So wherein is the basis of our trust which removes fear? Do we have anything to base that on? After all, God is a God of judgment and when I look at me, I see what a mess up I have been at times. I need to be more disciplined instead of getting lazy at times. Certainly, I could be a better steward of God’s money. There are times when I get frustrated when things aren’t going perfectly (like my internet is still not working despite my trying to be patient at waiting). Oh well, maybe today is the day. Though my GBs are limited, at least I have hot spot. (Please forgive me that my postings are still scattered because of this lack of resources and my own little wandering brain that lets that obstacle get in the way. Oh yes, and what about the times where jealousy, selfishness, or envy got in the way of displaying God’s love to someone else who didn’t know Him? So since we are such clay pots, broken and chipped at times; on what basis can we stand before God without fear and trembling? How can we ever hope that He will guide us here on this earth? How can we stand boldly on the promise of future Grace that will sustain us? How can we hope to find His Joy, His Love, and His Glory? Our boldness, our lack of fear, and our hope is not based on who we are, it is entirely based upon who God is and His love for us which was demonstrated best in His providing the way of Salvation. He sent the Son to be the Savior of the World. What greater love could have ever been manifested? As we approach Christmas let us remember the greatest Gift ever given to us….Jesus Christ.

Artwork presented by permission of RoninRon Custom Art

MERCY IS BASED ON GOD’S LOVE OF US THUS WE CAN STAND UPON HIS LOVE WITH NO FEAR.

I turned and saw the Face of God

His Glory did surround me

He smiled and gave a wink, a nod

No chaos could confound me

His Grace and Mercy were now mine

His Joy was Mine Abounding

That I might then His Glory shine

To shout His praise resounding

Let’s look at the scripture.

1 John 4: 13-19 “Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us, because he hath given us the Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.”

So what are the keys to fearlessness?

1. Remember Christ.

2. Remember God’s perfect love for you as demonstrated in Christ.

3. Seek to know Him more every day of your life.

 

Listen to this beautiful song by Keith and Kristyn Getty called, Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven

 

©2013 Effie Darlene Barba

Artwork used by written permission of RoninRon Custom Art

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

So what does fearless faith look like? How do I get it? Like the father who came to Jesus, is it a matter of only asking? “Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief?” (Mark 9:24) We look at some of the Patriarchs of Faith and we marvel at their strength; somehow, believing that they were super human and that we could never be like them. We see Job who lost everything in a sudden series of disasters proclaiming, “Though He slay me; yet, will I trust in Him.” (Job 15:13) We see Abraham, willing to take His son Isaac to be offered in sacrifice; trusting and believing God (Hebrews 11:17-19, Genesis 22). There was Joseph who forgave all the evil perpetrated against him because He understood God’s guiding hand in all of it. (Genesis 45:5-8, Genesis 50: 19=21) We see Moses with the Egyptians closing in, the Red sea before them, and the Israelites complaining boldly say, “Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which he will show to you today.” (Exodus 14:13). The Apostles despite persecution, imprisonment, and impending death could not be silenced in going throughout the nations preaching the gospel of Christ. We look at all of these and we say, “But I am not them. I don’t have that much faith?”

“Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which he will show to you today.” (Exodus 14:13).

Artwork courtesy of Ronald Barba ©2013

Ah yes, but neither did they at the beginning of their journeys. They learned faith through many trials, sorrows, and pains until they were able to finally see the Glory of God as being their most precious gift. They sat at the feet of God through many storms and trials, learning of who He is. They learned of His love, His grace, His mercy, His patience and His willingness to reveal Himself to them. Faith comes as we watch the mighty hand of God carry us through every storm. Many times, it is His Grace that

Continue reading “Fearless Faith—How do we get it?”

As has become the tradition, I wanted to give you a poem today. I kind of wanted to bring you a new one; but, alas poetry does not always work that way. So, I searched through some I had written several years ago and published in 2010 in a book titled “Mercies and Exhortations”. This poem reflects how fear (which is always a lack of faith in God’s providential will for our life) affects also relationships and our testimony. Paul when writing to Timothy had said, “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.)

photo courtesy of ©istock/jeancliclac

Fear Walked In

Fear walked in

I let her stay

And Talk with me a while

What harm was she

A lonely soul

She could not mean me guile

Continue reading “Fear Walked In”

Fearless faith does not mean nonchalant, foolish carelessness about what is going on around you.  Indeed, faith means that we are prepared to walk through the valley of Baca (the valley of tears) filled with thorns, sorrows, pitfalls, and vipers because at the other side is our city of refuge and the tabernacle of God.   It is remembering that God is with us every step of that journey as pilgrims through the valley of Baca, guiding each step.  It is understanding that He is in control. 

God Provides All You Need In the Midst of the Desert Valleys

photo courtesy of Sarah Barba ©2013

Psalm 84 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.

4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

7 They go from strength to strength, …

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

The valley of Baca was a harsh desert.  Refreshing water came only as God provided it.  Those passing through had to rely upon God to supply their needs each step of the way.  God had placed

Continue reading “Fearless Faith-From Valleys of Tears to God’s Glorious Tabernacle of Joy”

So as promised, let us begin a series on fearless faith.  What is it?  What does it look like?  How do we find it? We know that throughout the Bible, God has said; "Fear Not".  Yet, we humans are always filled with stress, worries, fears and doubts.  We doubt ourselves most of all.  Last week at my going away party, Dr. Reddy had spoke about my faith in God being unwavering and that was one of my greatest assets.  Then Dr. Bajaj made the remark that my faith made me fearless.  Fearless, not the person I see when I look in the mirror nor the person who is on her knees pleading that God show her the next step before she crashes in defeat.  So perhaps, the key is just that; faith takes our eyes off of ourselves and off of our circumstances to focus on the only one able to perform and to clear the pathway before us.  Then and only then does the Glory go to God as the provider of all things.

Fearless Faith is Remembering Who is Going to Catch You.

photo Courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/heatheralvis

It is because of who He is that we are able to march forward through life without fear for our future.  He, sitting beside me in that big truck cab did not clear all the obstacles from before me; yet, He guided me safely through each obstacle that I faced.  There is a distinct difference there.  We lean harder into Him, long more for His presence, and praise Him louder when we face obstacles and we

Continue reading “Fearless Faith—What is it?”