God's Timing ...

Just right ... sometimes I feel like God doesn't care, then I feel like he is stalking me (in a good, weird kind-a way), then I feel like he's my best friend ...

My Pastor has just started this sermon series about Fear called Phobia. Now everybody knows my fear of failure ... since I like things just so and stuff ... maybe even a bit perfect ... in myself anyway ...

I digress. So, this morning, my devotion from Boyd Baileywas about ...

Fear. So I thought ... what better place to post it than here.

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- April 29, 2008
Overcome By Fear…
“Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.” Luke 8:37

Fear drives out faith and overwhelming fear withdraws its invitation to Jesus. Indeed, Jesus is a gentleman, so He does not tarry where He is not trusted. He will not remain where He is not wanted, and He does not negotiate to be needed. Indeed, faith in your heavenly Father reaches exhaustion in the face of overwhelming fear.

This is especially true when your chronic fear relates to money. Money, more than anything, can make you myopic to faith in God. You get so consumed in the crisis of current affairs that you forget your anchor in Almighty God. Money, or the lack of it, may be what’s killing you. However, money is a symptom to something else below the surface of your fears. Money is not the answer. However, Jesus is the dependable security you desire.

Do not dismiss prayer and patience, just because you feel out of control. Indeed, it is when the bottom falls out that faith in the Lord needs to be your mainstay. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). This is when you need Him the most, so be wise and ask Jesus, the gentleman, to remain with you when ‘all hell breaks loose’. Satan loves to see you alone. He wants you to battle Him in your own strength. He wins when Jesus is run off and fear drives you into irrational actions.

Fear keeps you under the curse of always looking over your shoulder in doubt, so rise up from under the load of your languishing condition and come to Christ. Look to Christ for perspective and patience. Don’t panic. Ostracize your overwhelming fear by faith. Place it on the stubborn shelf of self-denial and surrender to your Savior. Do not run Him off, for He will only stay where He is wanted. Go deeper with Jesus during desperate days. He is a gentleman waiting for your invitation to stay and not go away. When fear attacks, be overcome by Christ’s confidence and warm embrace. Say with David, “The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27: 1).

Furthermore, be real with those around you. Some of them have gone before you; learn from them. Trust them as a resource for fear is flattened by the faith of friends. Trust them and Him. Fear flees in the face of faithfulness, so escort out the fear of failure. Above all else, be overcome by faith’s reassurance and not fear of financial loss!

Have a great day fellow readers.