“He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword.” Job 39:22

It seems that a man was driving his pick-up along the highway and not being mindful of the speed limit was substantially exceeding it, when deputy sheriff was parked in the bushes stealthy observing the meter on his radar gun. Clocking the speed of the pick-up, he turned on his lights and siren in hot pursuit.

He asked the driver for the usual documents and the driver, apologizing for not watching his speed, handed the deputy what he wanted along with his concealed weapons permit. Seeing that, the deputy asked if the man was carrying a gun.

“Why yes,” was the response. “I have a 9mm semi-automatic in my ankle holster, a .40 cal one on my belt holster and a .45 cal loaded with copper jacketed hollow points in the glove box and I have a twelve gauge shotgun and a 30.06 rifle behind the seat, and under the front seat is an ammo box with enough re-loads for all.”

The trooper responded by asking, “What in the world are you afraid of,” to which the man answered, “Absolutely nothing.”

He had taken the necessary training to be licensed to carry and use those weapons and was equipped to face any unfriendly situation.

Humorous as it sounds, there is a ring of truth to this story. The man was physically and mentally prepared to meet the dangers of life. But, how many of us are spiritually armed in the same manner?

Think of it. How many people are trained to use the power of the Bible as we slay the dragons of the world?

Hebrews tells us “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12).

God has given us an amazing weapon to use against the enemy. It’s our responsibility to make sure we are using it. When you pick up a Bible what you’re holding in your hand is a weapon. And many of us don’t even know how to use it properly. The most effective way Satan has found to derail a believer is to get him or her to believe that God didn’t really say what He really said.

How do we combat against this deception? By allowing the living, active Word of God pierce through the lies. Jesus did it and calls on us to do it. So pack your spiritual weapon, know how and don’t be afraid to use it in the dangerous situations of life. No matter how you might otherwise be armed, the Bible is always your strongest weapon against the forces of evil.

by John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

FURTHER READING

What are You Afraid of?

Nothing to Fear

Fear

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:22-23, 25-26

Before the verses you see above, the writer says he is quite sure God is punishing him for something! He says God has turned against him, waits like a lion to pounce, has bent his bow ready to shoot, and has cracked his teeth with gravel! (Books like Lamentations convince me God knows how to relate with real people with real problems!)

I have felt the same at times, and when I do, it’s easy to blame God for my ills. Perhaps God is using hardship to shape me, but maybe I just want an easy scapegoat for problems I created myself.

The bigger point here is the writer’s resolve: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

When you pray, do you rant and shake your fist at God? Or do you sit quietly, assured of his faithful renewal even amidst turmoil?

God, I admit that it’s so easy to think that You cause my grief. If I have displeased You, show me where, and help me choose otherwise. In the meantime, God, help me to rest in Your faithfulness and compassion which is new every morning. Amen.

Ask God to renew your hope and to be your strength amidst your challenges.  Share with someone else how God is faithful despite your challenges.

By Bill Strom
Used by Permission

Bill also writes for www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

The post We Are Not Consumed appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:22-23, 25-26

Before the verses you see above, the writer says he is quite sure God is punishing him for something! He says God has turned against him, waits like a lion to pounce, has bent his bow ready to shoot, and has cracked his teeth with gravel! (Books like Lamentations convince me God knows how to relate with real people with real problems!)

I have felt the same at times, and when I do, it’s easy to blame God for my ills. Perhaps God is using hardship to shape me, but maybe I just want an easy scapegoat for problems I created myself.

The bigger point here is the writer’s resolve: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

When you pray, do you rant and shake your fist at God? Or do you sit quietly, assured of his faithful renewal even amidst turmoil?

God, I admit that it’s so easy to think that You cause my grief. If I have displeased You, show me where, and help me choose otherwise. In the meantime, God, help me to rest in Your faithfulness and compassion which is new every morning. Amen.

Ask God to renew your hope and to be your strength amidst your challenges.  Share with someone else how God is faithful despite your challenges.

By Bill Strom
Used by Permission

Bill also writes for www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

The post We Are Not Consumed appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

The antidote to fear is confidence in God, and that comes through faith. Fear hangs over our head like a constant vulture, ready to devour us. In the book of Hebrews, faith is the essential “engine” of the Christian life. It moves beyond mere head knowledge to a deep trust that results in action and endurance. Chapter 11 describes this best. It is often called the “Hall of Faith.”

Fear can be described as a terror of the unknown… worry, doubt and concern about the future. Most of what we worry about never happens and whatever does happen is far from being as difficult as we had imagined.

Affliction is temporary while Glory is eternal. The only way to overcome fear is through faith. Biblical faith is active trust and reliance on God’s character and promises, not just intellectual belief, serving as an assurance of unseen realities and the foundation for salvation, demonstrated through obedience and action, growing through hearing God’s word, and enabling believers to overcome obstacles and live by God’s truth rather than sight. It’s a gift from God, a response to His initiative, bringing peace, purpose, and victory through Jesus Christ, as expressed in Hebrews 11:1 as “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.

Faith resides at the core of Christianity and the Christian life. While the Bible has much to say about it, faith is a challenging concept to define. A biblical definition of faith reaches beyond mere belief—the simple acknowledgment that God exists—into the realm of trust. Genuine faith involves abandoning all human reliance on self-efforts and placing total dependence upon God’s character, His actions, and His promises, as revealed in His Word.

The apostle Paul said, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith does not put trust in bank account balances, headline news, or the doctor’s report. As Scripture says, “We don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NLT). When the world seems to be falling apart, our faith stands secure on the rock-solid promises of God.

On a scale of 1 to 10, where does your faith score?

by John Grant
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• Faith and Hope
• Learning to Trust
• The Difference between Faith and Optimism

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Read: Psalms 145:17-21

If you could have anything in the world, what would it be? Your answer reveals a lot about who you are. The psalmist writes, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). There is nothing wrong with desires–they motivate us to achieve great things. But not all of our yearnings come from God.

Consider your aspirations and what they say about who you are:

Do you hope for a position of authority in order to be in control? Longing for personal advancement in order to manipulate others reveals a lack of integrity, whereas a godly person craves righteousness.

 Do you dream about wealth and fame? Perhaps there’s a void in your spirit that you’re trying to fill. But only God can meet the insatiable needs of the human heart.

Are you afraid to ask the Lord for what you want? Maybe you think He won’t listen, but God tells us to approach His throne with boldness and confidence (Hebrews 4:16).

If the Lord doesn’t respond affirmatively to your prayers, ask Him to make your desires conform to His will. Whatever you do, don’t take matters into your own hands and go after what you want. There is always a high price to pay for rebelling against God.

God cares for us bountifully, but that doesn’t mean we can expect Him to deliver whatever we want, whenever we want it. Only when our dreams align with His plan for our lives does He fulfill them. The thoughts that preoccupy us are an accurate barometer of the state of our relationship with Christ.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by permission
https://www.intouch.org/

FURTHER READING

Heart’s Desire

Delight Yourself

Desire of Your Heart

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“He said to His disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” Mark 4:40

Being from North Texas, I am quite familiar with storms. I can recall many occasions when I was hunkered underneath a mattress, in a closet or bathroom, listening to the local radio weathermen report on the track of tornadoes in the area. When conditions are right, tornadoes can touch down without much warning. It is important to stay alert and safe.

When we experience storms in life, how do we tend to act?

Do we fearfully take cover, waiting for the storm to pass and life to get back to normal? Does God give us another directive?

The disciples were terrified when they found themselves on a small boat in the middle of a great storm. Yet, Jesus was so calm, He was asleep. The disciples feared the worst. They reacted the way most level-headed people would. They were even appalled that Jesus was not as frightened as they were. His apparent lack of concern was troubling to them. So they woke Him up.

Jesus asked them a simple, yet profound question,

”Why are you so afraid?”

Jesus linked their fear with their lack of faith.

If we ask ourselves the same question Jesus asked His disciples, we might come to a better understanding of ourselves and of our view of God. If He truly is all-powerful and loving toward us, then we can be at peace and trust Him to take care of us in the middle of the storms.

God, You command us many times in Your Word not to fear. Help us understand the root of our fears and help us see circumstances in the proper perspective. Amen.

By Debbie West
Used by Permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

FURTHER READING

Fear God and You Need Fear Nothing Else

God is the Answer to all our Fears

Dealing with Fear

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“(What I have done in the past) is nothing compared to what I’m going to do! I’m going to do a brand new thing.”  Isaiah 43:18-19 (Life Application Bible)

As we contemplate the freshness of a new year, we’re tempted to quickly rejoice over God’s words to Israel. Who would not want to be part of God’s “brand new thing”? We get excited as we pray for and anticipate a new work of God in our lives and in the world.

Anyone who has ever worn beautiful new shoes, however, may wish to think carefully about the possible consequences of new things. The shoes looked so good when we tried them on, and we even made sure they were the right size, but walking all day in that new purchase frequently gives us second thoughts. And all of us who start a new diet know that discouragement frequently settles in around the third day!

It is right and good to ask for God’s new things, but are we ready for the sacrifices that may accompany the blessing? Does commitment accompany the request? The new thing that God began in the life of the Apostle Paul on the Damascus road would take him into hostile cities, over stormy seas and through many prison cells. He learned to say “press on” long after the newness had worn off.

Father, my heart is stirred when I think of all the new things you want to do in and through me, but help me understand that following you is a lifetime decision. Thank you for staying with me even when the days are long and the newness has worn off. In Jesus name, Amen.

by Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• No Turning Back
• 6 Verses for When You Feel Stuck
• Seasons of Change

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“And the child grew and became strong in spirit” Luke 1:80

Her thick dark braid swung to one side as she struggled to open the heavy church door. I had offered to accompany her to this first night of a children’s program in a church we had just begun to attend, but she said she could do it alone. She was not a gregarious seven-year-old, preferring books to games, moments alone to group play. My heart sank as I watched her pull on what seemed to be a huge obstacle to an evening of enjoyment.

In the decades since that evening, I have watched this shy child evolve into a competent woman who has struggled with doors far heavier than massive ones made of wood. My heart ached as I watched her walk alone through airline security, leaving the refuge of home and family in Europe to begin university in California. Later she planned her own study program in France, away from the familiar halls of that university. After graduation she would move alone to New York City to attend graduate school. She floundered and almost sank when an important relationship was cruelly severed. She navigated the waters of choosing a career, buying a home and building a life as a single woman.

Perhaps struggling with wooden doors as a little girl was a first step in what would become a lifetime of far more challenging decisions as a daughter, friend, aunt, teacher and counselor. We dare not open doors for our children they can open for themselves.

So often our natural response is to make life easier for our children, forgetting that it is by opening increasingly heavy doors that they will ultimately succeed. Teach us, Lord, when and how to help.

by Marilyn J. Ehle
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• The ABC’s of Parenting Teens
• Family – Parenting Articles
• Speak Faith, not Fear into Your Children
• Teach the Children

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“Don’t be anxious about your life, what you eat, or drink or wear.” Matthew 6:25

In the book of 1 Kings, God tells Elijah, his faithful prophet, that there will be a huge drought. Then He commands him to go live by a brook—not a deep river like the Jordan or a giant lake like Galilee, but a puny stream surely to dry up without rain. It was like saying, “I am going to bring about a great calamity and I want you to sit in the middle of it.”

Yet Elijah trusted and obeyed.

When I became a widow, I felt like I was stuck living by a drying-up brook. My husband had been the primary breadwinner and I was a self-employed freelance writer. In tough economic times, he left me with very little as far as a nest egg. Each month, as the house sat on the market, I watched the brook—my checking account—become drier and drier. But, I took  Matthew 6:25 to heart. “Don’t be anxious about your life, what you eat, or drink or wear.”

God sent Elijah ravens to feed him bread every day until the rains came. He provided daily manna to the Hebrews in the wilderness. I can honestly say God has provided my daily bread since my husband left this earth in 2010. It would take a novel larger that Moby Dick to relay all the creative ways He’s sent another raven just when I needed it. At last, the soft rain is falling, my financial brook is rising, and my faith has never been so strong.

Dearest Lord, You are our provider. All comes from You and through You. Thank You for caring enough about me to give me my daily needs—and occasionally my wants, too. Most of all, thank You for Your Son who gave all for me. Amen.

Take Action:  Write down three to five things you “need” (not want) right now. Be bold enough to pray for God to meet your needs. Fold the paper and tape it to the back of the calendar page for December. At the end of this year, see how many needs God has provided, replaced with something better, or proven it was not what you needed after all.

By Julie Cosgrove
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• Living One Day at a Time
• The Worry-Free God
• The Lord will Provide

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The Strap

“Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm…” Isaiah 32:2

Years ago there was a movie about a mega tornado. The couple tried to outrun it, but finding they couldn’t, instead wrapped a leather strap around a pipe anchored deep in the ground and held onto it for dear life. As the tornado passed over them, they were able to peer into the calm, peaceful center. Both stared in awe at the inner beauty and tranquility as the straps held tight and saved them.

To me, this scene describes the Christian life. We don’t have to try and run from the situation barreling down upon us. That rarely works, does it? Isaiah 32, talks of the kings God will send to reign over the turmoil in the lives of His people. Today, we have direct access to the King of Kings. Though the storms rage in our lives, we can anchor ourselves to God’s truth and love as found in Scripture. We can grab onto the strap called faith and secure it to Christ, our foundation. His steadfast love can help us weather anything that comes along, as long as we cling to Him.

As in the movie, in the midst of the turmoil, we may glimpse an inner peace and calm in the center of all the chaos. We might actually, for a brief time, witness the majesty of His power and the beauty of His purpose. It is a time to take a breath and, in awe, realize God is with us, no matter what. He truly is our refuge and strength in the midst of trouble, as the psalmist says.

Dearest Lord, let us strap ourselves to you. Anchor us in faith and help us to cling to your love, no matter what swirls around us. And in the midst of it all, be our refuge and allow us to glimpse your majesty and purpose to bolster us and encourage us to hold on. May it bring us peace. Amen.

By Julie Cosgrove
Used by Permission

From: https://wheredidyoufindgodtoday.com/

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

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• Cling to the Lord
• Hope Stronger Than Hurt   Do you know Jesus is right there with you.  Cling to him and He’ll bring you out in due time.
• 8 Verses to Remember that God is Fighting for You

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“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life….” Matthew 6:25a

Worry and anxiety constantly plague us. We worry about completing our to-do lists, what our bosses or co-workers think of us, or having enough money to make it through the month. It sometimes gets to the point where we don’t feel right if we’re not worried about something.

I know people who find part of their identity in being worriers and who actually define themselves by it. But when Christians do this, it seems like a major contradiction. Worry is another word for fear. And in God’s Word, the message is clear: do not worry (Matthew 6:25). Do not fear (Isaiah 41:10).

In 2 Timothy 2:7, Paul writes that God did not give us a “spirit of fear.” So if fear is not from God, then it can be defeated through the work of God’s Spirit in us and through the renewing of our minds in Christ. Changing our fearful minds is hard work, but the Apostle Paul challenges us to “work out our salvation” with the fear of God, not out of fear of the world around us (Philippians 2:12).

Our world is full of frightening things. We are all works in progress. But when someone becomes a believer in Christ, that person gains the power to overcome fear. We are children of the One who created the world and everything in it, and co-heirs with Christ who overcame the world (Romans 8:15-17; John 16:33).

Lord, I recognize that worry is an attempt to control things over which I have no control. Fear rules in my mind when the things and people around me seem bigger and stronger than You. Forgive me and help me switch my thinking from fear to trust in You. Amen.

Thought: Write down some of the things you worry about on a regular basis. Ask God to show you where this worry comes from. Then ask Him to help you take steps to overcome the habits of worry and anxiety.

It’s hard to trust someone you don’t really know. Take some time to get to know God in “The Spirit-Filled Life.

By Debbie West
Used by Permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

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• She Forgot to Worry
• What Do You Do With Worry?
• Victory over Worry
• Don’t Worry, Be Happy

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

It took a lot of courage for my family to relocate from Sweden to Canada. We wanted to go to Calgary because we had friends there, but we knew that God was leading us to Vancouver. We didn’t know anyone, so that was a courageous step for us to take. We had fears and doubts but we chose to overcome them by obedience to the word of the Lord. And since we came, God has been good to us; He has proven Himself faithful and confirmed to us in different ways that we are meant to be here now.

Today’s scripture is an admonishment to you. God wants you to be strong and courageous and to choose trust despite the fears in your heart. How can you do this? By constantly reminding yourself that God is with you. He has promised to go with you as you move forward with that step of obedience He is calling you to. He never fails. Don’t allow fear of the unknown to draw you back. God is all-powerful and wise, and He says to you today, “I will go with you and not fail you.”

Heavenly Father, help us to be strong and be of good courage in whatever decision you would have us take. Help us to know that you are with us all the time and that you will not leave or forsake us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Folasade Oladapo
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• Finding Perfect Peace
• God’s Strength Covers Me
• The Promises and the Promiser

If  you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

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