Let me ask you a question, ‘what are you afraid of?’ I’m not asking about spiders or snakes or things that go bump in the night; rather what is it that causes a knot in your stomach; that causes you to lie awake at night or to wake up in a cold sweat; that sometimes overwhelms you and threatens to shake you to the very core of your being?
Fear, uncertainty or instability is nothing new for the people of God. Every generation of believers has faced moments when fear has threatened to overwhelm their faith. To which God, in His Word simply says…do not be afraid. It is the single most repeated command in all of Scripture.
Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. (Genesis 15:1)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. (Isaiah 41:10)
Over and over and over again in His word God speaks to His people…do not be afraid. God’s word to you today is the same: do not be afraid. We don’t have to cave into fear, to doubt, to uncertainty or instability. It is possible to abide, to rest fully in Christ.
This was a core belief that sustained the Apostle Paul through all the ups and downs of his experience. One sentence from his letter to the Philippians is a gift to any and all who have ever wrestled with fear, anxiety or uncertainty.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
This verse tells us how Paul managed to live above his circumstances. He did it only by the power of Jesus Christ dwelling in him. For Paul, the secret of contentment was not a stiff upper lip or a positive mental attitude; He was content because he had learned to rely completely on Jesus Christ.
In Christ he finds his source of strength, no matter what comes his way. In Christ he has discovered the one thing which can truly satisfy the human soul. So whether his circumstances are easy or difficult, whether he has a lot or a little irrelevant to Paul because he's found something bigger, something better; that which serves as an anchor for his soul. His life is secure in Christ!
True contentment in this world cannot be explained apart from the power of Christ at work within us. But, you have to know Christ! It is Christ and Christ alone who gives us the strength we need.
You may wonder, is it enough? Is Jesus Christ enough to face the challenges and difficulties of this life? Is his broken body enough? Is his shed blood sufficient? Is his intercession in heaven enough to sustain us? Yes, yes and yes; a thousand times yes!
Jesus Christ is enough…I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
So my friends at Valley… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith , who for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Fear, uncertainty or instability is nothing new for the people of God. Every generation of believers has faced moments when fear has threatened to overwhelm their faith. To which God, in His Word simply says…do not be afraid. It is the single most repeated command in all of Scripture.
Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. (Genesis 15:1)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. (Isaiah 41:10)
Over and over and over again in His word God speaks to His people…do not be afraid. God’s word to you today is the same: do not be afraid. We don’t have to cave into fear, to doubt, to uncertainty or instability. It is possible to abide, to rest fully in Christ.
This was a core belief that sustained the Apostle Paul through all the ups and downs of his experience. One sentence from his letter to the Philippians is a gift to any and all who have ever wrestled with fear, anxiety or uncertainty.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
This verse tells us how Paul managed to live above his circumstances. He did it only by the power of Jesus Christ dwelling in him. For Paul, the secret of contentment was not a stiff upper lip or a positive mental attitude; He was content because he had learned to rely completely on Jesus Christ.
In Christ he finds his source of strength, no matter what comes his way. In Christ he has discovered the one thing which can truly satisfy the human soul. So whether his circumstances are easy or difficult, whether he has a lot or a little irrelevant to Paul because he's found something bigger, something better; that which serves as an anchor for his soul. His life is secure in Christ!
True contentment in this world cannot be explained apart from the power of Christ at work within us. But, you have to know Christ! It is Christ and Christ alone who gives us the strength we need.
You may wonder, is it enough? Is Jesus Christ enough to face the challenges and difficulties of this life? Is his broken body enough? Is his shed blood sufficient? Is his intercession in heaven enough to sustain us? Yes, yes and yes; a thousand times yes!
Jesus Christ is enough…I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
So my friends at Valley… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith , who for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
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