Fear what?

Fear is real.

Anyone who has stood at the end of a high diving board staring over the edge knows fear.

We all have fear, especially during that moment of divine appointment when the Holy Spirit gives us a thought about sharing the Gospel with someone.

Heart races. Breathing quickens. Sweat beads form on the forehead.

Fear.

And we back away from the edge of that diving board.

We give in to fear. We have failed.

Again.

So, how do we overcome this? What is the opposite of fear?

Courage.

And it’s not a feeling of amped up emotion where we run willy-nilly to the end of the diving board and jump, screaming as we fall toward the water.

Courage is intentional.

As defined by the American Heritage Dictionary, third definition, courage is: heart; inclination; desire; will.

Or, as Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it.”

As believers, where do we get the ability to act despite fear?

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) – “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

God is amazing how he speaks to us with helpful reminders of His love and support for us when things get difficult (I get little snippets of hymns and parables as helpful boosts.).

There is that old, old hymn that tells about our Savior from glory who atoned for our sins, and once we repented He “won the victory” and brought us to victory, and underneath the cleansing flood “He plunged me to victory.”

His Word delivers the courage – intentional will – to defeat fear.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV) – “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Now, disciple, fear what?

Not even death, which has been swallowed up in victory by Jesus, holds its sting over us.

There is victory in Jesus, and you can make that plunge with no fear, and share with someone salvation through Jesus.

3 points of evangelism

I had an epiphany about changing things up a bit this week.

Evangelism, sharing the Gospel with unbelievers, for many believers produces a feeling of fear.

Am I knowledgeable enough? I’m not trained. What if I mess up?

While evangelism is actually simple, I agree it can be challenging when fear sets in.

Just realize you are saved by Jesus, He loves you, so love others by sharing with them.

Simple.

Know what you have in Jesus and what you can do through Him for others:

• You have a personal ministry. You are saved. You can share that.

• You can be intently intentional. Be excited about your salvation, and be determined to tell someone.

• Be caring about others, which leads to curiosity about their lives and needs, and this leads to sharing with them.

Be kind. Love them. Be bold.

Fear not.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

Great day, every day … oh the nonsense

Sometimes I just want to lay the lumber heavy on a brother.

Thank Jesus for His restraint within me!

I recently listened to a guy yap about how we can have a great day, every day, no matter what.

I’m not sure what legalized gummies he was chomping on, but he torqued my shorts.

Great day, every day?

Poppycock.

Was it a great day when a parent or child died suddenly? Horrible day.

Was it a great day when the doctor delivered the diagnosis of disease? Debilitating day.

And so on. None of those are “great days.”

Maybe I’m off kilter here, but I’m not going to be jolly and smiley on such days.

And I don’t remember reading the “great day, every day” message in scripture.

I do recall scriptures about tough times ahead, persecution, preparing for an all-out spiritual battle and hellish end times.

And, yes, I know, we have all we need in Jesus to overcome any kind of bad day so that we can reflect on the experience and grow in our faith as we rejoice in what lies ahead.

If anyone wants a “happy, happy winning” ideology it’s just a click of the button away on the boob tube to find a prosperity gospel mega church program.

But when the days are tough, I want to turn to God.

2 Samuel 22:2-4 (KJV) – “2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; 3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”

In this world today we have many enemies who want to ruin our day, our lives.

God is my rock, my salvation, my hope, my healer.

When the hurts of this world hit like a falling tree, I want Jesus.

John 16:33 (KJV) – “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Thanks be to God that we can have victory in overcoming any “bad day.”

We know that when we are hit with any challenge or hurt, there is joy in surviving, overcoming, just getting through adversity.

Now, disciple, the joy and peace of Jesus is just on the other side of whatever lies in front of you.

That will be a great day, indeed.