This week on the Christian radio station I listen to I heard someone say, “Fear is unbelief.” I know what she was implying was that fear is a lack of faith in God or unbelief in God’s power and presence. However, her statement got me thinking so I looked up the definition. Fear: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat.

I think the key word in the definition is belief. When we are afraid or fear something, we are focusing on our belief in the possible danger or threat instead of focusing on and believing the strength of our Lord. On this Finish Friday let’s finish strong by examining what storms are on our horizon and the fear we associate with storms. Are you afraid of an approaching storm? Are you worried about a possible pain or threat? The Bible is full of scriptures to reassure us. Here are just a few.

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As you finish this Friday let this song by Zach Williams remind you that “Fear Is A Liar.”

https://youtu.be/sQTnREEtuNk

On this Thankful Thursday I encourage you to read all of Psalm 107. The entire chapter tells about the story of the redeemed…you and I. Over and over and over again we sin and fall short. Over and over and over again God rescues, forgives, and redeems us. For that, we should be thankful. For His unending love, we should be grateful. Yet often we hurry through our busy lives without thanking and praising God. So today let’s be intentional with our praise. When the going gets tough, let’s look for the goodness of God. And let’s remember the last verse of Psalm 107: “Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.” Psalm 107:43.

P.S. Yes, I already have out fall decorations…they make me happy!

The Bible tells us that God continuously renews us.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you believe this promise? Do you submit your worries to God and trust the hands of Our Maker? Or do you just say you trust but never let go.

On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage you to examine your walk versus your talk. I encourage you to listen to this song by Big Daddy Weave “All Things New” and release your fears or worries. Trust and believe that God is working in your circumstances and will make “all things new”.

https://youtu.be/4_2aX_i4qpM

Do you feel stripped of everything? Do you feel like you are standing alone or that you have messed up too much this time? If we were up close to this leafless tree it would appear it was all alone. However from a distance we can see it is surrounded by many healthy trees. Just like the bare tree trunk, we are not “out on a limb”, but we are saved by grace. Take a moment to read this excerpt from Ephesians 2 and be reminded of God’s love for you.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:1-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Although we are sinners and endlessly mess up, God loves us, saves us, and gives us grace.

On this Transformation Tip Tuesday, listen to this song, “Until Grace.” Remember the moment you accepted God’s gift of grace. Spend some time being renewed in your thankfulness for God’s endless grace and mercy. And as a result, is there someone you need to extend some grace?

https://youtu.be/zt15EgCuYi8

Today I am starting my day with Bible reading, prayer and devotion (and also coffee). My morning time with God is my favorite time of the day. During this time God gives me the strength, courage and insights I need to face the day ahead. It is also a time to guard my heart against the evil schemes of the devil. This Mindset Monday I encourage you to read the entire passage about the armor of God to prepare yourself for your day. Be bold in your prayers and ask God to surround you with all you will need today to “stand against the devil’s schemes.”

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.6.10-18.NIV

Last week was a humdinger of a week for me. How about you? It was one of those weeks that left me physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. Whether you are a college student, in the workforce (either working from home or in the workplace) or retired, I am sure you have had weeks that leave you feeling drained. What can we do when we feel depleted? Turn to the Holy Spirit. On this Spiritual Sunday, let’s all rest and be renewed. Let’s call on the Holy Spirit to fill us with the fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we worship today, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to “Fall Afresh” as in this song by Jeremy Riddle.

https://youtu.be/617qQdMv5z8

Friend: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.

As we begin this Finish Friday, I encourage you to think about your circle or circles of friends. Who is helping you keep warm? Who is making you stronger? Last night I had the pleasure of having dinner with and then seeing the play “Steel Magnolias” with dear friends. As I sat side by side with friends I consider family, I praised God for the blessing of our friendship. Although I am tired this morning from our late night, I am strengthened from the blessing and grateful to recognize how quick things can change.

“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:13-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today as you finish this week, consider your friends who strengthen you and give thanks. Be sure to tell them and show them how valuable their friendship is to you. If they fall down, pick them up and keep them warm!