devils. They will come to torment you, to make you forget that the One in control isn't the one who matters, but God has the final say-so, not them or us. He knows what's best for all of us, and it's time that we started trusting in Him with ALL of our heart.

And, then, we have "lean not on our understanding." This has two possible meanings. One could be that whatever we "think" is wrong isn't really an issue. It's the lies of the devil making us blow things out of proportion, or it could mean that we shouldn't rely on ourselves to fix the situation. That we should ALWAYS put our trust in God.

Both of those are great indicators of how we shouldn't put trust in ourselves but in the Almighty God.

Once we trust God fully, all fear, doubts, discouragement and whatever other lie the devil is trying to use against you will have to go. And once we start trying to do God's job, we give the devil an opening to come back and torment us.

It's time that we put all of our trust in God, that we fully believe that God will take care of any and every situation that we find ourselves in. Lean not on YOUR own understanding but lean on God's! 

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

There seem to be a lot of fear being spread through media and, therefore, through social media we see a lot of bad things lately like murders, disappearances, sex trafficking, stealing of children, hate crimes, pretty much anything horrible that you can think of.  As I read through Facebook before I fall asleep (which I try not to do anymore), it keeps me awake at night, thinking about the horrible things that are going on in our world.

People are killed and abducted in their homes. THEIR HOMES! Isn't anything sacred anymore? Why can't we feel safe letting our children go to school during the day or lie in bed at night without worrying about a home invasion? Because people are cruel. It's a sad fact, but it's true.

And that's not the only kind of fear there is. There is fear of the future. Fear that a past mistake will come back and haunt us. Fear, fear, fear all around! It's a lie of the devil, and it's something that we don't have to let bother us!

Sure, you're probably thinking that we can't stop something like that, and no, WE can't. But I know someone who can!

God has been trying to get across to me lately that He is the one who eradicates fear. Why should I fear something that I can't control? It all comes down to me feeling like I need to control things, and the truth is, I can't. I can't do anything about what's going on in our world. I can't do anything about anything. All I can do is put my faith in the One who knows what He's doing.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

This verse has been on my mind a lot, and God has been showing me things about this verse that have changed my entire thinking about fear. In this verse, this "perfect love" IS God.

If we fear anything, we can't love. If we can't love properly, then we're missing the whole point of love. Love is never fearful. It's trusting. It's faithful. It's honesty and truth. It is NEVER torment.

Fear is pure torment. We allowing fear to rule us, to dictate our actions. It's robbing us of sleep, of faith, and of trust. And it needs to STOP!

As I was looking through Facebook the other day, I came across this picture from Our Daily Bread.

On my Facebook page for this blog, I shared it and wrote: "‎Faith‬ is, yes, and we also have to remember that 'Perfect ‪‎love‬ casts out fear.' Once you have FAITH that God (Perfect Love) will take care of every situation, fear no longer has a leg to stand on."

Do you remember the when Jesus was in a boat with his disciples, and they were all terrified during the middle of a storm? This is what He said to them, "But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”" (Mark 4:40)

See, between faith and love (Him), God is telling us that we have the means to defeat fear. I liken it to a battle brought on by the devil himself. He is going to throw everything he can at us to make us scared, to keep us from having the faith to believe that God can and will change our situation. It's our job to not allow the devil to continue to keep us from God through fear.

Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV) says,

So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”

I think that "man" can refer to ANYTHING. No one or thing is going to hurt us because we have God on our side. And God is PERFECT LOVE that casts out fear. But notice the "boldly" here in the verse. It's our job to say this boldly, to believe it WITHOUT a doubt!

So how do you stop being fearful? You give it to God. I asked God once how I was supposed to just give Him something like that and let it go. I saw myself holding a pen, and God said, "Let it go."

"But how, God?"

"You just drop it."

So I dropped this pen, but a few minutes later, I picked it back up. "That's your problem," He had said. "You always want to pick up something that you should have given to Me."

It took many tries before He finally got that pen, and then it disappeared completely. I didn't pick it back up.

You're probably thinking that it stopped there. No. It didn't. The devil tried to hand it back to me, and I took a hold of it, scared to drop it again.

We're fighting a battle, but God has given us the means to "drop the pen" and make it disappear. His perfect love for us has eradicated all fear, but it's our job to have the faith to not pick up the pen again.

What will you choose today? Will you drop the pen and let it disappear, or will you keep holding onto it and live in fear? The choice is yours. God never gave us fear. The devil did. So which do you want to hold on to? Perfect love or lies?

God Will Supply Your Needs

I'm so sorry that I've been absent for a month on my blog!  I've had a busy month on the author front, touring my books, searching for agents, and trying not to stress over it all.  That's partly why I've written this post.  It's not just my worries on the financial front, but others that sparked this post.  

There seems to be a lot of unnecessary worry over things that we don’t have control over.  The money for this month’s bills isn’t in.  If we have the money to pay the bills, we don’t have money for anything else.  Making ends meet is difficult, and it’s stressful.  But that doesn’t mean God doesn’t love or care for us.  Because Paul said, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

But what happens when we’re still struggling?  We pray and pray and pray.  We cry out to God, begging for answers, but it doesn’t seem like our need is being met.  But we’re human, and our eyes are deceiving.  When was the last time you went hungry?  What was the last bill that you couldn’t pay? 

Psalm 37:25

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

God has made us a promise.  God has promised to supply all our needs, and in return, His seed (us) will not beg for bread (or anything else that you need.)  God doesn’t want His children struggling.  Why?  If we’re struggling, we can’t focus on Him, because our minds are on something else.  If we’re worrying, we’re pushing God out of the equation, and God needs to be right in the middle of that equation.

Your equation needs to look like this: 

God + Tithes/Offerings – Worry – The Devil = Peace and Needs Met

Take the worry out of your life.  God cares about you.  God is not going to let you suffer.  He has proven to me over and over again just how much He loves me.  I’m not rich, nor am I famous (yet), but God has supplied my need!  He’s given me money to pay my bills, to sow into other ministries and church, and the money to go out with my friends.  I may come close to being extremely low on cash, but God never fails in giving back what I sow! 

Notice that I’ve been talking about sowing seeds.  God loves a cheerful giver!  (2 Corinthians 9:7)  Don’t be stingy in giving God your money because really, you wouldn’t have gotten that money if it hadn’t been for God. 

Malachi 3:7-12

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.  And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

When we give tithes and offerings, God gives back to us.  He supplies us with His riches and glory!  Every need that we have will be met with blessings that we won’t have room to receive!  Oh how good God is!  He doesn’t let His children suffer.  We cause the suffering.  The devil causing our suffering.  So kick him out of the equation, kick worry out and you’re left with peace and every need supplied. 

Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Make 2013 Your Year!

Today we have another guest post from Sharon Johnson! 

   

It is never too late to make a change.  Change is good.  Change is also scary.  Fear is what stops people from making changes in their lives.  Fear traps people from moving forward in their lives. 

    

People get comfortable and don’t want to leave their comfort zone.  They settle.  Accepting the way their lives turned out.  Afraid to change.  Afraid to fail.  People are in a job they hate.  Accepting that there is nothing better out there for them.  They don’t have a college education and convinced themselves that they are too old to change.  Fear has paralyzed them.  Fear has stopped God from moving in their lives.  Fear is exactly where Satan wants you to be. 

 
If fear is stopping you from changing your life.  Stopping you from doing something you have always dreamed about, stopping you from what God has told you to do, then Satan has you in his grip.  It is time for you to get Satan out of your life and let God begin to work in your life. 

I am not saying it is going to be easy.  I am not saying that you will not be scared.  I am saying that if you are tired of your life.  If you want a change.  The only way to change your life is to face the fear head on.

    
I am a creature of habit.  I do the exact same thing every day.  When I get up to go to work, I have a routine.  I drink out of the same glass.  I eat with the same fork.  I live in my comfort zone.  Some say I have OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  It has limited me to what I can do.  When I can leave the house.  Where I can go.  I even have a hard time eating out in restaurants.  I accepted my fate.  I was willing to live in my comfort zone and die in my house.  This was my destiny.  A year ago, I couldn’t go on vacation with my boyfriend.  I was afraid to leave my house.  The What If’s kept popping up.  What if, my pipes break and the house is flooded.  What if someone breaks into my house?  What if?  So we stayed home.  I restricted myself to going to work and coming home.  I went nowhere else.  Fear had me.  Satan had control of my life.

    Psalms 103:4-5

     Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.  Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

I was in a pit and GOD says that he will redeem my life from the pit and crown me with love and compassion.  Not only will he get me out of the pit, he will give me the desires of my heart with good things.  That makes me want to do my happy dance.

I was in a job, I didn’t like anymore.  It was a good job.  I was getting older, the boxes were getting heavier and I knew I couldn’t do this job when I neared 60.  Having turned 50, I wanted a change.  Had no idea what, but I couldn’t live this life for the next 20-30 years.  There had to me more to life than work and hiding in my house. 

     

At work, there was a cashier position open.  It was the night shift.  I read and reread the notice.  I couldn’t learn to check.  I would be up front mostly by myself.  I would have more responsibility.  I told myself I couldn’t do it. Fear gripped me. They had to know today.  I didn’t have time to wait.  If I didn’t go in and put my name in, I would be stuck, nothing would change.

I walked into the mangers office and told him I wanted to apply for the position.  To my surprise, I got the job on the spot.

  

Then the fear crept in.  Co-workers asked why I wanted to be a cashier.  I only had 4 hours to learn how to check and then I was on my own. I know for a fact that the minute I decided to stop listening to Satan, GOD stepped in and started working in my life. 

I learned to check.  I learned how to use the ordering gun.  I learned to face fear and walk through my fear.  I am not saying that it was easy.  I am saying that if you don’t face your fear and stand up to Satan, nothing will ever change. 

For the first time in 5 years, I am going on a two week vacation with my boyfriend.  Is the What If’s still pounding in my head?  Yep.  Am I nervous about leaving my comfort zone?  Yep.

    

I want a change in my life.  I have to admit, that things are changing in my life.  I am listening to GOD.  Leaning on GOD.  I am trusting GOD. 

I am still OCD, but when I realize that it is stopping me from doing something, I remind myself that I am now dependant on GOD.  GOD love me and he redeemed me from the pit.  It is not always easy, but the more I turn to GOD, the easier it gets. 

No matter what you are going through or how old you are, it is never too late to change.  Ask GOD.  It won’t be easy, but with GOD on your side nothing is impossible.  2013 is a new year.  Make a change this year, start listening to GOD; he is who redeems your life from the pit.

I was tossed in the pit by Satan.  It was only by the Grace of GOD that I am no longer in the pit.  

In my book  My Bible—My God  www.amazon.com/dp/B006N0ZDGW  I tell how GOD and his word, the Bible saved my life.

http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com

http://sharonleejohnson.com

    

Fear of Death

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about how fear can trap you.  But Friday, I embarked on a life journey - an experience I will never forget.  I flew in an airplane for the very first time.  It may not be very significant for others, but for me, it is huge!  I had always aid I'd never fly.  I'm scared of heights, and I get vertigo.  But, it was more than that, that bothered me about flying.  I feared dying.

Being afraid of dying has always been a terrible fear of mine.  Some nights, it was so bad that I didn't want to fall asleep because I was afraid I wouldn't wake up, or worse, my nieces would climb the stairs and find me dead. 

Satan had gotten a foothold in and wouldn't let me go.  I would lie in bed at night, crying myself to sleep, and praying that God would let me see another day. 

A preacher once said to our congregation, "Why should the devil threaten you with Heaven?"  Logically, I know that when I die, I'll be in Heaven, but at times, I fear death.  I want to live a long life, see my dreams through, have a family of my own.  I'm not ready to go to Heaven.

I feel guilty for that thought.  Is it wrong to feel that way?  I hope not, and I feel like God understands that I'm only human.  That I fear death and the unknown. 

And life after death is unknown.  I know I'm going to live with my Heavenly father, but what will that be like?  Will I know my family?  I don't want to forget them.  I can't even fathom that.  I don't want to understand what that would be like. 

The devil is good about using death against us.  But, God says that we shouldn't fear death.  Romans 8:14,15 NKJV says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 

God isn't the One who gave us the fear of Death or fear of any kind.  That is the work of the Devil.  So why should we allow the devil to threaten us with the best thing that could possibly ever happen to us?  

There are no tears and sorrow in Heaven.  If we did die and leave our families behind, God isn't going to let us be sad over it.  So, why on earth should we fear it now?  The simple answer is that we shouldn't.  God didn't give us a spirit of fear but of understanding.  We may not "understand" death and what is to come, but we shouldn't fear living with our Creator.  

I still struggle with this, but I'm getting better about it.  With God, I can do anything and survive anything.  

Decisions. How do they affect your life? Guest Post by Sharon Johnson

Today, guys, I want to introduce you to Sharon Johnson.  A wonderful author that I've had the pleasure of meeting through the Christian Indie Novelists group we both belong to.  Today, she's sharing her story.  Leave some comments, make her feel welcome!  And if all goes well, she will be a contributing author to the blog! 

Thank you for having me today.  I am thrilled to be here. 

      

Life is all about decisions.  We make decisions all day long.  Some are good decisions.  Some are bad decisions.  Seems like all my life I have been making bad decisions.  I have always heard; listen to that voice deep inside.  You know that feeling you get, when you know you are making a terrible decision.  I always ignored that feeling.  Not sure why.  Maybe fear. 

     

I drank to make me feel better about the terrible decisions I made.  I starved myself because I didn’t think I was good enough.  If I wasn’t drinking, I was starving myself.  I was a mess.  I believed in GOD.  I prayed.  Why was my life such a mess? 

    

One time in my life, I found myself alone.  I was a divorced woman. Divorce is a sin.  I knew I was going to Hell, so it didn’t matter what I did.  I moved in with a man and I knew it was wrong. There was that feeling deep in my stomach, telling me I was making the wrong decision.  I couldn’t live on my own.  Who was going to take care of me? Three years in a abusive relationship.  I thought I deserved it.  I am a divorced woman going to Hell, so nothing really mattered.

I finally got out of the abusive relationship, thanks to GOD, though at the time I didn’t give GOD any credit.  I was alone.  I had nothing.  I was crying one night, till I could cry no more.  I looked up and screamed.  “Just tell me what to do!  I don’t know what you want from me.  Tell me what to do!”

I fell asleep on the floor, where I was crying.  I woke up and the answer was crystal clear.  GOD answered my prayer.  He didn’t yell the answer.  I had peace inside of me.  I knew what I had to do.  GOD told me to move and stand on my own.

Did GOD know who he was talking to?  I was 45 years old and never lived alone.  I needed someone to take care of me. 

The first time in my life I was going to listen to that voice/feeling deep inside of me.  Was I scared?  Yes.  Did I think I could do it? Nope.  For the first time I was trusting GOD.  I stopped drinking.  Best thing I ever did.  As the years past I discovered that GOD loves me, even when I ignored him.  I still make wrong decisions, but whenever I make a decision and get that feeling deep inside, I listen to that feeling.  Sometimes I don’t agree with that feeling.  In the end that feeling is guiding me in the right direction.

    

I do hope that no matter what is going on in your life, you will listen to that voice deep inside of you.  The voice will not be loud, it will be soft, loving and will nudge you in the right direction.  It is your decision; GOD gave us all free will.  I can tell you that my life is so much better since I am listening to GOD.

My Bible—My God is my testimony to GOD.  I let Satan throw me into a pit.  GOD pulled me out of the pit.  God was with me, even when I ignored him.  GOD is always with us.  We just have to listen and He will guide us into making the right decisions.

You are never alone.  GOD loves you. 

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future. 

 My Bible—My God.

     

http://sharonleejohnson.com