I just want to thank the Lord for using other Christians to give me perspective about my current situation. Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Often times starting a church is very hard. It seems that when you are high on life, the devil is anxious to knock you down! I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: No one wants to feel devoured or defeated. However, I was struggling with a bit of depression because of exhaustion and feeling completely depleted. I knew that I could not remain this way. However, I was always scared of this because I could not remain depleted moving into this next chapter of my life. I knew it was certainly going to take a lot of effort in starting Revolution Church. The thing that was constantly rolling through my mind was the devil speaking fear into my head. The devil was telling me that I couldn't do it. I was a shell of a man. I wouldn't be good enough. I wouldn't be able to pull this off. The endeavor was to big.
Through the perspective of other people, I am able to realize that I can do this! When I think of my friend Kevin Mathis who just had his leg amputated to his knee, I think to myself, I have the necessary tools to do this. When I think of Carly Wyatt 2 and the fact that he has lost 3/4 of his voice box, I think to myself, I have the necessary tools to do this! I have much respect for both of these men who have been willing to stand firm on what they believe in the midst of very hard circumstances. I have been reminded that I am a young, healthy, and able man. I have the potential to do anything that the Spirit leads me to do. I am Spirit-filled and Spirit-led. I was reminded of several different Scriptures that spoke about not allowing fear to cripple us as Christians. Here are some of them:
Exodus 14:13-14 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
Matthew 14:20-28
And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.22 And
straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to
go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.23 And
when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart
to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Mark 14:66-72 Fear causes us to do things we wouldn't normally do:
And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.70 And
he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again
to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy
speech agreeth thereto.71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.72 And
the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that
Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me
thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
Psalm 27:1-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.3 Though
an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war
should rise against me, in this will I be confident.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.5 For
in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret
of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.6 And
now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:
therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing,
yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.9 Hide
not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast
been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
I have prayed and asked God to take the fear away. I don't want to feel that way anymore, and I certainly don't want paralyzing fear to control my life! The same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in me!
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