Do Not Be Alarmed

 Matthew 24:6 “You will hear of wars an rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”

“But see to it that you are not alarmed,” is an important message for Christians today. As we turn on any radio or television station it is becoming increasingly difficult to not be alarmed, isn’t it? Yet, I believe this is when Christians get to “shine” for Jesus.

Today we are prayerful for those who have loved ones fighting for our country. They have made a choice, driven by what they believe. We too must make a choice, driven by what we believe. The choice to make today is to “not be alarmed.” By doing so, we live in direct agreement with God’s Word.

How can we keep ourselves from becoming alarmed? Do you remember in the Old Testament, when there was the plague of death to the first born sons? The Bible says in Exodus 12: 13 “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” Of course, this is referring to the Passover.

Our answer is in Hebrews 10:19, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” This verse gives us that promise from God that the Israelites experienced the night of Passover. It is Jesus’ blood that covers the doorframes to our hearts. As heirs to the kingdom, through faith, we are included in that house, because we are His family. We can now stand in assurance of faith and not fear as we draw near to God. So “see to it that you are not alarmed.” It is as a hurting world sees our lives at peace that we can “shine” for Him right where we are.

Come to the well today, draw the living water that saves lives, and share it with your friends that are thirsty. God Bless America!

Deborah Lovett is a speaker for Women’s Events, Retreats, and Conferences.  She is also a wife, mother of one daughter, one son, and an author. Her speaking has been noted as “genuine, open, contagious, and like fresh water to the soul.” Her inviting spirit draws women in~ allowing them to experience God’s love in a non-judgmental way.  God has called her~ beyond a shadow of a doubt ~to equip women– person-by-person, city-by-city. She desires to educate women on how to ADVANCE to overflowing with an authentic joyful faith that attracts others to Jesus. Visit Deborah at: http://www.deborahlovett.com/

 

Battling Fear

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Today we are going to take that spirit of self-discipline God gave us and we are going to battle our fears, since this verse tells us we were not given a spirit of fear from God, but were given the self-discipline to combat it. And believe me, it is a battle. A battle the enemy would love for you and I to lose. But the Lord has assured us of the victory, if only we believe. Romans 8:37 gives truth: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

I know this may not be as easy as it sounds, for many it may be a difficult battle, but be encouraged it can be done! Remember Proverbs 2:1? “He holds victory in store for the upright.” God wants us to live in victory; He sent His Son to set us free. We can live in the feelings of defeat, or we can live in the truth of freedom at the feet of Jesus.

One of my favorite women authors, Susan Hunt, once said, “It is time for women of biblical faith to reclaim our territory. We know the Designer. We have His instruction manual. If we don’t display the Divine design of His female creation, no one will. But if we do, it will be a profound testimony to a watching, needy world.”

In order to reclaim our territories ladies, self-discipline is a must. Self-discipline is the training of our minds to be self-controlled, obedient and efficient. God has given us this spirit of love and self-discipline. It is not genetic; it is a gracious gift from above. If we have not trained our brains to be self-controlled then it has been our choice not to do so. To say otherwise is to call God a liar. But again, it is only at the feet of Jesus, that we can see His power. I am not talking our own willpower but the Spirit’s power! Once we start training our minds to think like God wants us to, His grace steps in and guards us. What a cool thing to experience. And believe me this is coming from the queen of no self-control, so I have witnessed the transition first-hand in my own life, and am currently working with God on a new area of obedience! Let me remind you, before we continue, that to not make any decision at all is to make an intentional decision to fail.

Remember: We will either fear God, or fear something else. 1 John 4:8 says, “Perfect love, drives out fear.” God loves us and gives us the necessary information to help us. Here are five steps that you can take to help you overcome fear and gain trust in the guardianship of God. You will need to choose to use your God-given right of self-discipline in order to carry them out!

1. Gather data. Proverbs 13:16 says, “Every prudent man acts out of knowledge.” To be prudent, is to be cautious and careful when exercising our judgments.

2. Count the cost. “Don’t begin until you count the cost. Who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates” (Luke 14:28). Are you looking to yourself for the answers, or to God?

3. Develop a strategy. “A prudent man gives thoughts to his step” (Proverbs 14:15). Make a plan!

4. State your goals and dreams. I love this part, because I love to dream, to create, to imagine, to just be myself! “What you should say is this, ‘If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:15). “Where there is no vision the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

5. Start doing it! “When I am afraid, I will put my confidence in God. Yes, I will trust the promises of God” (Psalm 56:3). Fear is the opposite of God confidence. God puts us behind the wheel of the car, but we still have to drive it.

Summarized: plan prayerfully, prepare purposely, proceed positively, and pursue persistently. But be on guard! If you don’t prepare, you’ll probably repair. We seem either to jump ahead by over-reacting or lag far behind, so make sure you pray before you plan.

Deborah Lovett is a speaker for Women’s Events, Retreats, and Conferences.  She is also a wife, mother of one daughter, one son, and an author. Her speaking has been noted as “genuine, open, contagious, and like fresh water to the soul.” Her inviting spirit draws women in~ allowing them to experience God’s love in a non-judgmental way.  God has called her~ beyond a shadow of a doubt ~to equip women– person-by-person, city-by-city. She desires to educate women on how to ADVANCE to overflowing with an authentic joyful faith that attracts others to Jesus. Visit Deborah at: http://www.deborahlovett.com/

Are You Thirsty?

Psalm 42:2  My soul thirst for God, for the living God. When can I go meet with God?

If you are like me you want to be thirsty for the things of God and not of the world, ALL of the time, NOT some of the time. So how do we develop a thirst for God? And if you are not thirsty, is it because you have it all together, and really don’t need God? Or is it because you have been to church, bible study and really think you are already in the inner circle? The Well is deep and there is always more to know, more to love and more to worship when it comes to entering the throne room of God! So I suppose this is much like many of the paradoxes we see in the Bible: we can be overflowing with the Living Water, and yet thirsting for more of Jesus continually! This is my goal, and I hope you will make it yours too.

So back to our main question: How do we develop a thirst for God?

I have found the best way to develop a thirst for God is to read His Word. The more I allow Him to speak His Word over me, through me, into me, and around me, the more I want it! Just like anything, the more you get, the more you want. Out of sight, out of mind! Feed your faith, or it will die!

There is no reason the Word should ever be boring. Let’s make it a bit fun, and a little challenging, shall we? Here is what I suggest you do and I will do it too: Pray and ask the Lord what Scripture address He wants you to read. (Example: I am working on 1 Thess. Chapter Five) God knows what you need, ask Him. Then study that Scripture or chapter till you know it frontwards and backwards. Take it apart, from the inside out! Turn it upside down, and backwards again! Then ask Him to play connect the dots with you. (To show you other passages that connect with the one you already know.) Ask Him to take you places that will deepen the Word He has given you in exciting ways that only He can do, for He is the One that Created you. If you aren’t adventuresome, then just start in the book of John or do 1 Thes. Chapter Five with me. I am actually trying to memorize the entire chapter, I dare you to try it with me!

A friend of mine was studying a scripture on grace, and the Lord started playing number games with her. Five is the number of grace, and she said every time she looked–she saw the number five in places she had never dreamed! He was reminding her of how important it is to show grace everywhere to everyone!

Oh I wonder is it because of my love for reading and writing that I love when God plays word games with me? It becomes real to me, then I remember it, and then I tend to live it more readily. He makes me thirst for more! Show me more Lord, open my heart to receive your Living Water!

Ask Him to help you develop a thirst for the things of Him today and to be able to see Him in the things that are just everyday stuff. Develop the habit of cultivating self-discipline in the Word. Who knows, we may just have Sword Drills in heaven!

Matthew: 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

I am praying for each of you.

Deborah Lovett is a speaker for Women’s Events, Retreats, and Conferences.  She is also a wife, mother of one daughter, one son, and an author. Her speaking has been noted as “genuine, open, contagious, and like fresh water to the soul.” Her inviting spirit draws women in~ allowing them to experience God’s love in a non-judgmental way.  God has called her~ beyond a shadow of a doubt ~to equip women– person-by-person, city-by-city. She desires to educate women on how to ADVANCE to overflowing with an authentic joyful faith that attracts others to Jesus. Visti Deborah at: http://www.deborahlovett.com/