Category Archives: Faith

Do not be afraid of what you see or hear…

15 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in Faith, Obedience

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I had a dream about a month or two ago. It was one of those dreams where you have a very strong emotional reaction upon waking. And although you may not remember the details you never forget how it made you feel. In this dream I could hear a strange voice and see a flickering of light coming from a room down a hallway. I turned and asked the people in the room with me if they could hear the strange voice. But no one heard it but me. So, I walked down the hall and into the room. The room was dark, cold and extremely frightening. I turned to run and suddenly heard something that stopped me in my tracks: “Do not be afraid of what you see or hear.” I knew that this was a command from GOD. And I immediately experienced an overwhelming peace wash over me. Ever since this dream whenever I’ve received unfavorable news I am reminded of those words and it has given me a peace, confidence and boldness I can not even put into words.

Oh my friend, what unfavorable information have you recently seen or heard? Is it news of a layoff or foreclosure? Maybe an unfaithful spouse? Could it be a denial or rejection letter? Missed opportunity? Or perhaps a friend or family member is slipping back into an addiction or dangerous behavior. Whatever your unfavorable news know in your heart that you are not alone. You are never alone. GOD stands beside you. He fights for you and He has already made the crooked path straight. Numerous times in the Bible GOD commands us to not be afraid and promises to never leave or forsake us. In Deuteronomy 31:6 it says “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your GOD who goes with you.” In Joshua 1:9 it says, “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.” In Hebrews 13:6 it says “So we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” And in every single situation GOD was faithful and delivered each person from their enemies.

My friend, whatever unfavorable information you may have received I have been sent to tell you that you do not have to be afraid any longer. Like a heavy bag of bricks you can lay it down on the floor. Drop it. Release it. Exhale the poison of fear from your heart and inhale the love and peace of GOD. You are covered. Before you can even look back down at that heavy bag of bricks Jesus has carried it away. He owns it now. It’s no longer in your possession. The peace of GOD engulfs you like a warm blanket on a cold day. The assurance of His power surrounds you. The promise of His presence and care hedges you in. So, you can cast your cares onto Him and know in your heart that you are covered, surrounded and hedged in (1 Peter 5:7). The GOD who covers you is the same GOD who created all that is seen and unseen. He is the same GOD who created the vast universe and keeps it together with indescribable precision. He is the same GOD that says that nothing is too hard for Him (Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27, Luke 18:27). He is Jehovah Jireh (the GOD who provides). He is El Shaddai (the all-sufficient GOD).

And He is mindful of you.

The news you may have received has not taken GOD by surprise. He’s waiting to give you His peace; the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). When GOD commands you to not be afraid of what you see or hear it’s because He is in control. It’s because He has already made the crooked path straight. It’s because He’s already provided a way of deliverance. So, release your fear to Him and receive the peace, boldness, and confidence that only GOD can give you. You will not regret it. I promise you.

I truly hope this message blesses you. I see you walking with a newfound confidence and boldness that the world didn’t give you and the world can’t take away. I see it my friend and boy am I excited for you.

Yummy or Yay…

17 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by in Faith

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My daugher, Noah is quite the lucky little lady. I say this because at the tender age of 4 she has already been introduced to a profound life-long lesson; all while twirling around, pointing her toes and wearing a tutu. Please, let me explain. Noah takes ballet with a Russian ballet company. Her first teacher was incredible. She was a very cute young woman who went over the rules at the beginning of every class. One of the rules was that when they stretched and felt ‘the burn’ they were to say “Yummy” or “Yay.” They were not allowed to say what is typically said when one is in pain. We all know and have used those words or expressions of fear, doubt and complaints: ‘Ouch. Ughh. This is too hard. I wish I didn’t have to go through this. I can’t do this. This will never work out. Why me?’ Oh no! Not these ballerinas. They were expected to say yummy or yay because according to their wise teacher, the pain was an indication that they were becoming better ballerinas.

Let’s face it, there are times in life when we feel stretched to our limit. It may come in the form of stress at work, responsibilities at home, or trying to meet the expectations and needs of family and friends. The stretching, my friend is inevitable but the response is all yours. So may I ask: What words do you speak when the proverbial ‘burn’ occurs? Do you gripe, complain or blame other people for your circumstances? Or do you speak words of faith and expectation? Your words carry so much weight that in the Bible it is written that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). The Message version says it this way: “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose.” How amazing is that! We have the power to either bless or curse our situation.

Since we know that this stretching is inevitable, we must also have faith that it is working for our good and fulfilling it’s purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIT) “And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Every single circumstance (yes, even that one) is necessary in preparing you for the future GOD has predestined for you. So, my friend I am here to remind you, with a huge smile on my face, that GOD has an incredible future for you! And it is so much better than you can even think or imagine but He must first prepare you for it. And in doing so, there will be times when we will have to undergo some painful and excruciating stretching. This stretching is not intended to harm you but to strengthen your spiritual muscles, deepen your faith, and draw you closer to GOD. Great things will result from ‘the burn.’ I promise you. And with this in mind, we can look at our circumstances from GOD’s perspective.

Thanks to my daughter’s ballet teacher several 4, 5, and 6 year olds will learn a life-long lesson at a very young age that the ‘burn’ from stretching is not intended to hurt them but is necessary in fulfilling it’s purpose of making them stronger and more graceful ballerinas. Now, it’s my turn to translate this to my daughter into real-life terms. I fully embrace this task.

So, what’s stretching you today? Is it your job, your children, your marriage? Or could you be waiting for the fulfillment of a vision or the answer to a prayer? Perhaps you have been deeply offended or disappointed. Whatever, your ‘burn’ is refuse to speak or listen to words of doubt and fear. Choose to speak words of life into it and know in your heart that it’s all working for your absolute good. In doing so, you will walk out of your circumstances stronger, wiser and more prepared for the life GOD created just for you. Be encouraged. This stretching is producing fruit that you will enjoy in the near future.

I hope this message blesses you. I see words of faith flowing freely from your lips like water. I see absolute good coming out of your circumstances. And, I am so very, very excited for you! More than you will ever know!