Friday, August 30, 2013

Fear Cannot Coexist with Power: Wired for faith, Not Fear

There are three forces that help us overcome our fears.  Each force is mentioned in this Scripture: power, love and a sound mind.  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of Power, and of Love, and of a Sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7  KJV). The answer for fear is deliverance. "He delivered me from all my fears." Deliverance is instant. People rarely overcome fear gradually.  When they try to do so, they usually find themselves worse off than before.  Why do we fear? We fear because we feel powerless and helpless.  We believe that we can't change something.  As long as you have power to change some evil, then fear cannot take over. God will deliver you from the demonic spirits that have put you in bondage to fear.  When you finally recognize that you have this kind of power available to you, fear cannot stay.  Fear cannot coexist with power. The Bible says, "resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7) We have the power to resist the devil, to make him flee from us. We can heal the sick. We can call on angels for our protection. We can overcome evil with good.  

Love drives out fear.  The Bible also says that we have love, and that there is a direct correlation between love and fear.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  (1 John 4:18 )  Fear and love also cannot coexist.  You have either love or fear; you cannot have both.  

This passage shows that the person who fears doubts God's love. When you know that God loves you, you know that He will help you, not harm you.  We often fear because we think we deserve punishment.  We think God is out to harm us. In reality, He is out to help us.  

Many sermons have given the false impression that God causes troubles in the believer's life.  Why do so many people believe that God would punish His children?  They believe it because they doubt God's love for them.  The punishment for our sins has already been endured at the cross.  Our sins have already been punished.  So, we should rely on God's love for us-that He will reward and bless us.

The chief area that fear seems to attack is the mind.  This is why Paul said that we must have a sound mind.  God did not create your mind to handle fear.  Your mind is not wired for fear. Stick a fork in an outlet, and you will discover that your body is not wired for electricity.  Neither is your mind wired for fear. Without courage you will never be able to win your battles.  Demons are afraid.  Isaiah prophesied, what fear would do:  "Whoever flees at the sound of terror will fall into a pit" (Isaiah 24:18).  The main weapon of terrorists is fear.  The reason they use this weapon is that they are acquainted with it firsthand.  Terrorist are afraid, themselves.  They are afraid of losing their way of life.  They fear losing their power.  They fear that Christianity will wipe out their religion.  The same is true of demons.  They are spirits of fear because they are fearful.  Their presence brings fear.  Fear breeds more fear.  Demons are afraid, and they are giving you their emotions.

"You believe that there is one God, Good! Even the demons believe that and they shudder" (James 2:19)  Demons quake with fear in God's presence.  God lives in you, and demons should quake with fear when you know who you are in Christ.

The Greek word for "fear" is phobos. It gives us the word phobia. This type of fear no longer enables you to overcome or perform better but instead haunts and torments you. This fear hinders the believer from enjoying life and freezes him or her from doing the will of God. There are all kinds of phobias that hinder people from enjoying the abundant life that Jesus came to give them.  

It's time that you purpose to live fear-free.  Whenever you notice fear in your life, attack it by quoting the Word of God.  Here is a confession based on the Word of God that you can use when you face fear:

I fear not, for God has not given me the spirit of fear, but He has given me power, love and a sound mind.  I have a peaceful, quiet mind.  I have the mind of Christ.  I am not afraid, because God will provide for my children and my needs.  I am not afraid, because I have more angels with me than there are demons with the enemy.  I am not afraid, because I am worth more than sparrows.  If God is for me, who can be against me?  God is on my side.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Satan Is Also A Fisher Of Men

Satan is also a fisher of men, and his net is full. Break Satan's Assignment, jump out of the net and start swimming. Jesus is waiting on the other side of the shore, just call out His name, He will walk on water to save you. Satan will flee at the name of Jesus. 

Are you curious about what kind of bait Satan uses to catch his fish? What lake or sea does he frequent to catch his fish? He considers himself a pro fisherman, a master at his trade. His baits will immediately kill you, they are poisonous,nasty, stinky, vicious and rotten, the worst baits you can find; pure deception; yet his net is full and it appears that he is a master at his trade.  Satan has gotten much practice, you see he fish all day everyday. He knows where to go and he starts early in the morning until late at night. He targets the church and this is where he drops his largest net. He doesn't care about the smaller fish, he want the masses. He tries to emulate everything that the Father does, yet he flees at the name of Jesus.

Satan wants to go where he can get the best fish, not just any fish. Yet he is sly, if he can get one in the church to fall into his net, he will keep coming back in his disguise/camouflage. Where is his next stop you may ask? He drops the net on homes, using the same bait to catch one fish, which will allow him to destroy the family. 

What he fail to realize is that he's treading on thin ice, his net is about to break, he's about to lose his status in the fish market. He's trying to go up against another Fisher of Men, The Master Fisherman, Jesus, the Son Of God, the One who doesn't need a bait to capture His fish. His Word stands true forever and ever,"then He said to them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men".(Matt. 4:19)

Did Satan forget that God not only created the fish but is the Creator of man?
No, he didn't, he loves his assignment, that's why his net is full, he believes that as long as he can deceive the world, he remains on the playing field. As long as he can get a fish or two in the church and in homes, he is still in the game. Don't allow Satan to stay on the playing field don't keep him in the game. 
Let's Break his net.

J.P. Olson