Obedience is Better: #nofear

Life is full of choices that we must make and opportunities that we will be offered.  For some that sounds exciting and for others, stressful.  Maybe you have always made the right choices and never had second thoughts. OR maybe you and I are alike in that sometimes having too many options feels overwhelming and can bring on a fear of making the wrong decisions and fear of the unknown.  

I believe that very thing (fear) is what often keeps us from being obedient to what God has instructed us to do.  Of course fear isn't the only thing...  But, that's what I'm going to focus on today. :-p

There's greatness on the other side of your fear.  Every person who was ever great had to first face their fears...

Oprah had to face her fear of rejection before auditioning for a movie role.  Michael Jordan had to face his fear of failure before become a basketball star.  Soldiers must face their fear of dying before committing to serve on the battle field.  DO NOT LET FEAR STOP YOU OR SLOW YOU DOWN!

There are three types of fear:  (1) protecting,  (2) paralyzing, and, (3) reverencing.  

This first kind of fear can protect you from doing things that you feel could be dangerous or harmful.  This feeling may keep someone from getting on roller coasters because they don't want to fall.  This feeling may keep parents from allowing their child to go a certain place.  Or it may keep a single woman on the defense against anyone who tries to change her routine.  This feeling may keep a man from opening up to the woman who wants to know him in a deeper way. This feeling may keep a toddler from walking for fear of falling.  

But, that fear can easily become paralyzing if unmanaged or unreasonable.  If you never allow your children out of your sight, you may stunt their growth.  If you as a single woman never open your mind or heart, who will be able to capture it?  Sir, if you never open up to that woman how can you ever become her knight in shining armor?  If a toddler remains afraid of falling, then he'll be crawling into adulthood.   Imagine a world full of adults that never learned how to walk, crawling everywhere, asking others to pick them up when they're tired of crawling.  Nonsense.

A reverential fear, though, is what we should all have.  I love and respect my spiritual father.  He's been like a dad to me since I started high school in 2007.  I want to make him proud in every aspect of my life.  I take his advice, no matter how harsh, to heart.  Growing up, I avoided a lot of situations (not all) because I knew my daddy would not approve.  That's the type of fear we should have with our Heavenly Father.  A reverential fear of God moves you to listen when He speaks.  It causes you to seek His face and seek His counsel and advice.  It makes you consider His opinion before decision making.  Lastly, it leads you to seek His validation.  And if you have that, there's nothing more you need to move forward in your life. 

Delayed obedience--for whatever reason--is still disobedience.  

Scripture says quite a few things about fear:  

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

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."   -Romans 8:15

Obedience to God is better than bondage to fear.  Imagine all that God has in store for you if you would just move when He says move.  You'll never get to Step B without completing Step A.  If you are afraid, please know that God hasn't given you that fear.  So let's cast it back to the pits of hell!  Write that book.  Start that business.  Go on that trip.  Start that ministry.  Do what God has given instructions for you to do!  The enemy wants you to stay where you are.  The devil is constantly trying to destroy you, your future, and your destiny... Don't let him!  Everything you want is on the other side of your fear. But, more importantly, everything God wants for you is on the other side of that fear!  

I overcame my fear of failure and rejection by stepping out on faith... Over the past week, I've done a couple cool things:     (1) I have continued writing my first book which I haven't worked on in a couple months.  That book is entitled "The Consignment Christian" which is specifically geared to encourage the heart of young women everywhere who struggle in the areas of faith and identity. And (2) I started my YouTube Channel!  So check it out!    If I can overcome MY fears, you can overcome yours!  Keep me in your prayers.

Lord, help us today to not be controlled by fear when it is time to do what you've called us to do.  Let us be fully convinced that the time is now to do that thing.  Thank you for power, love, and a sound mind.  Thank you for making us your own.  Because we have your approval and validation we can run full speed into all you've called us to.  In Jesus name, Amen.

________________________________________________________________________________

Are we connected?

Find me on Facebook!
Follow me on Twitter!
Don't forget about Instagram!
Check out my YouTube Channel as well!
Don't forget to e-mail me with any topic suggestions and prayer requests!

Read More

Class is in Session...

Whether you're aware of it or not, there just may be a test coming your way.  Unfortunately, we don't get to choose when or how tests come!  However, I believe there are some important things we can do to be prepared at all times.

1)  Pay attention in class... Nothing happens for no reason!  Everything God does is strategic.  If you pay attention now, you will be equipped with all you need for the test.  Don’t be caught off guard or distracted, as you learn along the way, keep in mind that it is for you to be tested.

**1 Peter 4:12, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

2)  Get to know the Teacher Before you Need the Teacher…  God loves you and wants to know you.  Get to know Him.  Ask Him for help if you need it.  But, don't just wait until the struggles come to seek God... build a relationship with Him even before you're in a tough spot.  No one likes to be used.  So don’t use God as your ‘get out of jail free card.’

**1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us, "Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually."

3) Study. Study. Study…  Daily. Consistently.  Don't wait until the night before a test to cram all the information in because you need your sleep.  Or worse, don't get thrown off by a pop quiz.  Studying consistently will ensure that you are ready at all times for whatever may come your way.  Study the Word of God.  It’s the ammunition you need to fight off the enemy.

**Psalm 119:11 says, " Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.."

4)  Memorize those main ideas.   As God is teaching you, know that it’s not in vain.  So, when you’re going through things you don’t understand, instead of whining and complaining, make sure you remember what God is trying to teach you.

**Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." 

5)  Eat well.  Even Jesus knew how important it was to eat well… Not just naturally, but spiritually.  What you put in is what comes out.  So feed your spirit with things of the spirit.  Feed your spirit with the Word, testimonies of the saints, inspiration books and television. 

**In Matthew 4:4, Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

6)  Get plenty of rest... Rest in God, that is.  Honor the Sabbath.  Dedicate your Saturdays to the Lord if you can.  Get your work done in the week so that you can rest on that day if at all possible.  If God can build the world in 6 days and rest on the 7^th, we can follow his pattern.  But, even outside of that, practice resting in God.  Don’t rest in your finances, friends or family, but rest in God.  He’s a sure foundation. 

**Ps. 62:5 says, "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him."

7)  Get rid of the waste... Naturally, it's helpful to go to the restroom before you enter an exam room.  The most annoying thing is to get in the groove of test taking just to have to stop what you’re doing to release what has built up in you.  Spiritually, we get weighed down with things we should have gotten rid of a long time ago.  Get rid of waste on a consistent basis, don't let it build up inside of you. 

**Psalm 51:2 says, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin."


STAY TUNED FOR PART 2... "Testing in Progress"

Read More

Pondering a few Proverbs...

"The heart of man plans his way... but the Lord establishes his steps."  -Proverbs 16:9

Even so with women... I'm not sure about you, but I am constantly trying to make plans for my life, then I face frustration when my plans don't work out exactly how I wanted them to.  However, we have to constantly keep in mind that although we make plans, God holds the itinerary.  Even though we have dreams, God is the dream-maker, dream-catcher and dream-keeper.  Although we have many great ideas about what we want our lives to look like, God has the master copy of life's blueprint and He already knows.

Because God already knows the only thing left for us to do is walk in His guidance, praying that our heart's desires and plans look like the steps that have already been established by the Lord.

...why? Well because all things work together for the good of them that love God and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).  And since all things work together, you do not have to fear the terror of night or the dangers of the day (Psalm 91:5). And even when you find yourself afraid, you can face your fears head on because God has not given you a spirit of fear; but a spirit of power, and of love and of a strong mind (2 Tim. 1:7).

More than anything, let's try to walk in God's established plans for us because you should trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean on His understanding.  You should acknowledge Him in all your ways so that He can direct your paths.  Don't be wise in your own eyes.  Fear the Lord and turn from evil.  This will be strength to your body and nourishment to your bones (Pro. 3:5-7).

I'm not sure about you, but I definitely want to walk with the One who knows all, sees all, and can do all things.  Just a thought.

Read More