Living that Christ Life

You are with me!

2/25/2015

"Fear not, for I am with you:
be not dismayed…” Isaiah 41:10

The sun was peaking above the oak tree in the front yard. Dew was still on the ground on this early school morning. With a diaper bag on one shoulder, two of our babies on each of my hips and three of our other children happily following behind me, I ushered them to the van, buckled them up in their seats and got myself strapped in so we could bring our 7 year old to school.

As it is with most women, fear somehow manages to squeeze into our thinking and is determined to lead the pack of thoughts in our head especially when our husband and children are part of the equation. As I came up to the same stop sign I approached every school day, I suddenly started questioning which way I should go. There were three different ways I could choose to get to school. Fear and anxiety gripped me. “Lord, do I go this way or that way? Lord, help, I’m at a stop sign and cars are behind me. Lord? Please tell me which way to go. I want to avoid wrecks and calamities. I have precious cargo in this van. Which path do I take, Lord?”

In Isaiah 41:10, God gives a firm command about fear. He says, “Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed.” In this scripture, God does not want us to be afraid. He is saying, “My beloved, I am right here by you. I do not want you full of anxiety. I do not want fear to control you. I care about every detail of your life. Trust Me."

Are you gripped by fear in an area of your life? God is not going to command you to do something that would harm you. Be encouraged today to fear not. God is with you at this moment.

Prayer: Lord, there are days where fear gets a hold of me and I am filled with anxiety but today I choose to believe You love me and you care for me. I choose not to fear. I thank You that you are with me.

Did this encourage you? God's word comforts and heals. Ask God to place someone on your heart and send them this scripture, Isaiah 41:10, by text or email, to let them know He is with them. It may be the very thing they need to know today!

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Eye on the Mark!

2/23/2015

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"... I was pouring out my soul to the Lord... and the Lord remembered..."
I Samuel 1: 15, 19

I was on the track and field team in high school. I loved track meets and the busyness of the day. The loud crowds of families on the bleachers cheering for their child. Small children laughing and playing. The smell of hamburgers and popcorn filling the air. The mixture of runners, jumpers, and throwers all competing at once. The sound of the gun releasing us to run the race and reach the mark!

In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah had her eyes fixed on something specific. She had her eyes set on the mark… a son. Hannah was not going to let anything interfere with her desiring and longing for a child. The distractions of life would not interfere with her reaching her goal but it was not an easy journey for Hannah. There was the constant taunting and teasing by another woman who flaunted her many children before her daily. Hannah had a husband that loved her greatly but he didn’t understand her deep desire. And then there was the embarrassment of being labeled barren. But with all this going on around her, Hannah still had her eye on the mark!

We all live busy lives. If you are like most, you can quickly think of at least one thing you deeply desire. Some have buried that longing under years of the busyness of life and the distractions of the world. But like Hannah, you can refuse to give up and keep your eye on the mark. You can run to God and pour out your soul to Him and know He hears you and will remember you.

Be encouraged today to keep your eye on the mark!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for giving me the strength to not give up in believing for _(fill in the blank)__________. Thank You for remembering me and granting me this desire. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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God's kind of Fear

2/18/2015

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge...”
Proverbs 1:7

As I was walking from my van back into my home, I could hear little giggles and see little bodies through the window crouched down low by the front door. I reached for the door knob and turned it but before the door could open an inch I heard, “Rrrrrraaaaahhhhhhhh!” from four giggly children, hands waving in the air with high hopes to frighten me. I jokingly acted like I was very scared as they quickly wrapped their arms around my waist and legs while continuing to scream.

Fear. What do you think about when you think of fear? Are you like me and right away think of fright, horror, and panic? But is this what Solomon is talking about in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge...”? No, when you study the word “fear” you see that “fear” in God’s word is not about being afraid or feeling panic towards God but rather having a deep, genuine, and dignified respect for Him. This kind of “fear” is an outward display of honor, esteem, and deep admiration for someone. To have this kind of fear for the Lord is the beginning of receiving Godly knowledge which is to gain skill, discernment, understanding, and wisdom.

We all have times in the different seasons of our life where knowledge and discernment help in our parenting or days where discernment helps us make tough decisions we are facing. Maybe you are wanting to develop a skill to start a business but you don’t know how or where to best learn or improve this skill. Maybe today you need wisdom in a situation in your marriage or you are facing what looks to be a great opportunity but you are at a crossroads in knowing what to do.

No matter the situation you are facing today, the bible tells us the very first step to take: fear of the Lord. Do you fear the Lord?

Prayer:
Lord, today I choose to fear You. I choose to deeply and genuinely respect You. May the words from my mouth and the actions I exhibit show honor, esteem, and admiration for You, Lord. I want Your knowledge, wisdom, and discernment so that I can make healthy and Godly choices and decisions in my life. Thank You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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