Victory Over Fear

This quote over to the side blew me away when I read it. I will be honest, I struggle with fear a lot more than I should. Fear of the unknown,  fear for the future. This put things into perspective for me. After having a conversation with my boyfriend, that was about my fear, God decided to hit me upside the head with a huge slap to the back of the head. If you are following after God, you shouldn’t have fear. 

“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.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

This scripture is out of the Amplified Bible Version and I loved it. It hit home for me and reminded me that I am a conqueror. Those who walk with the Lord do not cower, they do not cringe and fawn over in fear. We have the power to conquer all those uncertainties and feelings. The enemy tries to trick us into thinking that we have no power but we do. We are children of the MOST HIGH GOD. We have his authority in us to combat the enemy who tries to steal our peace away.

“And God’s peace shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (AMP)

When I read that I kind of want to yell, ‘can I get an amen?’ It’s so true. When we allow God’s true peace to enter into our lives it makes life not seem so bad, because we can rest in the fact that God has it under control. It doesn’t take the stress of life away but with His peace we can continue to move forward resting in Him and His plans. Nothing is a surprise to God, He knows all and sees all. 

For me personally, I just need to make sure that I do not allow the fear to cripple me from moving forward. Even though there are so many unknowns and questions, I know that God has it and I have power to shut the enemy up. I just need to be confident in who God is and who He is within me. Don’t let the enemy cripple you, allow God to give you the power of His peace, calmness and keep your mind well-balanced and focused. I need to do the same thing. Peace was one of the words that I felt God was trying to give me for this year of 2015. I think I better start listening and learning how to have true Peace.

The Force

Haven't written in a while. So much has happened since the year started and it's only in March. It seems like it's coming out to be an interesting year. Already I've had to remind myself of the words of Gratitude and Peace a lot in these last couple months. These word's really are something that God is trying to teach me this year. Another thing I've noticed that keeps coming up in my devotion time is the word Power. The power of God.

God has many names but the one's I have been focusing most on are these three powerful ones. Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient. These three words characterize God in powerful ways. Omnipotent defined as God, "having unlimited power; able to do anything." Omnipresent defined as God is, "present everywhere at the same time." Omniscient defined as God, "knowing everything, or all knowing." Wow.

Just in those three words I am stunned by the power behind the definitions. Right now, I'm on a journey in my life where I HAVE to rely on God in a way I hadn't before. In July of last year I was blessed tremendously by God, when he gave me Brice. We are about to celebrate our 6 month anniversary on the 14th and I couldn't be happier. There's one thing I would change, that being us having to have a long distant relationship. Him in Montana, me here in Idaho. It's HARD. I honestly never thought I would have to endure a long distant relationship. It's a different animal you have to conquer, it's nothing like anything I've experienced.

Different trials, it's a totally different game. The plus side is knowing I am not alone. Not only do I have the Lord leading and guiding me, I have Brice who is in tune with the Lord right along side me, and that is a huge blessing. Still there are obstacles. Feelings. You experience a different kind of loneliness. I find comfort knowing that Brice is also feeling the same way. Regardless, God is teaching me to rely and trust on his power in my life. He wouldn't bless me with this relationship if he didn't have a plan for it.

This past week I read in my devotions a story of something that Peter, James and John witnessed. They got to witness a different awe of the power of God. You find the story in Mark chapter 9.

"After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. ³ His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus." - Mark 9:2-4

Can you imagine being able to see that? I would have stood there stunned, not able to move. I probably wouldn't have been able to breathe. This next part gets me.

"Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
⁸ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus." - Mark 9:7-8

Christ was sent not only to save the lost, and heal the sick, I think he was also sent to be a vessel of God's power in people's lives.  I have sat amazed of God's power and authority. Christ did miraculous thing's through the power of God. God is the ultimate power. I'm about to nerd out and I'm sure I will get brownie points for this but, hey it makes sense to me. In Star Wars the Jedi's rely on "the force" to gain the power they needed to battle evil. We as Christians rely on a "force" as well, God's force, God's power.

It's because of the POWER of God that we are strengthened enough to keep moving forward when times are rough. It's the POWER of the Holy Spirit that comforts us through our grief and suffering. It's through the POWER of God that answers our prayers in miraculous ways. Our "force" is the power of God. So in those times that life seems unfair, uncertain, confusing and scary, trust in the power of God and use "the force", God's force to battle the enemy.  His sole purpose in life is to destroy any hope you may have. Trust God's plan for your life, God's power and believe you can make it through. God is powerful enough lead you down the path he has chosen for you. No matter how hard it is, you will get through.

"Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." - Colossians 1:11-12