Peace in the Midst of Fear

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:7, NKJV)

Boom!

That's what I heard as I was sitting on the couch preparing to have lunch. "Grandma, Grandma!"

No Answer.

Once she finally recovered, she stood up. Boom! She's out again, and once again no answer when calling her name. It turns out that due to what we think is dehydration due to the flu, she fainted 3 times. Once I was able to calm down, while sitting at the hospital I had a tremendous peace. I knew that no matter what happened from here on out, it was going to be ok. Ladies, do you have a situation today that you need God's peace? Are you fearful? We were. Our family was fearful of the outcome. I want to take you to a God who will supply you with peace. He doesn't force His peace on you, He offers it for the taking. Will you reach out and take it today?

Dear Lord, thank You for your peace. Thank You Lord that even in the midst of fear, you bring Your sweet peace and assurance. I ask that for each reader, bring them peace like they've never known before. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Captive or Courageous?

A guest post by Susan Stilwell.

I'm afraid of snakes. I hate them. Slithery, creepy, tongue-flipping... Eww. I know they serve a purpose in the food chain, but in my opinion those links in the chain can be lopped off.

Snakes aren't my only fear, unfortunately. If I let my mind wander, it will ricochet with "what ifs" that swing from the normal (rejection by those I love) to the bizarre (meteor landing on my head).

I love this quote by Nelson Mandela:

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

When fear rises within me, it doesn't have to take me captive. God's Word reminds me:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, 

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

~2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

His Word also commands me:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.

~Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

I can choose the things I let into my mind. Snakes, rejection and meteors? Or beaches, friendships and sunshine?

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word and for Your Spirit. We thank you that we don't have to be taken captive by our fears, but that You give us what we need to conquer them. Help us to hide Your Word in our hearts so we can be transformed and walk in Your strength.

Your God Will Come

Say to those who are fearful-hearted,“Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:4, New King James Version)

Your God will come! What an amazing thought that is. Are you fearful today? Don't be afraid. The Lord is right there with you in the midst of your pain. When everything was taken from Job-his helth, his family; his friends thought He was crazy to trust God. Even His own wife said, "curse God and die." Still, Job stood strong. He knew His God would come-his God would save Him. Do you need God to come and save you today? Do you feel like you're losing everything? Ladies, don't be afraid. God is there. Even when your friends-your family says "you're crazy to trust God in the midst of all that's going on. Ladies, trust Him anyway! Don't be afraid. I can't stress that enough. Remember, no matter how deep the pit you're in, Jesus is deeper still.

Father, help us to trust you no matter what. Help us to not be afraid and remember you're always right there with us to carry us through. Thank you Lord for that promise. Amen.

The Battle Isn't Yours!

And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 2015, New King James Version)

Ok Ladies, this is how the Lord works! I had a post ready to go for today, and sitting in church tonight the Lord spoke and said, "No you don't, change it!" The battle that you're fighting...the load you're carrying...isn't yours to begin with. It's the Lord's. A lot of times, we carry things on our shoulders and try to bare the weight. It was never meant to be carried on our shoulders. Place your fear, your job loss, your sickness, or whatever you're facing to the one who can handle it all. Take it to the rock...the Rock that is higher than we are! It doesn't matter what you're facing, He can hhandle it.

Most gracious Lord, we thank you so much for bearing the loads that we so often can't. We thank you that when we reach the end of our rope, you're there to take hold of it and pull us along. Thank You Lord. We love you and we praise You. Amen.