God = Love

". . . God is love."  I John 4:8

Well, it's been one of those weeks where you wonder what day it is, because it seems like it's just been one long, exhausting day.  Last Friday (July 1) my husband's grandfather passed away unexpectedly.  So instead of heading down to North Carolina for our planned holiday trip, it ended up being to bury his grandfather.  So, the past week has been exhausting emotionally as well as physically.   But through it all, I know that God has been with us. 



He sent little messages of hope to strengthen us. . .
like the night before the funeral,
we saw a double rainbow! 
photo from stock.xchng

Just knowing He is with us during our storms helps doesn't it?  Have you ever been afraid and not known what to do with your fear?  Wanting to be rid of your fears, but unsure how to do it, you wonder, "When will I ever get over my fear?"    Well, the night we returned, it was in the wee hours, and I was exhausted...(We all were.)  After I went to bed, I heard my daughter calling out to me. . .oh boy...."It's almost 1:30 a.m., can we not talk about this in a few hours the morning??"  But she quickly revealed to me how she was feeling afraid. (This is her first time experiencing a death in the family.)  In the process of our conversation, the Lord began to reveal to me the following little formula:

In math, we know that both sides of the equal sign (=) must be equal, so they are interchangeable.  Well, as soon as my daughter told me she was afraid, the Lord reminded me of ". . . perfect love casts out fear."   I John 4:18   Then He reminded me of "God is love."  Now, we know that math just doesn't come to a person's mind at 2 in the morning, :o)  (LOL) so I know that the visual for this formula had to come from the Lord!  I began to picture GOD = LOVE  and then substituted the word "LOVE" in I John 4:18 with the word "GOD." 

If God is (=) LOVE and LOVE is (=) GOD, then I can substitute the word "love" with "GOD" in

I John 4:18,  and that means that:

GOD (perfect LOVE) will cast out my fear!

No more pressure to try to overcome our fear!  HE will do it!  And HE HAS done it!   All we have to do is trust!  If we are afraid, it is stemming from a lack of trust in God. 

It's amazing to me to know how exhausted my body and mind have been lately, and see how He continues to speak words of encouragement to me, and gives strength to the weary!   ;o)

Be encouraged!  When you're in the midst of the storm, He is still speaking!  Just tune your ears towards Him and believe that He will speak in the midst of your storm! 

And. . . He WILL!

Hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July!  Freedom is not free.  And we know that our ultimate freedom was purchased on Calvary!!  

If the Son therefore shall make you free,

you shall be free indeed. 

John 8:36

Thank You, Father, for speaking strength, encouragement and Your perfect, reassuring LOVE to a weary soul!  I pray for my dear friends, wherever they are in their walk with You, to find Your perfect Love truly capable to cast out all their fear!  In Jesus' Name,  Amen.

The Long Lost Blogger

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  I John 3:1

I just wanted to stop by (as if I was visiting this blog.  It's been so long since I've posted, that I actually feel like I'm just visiting. LOL)  Anyway, I just wanted to "post a note" to everyone to let you all know that I've not forgotten you.   :)   Thanks to those of you who've sent emails to make sure I was still "out here."   Seems like I've not been afforded much time to blog. . ..but I sure have missed y'all.

Here's a verse that has meant so much to me over the years, and especially now:  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.  Isaiah 41:10 

Fear.  The most crippling "thing" any of us could ever deal with.  It keeps us from moving forward--in our walk with the Lord; in serving Him; in doing His will.  Fear.  I heard it once said that fear is actually a twisted form of "faith in the enemy."  He causes us to doubt God's faithfulness.  If we believe the enemy's lie, we will be crippled by fear.  In essence, we've believed (or have faith in) the enemy's lie.  

Consider Who we are serving.   If we've accepted the Lord as our own personal Savior, we are now adopted into God's family...We're children of The King!  The One and Only King.   This very King of Kings is the same One Who created the universe.  He created every thing!!   And we have His power within us.  The key to overcoming fear is to tap into God's power.  And the Lord reminds me just now: "Perfect love casts out fear."   May we all grasp just how deep our Heavenly Father's love for us actually is!   Oh....He is tying this all together.   "Fear thou not."   (Isaiah 41:10)     "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us..."  (I John 3:1)

Is there anyone struggling with fear?   The key to overcoming fear is found within the very heart of God:  His love for us. 

Oh Father, please forgive us when we lend our ears to the lies of the enemy who wants us to fear.  Your love is perfect and You've promised to cast out our fears!   We look to the cross, where Your Son, Jesus, died---and realize that those nails did not hold Him there.  No!  It was the love You have for us~~Your love, dear Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus!  The power of the Holy Spirit conquered death when Jesus arose on the third day!   And fear has been conquered as well!  We look to You for the divine enabling power to overcome anything that causes us to doubt and fear.    You have promised to help, strengthen, and keep us, by Your righteous right hand!  We claim this promise in Jesus' name....Amen.

 

How to Fix a Fearful Heart

Okay....it's Saturday when I'm writing this...and to be awaken to the news of yet another powerful earthquake that struck, with a possible tsunami to follow just made my heart sink.  *sigh*   More Bad News.   

I know the Lord is reminding us that He is the One in control, and I really believe He's trying to get our attention.   He's coming soon.  No doubt.   The news of His arrival being announced by the blast of the trumpet SHOULD BE a welcome relief for God's children.   But honestly, how do you feel when you think of the rapture taking place?  Is this honestly something you are looking forward to?  
Does this give your heart a sense of peace and longing for His return ~OR~ do you feel a sense of impending D O O M???

I guess it all depends on the condition of our heart..and whether or not we are truly saved.   How's our relationship with Him been going lately??    Are we busy about the Master's Business, building His kingdom ~OR~ are we busy about our OWN business by building up a beautiful sand castle that is about to be washed away by an enormous tsunami!?!?