Follow-up on Fear
May 8, 2009
Dennis Dull brought a message Sunday that was something a lot of us needed to hear. As I pondered what Dennis said yesterday it made me realize how much of the fear I put on myself. I live a life dominated by fear I do things and make decisions with the idea of not losing ground than taking risks and being aggressive in the confidence that I have in the confession of Christ before men. I am the one that has put the most spiritual and social intimidation on myself. From point two in Sunday’s sermon to “The Power to confess Christ before men; I think it would be helpful for us to acknowledge Christ and confess to ourselves. We need to practice self-talk. The way to overcome “me as my worst enemy” is to meditate on scripture that tells me “I tell you, my friends (remember this word), not to fear those (even myself) who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes I tell you fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:4-7 NASB. The Word goes on to say acknowledge Christ before those who try to intimidate you. Well I do a pretty good job of that — intimidating myself. I don’t have confidence in the abilities, desires, and dreams God has given my so I shrink back and play it safe. I am the one who just sits there and keeps quiet when those around me talking about life, politics, and or religion. I don’t have confidence that the Lord will give me the words I need. Why is it because I don’t have the knowledge? Hardly, it is because I am not walking intimately with him as we have learned in our hall of faith in Hebrews this past month. I need to meditate on scripture that reminds me that “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.” James 5:16b-18. I need to remember “build myself up in my most holy faith”; the faith that is given to me by Christ and that comes by hearing the Word of God. I think that I underestimate the importance of practicing and acknowledging Christ to myself. “FEAR NOT; you are of more value than many sparrows”
I had a conversation at work with a gentlemen that most of the world wants a riskless society and don’t want to suffer. Dave Ramsey made this point in his broadcast April 23, 2009, about how we have been living in a society that wants to make sure that no one fails. We don’t want to suffer, we want the easy life, or at least I do, we focus so much on this that we have a tendency to play it safe. Or we don’t practice the art of saying “NO” even to ourselves. I may be able to count on one hand how many times I have told myself “NO” to something I have wanted; I have not been in a habit of waiting on God’s timing when it comes to wanting stuff or letting my wife and kids have what they want. Thank goodness he has not given up on me and has brought me through a long journey to a more disciplined financial life. Even after all he has done in the past 4-5 years I still suffer from financial intimidation. I don’t think my biggest issue was lusting after money but the anxiety for lack of money. Maybe I should better state the issue. Anxiety to have enough money to get me out of debt and to be able to set myself up as secure for my retirement. I am almost middle age and it is TIME to start being diligent and to plan more for the future than I have been. I need to learn to say “NO” to things and start making my Spiritual Investments in the future. “…For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give .to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:22-34.
Remember I told you to remember the term “my Friends”; now did you see a term in the last scripture “My little flock”; do you also notice how much that language used shows how much he cares for us. Listen to this, tell this to yourself. He cares for me, He watches over me, He values me. He gladly gives me the kingdom. If I ask for a fish He will not give a serpent; I need to continually remind myself of this; yes to talk to myself about this. My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory. “THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.” Psalm 1:1 amplified translation. I exhort you to talk to yourself and leave you with some other practical advice that Dennis said Sunday: Commune with God, live a life of Integrity, Live within your means, forego wants/desires and use these as opportunities to give, and practice hospitality. We need to have the heart of a giver. Remind yourself daily, hourly, or by the minute if need be “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” 2Timothy 1:7.
May the Lord Bless you!
Brent Campbell