Even when tempted to worry ...

One of my favorite passages is when Jesus described what the work of God was to believers. 

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:29

Sounds easy, right? Whew! That is do-able. I'm so thankful He doesn't require an exorbitant sum of money or some kind of miraculous feat done to prove my worthiness. 

No, what He asks is faith. It's actually the most valuable thing you can give Him.

But sometimes it is mighty tough to do.

It's always a good thing to look at scripture in context. So, when did Jesus say such a thing - that all God wants is for us to believe in Jesus?

He said it to people after some miraculous events. He'd fed  5,000 a fish dinner multiplying 5 loaves of bread and two fish. It was after His moonlight walk on the water with the mission of calming the scared disciples tossing to and fro in their little boat.

John tells us the next day the people noticed the disciples had taken the only boat. They'd seen the disciples go off, leaving Jesus; yet now, both the disciples and Jesus were gone. They went looking for them.

What followed was an interesting discussion.

You see, Jesus wasn't fooled when they showed up. He knew they were hoping for another meal. He basically told them not to spend their lives chasing perishable things but to labor for food that lasts forever.


Huh?


They asked what they could do to do the works of God; and that's when He told them the famous verse about the work God wanted from them - believing on Jesus.


That must have seemed too easy to them so they asked for a sign. "What sign will you perform?" and then in the next breath they reminded Him of Moses feeding them in the desert with manna.


C'mon, Jesus, feed us again was their unspoken wish.


Jesus tried to direct their thoughts to spiritual food when He then told them He was the bread of life. He promised they would never lack for spiritual food and that He would accept anyone who really wanted to come.


They just didn't get it!


Unless the Father draws us by His Spirit, we never can grasp spiritual lessons. We're too consumed by the material lives we lead.


And it is no different today.


Right now in 2020, in the midst of mandates and sheltering-at-home and wondering if life will ever be the same, it is all-too-easy to get caught up by the material parts of our lives.


I mean, who ever thought you'd have trouble keeping enough toilet paper and dish soap in your house?


John's gospel told us to believe in the One God sent us - Jesus. In his other books, John addresses the fruit of what believing in Jesus gives us - love.


Living a life of love means we're also living a life of trust. We're not worried about lack because He takes care of us. What He decides not to bless us with will become our ability to use our brains and take what we do have to meet the need.


And we're not worried about death because we know we will be viewed through the lens of our Savior. Through Him we will look perfect since our identity is in Him.


We live in love, and we die in love.

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 1 John 4:18 (The Message)

Why worry? Why fear? 

*You can read all of John 6 here.

In this age of pandemic fears, stock piling and shortages, I've begun a series of posts entitled F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real because most of what we are afraid of is in our minds. 

You can also look at my last post, "Even when you realize you need to change," which focuses on the fear you may feel when you realize God is holy and you're ... not.

I'm linking this post with the communities at Inspire Me Monday
#TellHisStory
Recharge Wednesday
#TuneInThursday

Even when you realize you need to change ...

Do you remember when you realized God was holy and that you were ... not?

I do.  I was 14 and had had a "near death" experience with carbon monoxide poisoning.  I had thought I wanted to wait until later to give my life to God because I had "things" I wanted to do first. After coming so close to being in eternity, I realized my wanting to wait was nothing more than sinful desires to do things that were less than God's best for me. I knew God was real and I realized how selfish I was.

Isaiah had such an experience.  He had a vision of God and he exclaimed: “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”  (Isaiah 6:5 NLT)

He realized how holy God is and how unholy he was. The problem was taken care of when an angel brought a coal from the Holy Altar and used it to purify Isaiah's lips.

Then, there was a man named Peter.

It dawned on Peter that Jesus was God after a miraculous catch of fish and his first reaction was the realization of his own sinfulness.

Modern Day Fisherman

So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.Luke 5:1-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

Once Peter realized his sinfulness, Jesus could begin the work of transforming Peter into the calling He had for him.  Jesus said, "Don't be afraid, from now on, you will catch men.

The bad news is, there will be many times we come into God's presence and realize all over again how impure and unholy we are.  It will ever be so this side of heaven. We can become paralyzed with fear when we truly realize what we are ...

The great fantastic news is, Jesus didn't condemn Peter. Instead, He showed Peter his future!

He is ever faithful and just to forgive us when we confess our sins.  

The work of transforming us to be more like Him is an ongoing process. Don't wait to get started!

In this age of pandemic fears, stock piling and shortages, I've resurrected some of my earlier posts about the fears we all experience. I'm calling it F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real because most of what we are afraid of is in our minds. 

I'm including this post in the series, even though our fear when we realize our sinfulness is very real; if we repent, we can still enjoy a rich relationship with our Savior and He will have a job for each to do. Satan always tries his best to remind us of our past failings hoping to derail us. Don't listen to him!

You can also look at my last post, "Even when desperate," which focuses on the fear you may feel when you think you're out of options.

I'm linking this post with the communities at Recharge Wednesday and InstaEncouragements Link-Up
#TuneInThursday
Grace&Truth

Even when desperate ...

Jairus had a problem. He had a daughter near death and he was out of options.

I think he must have heard the news about the crazy man from the Gadarenes that Jesus had healed, and the fantastic tale of a legion of demons being cast into pigs. The Word says when Jesus returned from the Gadarenes and got off the boat, there was a mob of people waiting for Him. Jairus was one of them.

Jairus - a ruler of the synagogue. Synagogue leaders didn't come to Jesus for healing. They were looking for ways to discredit Him, not receive from Him!

Jairus was desperate. He fell at Jesus feet and begged Him to come heal his daughter. He spoke in faith, "Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."

So Jesus (and the crowd) started to Jairus' house.

Halfway there, Jesus stopped to heal the woman with the issue of blood. Jairus must have been frantic inside himself, wishing Jesus would hurry on to heal his daughter.

Then messengers of doom arrived - Jairus' daughter was dead.

Mark 5:36 NKJV As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

Mark 5:36 AMPLIFIED Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear; only keep on believing."

Sometimes you have to tune those negative voices out and focus on what you believe.

I love how the Amplified puts it, Jesus heard the negative report but "ignoring what they said." He instructed Jairus to "keep on" believing.

This makes me think of the scripture that says, "Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 AMP.

Don't give up!

Surround yourself with like-minded people.
Mark goes on to say that "He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James."

When Jesus did arrive at Jairus' house, the people there thought it was a waste of time for Jesus to be there - the girl was dead, after all. Again, Jesus separated the nay-sayers from the believers and sent them out of the room.

The little girl was instantly raised from the dead!

How can we apply the story of Jairus to our lives today?

Has fear killed something for you?
We are living in a season where many have lost their jobs, and celebrations and trips have been cancelled because of the fear of Coronavirus. In fact, daily life has been put on hold, we are hunkered down in our homes; and when we do go out? We look like glove-wearing masked men on a mission to forage for any supplies we can find!

Remember to replace fear with faith.

Jesus said, "Do not be afraid, only keep on believing."

Focus on what the Word says and shut your ears to the negative voices.

Oh, and one other thing. Jairus had to keep on traveling to his destination - the place where his daughter lay.

We have to stay on our journey when fear tries to take us captive.

Don't give up.

In this age of pandemic fears, stock piling and shortages, I've resurrected some of my earlier posts about the fears we all experience. I'm calling it F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real because most of what we are afraid of is in our minds. Today we've discussed when fear makes us desperate.

You can also look at my last post, "Even when it looks scary," which focuses on the fear of life never being the same.

I'm linking this post with the communities at Inspire Me Monday and #TellHisStory

Even when it looks scary ...

I'll be one of the first to admit current events are concerning, scary even. We could jump into the realm of dwelling on all the "what ifs," especially the biggest, baddest, and scariest "what if," which is this: "What if life never goes back to normal?"

I think we already know the answer.

Life is never going to be the same. That's not to say that life won't ever be good again. I don't believe a Christ-follower could ever say that because doing life with the Lord guarantees there will be peace and joy. His Word says so.

Life pre-Coronavirus will never look quite the same as life after lockdown. For one thing, if at all possible, I'm never again going to allow myself to not have an adequate stock of necessities (I'm looking at you, toilet paper.) 

I don't think anyone will ever view the simple joys of connecting with others as something everyday or trivial again.

I think a lot of us introverts have discovered we are not quite as introverted as we believed.

However, the main lesson I believe that will forever change our perspective on life is the fact we all now know, life can change in an instant.

There was a group of people in the Bible who had one momentous life-changing week and at the end of it, had a new normal.

Read with me:

Matthew 28:1-10 (NKJV)Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

The followers of Jesus must have run the gamut of emotion: despair, fear, wonder and joy all in less than a week's time.

First of all, to see an angel with a face that shone as lightning must have been terrifying.  It sure scared the guards to death!

But what looked like a scary occurrence was actually a joyous one:  God sent an angel, and then Jesus himself, to tell the women that Jesus had risen!  What's more, He made a special point of calling the disciples His brothers - He had forgiven them for running away the night of the crucifixion - and telling them where He would meet with them.  

He knows the hearts of His children.  He knew their fear, despair and confusion and so He showed up.  First a messenger was sent to tell the women.  (By the way, He chose women to be the first to go and tell about the resurrection.) 

He also came Himself to the women.  He knew they needed a personal encounter. 

He still wants the same thing for us today. He gave us His word that we can read the message over and over.

Do not be afraid.  Go and tell!

via

I'm so excited that Lisa Burgess of Lisa Notes ... On Seeing God featured this post at her Grace&Truth Link-up. Visit her to see her comments on whether she thinks life will return to normal - and to view a hilarious video!

In this age of pandemic fears, stock piling and shortages, I've resurrected some of my earlier posts about the fears we all experience. I'm calling it F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real because most of what we are afraid of is in our minds. Today we've discussed the fear of life changes.

You can also look at my last post, "Even when we need to be rebuked," which focuses on the  fear of seeing God's glory.


I'm linking this post with the communities at InstaEncouragements Link-Up
Recharge Wednesday
Let's Have Coffee
#TuneInThursday
Grace&Truth

Even when we need to be rebuked ...

Today, I'm continuing my F.E.A.R. series with the story of what happened on the Mount of Transfiguration. It's another story of Peter sticking his foot in his mouth.

I identify a lot with Peter.  We are both passionate about what we believe in, we both love Jesus, and sometimes we both speak before we think!

Let's go to Matthew 17:

17 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; ² and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. ³ And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. ⁴ Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” ⁶ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.  ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” ⁸ When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

What an experience!  What if you had been there?  How would you have processed being in the presence of glorified beings?  Jesus - like you've never seen Him before.  Years later, Peter wrote, "We were eyewitnesses of His majesty."

And, can you believe it, Moses and Elijah!  Guys who lived centuries before you.  We're talking heroes of Jewish culture. Standing. Right. In. Front. Of. You.

Moses who represented the Law, and Elijah who represented the Prophets, resurrected and with Jesus - what a sight!

So, Peter, being ... well ... Peter, blurts out, "Lord, it's good for us to be here, if You wish, let's make 3 tabernacles:  one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."  In other words, Peter was considering them all equal. Both Mark and Luke in their retelling of this event, say that Peter didn't know what he was saying.  I can certainly relate.  I've shot off my mouth before sometimes not even really knowing what I'm saying and how it will sound to others.

No one can share the glory of God, and God spoke from heaven while Peter was still speaking: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

All the disciples thought they were goners and hit the ground.  Think about being rebuked by the audible voice of God! I've heard there was an ancient belief that if man saw the glory of God he would die immediately. 

I like how the Message version says Matthew 17:7:  But Jesus came over and touched them. “Don’t be afraid.” When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.

What's to be learned from this story?

Think before you speak.

Realize that no one can be equal with Jesus.  He, and He alone, receives the glory.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, only Jesus.

Even when we need to be rebuked, God's intention is to help us grow not beat us down. Don't be afraid, He is with you.

In this age of pandemic fears, stock piling and shortages, I've resurrected some of my earlier posts about the fears we all experience. I'm calling it F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real because most of what we are afraid of is in our minds. Today we've dealt with the fear of experiencing the glory of God.

You can also look at my last post on the subject, "Trusting Him, not your eyes," which focuses on the fear of what things look like.

I'm linking this post with the communities at Inspire Me Monday and #TellHisStory

Trusting Him, Not Your Eyes

If you are a child of God and trust Him and believe His word, you can be fearless in any situation.

I wrote the above sentence seven years ago. I believe it now more than ever, even in the weird situation the world is in during the Spring of 2020.

See, you can't always trust what you can see. In the following story, the disciples thought they saw something that wasn't true.

Matthew 14:27 (NKJV)

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

You know the story, don't you?

It had been a long day.  

It was already evening when Jesus decided to feed the 5,000 instead of sending them away to rummage for food in every little hole-in-the-wall they came across on their way home.

I don't pretend to know how long it took for the disciples to find the little boy's lunch of bread and fish, or how much time went by as the disciples got everyone settled and divided into groups. I'm sure it took awhile after Jesus blessed the food and started handing it out to the disciples for everyone to receive their food and eat it.  (After all, the 5,000 was just the men - you know there had to be some ladies and children in that crowd as well.) Then there was clean-up, the gathering of left-overs ...

By then, Jesus needed some time to Himself.

He sent the disciples across the lake in a boat, and sent the crowds home.

So after everyone was gone, He went to the top of the mountain to pray. Since He was fully human as well as fully God, I'm pretty sure He just wanted some peace and quiet.  You see, He had just learned that morning that John the Baptist (who was actually His cousin) had been killed.

Somewhere between 3 and 6 a.m., Jesus decided to go to the aid of the disciples.  A storm had arisen and they were worn out trying to keep their boat afloat.

He just walked out to them in the middle of the sea!

Of course, the sight of Him walking towards them freaked them out. Their eyes told them they were seeing a ghost! Jesus reassured them and told them not to be afraid.

Peter, God love him, wanted to join Jesus walking on the water.  Jesus told him to come ahead.  As long as Peter's eyes were on Jesus, he was able to walk on the water, just like Jesus.  The instant he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink.

It all comes back to trust.  If He tells you to walk on water, you can.  You just have to focus on Him.

And if you don't, you're sunk!

~~~

In this age of pandemic fears, stock piling and shortages, I've resurrected some of my earlier posts about the fears we all experience. I'm calling it F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real because most of what we are afraid of is in our minds. Today we've dealt with the fear of what things look like.

You can also look at my last post, "No Need to Fear, Your King is Here," which deals with the fear of both political and spiritual disaster.

I'm linking this post to the communities at:
Inspire Me Monday
#TellHisStory
InstaEncouragements Link-Up

No need to fear; your King is here!

In all the hype about COVID-19 and Shelter-in-Place directives, have we all lost sight of the fact this coming Sunday is Palm Sunday?

This time of year is when we celebrate the coming of the Messiah as King. That day, the people shouted, "Hosanna," which means "save now!" 

Truth is, we need Him just as much today as we did then.

I'm sharing a post from the archives about that wonderful day. Read on:

Did you just ever need to be saved from something?
 
People need to be saved from tyranny, bullying and aggression, but most often from the bad choices they have made in their own lives.

Back in the time of the crucifixion, the Jews were only interested in having a political King. A King who could get them. Out. Of. Their. Mess.

They didn't realize the bigger mess was their spiritual lives and it was more important to be saved spiritually than politically. After all, your spiritual life lasts forever.

John 12
12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

What a busy week in Jesus' life! The resurrecting of Lazarus, the adoration of Mary with her alabaster box, the crowds paying homage to Jesus as He rode a lowly donkey through the streets.


And that was just the beginning of the most momentous week this world has ever seen.


It's kind of ironic that the King of the Universe would show up riding the foal of a donkey. I mean, it's not even a full grown donkey! You'd think He would be riding a pure white palomino horse decked out in royal purple with trappings of silver and gold.


But God never does anything in the way we would think. His ways are higher, purer.


God has always intended that anyone at all can approach Him. You don't have to be part of the upper crust, one of blue-blooded royalty, nor even Ivy-League educated. He came for the thief, the prostitute, the crooked politician (otherwise known as the tax collector in scripture). You could be the cutter, the crazy person crying in the tombs. You can be the poorest of the poor and He will take you in. You just have to have a searching repentant heart and you can find your Savior.


In essence, He said on that long ago Palm Sunday, "You don't have to be afraid anymore. Here I am, Your King comes, dressed just like you and riding an animal just like you do. Come to me, just as you are. I will save you from yourself."


And isn't that what we all need? Just to be saved from ourselves ...

In this age of pandemic fears, stock piling and shortages, I've resurrected some of my earlier posts about the fears we all experience. I'm calling it F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real because most of what we are afraid of is in our minds. Today we've dealt with the fear of both political and spiritual disaster.

You can also look at my last post, "Speak Up, Now More Than Ever," which deals with the fear of saying what needs to be said.

I'm linking this post to the communities at:

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Recharge Wednesday
Let's Have Coffee
#TuneInThursday

Now more than ever, speak up!

Lately, I've been wondering what reason God has for allowing our world to be plunged into social distancing. I strongly believe we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus, but that is more challenging to do when you can't actually touch someone.

I didn't realize it, but I'm a hugger. The last church service we had just before the Stay-At-Home Mandate was hard for me because we had been advised to not shake hands or hug people. I complained later because I found I could just not be around my church family without touching them!

I think there are at least two reasons I have thought of so far in relation to why we must go through this time - and I'm sure there are more I've not considered. 

One is simply to be grateful for what we enjoyed and not take it for granted any longer.

One day soon, we shall say, I get to go to church, instead of I have to go to church.

Perhaps the second reason we are in this season is to learn to speak up.

I'm not a bold person.

For many years, I let the fear of what others think keep me a prisoner.  I was too shy to break those bonds and freely speak up.

The bible tells us the Apostle Paul didn't have the luxury of free speech. People took exception to what he had to say.  In fact, they hated his message so much, they tried to beat the messenger to death. Sometimes, he got put into prison for his speeches.

But that didn't happen at Corinth.

Acts 18:9-10
Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

Paul kept on preaching and won Gentiles and even the Jewish leader of the synagogue to Christ.  The other Jews tried to imprison him but the authorities didn't want to mess with religious cases and threw it out of court.

Paul had favor and had no reason to fear.  The Lord said no one would attack him to hurt him. When God tells you that you can depend on it.

Am I saying that if you preach Jesus you will never suffer harm?  No.  We all know that we live in a sinful world that mistreats Christ-followers. But if God says you won't be harmed, you won't. 

I was thinking about this and remembered my childhood pastor's wife, Ellen Hart, who sang the song, I'll Tell the World that I'm a Christian, back in the day when I was a teenager:  I looked for the song on YouTube and found this sweet little kids group version:




(Subscribers will have to click through to my blog to view video)

What about you?  Are you afraid to speak up and tell the world you are a Christian? Do you think we have reason to fear identifying with Christ?

How about speaking up when you believe God is directing you to do something unpopular?  Something you believe is biblical but the Christian community doesn't see it the same way you do? Knowing that sometimes the family of God wounds its own?

What then?

In the end, what matters most is fulfilling what Christ has called you to do. If He asks you to share a controversial message, be it among pagans or fellow pilgrims, you must speak up.  It will be like a "fire shut up in your bones" until you do! 

*based on an earlier post

~~~

In this age of pandemic fears, stock piling and shortages, I've resurrected some of my earlier posts about the fears we all experience. I'm calling it F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real because most of what we are afraid of is in our minds. Today we've dealt with the fear of saying what needs to be said.

You can look at my last post which deals with fear of changing circumstances, A Storm is Blowing In.

I'm sharing this over at Inspire Me Monday and at #TellHisStory. Join us!