What do you fear?

Some people seem to FEAR many things and in these trying times FEAR attacks each of us.

So, what should we do?

“YOU will keep in perfect peace the mind that stayed (focused) on YOU because he trusts in YOU. Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

“For the Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, “Say not, A conspiracy!, to all of them to whom this people shall say, A conspiracy!; neither FEAR what they FEAR, nor be AFRAID. Sanctify the LORD of hosts HIMSELF; and let HIM be your FEAR and let HIM be your dread (not wanting HIS displeasure). And HE shall be for you a sanctuary;” (Isaiah 8:11-14a).

The FEAR of the LORD is the beginning both of wisdom and understanding (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10). As you focus on the LORD you learn to TRUST HIM (which includes GOD’s love, HIS word, HIS control, HIS power, HIS knowledge and wisdom and HIS justice) and you will have peace. A peace that will throw you beyond having to understand (Philippians 4:6-7).

The spirit of FEAR (FEAR of anything other than GOD) cannot cohabit with peace for “There is no FEAR in love; but perfect love casts out FEAR because FEAR hath torment. He that FEARS is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

As Oswald Chambers said, “The remarkable thing about FEARING GOD is that when you FEAR GOD you FEAR nothing else, whereas if you do not FEAR (trust) GOD you FEAR everything else.”

“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that FEARS the LORD, that delights greatly in HIS commandments” (Psalm 112:1).

Who or what do you FEAR, or should I say trust in?

Hugs

Sharon

Be still and know

Have your plans ever changed without warning?

Reading Psalm 46:10 caught my eye, “BE STILL and know that I am GOD.”  That word BE STILL can be translated calm down, stop fighting, let go, be in awe and silent, desist.

Attempting to put the concept of Psalm 46:10 into words even though there were several other things on my to do list, I talked with the LORD about my day. Saying, “LORD have YOUR way.”  I sat down at my computer and immediately I was interrupted by a phone call. My whole schedule was delightfully changed by grandchildren coming over to help make the traditional Manning goodies (popcorn balls, ginger bears, snowballs) and then sweet friends dropping over unexpectedly.

The picture with the popcorn balls was taken on that day years ago as one of my many grandchildren helped me.

By the end of day and finishing the clean up, I could do no more but collapse, so went and soaked in the tub.

The crazy thing is that my day was actually an illustration of what GOD spoke to my heart in that verse. “Trust ME, Sharon, I have a good reason for doing what I have done.”

When one believes in the LORD JESUS (John 3:16,36, Romans 10:9,10, 13) and becomes GOD’s child (John 1:12) among other things that person is set apart to GOD and by GOD (Colossians 1:13. Hebrews 10:14). Anything set apart to GOD is holy and removed from the realm of the common and moved into the realm of the sacred.

Anything set apart to GOD must be for HIS use alone. But holiness in practical daily life is progressive.

“In reality, the experience of holiness consists in one thing only, complete loyalty to GOD’s will” /Jean-Pierre de Caussade.

To be loyal to GOD’s will is to accept it as best. That can be hard and takes deliberately taking my focus off my way and letting GOD lead me. Especially when traumatic issues arise I must run repeatedly to the throne and ask GOD to refocus me onto the truth that GOD is in control and knows best.

Holiness is deliberately choosing to accept and trust GOD’s timing (Acts 17:26-27), wisdom and foreknowledge of what HE allows or sends into my life. Down through the years I have found that what helps me is the HOLY SPIRIT. HE reminds me that GOD is with me, and HE has a plan and HIS perfect love and foreknowledge of what lies ahead (Psalm 130:16, Isaiah 46:10) filters what comes to me. GOD declares that HE always has a good reason for what HE does! (Ezekiel 14:23). The LORD promises to keep me in perfect peace when my mind stays fixed on HIM (Isaiah 26:3).

Is your mind fixed on GOD, do you run to HIM for direction, or are you focusing on what you want to happen or get?

Hugs,

Sharon L Manning