Overcoming Fear And Doubt

The apostle Paul has been sentenced to death and Timothy is facing much adversity. Paul reminds young Timothy of his possession in Christ. 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Doubt and fear are likely two of the biggest hindrances to the Christian and their witness for the Lord. 

God has not placed fear in our hearts, but He has given us power to overcome. 

He has given us a spirit of love—Agape love—God’s love. 

We also have been given a sound mind in Christ—self-control and sound judgment. 

Serving the Lord will not be without difficulty, but we possess the courage and confidence we need to overcome if we look to the Lord for strength by His Spirit in our inner man. 

Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Never Count God Out

I wonder how Israel felt with their backs to the Red Sea and their faces towards the Egyptians.

I suppose Elijah may have felt pretty intimidated being outnumbered 850 to 1 at Mt. Carmel. 

And I guess Mary and Martha lost hope when Lazarus died. 

Never count God out. No matter how dark the night, remember the morning is coming and with the morning comes rejoicing. 

Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Never get to the place where you think you are alone in suffering. Everyone has their problems, but thank God, Jesus is a problem solver. 

The Love Of God

God’s love is not like human love. His love is pure, holy, never-ending, and precious beyond words. 

We are told that God “so loved the world”. How much is “so”? His deep love motivated Him to send His only Son to die for a lost world.  

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Look no farther than the bloody cross of Calvary to see the extent of God’s love for you. 

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The greatest thought to grip the human mind is this: “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so!”.

 The second greatest thought is this: There is nothing you can do to make Him  stop loving you - Rom. 8:38-39. 

Regardless of the curve balls life may throw you, you need to know that God loves you. 1 John 4:8, 16.

Have you truly, genuinely trusted Jesus as your personal Savior? If not, seek Him. 

Peace Be Still

Through the storm, the disciples would discover much about the Lord that would increase their faith. 

As waves slammed around them, Jesus slept in the boat. 

They didn’t realize it at the time, but the disciples were much safer with Jesus in the storm than standing on shore without Him. 

In their moment of desperation they cried out to Him.  

Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

I’m glad Jesus still speaks peace to troubled lives. In His sovereign will He may not immediately remove the storm, but He can provide the peace we need to endure it, and He will never leave us. 

Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Jesus Is All We Need

When Jesus met the woman at the well He told her He could satisfy the deepest thirst of her soul, and she would never thirst again, John 4:13-14.

Jesus is all we need for satisfaction. Only He can satisfy the soul. . 

Psalm 107:8-9 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Jesus is all we need for salvation. All who believe in Him are promised eternal life in heaven. Anyone can be saved—any sin can be forgiven. 

I have never met a Christian—one abiding in Jesus—feel that he/she lacked any good thing. 

For those who abide in Jesus have found the sweet, cool, soul-satisfying goodness of God. 

Unspoken Prayers

I’m glad God hears me when I pray. That’s His promise. 

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

But sometimes I can’t put my prayers into words. What then? 

The God Who sees all things sees the thoughts of my burdened heart—thoughts that can’t be expressed—the unspoken prayer. 

The Lord even interprets the message of my tears. 

I’m glad God knows us intimately.

Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Looking Unto Jesus

A runner will never be successful if he loses focus. He must keep his eyes on the course, watching the race as it unfolds. 

So it is with our Christian journey. We must keep our focus. We must keep our eyes on the Lord. He’s our example.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Many times we look at the mountain we must climb or the valley we face rather than looking unto the Lord for guidance and strength. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.