A Message from Pastor Sam

Good Morning Saints,

I want to remind you that the Resurrection of Jesus impacts every area of our lives and makes us more than conquerors over all things!

Recognizing that fear is not just an emotion we feel but also a spirit we battle there are some things we do to address the emotional aspect and definitely some things we do with a specific focus on the spiritual.  So here we go:

First, be firm in addressing both the spirit and the impact of fear.  We must not give fear any room for control or even the slightest amount of influence in our life.  As James says:

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”   James 4:7-8

If we become aware or even suspect that we are being tempted to listen or allow the influence of fear in our lives in any way, immediately we call on the Lord.  We pray!  We humbly come to our loving heavenly Father in the all powerful name of Jesus and ask for His help through the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.  As we call on the Lord, He will begin to reveal to us through His Holy Word and by the Holy Spirit the enemies strategy.  Remember, the enemy’s use of fear is very intentional and malicious.  The aim of fear is to penalize anyone who yields to it with the goal of keeping them from receiving, accepting and growing in the love of God and moving them to the point of torment, bondage and destruction.  Read 1 John 4:18:

18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of  punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown   into love's complete perfection].

Our goal is to completely expel fear from our lives.  So, the response to fear is to expose it (Ephesians 5:11) for what it is, a lie; A lie seeking to keep us from God, His love and His goodness.  As we expose fear (along with any other lie) and resist the work of the devil, he must flee.

This is a good point to remember that submitting or humbling ourselves to the Lord is to say that we are completely dependent upon Him to sustain and strengthen us in every situation.  We have no confidence in ourselves we call for His help in every time of need and know He will supply:

The Amplified Bible states it like this:

Hebrews 4:16

16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just  when we need it].  AMP

Did you catch that… we come boldly, fearlessly, confidently.  We are not coming to God to try to convince Him to do something, we are coming to Him to receive from Him what He has already done for and extended to us through the finished work of Jesus and His resurrection.

He has stated He would give to us when we call (pray) to Him:

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

“…I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” John 16:23-24

This means that we in no way tolerate fear or its influence in our lives in any way.  We are diligent to see fear as a threat to us walking in the full will and blessing of God.  We quickly and aggressively run to the Lord, call upon His help and draw close to Him in love.

Love brings up the next thought.  God is love!  Fear tries to under-mind our ability to receive the love of God, abide in the love of God and function in the love of God in every situation. (1 John 4)  Fear tries to separate us from all aspects of the love of God.  Whether demonically initiated or as a learned response fear attempts to isolate us from the right perspective of the Lord and the walk of faith to make fear based, self-centered decisions.  In response any hint of fear serves as a reminder to draw close to the Lord especially in praise and worship.  As we come into the presence of the Lord our hearts and minds become fixed on Him and a genuine change of atmosphere and attitude can take place.  As we gaze upon the Lord and worship Him for who He is (… in the beauty of holiness… Ps.29:2) we are transformed…

2 Corinthians 3:18

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

As we glorify the Lord in worship (ascribe to Him His rightful worth) He comes (dwells, abides) with the weight of His glory with us.  I have found that many times just the sense of His presence changes feelings, thought patterns, intents of the heart, motives, desires and so much more.  His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, brings change in us by abiding in us and by leading us into the understanding of truth.

It is by the work of the Holy Spirit we understand right application of the Word of God.  The Holy Spirit brings knowledge, understanding, wisdom, revelation and renewal through the Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-16).  Through the Word of God we, like Jesus did (Luke 4:1-13), overcome the devil:

Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. (1 John 2:14)

Remember, Jesus came to destroy ever work of the devil so we could be His people who walk in victory in every area. This does not mean perfection but it does mean we are His people equipped with the power of His Word, Faith, and the Holy Spirit to be victorious… more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us (Rm. 8).  God has given His Word to us so that it should work effectively in us building us up in faith and equipping us to be victorious in battle:

1 Thess 2:13-14 “ …the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”

Rom 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

1 John 5:2-5  “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith.5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

For fear to accomplish its tormenting, punishing work in our lives we must allow it to have a place to take root in our heart, thoughts, will or emotions.  Remember, I am not saying that we will not feel fear… not one place in the Bible does it say we are not to feel fear… the Bible simply says time and time again “fear not”, “do not fear”, “be courageous”, “be bold”, “be brave”, “act valiantly”, and on and on.  Our responsibility begins when we feel or become aware of any threat, influence, yielding or stronghold of fear.  It is at this point we humbly, yet quickly run to our God, request and receive His help to completely resist (and rebuke) every work of the enemy and every manifestation of fear.   We draw near to Him in praise and worship and allow His Word and the Holy Spirit to transform our minds and hearts.  We in the boldness and authority of the Word of God and wisdom of the Holy Spirit both stand in the assurance of His Word and declare and act valiantly (bravely, not giving in to but overcoming) according to the ability of the truth of the Word and work of the Holy Spirit in and through us.  We align our thoughts, words, motives, and actions with the Word and Spirit of God… we do what Jesus did and would do… we experience the peace, joy, lightness, freedom, love and blessing of obedience and victory… we Conquer!

In His Service,