Fear

Childlike

/ Jodie / Leave a comment

Matthew 11:25-26

25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!

IMG_3765While sitting at Holden Beach, NC with some ladies from a ONE Flesh Small Group this weekend, I savored the sound of the crashing waves, the coolness of the wind blowing on my face and the softness of the sand enveloping my feet.

Not content to just sit at the beach, however, I finally got up and followed one of my friends, who was strolling along the waters edge, searching for unique seashells that had made their way to the coastline.

On the final day of our stay, I followed another friend who wanted to go swimming, into the cool Atlantic water. Afraid to completely immerse myself in the ocean because of an emerging head cold, I chose to stay in the shallows so that I could keep my head and shoulders above the water. But, as I continued to watch my friend catch wave after wave and float all the way to the shoreline I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing out on something….

There was no fear in her, no worry, no anxiousness of being overcome by the waves. She acted so childlike; overflowing with joy….peace….fullness of life.

As I was relaying these beach adventures to my husband last night, he wisely replied, “kind of symbolic of our relationship with God, huh?”

Yep.

Some of us are so wise and clever:

-content to sit on the beach and just look at God.

-content to walk along the shoreline with His Son to get our feet wet from time to time…. when we want something.

-content to jump into the waves for a swim, but quickly high tail it back to the beach when a massive wave of His Spirit threatens to overcome us.

And some of us are so childlike in our pursuit of God:

-wanting to soak in Our Father’s love

-wanting to be consumed by the presence of His Spirit

-wanting to become more and more like His Son.

Fortunately, there’s hope for us who are wise and clever! God promises to reveal His truth to us….IF we turn from our sins, become like a little child, and obey Him.

Matthew 18:2-4

2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

“All God’s revelations are sealed until they are opened to us by obedience. You will never get them open by philosophy or thinking. Immediately you obey, a flash of light comes. Let God’s truth work in you by soaking in it, not by worrying into it….God will never reveal more truth about Himself until you have obeyed what you know already. Beware of becoming “wise and prudent.’” –Oswald Chambers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hi-VMxT6fc

In Secret

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Matthew 6:5-6

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

I began praying in the synagogue (sanctuary) long before I ever started praying in my inner room. Back then, I was plagued with the fear of being exposed or criticized when praying with a small group of people, so I remained silent, content to be a voyeur. Prayer is an intensely intimate conversation with the Creator of the Universe and honestly, I wanted to control how deeply I related to Him- and His children.

After years of being encouraged by church leaders, I finally forced myself to devote some time in my very busy schedule to talk to God and read His Word on my own. I’ll admit, that even though I was submitted to these daily disciplines, I didn’t particularly enjoy them. The desire to want to go away in secret not only to talk to God, but also hear Him speak through His spoken and written Word took years to emerge.

“Jesus did not say- dream about thy Father in secret, but pray to thy Father in secret. Prayer is an effort of will….the great battle in private prayers is the overcoming of mental wool-gathering. We have to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful prayer”

-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

IMG_4389Almost a decade later, I finally created a space in our master bedroom where I could go away, shut the door, lock it (remember, we have 4 children!!!) and pray to my Father in secret. Since then, that inner room has become a refuge, a safe place for me to pour out my anger, grief, joy, fear, gratitude, frustration, and worship to my Savior. Now, when I get up and get started on my very busy schedule without going there, my soul knows it…. and yearns to retreat back.

Prayer is a lifeline to the heart of the Father. Just as Jake Sully, in the movie Avatar had to learn to “connect” to Eywa (their god), we must learn to be still and connect to the one true God in order to know Him. Otherwise, we’ll never be able to love Him, love others, or go make disciples.

Do you have an inner room? When’s the last time you went there, closed the door and prayed to your Father in secret?

Afraid of the Dark

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Genesis 1:2

2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 

IMG_4381For as long as I can remember, I have been afraid of the dark. As a little girl, when sleepwalking, I would quickly move towards the nightlights that illuminated certain rooms in our home. As a newly married adult, I installed nightlights in every room of our apartment when my husband worked the night shift so that I could quickly inspect every square foot when I woke in the middle of the night.

Throughout my life I’ve tried plugging in nightlights to the dark areas of my soul. But regardless of how hard I tried to illuminate myself, I was always left feeling empty. In my stubbornness & pride, I attempted to do what only the Holy Spirit can do; bring light, revelation, comfort & healing to the dark, broken areas. In my efforts to control my fear, I neglected to see that God has and will always be in control of the darkness and His Spirit has and will always hover over the surface of the deep.

I’ve recently learned that when I quit trying to expel the darkness in my own strength, choosing instead to listen to the One who created the heavens and the earth, I do not need to be afraid! For God has called me, by name and said “Jodie, you are mine…when you go through deep waters, I WILL be with you!”

Isaiah 43:1-2

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
    O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
 I have called you by name; you are mine.

2When you go through deep waters,
 I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
 you will not drown…..

Fear is a powerful tool in the hands of the enemy. It feeds itself by lurking in the shadows of our mind, will and emotions. But, when we trust God and allow His nightlight to penetrate the darkness, we see that our fears were often over exaggerated and distorted in relationship to His Truth. Sometimes, yes, the Truth may hurt, for God has not promised us a life free from suffering. Yet, as we go through the deep waters, our relationship with The Father will become deeper, for we are being transformed into the image of His Son.

“To choose to suffer means that there is something wrong; to choose God’s will even if it means suffering is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not.”

-Oswald Chambers

Are you afraid of the dark? I want you to know, my friend, that God is more powerful than the one who lives in darkness, more able to plunge into the deep water to save you, and more loving than anyone on this earth can reflect. Believe me when I say, you can trust Him…..so go, sit before Him and ask Him to shine His light on the areas of your life that need to be illuminated.

I Never Knew You

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Matthew 7:21-27

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

I’ve been perplexed about Matthew 7:22 for years. How is it possible for people to prophesy, cast out demons and perform many miracles without knowing God? How can the gifts of the Spirit operate in unbelievers or disciples who are disobeying God? I’ve gone round and round about this with my mentor. Every time I’ve asked her these questions, she’s always given me the same reply, “Jodie, the gifts are without repentance.” Feeling thick headed I usually moan, “I just don’t understand that!”

But one day last week, a miracle happened…..

I was reading this passage again when my friends words echoed through my mind- and the Holy Spirit breathed revelation to my soul:

1)  God is in control

2)  God is able to chose who (submitted disciples, unbelievers or rebellious followers) He gives spiritual gifts to

3)  God is able to chose what type of gifts He wants to give

4)  Spiritual gifts are not a sign of repentance, but a sign of Gods power and ability to Advance His Kingdom through whatever and whomever He chooses

5)  God will judge those who do not know Him and who deceive others through false prophesy, etc.

6)  I am able to choose whether or not to listen to Jesus’ teachings and follow Him

7)  I am able to choose whether or not to use God’s gifts to go make disciples (Matthew 28:19)

IMG_6986

A son or daughter who chooses to listen & follow God will have a stable life. Everything they do, every decision they make that is submitted to God will be rock solid. When life’s circumstances begin to flood in and the wind and rain beats against them, they won’t collapse. They know that their foundation can withstand any storm.

But, I’ve only met 1 person who could listen and follow perfectly, at all times: Jesus Christ.

What then are we sand castle building children to do?

Ignore all the areas of our lives that are collapsing?

Judge others who are breaking God’s law in order to make ourselves feel better?

Complain about all the areas of our lives that are not rock solid?

Uh….no.

1)  We can choose to rest in the truth that The Master Architect has great plans for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).

2)  We can choose to believe that God is building us into sons and daughters who look more and more like His perfect Son.

3)  We can choose to obey Him in whatever area of our lives He is rebuilding at the time (our lives, our marriages, our children, our jobs, our ministry…..).

4)  We can choose to read His Word and do what it says.

5)  We can choose to repent for disobeying God’s laws.

6)  We can choose not to judge others who are disobeying God’s laws.

7)  We can choose to use the gifts He gives us in order to Advance His Kingdom.

As a daughter of the Most High, I choose to build my life on solid rock, by fearing God above all others, for I have NO desire to hear my Father say, “I never knew you….” on judgment day.

Proverbs 9:10

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
    Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

All My Fears

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Psalm 34:4-7 

4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
 He freed me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
  no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
  he saved me from all my troubles.

7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
    he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

IMG_4003Even before WRAL’s Dual Doppler 5000 sees a blip on its radar screen, our dog Maggie alerts us to an impending storm. Her eyes widen as fear consumes her and she begins to pace, drool and pant like she’s run a full marathon. We’ve tried everything we know to soothe her; petting her, lying beside her, whispering assurances, putting a thunder jacket on her, kenneling her, but nothing seems to eliminate the terror inside.

Matthew 14:29-30 

29 “….So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strongwind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.”

Although I don’t tend to drool or pant when a storm arrives in my life, I have some of the same tendencies of our chocolate lab when fear begins to consume me. I start to obsess about the circumstances, my mind becomes bogged down with “what if’s” and my emotions fluctuate between rage and uncontrollable weeping. Unfortunately, by the time I’ve reached these stages, my will has already decided to cling to fear. Even though my mind may not be cognizant that I am trying to control the wind and waves, I am essentially saying to God: “I don’t fear you…..I don’t trust that you can, or will save me.”

Deuteronomy 13:4

4 Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.

Sadly, I tried a lot of things over the years to try to sooth myself; taking prescription drugs, over eating or drinking, engaging in sexual sin, blaming others…..before I decided to lift my eyes above the storm and look to the Lord for help.

Thankfully, however, I’ve since discovered that the “F” word CAN be eliminated from my life when I crucify my pride, discover the Truth found in God’s Word and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where my debilitating fears come from. When I do, He is always faithful to scoop me up out of the water and place me safely in His arms, where I can be still… and know that HE is God.

I wonder if He’d be willing to do the same for Maggie so I can get a little sleep tonight!?

Hebrews 13:6

6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.

Do What They Say

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Hebrews 13:17

17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

IMG_4126Last week, our family embarked on our first ever class 1 and 2 white water rafting adventure in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. During the bus ride down to the river, our guides gave us a short (and I do mean SHORT) lesson on paddling in order to navigate safely down the 8 mile stretch of water -and how to avoid going overboard. When we arrived at the waters edge and climbed into the rubber boat, I assumed 1 of the 3 guides would continue with their instruction, instead, they shoved us into the water and we were quickly on our way! Since my husband was the only one out of the six of us who had previously experienced white water rafting, we unanimously elected him captain in order to navigate us down the Lehigh River.

As my fear began to rise, feeling extremely unprepared to venture into uncharted waters, I began paddling like a mad woman- completely ignoring my husband’s directions. As some of our children followed my lead, chaos quickly erupted and we all began struggling against one another- and the rapids. In the midst of pandemonium, however, I heard that still small voice tell me to STOP and obey the voice of my leader….

After I took a deep breath, and began paddling at Doug’s command (and the children followed suit) our boat began floating along, almost effortlessly down the river….and all of us were able to enjoy the ride.

The same struggle to successfully maneuver through the uncharted waters of life often occurs within my marriage and family. I am quick to see the whitewater emerging around the bend and the dangerous rocks that loom beneath the surface of the deep that threaten to overturn us. What I often fail to realize, however, is that my captain (husband) has a different vantage point, and ultimately, he is responsible to God for how he chooses to navigate. My responsibility is simply to trust God and *obey my captains directions as we journey down the river together. As an engaged co-captain, I should be able to relay any potential warnings to my captain, but ultimately, I must learn to let go of my fears and leave the navigating to him. Sure, there will be times when he doesn’t lead wisely, but he’s human- and bound to make a few mistakes. And yes, since we are in the same boat, I may get splashed by the waves, or hit a few boulders, or perhaps even get tossed overboard, but…..if I continue to trust God, and submit my will to His, I will be able to enjoy the ride- despite the raging waters beneath me.

 

*I would not obey my husband’s directions if he was deliberately engaging in sin- or asking me to do the same.

HELP!

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Isaiah 43:14-28

14 This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon,
    forcing the Babylonians[a] to flee in those ships they are so proud of.

15 I am the Lord, your Holy One,
    Israel’s Creator and King.

16 I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters,
    making a dry path through the sea.

17 I called forth the mighty army of Egypt
    with all its chariots and horses.
I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned,
    their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.

18 “But forget all that—
    it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

19 For I am about to do something new.
    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

20 The wild animals in the fields will thank me,
    the jackals and owls, too,
    for giving them water in the desert.
Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland
    so my chosen people can be refreshed.

21 I have made Israel for myself,
    and they will someday honor me before the whole world.

22 “But, dear family of Jacob, you refuse to ask for my help.
    You have grown tired of me, O Israel!

23 You have not brought me sheep or goats for burnt offerings.
    You have not honored me with sacrifices,
though I have not burdened and wearied you
    with requests for grain offerings and frankincense.

24 You have not brought me fragrant calamus
    or pleased me with the fat from sacrifices.
Instead, you have burdened me with your sins
    and wearied me with your faults.

25 “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake
    and will never think of them again.

26 Let us review the situation together,
    and you can present your case to prove your innocence.

27 From the very beginning, your first ancestor sinned against me;
    all your leaders broke my laws.

28 That is why I have disgraced your priests;
    I have decreed complete destruction[b] for Jacob
    and shame for Israel.

When the river of life’s circumstances begins to rise over its banks IMG_2704and the fire of oppression threatens to burn me, I instinctively want to save myself from drowning and being consumed by the flames.

But my instincts lie…..for they are motived by the selfish desires within me.

Instead of choosing to bring God my burnt offerings and sacrifices I wear myself out doggy paddling in the river, clinging to every stray log that floats by to keep myself from going under. I grab my fire extinguisher and attack the flames, while simultaneously freaking out because the things I hold so dear are being destroyed!

How many times have I made God weary with all my faults, instead of trusting Him and His promises?

 

Isaiah 43:1-4

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
    O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are mine.

2 When you go through deep waters,
    I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
    you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
    you will not be burned up;
    the flames will not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord, your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
    I gave Ethiopia[a] and Seba in your place.

4 Others were given in exchange for you.
    I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
    You are honored, and I love you.

According to the prophet Isaiah, I need to listen to the Lord so I can know:

 

-God created me

 

-He has called me by name

 

-I do NOT need to be afraid!

 

-I am His

 

-I am precious to Him

 

-I am honored by Him

 

-He LOVES me!!!

 

And I need to trust that:

 

–He will be with me (in every river of difficulty and every fire of oppression)

 

–He will make rivers in the dry wasteland of my soul

 

–He will refresh me

 

But in order to know Him and trust Him, I must be still……& ask Him for HELP!

 

Psalm 46:10

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
  I will be honored by every nation.
 I will be honored throughout the world.”

http://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=2013616