Tag Archives: Trust

Love is Greater than Fear

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One the reasons in life, I believe, that we are afraid is that the thing the are afraid of feels bigger than whatever it is that makes us feel secure. Our fear seems bigger than our security. Think about that as you read our passage today from 1 John 1:16-18:

16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.

love_by_darunia_artSo many things in this passage to understand. First, this important notion that God is love. Scripture paints for us so many pictures of who God is. But the two defining characteristics of who God is, is found here (God is love) and found all through the Bible, God is holy.

God is both. We all fall towards a deeper appreciation of part of God’s character, but for us to fully understand who is, we must understand that He is love, but He is also other and different from us, He is holy.

But notice today what this text says about love and about fear. We are told that there is no fear in perfect love, because perfect love casts out fear. How is that possible? How does perfect love cast out fear?

What this means, to me, is this. Of all the things that you are afraid of, things that aren’t minor things, things that are big things, things that may plague and worry and scare us, God is bigger than them.

God’s love is bigger than them.

God’s love is bigger than whatever may happen to you. God’s love is bigger than whatever mistakes lay in your past, your present, your future. God’s love is bigger than whatever may come.

You don’t have to be afraid. God has seen it all. God knows it all. God is aware of it all. He really is.

And He loves you. Don’t be afraid. You are loved. You are perfectly loved today. God loves you.

And that love is light, and that light drives out fear.

Love is greater than fear. It is. Lived loved, not afraid.

Do not fear today. God loves you. No matter what.

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God Will Not Disappoint

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hand-reaching-down-pulling-up.jpgOne of my favorite hymns is that old favorite, “Love Lifted Me.”  Today’s reading from Psalm 40 made me think of the first verse of that hymn – “I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.”  Listen to what it says today in Psalm 40:

1I waited patiently upon the LORD; *
he stooped to me and heard my cry.
2He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *
he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
3He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God; *
many shall see, and stand in awe,
and put their trust in the LORD.
4Happy are they who trust in the LORD! *
they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
5Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God!
how great your wonders and your plans for us! *
there is none who can be compared with you.

God heard the Psalmist’s prayers and lifted them up, out of the mire.  Just like in the hymn, God lifts us out of the sinking waves.  God hears the cry of those that He loves and lifts them out of the thing seeking to take our life.

He places us on sure footing.

He gives us a new song.

And we give Him the praise that He deserves.

Happy are those that turn to God, not to other places for their hope. Because our hope comes from God and from God alone.  Not from any other source.

That’s why those that have their hope in God will never be disappointed because only God will not disappoint you.  Others will, even those that do not mean to, they will disappoint you at some point.  You will even be disappointed with yourself at some point.

But God will not fail you.  He will not disappoint you.

But Andy, at this point in my life, I am disappointed in God.  Things are not like I want them to be or need them to be.

As hard as it may be (and believe me, it’s really hard for me), wait upon the Lord.  He has not forgotten you.  He will not forget you.  He loves you.  He really does.  He hears your cry.  And He will lift you up from your time of trouble.

And when He does (and this is big), don’t forget.  Sing the song of praise that He has given you.  Give praise to Him when He saves you.  Praise His name when He restores you.  Give Him the glory when He places you upon solid ground.

Never forget what He has done.  He will save you.  He will.  Hope in Him. Even when it’s hard.  Even when it’s tough.  Even when it’s a challenge.  Keep believing.

He will not disappoint.

If you’d like to be added to my devotional list, shoot me an email, and I’ll add you!

Peace that Passes all Understanding

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Today from our readings, we see on of those passages that we all know, that we have probably quoted from or heard sermons about.  It’s one of those passages that all of us have at least a vague understanding of.  It comes from Philippians 4:6-8:

6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

reconciliationIn this passage, Paul talks to us about that peace that passes all understanding.  That peace that guards our hearts and guards our minds.

By the way, I love that concept.  A peace that guards.  A peace that keeps the worry and the evil away.  I don’t know about you, but I need that type of peace in my life.  I need a peace that protects and helps me.

Paul says that peace will pass all understanding. That peace will be so amazing, so great, that our minds will not be able to understand.  There is a peace that is so amazing, folks will look at us and say, how can they have peace?  How, with all that is happening, can they have peace?

How?  Because that peace is not natural.  It is supernatural.  It is a gift from God.

But today, look at how we get that peace.  We get that peace in this way.  Through everything, with pray and supplication, with thanksgiving, we give our requests to God.

And then that peace comes.  That peace comes from turning it over to God.  It comes from trusting in God.  It comes from truly letting go, giving it to God, placing it in His hands.

This peace that passes understanding is not an act of will.  It is a gift from God.  It comes only through surrender to God.  Laying our life, our fears, our worries, our mistakes, our everything, laying them before Him.

And receiving His grace in return.

Today, we can have that peace.  But first we have to give “it” to God.  Whatever “it” is.  Now, we may go back and pick “it” back up. But when we do, each time, return it to the altar.  Give it God. And receive His peace.

He loves you.  Really.  He does.  You can trust.  And in that act of trusting, you will receive His peace.

That peace that passes all understanding.

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