April Pastor’s Chat
Are you still thinking about our theme for 2008? –“Following Christ Alone!” It has been a challenge to me and I hope to you as well. How often do you have an eagerness to follow Jesus Christ completely, consistently, and carefully? Most of the time? Sometimes? Seldom?
Sometimes we are like the old horse my friend let me ride this past hunting season. Monte was smart enough to know that his owner was going hunting in the morning and that the trailer and saddle were all ready. That dark cold morning he hid himself in the field, evidently hoping that his owner would give up looking for him and leave without him-but to no avail. He was found, saddled, hauled up a bumpy dirt road and then ridden up a mountain into a snowstorm. He did his master’s will because he had no other choice.
God often gives us the choice to do His will or our own will. How are you choosing? Has the Lord been speaking to your heart about a new area of obedience? Is there something that you have not been willing to do for Him even though you know that He is leading you to do it?
Why are we so reluctant to follow Christ into new areas of obedience? I believe that often the culprit is fear! Yes, fear of man, fear of failure, fear of ridicule, fear of the unknown, or some other fear. We can even create fears that lead to foolish excuses for not doing the will of God as Proverbs 22:13 indicates, “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.”
However, by God’s grace we can take the challenge of II Timothy 1:7 and have not a “spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” as we trustingly go forward in following Christ alone.
With Prayer, Pastor Mark Worden
Verses to help us Overcome Fear
If you have identified some fears in your heart that have been an obstacle to your following of Christ, please meditate on and memorize some of the following verses:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7).
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6).
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15).
“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7).
“And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men” (Luke 5:10).
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28 ).
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25).
“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16:6).
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
(Proverbs 3:7).
Magnify! 