Fear Not

Isaiah 43 - Fear not for I have redeemed you and called you by name.

Isn't that verse amazing....that God knows us by name. What more could we really want than that?  

We are not to fear, and it's a command not to be afraid, it is an order that Jesus gives us in the bible.  Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid". The phrase 'do not be afraid' and 'fear not' are some of the most frequent phrases used by Jesus. He was constantly saying it to his disciples because he knew they needed the reassurance that he was with them.  So Jesus knows that we struggle with anxiety and wants to help. 

We have control over our minds and our thinking. We often believe it is out of our control and something we cannot do, especially when we get overwhelmed with thoughts of anxiety and fear.  That is what the world might think, that we cannot control our thinking and we cannot be at peace in a restless world.  However, when we lean into Jesus, we can control our thoughts and we can choose not to dwell on the thoughts that are making us anxious and afraid.  

The verse above says, 'Don't be afraid, as I have redeemed you', that is why we should never feel afraid, because God has stepped in to redeem us.  We don't need to be afraid of the past, or for today, or the future.  God knows us by name, wow, and that can give us so much comfort.

Isaiah 43, 18 Remember not the former things, do not consider the things of old.  Behold I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 

We're often told in the bible to remember things, for instance, God helped the children of Israel escape out of Egypt and they remembered this by having a Passover feast. In Esther, the Lord delivered his people and they were to hold a banquet every year to remember what the Lord did for them and how he rescued them, and also we remember when we take communion, what Jesus did for us on the cross.  However, the verse above challenges to 'remember not' the former things of old'.  There are many things we should remember and other things we may be shouldn't hold onto.  We need to remember those times where God has helped us, saved us and delivered us because they encourage us, and build us up and help us not to be afraid of the future.  There are some things we should not dwell on, the bad things, the things that will take us away from God and the things we used to do that did us no good.  

The great news is, that is says in the verse 'Behold I'm doing a new thing'. God is always doing a new thing. He is full of creative ideas and wisdom for our lives.  He knows what's best for us, so why do we fear?  The verse says, 'I will make a way in the wilderness'.  We may feel we are in a wilderness and that it is large, we may feel we are right in the middle of nothing or going nowhere, we don't really know which way to go or what to do, there are no landmarks to help us move forward and we are in the middle of a desert with no hope.  But the promise here is, God says I will make a way in the wilderness!  God will lead us through that desert and will be with you every step of the way, just like he led the people of Israel. However lost and empty you feel, God will help us through this difficult time.  God hasn't left you and he will guide you, where there is nothing he will create something for you because that's what God does because he knows us by name. 

It also says, I will give you rivers in the desert.  The promise here is that even in the desert God will provide refreshment. You will find an oasis where you can feel helped and loved.  There will be sustaining and life giving water.  That water is the Holy Spirit that will guide you through the the unknown.  He promises to lead us beside still waters.  What it's really saying here is that God is the God of the impossible!  Where there is no way, there will be a way forward!

May be you feel like you drowning in all the things you've got to do and have to face.  May be you feel like you've fallen out of a boat and fighting for your life.  God is there to save you and make a way for you. God is able to give us everything we need in the place we find ourselves.  Whether it's the dry desert or the rough seas, God is with you and God is going to make a way for you, he is going to get you out of it and supply everything you need to carry on - because remember whatever we face he holds your hand and knows you by name!

God puts the lonely in families

Psalm 68 v 6 - God puts the lonely in families 

Have you ever felt alone? It's estimated that a shocking 3.1 million people feel lonely in the UK - these are the latest figures from the government for 2024.  Not having anyone to talk to can really impact our mental health. We all can relate to talking to a friend about a certain problem we might be facing, especially over a cup of tea or coffee. In some ways we can take for granted the support we have around us at any given time. Millions of people are feeling very alone. How can we combat this issue in our society? Who will stand up and help alleviate this?  I know there are many organisations helping with this but can we help in our own neighbourhoods? 

It says in the bible that Jesus loves the lonely and wants to set them in families.  What does this mean? God's family should be a family of support and love. In God's family there hopefully can be found a welcoming for all, a place of belonging and a sense of being seen and loved, with no strings attached.  There's no need to feel alone, as in God's family you are always welcomed despite your background or needs. 

What's your natural family like? I was very fortunate to have a loving, supportive family around me growing up. We could laugh together and cry together. My parents modelled what real love should look like; they modelled kindness, leadership, integrity, and love for God and people. This is something I will treasure and I don't take it for granted as I realise not everyone has had this type of support system.  Being shown and given love allows us to give love away.  It's hard to give from an empty pot. It reminds us again, that everyone needs a good role model to aspire to.  What role model can you be in your world?  

The love of God and the family of God allows us to feel loved again. God wants to fill you up with so many good things. It says in the bible our cups can be overflowing. When we are in God's family and know how much God loves us, we have more than enough!  Meaning we will have more than enough for ourselves and an abundance to give to others. We can be love conduits to others who may need it. What a gift to give!  

Even if we don't have close relationships in our families. Jesus says that he will be a friend to us, no matter our background and circumstance he loves you.  It's says in: 

Prov 18 v 24

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 

Peter was one of Jesus' closest friends. However, even Peter let Jesus down when he denied even knowing him! He feared for his own life and tried to forget his friend. How did it make Jesus feel? Yes we may be let down by friends or even family, but God never lets us down. Through every circumstance we can rely on his love and support to sustain us. 

God wants to set us in families and communities of others who we can relate to and build relationships with, either through the church and others we may meet so we can find belonging and purpose. Through God's spirit we can connect with people in a far deeper way. We are able to pray for each other through our darkest moments and laugh together in our joys and triumphs. A community of warmth and belonging is close to God's heart. His love for you is so vast and he wants you to know that you are such a treasure. 

Peace and Rest

John 14 v 27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.  I don't give as the world gives.  Do not be troubled and do not be afraid. 

When we search for inner peace we often look in the wrong places.  May be thinking, if we only had more money we would have peace, if I could just find that perfect relationship, or job then I'd find peace.  May be if we didn't worry so much about everything, then we'd find perfect peace.  When we really think about it, what things on earth can truly give us peace? Is there anything that can be found that is really lasting? 

What was the last thing you worried about?  How did you cope with it?  What can you do to alleviate that worry?  Did you try and cope on your own or did you commit that thing to God?  Worry is mentioned over 300 times in the bible, so I think God understands it's a human response that is sometimes difficult for us to overcome. It says in the bible that God gives us peace that will last. 

True peace isn't about re-organising our external world but flows from knowing God who is the Prince of Peace.  His unmerited favour and love upon us can give us peace that will last.  God loves us no matter what and wants to help. 

Romans 5 v 1 - Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we can have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Knowing God can bring us peace and knowing also that as he goes with us then we know we have absolutely nothing to fear.  There is nothing we need worry about with God by our side.  The stability it brings can give us confidence for a bright future. 

We can fully rest in this, that God knows and understands us.  He will calm our stormy waters when the rain and wind comes.  It says in the bible, he will never leave you or forsake you.  When you are feeling burdened give these to God and he will give you rest.  

Exodus 35 v 14 - My presence will go with you and I will give you rest. 

Luke 12 v 25 - Who of you by worrying can add a singe hour to your life? 

Matt 11 v 28 - Come to me all who are burdened and I will give you rest. 

We lack nothing

Psalm - 23 v 1 - The Lord is my shepherd I lack nothing.  

Psalm 138 v 8 God will fulfil his purpose for me 

We often compare ourselves to others and see their happiness and successes without realising or celebrating our own. We often focus on what we don't have, rather on what we do have and what God has blessed us with.  

I distinctly remember giving up work for a while whilst I had very young children.  I remember at the time feeling frustrated because I missed working. I was seeing everyone else's successes whilst mine seem to be ever in the distance. However, I soon realised what a privilege it was to spend some time with the children whilst they were young. I wasn't ever going to get the time back again with them. I needed to celebrate my own journey and successes not look at everyone else's around me.  During that time though I was able  to speak to many people, as I met so many other mums at different groups and socials.  God was always there - still working out his purposes for me.  

It gave me opportunity as well to work for church for a short period of time, where I continued with my worship leading and music which I'd been involved in for over 25 years. Then as my daughter was about to start infant school, I prayed that God would find me another job I could fit around the children's school runs as not many jobs really offered that flexibility. Again, God was there working it all out for me before I even prayed!  Or may be he knew I'd prayed that already, and had been working it out behind the scenes, as God already knows the future!  To my amazement, I got a job in a school as a Music Teacher. It wasn't something I sought out to do, but I can only really explain it as an absolute miracle from heaven! God was there working it all out in order to use my gifts and talents further. 

We often have more than enough to accomplish God's purposes in our lives. Yes sometimes we may lack confidence (I certainly did) but God wants us to trust him to allow him to work in whatever season we are in. God doesn't want us to just see others' successes as something special but he wants you to know that you are also special and bring many gifts and abilities into the world for people to benefit from. 

God wants you to discover your own box of talent as a way to serve others.  We can pick up new skills or even old projects and renew them.  Let God speak to you so you are able to discover your talents.  May be you could find a trusted friend or relative who may be able to encourage you.

Whatever age, God has provided everything we need to start on our journey of faith to carry out his will for our lives and we lack nothing! God can help us learn what skills we can develop to help other people.  Don't waste time procrastinating or feeling regret for wasted opportunities because it's never too late to start. Your talents, skills, personality, abilities and love are needed by so many, so be encouraged and don't give up. 

Proverbs 19 v 21 - Many are the plans in a person's heart.  But the Lord's purpose will prevail. 

A successful plan

Proverbs 16 v 3

Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself.  Then every plan you make will succeed. 

To succeed means to achieve the desired aim or result.  It's the ability to reach our goals in life whatever those goals may be.  Success means progress, attainment or accomplishment.  It's not always an end goal, but a journey toward something that will ultimately develop skills and character to attain the desired goal and success.

What are we doing in our journey of life to attain success?  What spiritual skills and character can we build to help us in our journey of success? 

In the old testament, King David was a man who repeatedly inquired of God for guidance before making any important decisions.  As he did this throughout his leadership, it was clear that God gave David divine protection and favour.  This concept highlights to all of us that seeking God before making a decision is key to our success. 

1 Samuel 30 v 8

And David inquired of the Lord, "shall I pursue this raiding party"?  "Will I overtake them"?  "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue". 

1 Samuel 18 v 14

In everything David did, he had great success, because the Lord was with him. 

God wants our journey of life to be a successful one in all we do.  As we commit our way to him, allow God to gently show you the best way you should go and how to get there.  Trust in him and lean into him.  As you pray, God will gently guide you by giving you peace and by opening up new opportunities, relationships and blessings along the way.  We may not always recognise what God might be doing and we might not know all the answers to our burning  questions, or the direction we are going.  However, God does, if we have asked him to direct us, and why we need to trust in him daily in all we do. 

Any difficulties we encounter a long the way, if we have committed it to God first, then despite the storm, we are able to endure knowing God is with us and will not leave us. Knowing we have committed our success to God can also give us immense peace and confidence.  

Romans 5 v 3-4 

Because we know that suffering produces endurance, endurance, character, and character, hope. 

Psalm 16 v 8

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With him at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 

What important decisions do we need to make today and have we first asked God about what we should do?  May we learn to pray and seek God about the direction of our lives; that we will make the right decisions at the right time, and trust him in all we do. 

What is God trusting you with today?

Luke 16 v 10

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 

As Christians, God does want to give us good things and give us purpose but can he trust us with it? 

To live in our purpose God will need to give us things, it may be gifts, talents, resources and relationships.  However, can God trust us with the things he may want to give us? 

For instance, if God called you to be a Pastor - could he trust you with that responsibility?  God needs to trust you to care for the people under you, that you will use your leadership gift to help and love people and not to use it to manipulate or deceive people, or use the position for your own gratifications and pride. It's a big responsibility to carry and godly character will be tried and tested constantly. Many pastors may speak of the many times they have faced difficulties and trials of many kinds and why we can learn so much from them. 

Proverbs 17 v 3

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. 

Obviously, we are not all called to be a Pastor, but even in the small things in our lives, can we be trusted?  As it says above, those who can be trusted with little can be trusted with much.  Do we carry integrity in all we do and think?  This isn't very easy is it as we are all human, but as we learn to live this way, then be sure to watch your life soar to new heights with God.  Be sure to know, God will give you much more responsibility and influence in his kingdom. 

The verse in Proverbs is a metaphor for testing and refining. It points us to the process of melting silver and gold to remove impurities, which symbolizes God's refining of his people through the trials and challenges that they may face in life. These trials, like the heat of the crucible, are to purity and strengthen faith and character in each of us.

May be we need to ask ourselves the question, if we are thinking of pursuing something for God, am I trustworthy enough for God to use me in this way? Will my character stand up when things get tough?  Will my thoughts and actions reflect God or will they reflect my many temptations such as pride, immoral thoughts and actions, and dishonestly.  What parts of my character do I need to strengthen and refine? 

Small lies and deceit is still wrong in God's eyes and why the bible says, whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So what can God trust you with today and what can we change in our own lives to ensure we can carry the call of God with integrity? 

As we go through the many trials and temptations that life may throw at us, may God help us to come out of the refiners fire as pure gold and where the saying comes from 'having a heart of gold' - pure and invaluable! 

Our words hold power

Proverbs 15 v 1-2

A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word sits up anger.  The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. 

We can use our words for good or for bad.  We can speak life into people or we can speak negatively.  The way we speak can really impact us and those around us. 

Think about the type of people you want to be around and spend time with; it's often those people that are positive and speak positively.  Their words somehow lift us up and make us feel more comfortable.  We naturally gravitate towards people who make us feel included, who use their words for kindness and make us feel good about ourselves.

Harsh words can cause divisions in relationships and the damage it causes, may not be able to be repaired easily, so we need to take heed in how we say things before the words roll out of our mouths!  Divisions can also cause anger which can then lead to unforgiveness and hurts. Sometimes it might not be easy if someone has upset us, our first instinct is to retaliate and fight back.  However, the bible says we must respond with a gentle answer.  Wow, what a challenge to us!  I'm sure many us can say we have responded to situations with anger. 

Gentleness is not something we talk about much in today's world, as I believe people seem to see that as a weakness, but what does God say about it? We do know that it is one of the fruits of the spirit:

Col 3 v 12

Therefore as God's chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. 

Phil 4 v 5

Let your gentleness be evident to all

Jesus was gentle and kind but his resilience in carrying out God's will was evident.  He wasn't weak because he was kind, far from it, he was much stronger in character than we could ever fathom!  People hated him, even putting him to death on a cross, but he still had kind words for people and forgave them. He didn't speak harshly but responded with wise words and often words filled with compassion.  For even as he hung on the cross he said, 'Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do'.  

What an example to follow; Jesus who was wise, kind, compassionate and forgiving!  How can we build more character today, to be more like Jesus?  What changes can we make in our own lives to live as Jesus did?