with you – Praying Pint

27.j. “I will strengthen you, I will help you”

Ephesians 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Psalms 28:8   The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

Psalms 138:3   On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

2 Timothy 4:17    But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me,

Isaiah 41:10     fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ephesians 6:10    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

The Lord is my strength, I will strengthen you, my strength of soul, strengthened with power, all speak of leaning on, accepting, and allowing God’s Strength in our lives. If you have ever raised children or been around young children and you have seen them struggling with something, you offer or try to help and they say No I can do this myself, or I want to do this by myself. Even as adults we have all offered to help someone with a problem and they turn you down or flat out reject the offer of help. If we are honest, I think we all have done this. Sometimes we just need to work through the problem, find the solution, and get on the other side of it. But do we? We may know the person who wants to help us routinely takes shortcuts and their workmanship is not quite the same as ours. We may know that they will hold it over our heads if we allow them to help. We may know they will tell others of our lack of ability in an area they helped us in. We may just have a bit of pride in us that says, “I can do this”, “I know how”, “I got it”, “I am smart enough”, “I am wise enough”, “I am strong enough”, “I am………”. Whatever the reason we seem to turn away help. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when we should turn from someone’s help.

Do you ever think about how many times we reject God’s power, strength, might, wisdom, knowledge, love, peace, grace, mercy, refuge, fortress, shelter, shepherd, savior, redeemer, Heavenly Father,………? He not only is willing and able, He also promises to be all of these in our lives. Year by year, month by month, week by week, day, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, He offers us all of these and we turn away, stiffen our necks, harden our hearts, deafen our ears, and close our hearts and minds to His continued offers. Why is this? I fear it is because we do not live for God. By this I mean where we do not develop hunger and thirst for His Word, desire and seek His continued presence, have no want to understand and know more of Him, and do not know want it means to honor and glorify Him in all we say think and do. The shallowness of our commitments toward all of this most certainly will keep us from knowing about His grace, mercy, love, and promises. We will not see our need for help and thereby we won’t ask for it. We can start by intentionally choosing to live to honor and glorify Him in all we say and do. We can start by thinking less about self, self-interests, and the busyness of life. We can start by repenting from our shallowness. We can start right now.

27.g. “I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Jeremiah 20:11 But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.

Isaiah 45:16   All of them are put to shame and confounded; the makers of idols go in confusion together.

Jeremiah 1:19   They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.”

Jeremiah 15:20     And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD.

Deuteronomy 32:35-36    Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’  For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free.

Psalms 65:5    By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;

Isaiah 41:10    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jeremiah 1:8   Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.”

God’s might and awesome power are greater than our pain, humiliation, rejection, fears, loneliness, and worries. When our heart cries out in humble surrender and all self-reliance is thrown by the wayside, God becomes bigger and our misery becomes smaller. Somehow when we do this we are transformed in our heart and become content to leave the matter to God and His awesome power and might and wisdom and strength.

Learning contentment seems easy for some and much harder for others. When I think about this I come to the conclusion it is a matter of the heart. When self-reliance is cast aside and the heart is trusting in God’s perfect loving and awesome strength there is a contentment that passes all human understanding. It is in God’s hands, my Heavenly Father. Not only is He able to handle what I have yielded/placed into His hands, but He will also carry me through all the pain, confusion, rejection, fear, loneliness, and worry. He will deliver me. I am His child. I can fully trust in Him no matter the outcome because He is God.

2.l. But with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles

2 Chronicles 20:15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.

Exodus 14:13-14     And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.  The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Deuteronomy 1:29-30    Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them.  The LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes,

Isaiah 41:10-16    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.  You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.  For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Psalms 17:1-2   Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!  From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!

Isaiah 43:1-2    But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Deuteronomy 31:8    It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

2 Chronicles 32:8    With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

The battle is not ours. We may not be fighting a typical war but we do have battles don’t we? We battle with addiction, greed, pride, complacency, lust, hate, coveting, health, relationships, finances, employment, sickness, self-centeredness, etc….. We may not be facing an overwhelming army but the battles we face are none the less overpowering and seemingly uncontrollable. We are made aware of some of these battles as we read God’s word, those that reside inside of our heart, mind, and soul. The battles with self and our yielding to its sinful desires. We also battle with attacks from Satan and his deceptions, lies, temptations.

Other battles come into our lives very forcefully and are not necessarily brought on by something we did or didn’t do. Some of these are just because we live in a fallen world filled with fallen people, but that does not mean they are not unknown or purposed by God. We never fully understand and know the plans and purposes of God but we do know that God says; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” and “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God’s love is steadfast. His grace, love, and mercy are unconditional.

We fear the unknown, overwhelming, and overpowering. We play many scenarios out in our head and most of them have very bad outcomes. We seem to play this tune in our head over and over again thinking that we might find some way out of our troubles.

God tells us to believe, trust, and rely on Him. The battles are all His. If we truly believe they are His, what do we have to fear? This is so easy to say but harder to put into practice. Why is that? If we are void of Him, for most of our daily lives it is very very certain He will be hard to believe in when the battle is at our door. Living in a void of Him throughout most, if not all, of the day or week does not grow us into a mature, thankful, reliant, hopeful, faithful, obedient Christians. In fact, living in a void of Him allows us to live and do what seems right in our own eyes. We end up traveling far down the path of life alone and in our own wisdom and power for so long that when the battle lines form we are overwhelmed, powerless, angered, and afraid. This is sin and sinful. So what are we to do? How can we get off of this destructive and unfruitful path to a path of victory?

Recognize it, confess it, turn away from it, and cling to, rely on, and trust in Jesus Christ. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Purpose with all your heart, mind, soul and strength to seek, desire, honor, follow, obey, and trust Jesus Christ. Feed on His word, think hard on it, live in His presence, and keep your heart and mind focused on Him continually. Do not let the world entice you away from the blessings, courage, power, might, and strength found in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

66. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.

Joshua 1:5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Exodus 3:12     He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you:

Deuteronomy 31:8     It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Matthew 28:20     teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 18:9-10     And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,  for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

2 Timothy 4:17     But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

Has life ever pounced on you to the point where you felt lost, out of control, overwhelmed, worried, and possibly even afraid? Scripture seems to tell us to expect things to happen but do not fear when they do. “Do not fear or be dismayed”. “Do not be afraid”. “Do not be frightened”. His word tells us that when we face, whatever it is, we are to be strong and courageous and know that God is with us. Note it does not say to go in our own power and strength but to go in the power and might of God. To go in His power and might mean by faith, trust, reliance, hope, and obedience.

Many times our troubles seem to get the best of us because, I assume, we doubt God is able, willing, or wanting to lead us out. I wonder why we get this way when it says “for I am with you always to the end of the age”, “God is with you wherever you go”, “He will not leave you or forsake you”.

Trust, reliance, faith, hope, and obedience all grow when they are tested. Sometimes this testing seems more than we can bear or longer than we can endure and for sure that is true if we go it alone. Yet with God, all things are possible and all trials and troubles can be overcome in and through Jesus Christ our Lord and savior.

61. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Joshua 1:6-7     Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

1 Chronicles 28:10     Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”

Ephesians 6:10    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

2 Chronicles 32:7    “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.

1 Corinthians 16:13    Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Psalms 27:14    Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Zechariah 8:13    And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

Isaiah 43:1-5    But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Isaiah 51:12    “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass,

Psalms 27:1   The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Hebrews 13:5    Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Isaiah 41:13-17    For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

“Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you,” It is easy to think we are strong when there is nothing to challenge our strength. It is easy to stand firm when there is no fire, storms, chaos, confusion, sickness, loneliness, wrongly thought of, slandered, rumored about, and abandoned by friends and family. Yet these types of events find a way into each of our lives at some point. There are many ways we can react to these. We can be afraid, confused, anxious, worried, helpless, defeated, exhausted, lonely, restless, etc….. This is what should be expected if there is no sovereign God that loves you, has plans and purposes for you, and is watching over you.

Be strong. Be courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not worry. God is with you. He will not leave you. He will not forsake you. He has called you by name. You are His chosen possession. He will comfort you.

Have faith, rely on, cling to, and trust in God who is mighty, awesome, steadfast in love, powerful beyond all measure, and can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.

27. Serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind.

Numbers 14:43 Because you have turned back from following the Lord, the Lord will not be with you.”

Judges 16:20    And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him.

1 Chronicles 28:9     “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

2 Chronicles 15:2    “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

Isaiah 63:10    But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.

I read these two quotes today; “Today there seems to be a high-affection for salvation and blessings from God and a low commitment to live in line with His word.” “Evangelicals today may not have self-consciously entered into a Halfway Covenant, but they only seek that which benefits them when in need, neglecting what it means to fully honor and obey God.”

Think about this for a moment. Low commitment and halfway covenant. Do the words in these scriptures indicate in any way that God will tolerate a self choice to neglect and be complacent in our relationship with Him? Will we not be held accountable. Will we not be ever seeking and never finding that peace, rest and comfort found only in full commitment and obedience to God. I am sure neglect and complacency of His word will not be overlooked.

It seems as though our lives get over run with worry and things of this world. This world can give no peace and therefore can not take it away. Peace the world offers is tied to that which cannot satisfy the heart and soul. Searching for peace outside of God is like chasing the wind – (never caught – only a temporary sensory feeling – always changing direction). “Peace” that comes from God, “Peace” that passes all understanding, is comforting and encouragement to the soul. It strengthens us against the trials and troubles faced this side of eternity. It gives courage to face each day with hope, trust, faith, and reliance in our Heavenly Father.

A halfway covenant, low commitment, neglect, and complacency will rob our heart, mind and soul of the presence of God in our life.

Who am I

Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

2 Samuel 7:18    Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

1 Kings 3:7    And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.   Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

Isaiah 6:5-8    And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

2 Corinthians 3:5     Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,

Who am I is a very good question to ask ourselves. Who am I? Casting Crowns song captures some thoughts to “Who am I?”

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth. Would care to know my name. Would care to feel my hurt?. Who am I, that the bright and morning star. Would choose to light the way .For my ever wondering heart? Not because of who I am. But because of what You’ve done. Not because of what I’ve done. But because of who You are. I am a flower quickly fading. Here today and gone tomorrow. A wave tossed in the ocean. A vapor in the wind. Still You hear me when I’m calling. Lord You catch me when I’m falling. And You told me who I am. I am Yours, I am YoursWho am I, that the eyes that see our sin. Would look on me with love. And watch me rise again? Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea. Would call out through the rain. And calm the storm in me?. Not because of who I am. But because of what You’ve done. Not because of what I’ve done. But because of who You are. I am a flower quickly fading. Here today and gone tomorrow. A wave tossed in the ocean. A vapor in the wind. Still You hear me when I’m calling. Lord You catch me when I’m falling. And You told me who I am!

We are nothing in of ourselves but in Christ we are a child of the King. Satan would have us wallow in self doubt, self worth, and try to overwhelm us with fear. In Christ we are born again, not of perishable flesh but born in Spirit. I am a new creation, child of the King, forever His child, forever in His grace, love and mercy. Forever forgiven. Looking forward to eternity with my heavenly Father. I belong to a new family – the family of God. This is who I am.

God is greater than what you fear

Genesis 28:15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6     Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Jeremiah 1:19     They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.”

1 Kings 8:57     The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us,

John 10:28-29     I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Hebrews 13:5-6    Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Psalms 121:5-8     The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.  The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.  The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Romans 8:31-32    What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Isaiah 41:10     fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

There is much happening in our lives, neighborhoods, schools, work place, states, country, and the world that can and at times does give us reason to fear what is happening. I think this is natural. The nature of man, without God in their life, ought to be fearful and afraid. Lying, fighting, partial truths, global warming, natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, volcanos, hurricanes, wildfires), sickness, cancer, law suits, pornography, godlessness, financial troubles, jobs, hacking, stealing, death, divorce, bias news, child abuse, wife abuse, foster care, pride, greed, sex trafficking, pedofiles, murder, shootings, etc… are all things that can and do happen frequently. Who in their right mind would not have fear knocking at their minds door?

Fear is a natural response to a belief concerning something dangerous or unwelcome may happen.

Are any of these greater than God? Can any of them thwart God’s plan’s and purposes? Can any of them take God by surprise? NO!!! they are not and can not. God is sovereign and King of Kings, Lord of Lords, God above all things. He is able to do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine. He knows all, sees all, above all, and in control of all the things that have potential to bring fear into our lives.

He promises to be with us, help us, uphold us,, keep us, never leave us, shelter us, encourage us, go before us, and deliver us. He has given many examples of these through scripture; creation, flood, ark, Red Sea, manna, fiery furnace, lion’s mouth, serpent’s, blind, deaf, dead, chains, walls, rivers, mountains, and many more. What do we have to fear?

Fear of the unknown has a way of robbing us joy. It takes live from our soul. It confuses our heart and mind.

As much as we want to think that we are strong and fear will not have a place in our heart and mind, it seems to find a place when we least expect it. This is when faith, trust, reliance, and hope in God must engage. It is natural to have sudden fear but, once recognized, it needs to be put into it proper place – subjected to faith, trust, reliance, and hope in God. Recognizing it for what it is “natural fear” and laying it at God’s feet, and trusting in His ever present power, might, strength, and love is where we see fear defeated and God glorified.

The one example I always look at is when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, would not bow to the great idol even with threat of being cast into fire. They said they would not bow and that their God was able to keep them from harm and even if He didn’t they would not bow.

God’s will, God’s plan, God’s purpose, God’s timing, God’s protection, God’s love are never wrong.

Rely on, cling to, and trust in Him whatever may come your way.

How Awesome is this place!

Genesis 28:10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Genesis 32:1-2     Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  And when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God’s camp!” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

2 Chronicles 16:9     For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”

Isaiah 41:10    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

John 1:51    And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

2 Timothy 4:16-17     At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

Hebrews 1:14    Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

“How awesome is this place!” We don’t have to think very hard to understand what Jacob thought of his interaction with this dream. He certainly had to be a foundation of belief in God and that God can speak to people through dreams. He had to be receptive which means he had made a choice to want to hear from God. He chose in his heart and mind and soul to be ready and want to be in the presence of God. When he woke up he was afraid but he had presence of mind to know that this was special and from God. “How awesome is this place!”

A heart, mind, and soul committed to God, seeking, God, desiring God, and wanting to honor, glorify, serve, follow and obey God will hear the whispers of God, see the confirm hand of God in the affairs of their life, and yes may even have dreams authored by God. The promise of the Holy Spirit indwelling was given to all who repent and fully trust in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit was promised by Christ and was given to lead, direct, rebuke, make known, give wisdom and understanding, confirm, convict our heart in righteous living through His word.

We need to be mindful of our life and how it is being lived out. Is the word of God constantly present in our heart and mind? Are we so busy and void of His word in our daily lives that we quench even the slightest spark of the Holy Spirit working in our life not to mention the fire expected. Are we so complacent we fail to see the Awesome! works of God each day? Are we so busy that we neglect to meditate on the events of each day in light of His word? Are we in a place of comfort and ease that we fail to see need of God in our daily life?

God is Awesome! Every minute with Him is Awesome! Every purpose and plan of His is Awesome! Every bit of wisdom and understanding given to us is Awesome! His steadfast love for us is Awesome! His redemption, salvation, and forgiveness of sin through Christ is Awesome! His quiet whispers of leading is Awesome!. His Word is Awesome! His promise of eternity is Awesome! His power is Awesome! His peace, joy, rest, strength and courage is Awesome! God is Awesome!!!!!

Keep your ears, eyes, heart, and mind open to see the Awesome power of God every minute of every day. Never be so busy that you miss seeing God at work in your everyday lives.

“Maybe the reason most of us feel like we can’t hear from God and see His awesome work is we’re too busy talking! It’s so tempting to ask God to say what we want Him to say instead of just focusing on what He’s already said and how it applies in our lives. The next time you want to hear God’s voice, start by cracking open God’s Word,” Perry

I saw a bumper sticker that read; If you want to hear from God, read His word. If you want to hear speak audibly, read out loud.

Fear not, do not be afraid

Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

Genesis 26:24 Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring ”

Genesis 46:3 “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation.”

Exodus 14:13 “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

1 Chronicles 28:20 “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you”

Isaiah 35:4 “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:14 “I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel”.

Isaiah 43:1 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”

Isaiah 51:12 “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass,”

Daniel 10:12 “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.”

Matthew 8:26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”

Revelation 1:17 But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

Matthew 10:28-31 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Fear has a way of robbing us joy, peace, comfort, and rest. It creeps in through the father of lies and festers inside of us seeping poisonous thoughts into heart and mind. Fear is cruel and unforgiving. It attacks us at our core and cares not for the damage it causes in our lives.

I am not talking about the natural sudden fear we are born with that results in fight or flight reactions. The fear I am talking about comes from limited faith in what God can do. It finds the cracks in our faith and seeps through undetected. It eats away at the mortar of faith little by little until we are left with rubble where once a solid wall stood.

Throughout scripture we are given example upon example of God’s unfailing love, unwavering purpose, awesome power and mighty deeds. He wants us to know of them and trust in Him, cling to Him, and rely on Him.

Fear can be recognized and shut down.

When you recognize fear of doubt and uncertainty – give it into God’s hands

When you recognize fear of purpose – trust God’s perfect purpose

When you recognize fear of plans disrupted – trust God’s perfect plan timing

When you recognize fear of finances – rely on God who all things belong

When you recognize fear of health – trust in God the healer

When you recognize fear of disappointment – rest in God the restorer

When you recognize fear of those in leadership – know that God is in control

When you recognize fear of loneliness – cling to God who will never leave or forsake you – He knows the number of hairs on your head

When you recognize fear of the darkness of the society – trust in God the light of the world

When you recognize fear of being lost – call on God who is a place of refuge

When you recognize fear of waiting – know that God is working His perfect plan and purpose for you

When you recognize fear of spiritual warfare – Call on God and trust in His power

When you recognize fear of death – know the eternal God is holding your hand and will protect and carry you through

When you recognize fear of a new challenge – trust God will equip you

Fear should not have a place but it seems to be in our lives. Recognize it and allow it always lead you closer to God in a much stronger faith. God can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.