Inspirations Our Daily Bread
Be Anxious For Nothing, Living Life Without Fear
Christians worry, that’s a fact. Even though we say we trust God. We say that we believe Him and we esteem Him as Lord. Yet, we find ourselves drawn into the cares of this life. Stuff happens. Everyday we face a different challenge, everyday a different set of circumstances. Sometimes they are coming at us so fast that our only response is to worry. We have become so comfortable with worrying. Because of that, we fail to make any real effort to eliminate it, most of the time not believing that we can. We have surmised that worry is just a natural part of life.
But God intended for fear and worry to be a thing of the past for every Born Again Believer. “Fear not”, he commands us. God knew that if we genuinely trusted Him, fear would no longer be able to challenge our faith and succeed. Victorious Living is a life free from fear and worry. God has made it available to each of us. True peace is a part of the life that God planned for us to enjoy. Our lives take on a whole new perspective when we live without anxiousness. Philippians 4:4-8 gives us a glimpse of what life is like without worry.
Phil. 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Phil 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Phil. 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God.
Phil.4: 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.
Phil.4: 8 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 a good report, if there be any virtue and if there is anything praise worthy; meditate on these things.
Wow, what a life to be enjoyed! Rejoicing always, “Again I say rejoice”. The word rejoice, means to have joy. Joy is defined by Merriam-Webster as The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.
Paul is encouraging the Philippians to always have joy. In fact he repeated the admonition so they would be sure to understand that neither he nor God wanted them to worry. This type of unwavering confidence would produce a peace that would surpass all understanding…It just would not fit into their rational thinking. Glory to God!
I remember trying to get back on track after the brutal murder of my oldest daughter…She was only 25 years old at the time. I write about it in the 5th chapter of my book, Spiritual Warfare: The Myth Exposed. I was struggling to maintain a place of confidence when all I felt was vulnerability and fear. How could my soul reconcile this awful tragic event with the divine protection, assurance and favor of God? Something I had come to count on not just for me but for my family as well. It would proved to be a test of faith that would launch me into the next level like nothing else I had ever experienced.
In verse 1 of this chapter Paul opens by encouraging them to “…stand fast in the Lord, beloved”. I realized that if our family was going to endure this time of testing it was going to take much prayer. In that prayer time we were introduced to the unfailing Love of God. It was in His love that we found peace. We determined that we would not be moved from the Love of God…Everything we were going through had to be processed through that Love. Yes, this was painful. The lost of a child, brother or sister is one of the greatest loses a family can go through…But in spite of our grief we kept one truth ever before us, “God Loves us and He will see us through!” Not knowing, we knew, that this Truth would prove itself in our lives. An awful tragedy, but yet he loves us. Pain like I had never felt before or since, but yet, He loves us. And God’s Word would reaffirm that truth. I could hear the spirit say, “The suffering of this present time, is not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us”.
There it was, an expectation of hope, a promise of better and greater, a revelation of His Glory….And it would not just appear around us or to us…It would be revealed in us as a testimony of a Faithful God. Glory ~ Doxa, in the Greek, interpreted God’s Opinion.
I live a life of fearlessness now….void of worry or anxiousness. Oh sure, daily my faith is tested, but fear has no place. Because when the trials come I just remember the time God brought us through what was a test of all tests…. I didn’t understand the “why”, until I received God’s Opinion. And now I know it’s all for His Glory….Therefore, beloved fear not. I want to leave you this scripture also from the 4th chapter of Philippians: 4:19-20
Phil.4:19 And my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Phil. 4:20 Now to our God and father be Glory forever and ever Amen.
Dr. Dora Sanders Hill
Author, Spiritual Warfare: The Myth Exposed
www.myspace.com/evangelistdora
evangelistdora@msn.com
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I am a living witness to the fact that anyone including ministry couples can have a good and strong marriage. What is the key you may ask? You have to be deliberate in working on yourself through the power of the Holy Ghost, so that you can work at your marriage. Many times we go from one relationship to another thinking this time it will be better, however we see the same problems and patterns repeat themselves over and over. Casting the blame on Satan, our spouses, and anyone else that we can find a way to fix some blame to. The truth of the matter is we cant change our spouses but we can change ourselves with God's help. Each party in a marriage brings with them baggage (unhealed hurts, unmet needs, unresolved issues) to the table. Each partner has a responsibility to share openly what their fears and hang ups are. This way they can cover (protect) those areas for each other, so that healing and growth can take place.
There is one area in particular that I wish to address in this post. That area is having friends of the opposite sex. This is dangerous territory! The Bible says in Gen 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and they shall become one flesh. God is telling us in His word that we must relinquish that priority position of commitment and devotion previously given to parents and friends, and put our spouses in that number one position. Parents is for another blog entry because today we are dealing with having friends of the opposite sex. I've heard it said over and over, "We have been friends since we were kids." Or I have known her since high school." "We are just friends." And its amazing to me that those involved don't see anything wrong with what they are doing! And what is even more amazing is that even after the spouses communicate that, that friendship is hurtful to them, the spouse that is involved in the friendship still does not want to end it. I have to wonder in those cases whose feelings are the most important? It certainly can't be the spouses, because if it was, the friendship would have not continued after the marriage. In fact once the couple became engaged all opposite sex friendships should have come to an end.
One very important thing we all must be mindful of is that everyone has an agenda, and no one stays in the life of another person of the opposite sex on that level without the hope of something more. This is especially true of women. If she is that emotionally invested, she is keeping the door open with the hope for something more no matter how long the door has been open. This is especially true if she is single, or in a bad marriage.
The work place is also a place where caution must be exercised. It is dangerous to befriend someone of the opposite sex. Taking coffee and lunch breaks together while sharing personal issues is a recipe for disaster. But some of you maybe thinking what is the harm? The harm comes when you are emotionally invested in someone other than your spouse. When you get home what do you have to give emotionally to give to your spouse? What do you have need to talk about? Instead you both sit in silence because you're already spent emotionally and conversationally. Be cordial and friendly with coworkers because you all have to get along but, give the complete and best you to your spouse. I want to encourage any of you who are reading this post to end any friendships you have with the opposite sex. Have friendships with other saved married couples where the friendship is mutual between all parties. Fellowship with saved married couples can be fun because you all have a lot in common. One last note. In fellowship with other married couples the pattern opposite sex friendships cannot be repeated. My wife and I have friendships with other saved married couples however, we are not engaging in opposite sex friendships with our married couple friends. Do all you can do to guard your marriage and watch the blessings of God flow!
Because of Calvary
Ed Hill
bishoped1@comcast.net
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Created By The Creator To Create!
Focus! Everything you need God has already given you
the ability to Create it!
Every seed reproduces after it's own kind! Create, create, create...You
were created by the Creator to create! What are you waiting for...Oh
you're afraid...Well now that's a problem...Let me see if I can
help....The bible says, "That God did not give us the spirit of
fear...But of love, power and a sound mind"...( It is hard to think when
you're afraid)...If God didn't give you the spirit of fear it stands to
reason that satan is the culprit....Can we take it a step further? Every
reference to satan is a "Fear-based" reference....That devil, that
devil, Fear...Hello. Because if you weren't afraid you wouldn't be
talking about him in the first place! How can you say Jesus and satan in
the same sentence and have satan mean anything?....One literally cancels
out the other...How do you eliminate fear? Eliminate satan.....He is
insignificant in my life...My life is hidden in God.....Hence, no fear.
"Oh death where's your sting, oh grave where's your victory? For me to
live is Christ, but for me to die is gain"...What?!!
Even death spells increase for the believer!!! Glory to God!!! So go
ahead what are you waiting for? Businesses, ministries, witty inventions
that will become over night successes...They are waiting for you to
speak them into existence through the Creative power God has given you!
Your wealth and your destiny is waiting on you...To say something!
......Be Blessed....And by the way, "I'm having a ball living this
KINGDOM Life!!!
Dr. Dora Sanders Hill
SPIRITUAL WARFARE: THE MYTH EXPOSED!!!
The book that is changing lives all over the World!!!
BUT IT TODAY!!! www.victorytoglory.org Your Life will never Be the Same!
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Don’t Become
Bitter on Your Way to Becoming Better
Jeremiah
29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future
and a hope.”
Wow! What a powerful promise of Goodwill from the Father. Plans that
have been careful laid out and orchestrated in eternity to give us a
future and a hope.
The hand of
God is actively at work in the life of every Believer. We can enjoy the
comfort of knowing that our lives are truly in His hands. When blessings
are flowing and things seemingly are going the way we’ve planned, it’s
evident in our worship that we trust God. I call it “connecting the
dots”. We see God in the “blessing” because we have come to know Him as
a God who gives and not a God who takes away. But God is also a God
of correction as well as completion. The complexity of this
wonderful life He has set for us is past our finding out. Many times it
will look like failure only to become success right before our eyes.
What initially looks like defeat will manifest itself as victory. But we
must have Faith in God’s complete plan for our lives and trust Him no
matter what. When we don’t
esteem Him as having a plan and recognize that it’s all working for our
good, we can become bitter in the midst of God trying to make us better.
This life we
enjoy is a life “In God”. Christians have lived for so long under the
premise that we can live a life “In God” and out of His will at the same
time. Many struggle with simple day today challenges and decisions. “Oh
I just want to make sure I’m in His will, they’ll say. His Word is His
will. Just stay in His Word. And when we don’t know what to do, we must
trust God to cause all grace to abound in every situation. There is no
failure “In Him”. Consequently, there is no failure is us. Glory to
God…that’s a Rhema Word for somebody! Stop struggling and start
trusting. God’s got your back and “He will perfect those things that
pertaineth to you.” Isn’t that wonderful? It will produce ultimate peace
in your life and the Glory of God.
Imagine
getting saved and God placing you in a “sealed’ container. That
container is Christ. The Bible says that we are sealed until the day of
redemption. (Ephesians 1:13-14) Beloved, you are sealed and safe.
Now picture that container you’ve been placed in going through
many tests and trials. But because you have confidence in the
“container” you’ve been placed in, you have peace. Glory to God, you
know that you’re coming out okay! Or as the Bible says, “When he has
tried me, I shall come forth as pure gold.” Job 23:10
Our success
in this life is contingent on us trusting God. Fear must be eliminated
at all cost. We cannot please God without faith and we cannot have faith
when fear is present. Be patient, trust God and know that he has your
very best interest at heart. If you hold on, keep praying, keep on
believing and keep on worshipping you will see His Glory revealed in
your life!
Dr. Dora
Sanders Hill,
Author,
Spiritual Warfare: The Myth Exposed