When Satan’s lies can’t get to my heart, God peace fills me up!

 

 

 This being November 18^th it makes me realize I only have one month until I am 36. I started to think. Did I accomplish everything I set out to or hoped I would accomplish in my 35^th year of life? Did I do everything I could to further his kingdom? However shameful it is, it is very simple. No, I didn’t!  The shameful part is, I cannot blame it on anyone other than myself. And there is only one reason I did not. It is the reason most of us don’t accomplish all we can for his kingdom. Not for lack of funds, not for lack of support, not for lack of knowledge, but the simplest of things F-E-A-R. A small four letter word that controls so much of us.  I am always telling my children when they are fearful remember and say out loud “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Yes, it is easier to direct my children in this than to apply it to my own life.  The easier said than done concept. And then there is the part of Psalm 23 that we all have known since preschool. “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. I don’t care if you are Baptist, AOG, Pentecostal, apostolic, catholic or Methodist. This is a scripture we ALL know. And we have all known since we started memorizing scriptures as toddlers. Why do we fear? Why do we fear only when it applies to religion, church or our relationship with Christ? We can make a toast at weddings, at birthday and anniversary parties. We can even get up in a room full of strangers and sing karaoke. But, when it comes to praying aloud, singing or publicly speaking about his grace, his love and his mercy. Even sharing our testimonies we crumble like a brittle cookie.  That huge ball of fear, takes over and we stutter, were tongued tied, we sweat, and we cannot bring ourselves to say it. A few reasons we fear…

1.       Fear of not sounding as eloquent as the person before or after us. (even if they’ve been doing it for years)

2.       Someone may laugh at us.

3.       We are sure someone in the crowd is judging us. (people we’ve never met and may never meet)

4.       If people hear or testimony or our view on Christ, then we will have to change the way we act outside of church. (talk, jokes, actions and sometimes attire)

5.       If I give my testimony then people will know all dirty secrets from my past.

6.       Fear of no longer being accepted by non-believers. ( I have dear friends who are non-believers)

7.       Oh man, then we have to start listening to Christian music. Or we can’t see the rated “R” movie.

8.       What if we make mistakes people will judge us.

 

I know all these things have gone through minds of Christian people everywhere. I know they have all at some point they’ve gone through my mind. Sometimes one at a time. Other times my mind if flooded with all eight. It is not a shame or a sin to think these things. The shame and sin in it is to let it consume you and live in fear. God never intended for his people to live in fear.  Our freedom comes in and through Christ.

 Romans 6:22

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

2 Corinthians 3:17  

 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:1

 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

1 Peter 2:16  Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves.

 

I am not saying if you are a Christian you will never make mistakes. You will never fear, you will make fall and to think you won’t you are only fooling yourself and giving Satan an open do to help you fear, fall and make mistakes. Once you repent and ask God to take over your life that does not mean it will be easier. Sometimes it is harder. Yes… I said it the dreaded word “harder.” You then become a threat to Satan. And he only attacks those who threaten his dark kingdom. In John 10:10 is says it all “The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have [it] abundantly”.

Christ not only wants, but requires us to set aside our fear and embrace our freedom. That freedom we can only find in him.  Give that testimony, sing that song and give the lesson, say that prayer. Sometimes this is better than a hallelujah. Remember when you fear to move forward in God’s will for your life you are robbing yourself of Joy, peace, happiness and opportunities.  I don’t care if it’s speaking, teaching, singing or serving don’t let fear take hold. Try first tell Satan out loud to “leave me alone, in the name of Jesus.  Tell Satan “you have no place around me” (Telling him out loud is important because he can’t read our minds) Then pray to God, asking for the blood of Jesus to cover your mind, heart and spirit. Glynnis says it best “I’ve asked God to cover my heart, mind, my pulse, my thoughts, my family, and my home, everything I can think of, with the blood of Jesus.  When Satan’s lies can’t get to my heart, God peace fills me up” - Glynnis Whitwer

 

Revelation 12:11, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

 

And remember when you are not sure what or how to pray. Pray the word of God. Pull out your Bible and just pray start with Psalm 23. If you do not have a bible email me. I will mail you one, today!! God does not require your prayers, speech, teachings or songs to be eloquent only sincere.  I pray that this may bless someone. Help them to overcome their fear and move forward in God’s will for their life.

 

Remember life is short, God is good and coffee is your friend,

 

Hollie Kate.