Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Wednesday

Greetings Internet Campus,

We've been looking at some things that may master us...and fear has certainly had it's share of influence on my life. In my studies this week, I ran across this explanation of dealing with fear that I found useful...

Isaiah 41:10-13
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

11 “See, all your angry enemies lie there,
confused and humiliated.
Anyone who opposes you will die
and come to nothing.
12 You will look in vain
for those who tried to conquer you.
Those who attack you
will come to nothing.
13 For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.


A believer is captive to fear only when he or she chooses to be. Some people actually organize their life (or at least portions of it) around avoiding anxiety. But God’s children don’t have to live in that kind of bondage. His key to our shackles is trust.

At some time, fear enters the life of every believer. But it doesn’t need to remain long. To confront and overcome our concern, we must first acknowledge its presence. Ignoring anxiety, or trying to work around it, will likely cause us to step out of God’s will.

After we have admitted to being afraid, the next thing we must do is identify the nature of our fear. Sometimes, we feel anxious without knowing the reason. But the Holy Spirit can reveal why we are being held captive.

Next, we must begin the process of defeating fear’s hold on our lives. What better tool could there be for breaking chains than the Bible, the “sword of the Spirit” as it’s called in Ephesians 6:17. God’s Word speaks to our individual fears. Use a concordance to find specific practical help. Or, for more general encouragement, turn to Isaiah 41:10. Read and memorize this important promise.


My challenge for you today is to decide where you are going to put your trust....God or yourself. He has conquered everything that you fear...and He wants to reveal to you the solution, through His word, that will slay the giant in your life. Trust Him.

Pastor Brian




5 comments:

Kevin Waterman said...

OK I. admitted yesterday to having the flaw of being a control freak. This one really hits home for me. Just last week I was honored by being asked to assume the role as the Director of the Usher Ministry.I have to admit I spent way to many hours worrying about how would it go,Could I do it ect. I know in my heart God has the Master Plan but I still worried in my head. When the time came I was so amazed at the team God has choosen me to lead to say they are Awesome is a true understatement. Lesson learned but it is still very difficult for me not to worry and relinquish control. But if we stop and think do we really have a choice?

Yahweh's Man said...

This is not good to have a former head usher & the director saying they are both worried about the job & still be amazed that we were chosen to lead. Being at the "leaving end" & not the "just joining" end I can honestly say that God wanted me in over my head so that I would trust in Him & let Him lead me. I'm sure Pastor Brian has the same experience. God always gives us a choice whether we want to follow Him or follow our own instincts, training, or desires. I prefer a partnership with God because He has given us a brain.... not Brian.... to figure some things out on our own & at other times we have to trust in faith that the Holy Spirit is guiding us through the event. I think that's why I try to spend time in prayer seeking to learn to be a man after God's own heart. I fail often & fiery, but the forgiveness & repentance is part of the growth.

Yahweh's Man said...

Oh, I forgot to say that I am somewhat of a control person... not a "freak" anymore. It's a blessing & a curse to be smart because a smart person can do so much on "their own." I'm kind of smart, but many times I don't have the time to think through "what would Jesus do" so I take a deep breath and do my best, remembering to speak or act in love.

FRCLive.tv said...

Good morning...

Fear is one of those things that comes naturally to many people. I think it is actually displaced faith. You can't truly have both. I have found myself afraid of what's around the next corner so much that I miss what I am currently doing...

Not proud of it...just the truth.

Pastor Brian

Tami said...

Kev,

I am so proud of you for stepping up and sharing yourself so openly.

I knew when you were first approached with the Director of the Usher Ministry that it was an amazing fit for you. You are going to have the chance to use skills, honed throughout your professional career, in service to God. I know you had trepidation... not in your ability to do the job or handle the operation end of it all. But in accepting that God had chosen you to be a leader in a church you so greatly respect! I know we had both been praying for God to show us a way we could do more to support FRC and the vision He has for it. It was certainly a shock to us both that those prayers were answered so quickly. You know that old saying... be careful what you ask for? Well I guess in this case it is be careful what you pray for... God will answer in a way bigger than you expect in a moment you least expect it. I know your fears had more to do with realizing that God was REALLY calling YOU to stand up and fill this role than with being fearful that you were not capable of what He was asking. You know you can do it... I know you can do it... God has hand picked you for this task and you are going to be AMAZING!