Regarding fear and faith, whatever you put in you is what comes out of you. FIFO – First in, first out.
Here’s something we never used to think about until Ann and I began memorizing and applying God’s Word to our everyday lives: Refusing and stopping to live by fear and instead choosing (yeah, it’s a deliberate choice) to live by faith is really what repentance is all about as far as God’s Word is concerned.
Annie and I used to believe so many of the enemy’s lies and the lies had us living in such strangling fear. Satan told us our marriage wouldn’t make it, we’d be on welfare and food stamps forever, that we were bringing such shame to our families, that we would never know God’s rest and that our lives would always be full of striving, that we would never escape the fear of man, that I (Mark would/should take my life) that we would never be able to overcome our past, that we didn’t have what it would take to live by faith in God, that our future was doomed to be the same, that our ill health would keep us from all the spiritual blessings that God had for us, and so much more. It was awful.
Many people try to stand on their faith to get what they want and when they don’t get it, they get mad at God and others. They may even dump God. What they don’t realize is that faith isn’t a one-time experiment. It’s a way of life and God loves to show us how faithful He is as He leads us into His beautiful, matchless will and plan for our lives.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
John 11:40 NIV
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4
Fear wears us out. Faith rejuvenates us and gives us the power and ability to overcome this world through Jesus Christ.
You know, at times, it’s too easy to forget that God is supernatural. His power and might know no bounds and are not limited to science and the seen world.
God has the supernatural power and might to give us faith right in the face of fear – in the presence of mine enemies. And there’s nothing like God’s faith and the ability and desire to back it up.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7
God can recognize faith in us. He responds to faith. It’s what His Word says. When we choose faith – when we trust Him – something in the heavenlies sounds and summons His attention.
Annie and I got fed up with fear. We got worn out from how it abused us by making our lives miserable and nearly intolerable.
Like most people, Annie and I get tempted with fear (we get tempted to walk by sight and not by faith), but now we react differently than we did a few decades ago. God really honors and backs up faith (Hebrews 11:1, 6). It’s a real battle to renew the mind to walk by faith and not by sight, but it can be done with the help of the Holy Spirit, learning to deliberately act on God’s Word and living with a God-given tenacity. God wants everyone to be able to live by faith. Everyone. That’s how much He loves this world.
Annie and I live and love to tell people to do The Word. Doing God’s Word is what is setting us free from the impact this world’s situations and circumstances used to grip our lives with.
It doesn’t matter how far this world, its ways and the lies of the devil (unbelief, hurt, disappointment, fear, drugs, mammon, pride, religion, fornication, greed, shame, unforgiveness, you name it) take you away from the Father, once you turn back in His direction – with His almighty, supernatural, all seeing and knowing vision – He will see you and come running in your direction with His arms held open wide. Amen!
Faith in His Word is changing and has changed our lives. We know what fear did to us. We’re learning how much faith can set us free.
The Kingdom of God (faith, trust, belief, and all the rest) is at hand.
Matthew 3:2
Fear or faith? Faith is as close as The Word, as close as Jesus, as close as your hand. Get to know the power of faith in Jesus. Have active faith. In other words, apply it to every minute of your life. Grab faith and live boldly in Jesus with the very power of His resurrection. Annie and I (and so many others) can tell you you’ll never be the same.
Hallelujah!
God bless,
Mark
Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.