Archives for April 2020

Fear is a nasty problem. It steals our peace and joy. It is a tormenting thing.

The Apostle John tells us in 1John 4:18 that “Fear has Torment”.

The Bible also tells us that fear is a form of slavery. Fear is linked to being imprisoned.

“You have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

“People through fear of death were subject to slavery all their life.” Hebrews 2:15

Fear can fill our lives with agitation, which is a form of torment, even when we have many blessings. And people can have fears that don’t make sense – irrational fears. Fear can invade people and hold power over them, even when they know they should not be afraid.

So fear is not logical. It functions like a spirit that can invade and occupy parts of our life. That’s why the Bible talks about casting out fear, as if evicting an unwanted boarder.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1John 4:18

For those who have a fear problem the wonderful news is that God’s love will drive the fear out. God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but the spirit of adoption, in that secure place as God’s children.

“God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2Timothy 1:7

I frequently observe people who unwittingly serve Fear. They seem to readily hear the voice of fear and make their decisions based on what Fear would tell them to do. Without them realising it, they are effectively worshipping and obeying Fear.

I know people whose first thought about an issue is what can go wrong. They seem to have a high sensitivity to fear. When an activity or business plan is suggested they quickly come up with a list of things that can go wrong.

Careful planning is not a bad thing, but often the perception of problems is not done for wise thinking, but to shut the person down, and keep them from doing something. It’s a form of imprisonment.

Some friends of mine had a new car which they dearly loved, but the car maker went out of business. My friend’s father, readily given to worry and fear, demanded that they sell the car and buy another brand.

The father was afraid that parts would become expensive and getting things fixed would become difficult over time. Both those thoughts are realistic, but the car was brand new and would serve my friends quite well for several years before any of those issues would cause trouble.

Against their own wishes, to placate the insistence of the fearful father, they sold the car, for quite a loss, and bought another. The couple were deeply disappointed about the whole thing and would happily have kept the car they loved.

Similarly many a family or life has been brought into misery because of invading fears that torment people until the fear is served. If Fear is served, then Fear is worshipped.

Are we supposed to worship Fear or God?

We are to worship God and cast out Fear.

Those who respect fear might argue that fear is a natural protective process and should not be ignored. But that’s not true. Common sense is helpful, but fear enslaves and torments. Don’t give room to Fear in your life, when it will only torment you.

Yes, there are a million things that can go wrong. And if we were to truly give every one of those things our attention we’d lock ourselves away, if only that wasn’t also dangerous to do.

Life is not without dangers and risks, but life has to go on despite any fearful possibilities. So we look to God, Our Saviour and Protector. We look to God’s angels keeping us safe. 

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:7,8

“He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11

We cast our cares on the Lord because we know He cares for us, and He is our loving Heavenly Father.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7

We confidently go about life, trusting God, encouraged by Him, and free from Fear because God’s Love has cast fear out of our life. The dangers may still be there, but Fear won’t help us, while God will.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has torment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1John 4:18

Do not justify or protect your fear. It is not from God. It is a spirit taking you as its slave, and every time you let Fear direct your decisions you are bowing down and worshipping that demon spirit instead of worshipping God.

God loves you, and God can be trusted. God does not want you tormented or to have your life stolen from and locked up because an evil spirit has place in your life. God wants to set you free.

Seek that freedom, and determine that it is not natural to be focused on fear. It is not God’s plan for you. Fear shows you have not been made perfect in God’s love, so Fear has to go. Don’t keep it any longer.

In practical terms, the next time a fearful thought comes to mind, about your health, finances, relationships, future, plans, what others are doing, or anything else, recognise the fear, then, by prayer, place that fear at the feet of Jesus. Give the fear away to God and then tell God you will not make decisions in fear, but with confidence in God’s Love for you. As you do that you can enter a new freedom in life, as you Stop Serving Fear.

Many people have their lives consumed by something or other. It’s not a new problem, but one we need to be aware of, to consider if it impacts us. The problem is of people having their lives eaten up with things that keep them from more important things.

When I was young, before the advent of personal devices in everyone’s hands, it was still quite easy to have life consumed. People had a range of things to immerse themselves in, such as books, music, puzzles, hobbies, sport, television, and so on. 

Some of my friends were consumed by their love of motor sport and their need to know the cubic capacity of engines in all the top cars. Several friends seemed to spend their life with their nose in a book. You had to call them back to planet earth to talk with them.

Others were consumed in an unhappier way, carrying the permanent sense of burden over one thing or another, usually anxiety about issues at home, or finances. And there were many who were consumed, at least in their youth, with the need to prove themselves, that they were above average and ready for adult life.

The problem with being consumed by something is that our life is being ‘eaten up’. All the time and potential we have for other things is lost, gobbled by our heart and mind being given over to something far less important. Of course the things that distract us seem important to us at the time, but may not be yielding value in the long term.

I know many people who lost their university study hours due to staying up late playing computer games. At the time the pleasure of gaming seemed a reward in itself, but the poorer grades, lost attention in class and weakening of their health were costs they had to bear. Potential for better things was devoured by gaming.

I think of a man who did poorly at school yet was perfectly intelligent. It turns out that as a child he was traumatised by fear his mother would die and that shut down his ability to focus in class. All those school years were eaten up and wasted because of a deep seated fear.

Today, with ubiquitous personal devices and wide range of social media activities, and with others expecting us to be on-line at their disposal, I see people whose lives are eaten up with constant distraction. It’s now perfectly normal to see a group of friends sitting together but each lost on their own device distraction.

Television once had a similar place, while it was nowhere near so pervasive. Many a person threw away enormous chunks of their life mindlessly watching re-runs of re-runs, or anything else that was on the box, seemingly addicted to wasting their life.

Thinking about devoured lives, consider this verse from the Book of Psalms.

“God consumed their days in vanity (wasting time), and their years in trouble.” Psalm 78:33

Having our lives eaten up and wasted is a curse identified in the Bible. What we see in our own lives and the lives of people and even the culture around us may well be the result of us deserving a wasting disease in our lives, that eats us up.

God explained a range of curses to His people, if they would not obey His commands. The idea of life becoming wasted and fruitless is included.

“I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consume the eyes and make the heart ache. And you will sow your seed in vain, for your enemies will eat it.” Leviticus 26:16

Psalm 78 explains why God cursed His people with a devourer. It was because they refused to put their faith in God and rely on Him.

“Despite God’s wonders, they did not believe.” Psalm 78:32

Let me suggest, then, that if people try to live their lives outside of what God has for them God will cause their lives to be eaten up in vanity (a waste of time) and with many things that eat up their time, talent and potential.

That means we bring the curse on ourselves. When we don’t look to God, but think we can rule our lives and solve our own problems we effectively abandon what is good and choose something useless as our source. See God’s commentary on this through the prophet Jeremiah.

“My people committed two evils: they forsook me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13

If you come to the well, the source of good things in your life, and find the well dry, it may be because you haven’t gone to God as your source, but to yourself and to human sources. There is no true water of life in human processes and systems.

What would life look like if it wasn’t being eaten up with empty things that devour us? We would expect fruitfulness, including the fruit of the Holy Spirit, such as joy and peace. We would expect godly things created and established in us and through us, like taking ground for God’s Kingdom. We would expect to feel fulfilled and satisfied, enriched by life, being blessed and being a blessing.

Consider the promise to God’s people at the end of lovely Psalm 91.

“He will live a long life and be satisfied by it. I will show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:16

God also promises to rebuke the devourer that eats up our lives when we follow God’s instructions. And to top that off, God will restore to us the years that have been eaten up.

“I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field will not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:11

“I will restore to you the years eaten by the swarming locust, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.” Joel 2:25

Your life is too precious to be thrown away, or devoured by locusts, or all those other things that distract you. I urge you to bring your focus more clearly onto God and His work in your life. Put your trust in Him, and do His will. Be the person He wants you to be. Put off those empty and useless things that eat up your life. Serve Him with gladness and hope.

And expect that God will bless and satisfy you, making you fruitful, and even giving you back the years that were eaten up. And may you be set free from ever living A Devoured Life.

I caught up with a young Uni student recently to discuss difficulties he faced in a share house with other students. He had moved to the city from up country and this was his first time out of home, having to manage his own life without minders.

Over several months he managed to make an enemy of the person in the room beside his, mostly due to him playing computer games late into the night. The other person had opinions of the young man that weren’t flattering and the situation had become serious enough for the house managers to call meetings to sort things out.

By the time I caught up with the young man he was pretty well completely distracted by issues in the share house and anxious to have the whole thing sorted out.

He was now distracted. The tensions were in his face and in his mind all the time, keeping him from focus on other things. All he could do was wish the drama was over, so he could get on with life.

I pointed out that part of maturity is having issues that press on us, but being able to sideline them while we get on with life. A ruler or manager can’t function if they are completely distracted by some issue that looms large in their life. They have to process that issue, either by resolving it of putting it aside.

I also pointed out that in order to resolve the thing that filled his mind and life, he needed God’s help. So I asked him to see if he could define the nature of what was distracting him. Was he feeling fear, or hurt pride, or insecurity, or anger, or shame, or something else? What was looming large in his life was not just the problem with people, but areas of his life needing to be resolved.

When we have an issue distracting us we should recognise there is something inside us magnifying that issue. What is stuck under our claw, so to speak, is something we have a personal stake in, such as pride, ambitions, resentments or the like.

The young man identified fear as a strong distraction. He had no control over the outcome and things could go bad for him. That would also be a matter of personal shame and defeat.

Issues we have with people reveal issues we have inside ourself and point us to God, who is able to bring change and freedom. I pointed the young man to resolving his internal anxieties through God and God’s Word.

Let’s suggest he became confident that God has everything under control and that all things work together for good. What would happen to his fear? It would be resolved. Then it wouldn’t be in his face anymore.

Let’s assume he dealt with his pride and could admit that he was quite naive and inexperienced in dealing with people and that he would humbly allow others to determine the outcome at the meetings, humbly accepting their decision, while trusting God to look after him.

That would be a very mature position for a young man to take, so it would probably shock the others. It would also mean the young man having to die to his pride and his desire to be right and to keep doing much the same as he did in the past.

As I looked at this young man’s situation I realised what he was going through is the same process we all go through, over and over again through life. I had stumbled over the essence of Life’s Journey.

Our Life’s Journey is about us relating to others, by which our own weaknesses, selfishnesses, ignorance and the like are exposed. We then face the pain of strained relationships and that brings up our personal weak spots, such as fear, pride, aggression, frustration and so on.

When our weaknesses are brought into focus our most responsible action, and the most effective thing to do, is take our weakness, brokenness, failure, shame and so on to God, asking Him to deliver us.

By that repeated process we journey into growth and maturity. We can handle responsibility, and care about others in place of ourself. We can be a blessing where in the past we were everyone’s problem. We journey into personal freedom and wholeness.

I pointed out to the young man that the very process he was dealing with now would be repeated time after time, in every decade of his life. We still have to deal with our selfishness and disregard for others, at deeper and deeper levels, through life. And we still have to call on God to deliver us as we see deeper issues in our lives.

Then I realised that I was summarising Life’s Journey as a matter of Loving People and Loving God – the two greatest commandments. So no wonder this process is life long. We are ever having to grow in our love for others and our love for God.

Are there issues you have with people right now? Are there things that are stuck in your claw, so to speak? Things that you seem to be distracted with and maybe even argue about in your head? Such things should point you to your need for a work of God in your life, to overcome your selfishness, fear, pride, resentments and the like, and cause you to reach out to God in faith.

As you apply God’s Word to the characteristics troubling you, you can resolve them and overcome them, and move into greater freedom and maturity, and you can love God and love others better.

In short, that’s the essence of your whole Life’s Journey.

We are all aware that we get stuck in ruts and keep doing the same things over and over again, even when they don’t work.

I addressed this previously in a post titled ‘More of the Same’, pointing out how we expect life to keep dishing us more of the same things we had in the past because we keep doing the same things we did in the past.

Catch that message on Video at: https://youtu.be/hWND1oX-_d0

I want to prompt you now about your need to take radical action. The changes you want in life and the changes you need to make won’t likely happen by some gradual process. Yes, there is the issue of growth, and a small sapling can become a giant tree. Yet in many situations in life, especially where we are stuck in a rut, that process won’t work for us.

Consider a number of examples from the Bible where some radical step by people led to radical change. One example is the Disciples of Jesus. Each one had to choose to follow Jesus and they also had to choose to stick with Him. Peter and his brother Andrew, along with fellow fishermen James and John, were called by Jesus to abandon their fishing and follow Him. It was a radical step that led to radical life transformation. They are not remembered for their fishing, but as Disciples of Jesus.

Gideon was a fearful young man, his land regularly attacked by enemies. An angel called him to step up as a man of courage. Gideon didn’t rush to respond, taking several smaller, hesitant steps first. But as he allowed himself to get out of his comfort zone he was soon leading a small band of men to defeat a huge army.

Most of us don’t hear the voice of Jesus calling us from our fishing boat, or get visited by an angel telling us to lift our game. Yet we all know of things in the Bible that God calls us to step up to. Just taking time to do those things is a radical step in itself.

I had the privilege many years ago of hosting Argentinian preacher Juan Carlos Ortiz. He told of a time when he was challenged by God to preach the same sermon in his church week after week. The reason was that the people were hearing the message but not doing it. He kept preaching the message until people began to do what the Bible said.

Maybe there are many things you have heard from God’s Word that you have not even thought of doing. How radical it would be if you actually did them!

Juan Carlos told of the message about meeting the needs of others and how he and the congregation actually began doing it. It led to many wonderful blessings among the congregation and it changed the hearts of the people.

It could be really radical if you were to do some of the very basic things God asks of you. Maybe to forgive someone who offended you, or to love someone who is your enemy, or to bless the widows and fatherless, or to give generously, or to study God’s Word, or to pray and fast, or to be baptised, or to feed the hungry, or to visit those in prison, or to take the gospel to those who haven’t heard it.

The measure of whether you’ve taken radical action might simply be that those around you are surprised and maybe shocked that you are now doing something you’ve never done before.

Ebenezer Scrooge, from the Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol story, went from being miserly selfish to being generous. Maybe you could make that kind of change.

Jean Valjean from Victor Hugo’s story, Les Miserables, went from being a criminal to living for the good of others. Maybe you could make that kind of change.

The most powerful change comes when God is at work within us. I know of people who started going to church, or who connected with Christians whose faith was alive and vital, who soon found God moving them along a lovely spiritual journey.

I know of others who finally took their pain and their problems to God and sought godly counsel and spiritual support to overcome obstacles in their lives.
Just getting help was a radical act for them and it led to breakthrough.

I know of people who kept denying the problems that surrounded them who finally gave up their pride and admitted their needs. I know of people who similarly finally apologised for their wrong actions. Or others who stopped blocking the lives of those around them.

My prayer is that God will stir your heart with a prompt toward some kind of radical action. Take some radical action that is blessed by God, inspired by God and which will release the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit into your life to bring life, joy and blessing.

So as this message touches you and in the days ahead, ask God to show you what simple steps you can take that will change the course of your life and move you out of the negatives that hold you into the glorious liberty that awaits you.

May you enjoy embarking on a life of radical change because you have decided to take Radical Action.

A young woman shared with me recently about her struggle with feeling care for others. That feeling became a sore point for her. She recounted how in many situations she would shoulder responsibility, notice things that needed to be done, take time to be generous toward others, and so on. At times she was seen as being too caring. At other times she found herself the only one taking up clean up tasks or trying to fix an issue before it became a bigger problem.

At times she struggled with wishing she didn’t have such a sense of responsibility and could walk past a mess, or leave people in their misery, or let the problem get out of hand, without the sense that she should do something.

In reality it is a wonderful blessing to have people who are tuned in to needs and who can and will meet them. Sadly, however, such people end up being taken for granted and even abused by being left to do the dirty work others should take on.

She had attended an event where people were encouraged to be encouragers and to look out for others. People were urged to see themselves as people who give momentum to others by helping them past their stalemate to get going again. That might be by kind word, or smile, or a pat on the back.

Helping others who needed a hand was promoted as a godly and wonderful thing to do, as a gift to others. That perspective really resonated with the young woman.

She realised her joy could be that she brought joy to others. Each time she took time out to support someone else, encourage them and care about them, or to smile, lend a helping hand, or be there for someone, she was giving them joy. She realised that by giving joy to others she would be giving joy to herself.

That switched her perspective from being burdened with chores, to the idea she was a blessing and would be blessed for blessing others.
We are blessed to bless and blessed when we bless. She was in the perfect place to enjoy a huge amount of blessing, by giving away a huge amount of blessing to others.

Jesus gave us the truth that we are more blessed when we give than when we receive. The Apostle Paul quoted that to the church leaders at Ephesus.

“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, It is more blessed to give than receive.” Acts 20:35

We can each struggle as that young lady did. We can know we are supposed to take responsibility and do the right thing, but also recognise that people will take advantage of us when we are too willing to help out. Many people are all too glad to leave chores and dirty-work to others. It is galling to do the right thing but feel used when we do.

However, with that attitude we are thinking of ourself, not of serving the Lord or receiving His reward. Everything we do is supposed to be done for the Lord, not for our bosses or for ourselves.

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23

“Obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would show to Christ. And not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.” Ephesians 6:5,6

If we see serving or going the extra mile or doing the neglected dirty work from our human perspective then we compare ourselves with those taking advantage of us.

But if we serve and go the extra mile, and do the dirty work, as an act of worship to God from our hearts, then it’s an entirely different thing. It doesn’t matter who gets the advantage, because we are serving Christ, not man anyway. What’s more, we are being a blessing, so we will be blessed.

We become part of God’s blessing to mankind. God causes rain to fall on good people and evil people, because that expresses Who He is. When we bless, even those who sneer at us, as if we were nothing more than menials, we are acting like God does.

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:44,45

You are a gift to the earth. You are the salt of the earth and you are light in a dark world.
That makes you one of those who makes the world a better place, for all the people, good and evil.
“You are the salt of the earth. …. You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:13,14

Don’t be afraid to be a blessing, even if others sneer or take advantage of your willingness to do the right thing. You don’t have to be like those people. You can be like God by being a blessing even to your enemies.

Don’t be afraid to be different and to make a difference. Don’t be afraid to bless others and to be blessed in return. When you do the right thing you will discover how sweet it is to receive Joy within you from the Joy you give to others. It’s the blessing of Joy From Joy.