SHIFT FROM FEAR TO FAITH

Read Time:10 Minute, 51 Second

SHIFT

It is a season/time of shifting. Transition denotes a period of the turn of the “wheel”. Sit quietly and listen to the heart and mind of God to receive your daily instructions. You will sense the blowing of the wind of God. There is a wind blowing in the atmosphere, changing and shifting the hearts of men. God has been knocking, consistently knocking at the door of your heart. Waiting at the cross roads, waiting for you.

NO FEAR

In order to move forward in anything and in God’s assignment for our lives, specifically LIVING IN FAITH AND NOT FEAR WILL REQUIRE A SHIFT IN OUR MINDSET AND OUR ACTIONS. It will take courage, and you will have to move out of fear and into faith.

Has God ever asked you to do something so big that it scared you right out of your seat? Sometimes it makes no sense and you say, “Did you say what I think you said?”

Your thought: ‘I can’t do that, I’m not qualified. I don’t have any money, resources or time to do that!’ I don’t know this or that or you have got to be kidding? Who me? I’m a nobody, I’m too little, and I’m too short. Blah blah blah… EXCUSES, EXCUSES.

Well, what is your first instinct? Run? Just turn Him down flat?
It will take courage for you to do what God is calling you to do.
When God asks you to move, be quick to move when He speaks. Don’t think about it just do it.

2 Timothy 1:7 God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power love and of a sound mind.

FEAR OF THE LORD

Genesis 15:1 After these things the vision of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying “fear not”, Abram I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.

FEAR HERE MEANS – TO REVERE, TO FRIGHTEN, AND BE AFRAID, DREADFUL.

Reverence – STAND IN AWE, HONOR RESPECT.

JOSEPH FEARED GOD.
THE MIDWIVES FEARED GOD.
NOAH FEARED GOD.

This is good fear; we reverence and stand in awe at the beauty of his holiness; at the wonder of who God is.

2^ND TYPE OF FEAR

FEAR – DEFINED AS AN UNPLEASANT EMOTION CAUSED BY THE BELIEF THAT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS DANGEROUS, LIKELY TO CAUSE PAIN OR A THREAT. (Miriam Webster Dictionary)

Fear has a tendency to rear its ugly head anytime God ask you to do something, or something bad happens. Whenever there is a SHIFT, a change, a transition. What is the first thing that pops in your head?

FEARFUL (G) DEILOS – DREAD TIMID; FAITHLESS, FEARFUL, COWARDICE.

2. PRACTICAL STEPS TO OVERCOME FEAR.

Make a choice to be free.
Have an intimate relationship with the Lord – commune/fellowship with Him daily.
Live in faith in Jesus – pray, read and study your bible; memorize and allow the word of god to become a part of you.
Let go of those things that keep you in fear, people/media/books/music/TV shows etc.

THE WORD OF GOD SAYS IN REVELATIONS 21:8 – BUT THE FEARFUL, AND UNBELIEVING AND THE ABOMINABLE AND MURDERERS AND WHOREMONGERS, AND SORCERERS, AND IDOLATERS AND ALL LIARS SHALL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE OF FIRE WHICH BURNS WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH.

SURRENDER TO GOD

In order for me to SHIFT from fear to Faith I had to make a choice. I could live out the rest of my days in complete terror or I could choose to surrender TO THE STILL SMALL VOICE WHO WAS CALLING ME TO HIMSELF. Interestingly, no matter how loud fear talked, love maintained a still presence that consistently and constantly wooed me with his love. You see, I knew the Lord was nearby. He was waiting on me to make a choice. He was sending laborers to speak to me about His love and about who HE IS. HIS LOVE EVENTUALLY TORE DOWN THE WALLS AND I RECEIVED JESUS INTO MY HEART!

SURRENDER

How many of you believe that things will get better in this realm/world that we live in? How many of you see with your own eyes the deplorable condition of the world?

On the subject of surrendering, Emma Stark made a good point concerning the “billion harvest” of souls. If we are constantly comfortable then why should we move, be or live in Him (Acts 17:28). Things are very comfortable right now, BUT THE HEAT IS BEING TURNED UP! However, there are those who have determined they are not willing to give up their comfort to come closer to the presence of God. Although, we may say we SURRENDER. Do we really surrender?

There are certain things we can give up such as: Sleep, in order to pray; entertainment – in order to study the bible, food – in order to fast etc. When we say we surrender, what are we really saying? What do we really mean?

Genesis 16:9 – And the angel of the Lord said unto her, “return to your mistress and submit thyself under her hands.”

SUBMIT: Strong’s ANAH (H) 6031 – HUMBLE SELF/SUBMIT SELF.

SURRENDER: To yield to the power, control or possession of another upon compulsion or demand; to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another; to give oneself up as a prisoner; to give oneself up over to something (such as influence). – YIELD – The act of yielding one’s person or giving up the passion of something especially into the power of another.

(Miriam Webster)

AS A SOLDIER…SURRENDER

2 Timothy 2:3 (KJV) you therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

HARDNESS: Greek 2553 – kakopatheo – to undergo hardship—be afflicted, endure afflictions (hardness), suffer trouble.

As a former soldier in the US Military, I had to surrender my rights, my thoughts, my ideas and my way of living, in order to join or become a part of a Military. But how many of you know that “in the surrendering”; people will still bring their baggage to “Basic Training”. I was one of them, however, there were those who came with teddy bears, alarm clocks etc. As a soldier in the military: They told me when to get up, when to run, when to eat and how to live. Now if I had not submitted or surrendered to the Military, I am sure I would not have been able to do 11 years 3 months and 17 days!

I had to LEARN to endure hardness as a good soldier. I had to learn a different way of doing things in order to be a part of the military. It is never pleasant to give up what you have known all your life – comfort, foods, going and coming as you please, pretty much doing what you want to do. How many of you know that it is a “scratch” on our flesh?

Let me assure you, life is better in the Army of the Lord! It is not a comfortable life or an easy life for the Word of God says:

John 16:33 – (AMPC) I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you (WILL) have trials and tribulations and distress and frustration, but be of good cheer, (take courage), be confident, certain (undaunted), I have overcome the world, (I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you).

John 15:19 – If you were of this world, the world would love its own: because you are not of this world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 17:14 – I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated hem, because they are not of this world, even as I am not of the world.

JESUS SAID THAT THE ENEMY HAS COME TO STEAL, KILL AND DESTROY, BUT HE CAME THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY!

PROPERLY ADDRESSED

Ephesians 6:10–18

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.

TRUST AND FOLLOW THE LORD

THE LORD WILL GIVE YOU INSTRUCTIONS AS A SOLDIER, HE WILL TELL YOU IN WHICH WAY TO GO. ARE YOU WILLING TO TRUST HIM TO LEAD YOU? TO BE YOUR LORD?

2 PETER 5:7 – The Lord says cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for us. What happens when you worry? It tells God that you do not trust Him.

Proverbs 3:5 – Says for us to Trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not to our own understanding, but acknowledge Him in all of our ways and He will direct our path.

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Psalm 32:8 – The Lord will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I WILL counsel you with my eye upon you.

AS A SOLDIER WHAT IS YOUR MINDSET?

CHECK YOUR “HEART” MOTIVATIONS, WHAT IS IN THERE? LOVE OR HATE? FAITH OR FEAR?

Our minds as SOLDIERS in the Kingdom of God is to transformed: Romans 12:2 says and do not be conformed, (G) 4964 SYSCHEMATIZO (SOOS-KHAY-MAT-ID-ZO), to fashion alike, conform to the same pattern; to conform oneself, (mind and character), to another’s pattern, fashion oneself according to); to this world, but be transformed (METAMORPHOO (G) 3339 – to transform, change, transfigure; to change into another form), by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable and perfect.

YOU ARE CALLED TO OCCUPY THE LAND

Joshua 1:3 – Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you as I promised Moses.

As a good soldier you are trained to conquer and occupy territory that god has given you. Every ground you shall tread upon shall be yours. (See Joshua 1)

To occupy is to engage the attention; to take up a place; to take or fill; to take or hold possession or control of; to fill or perform the functions of an office; to reside in as an owner or tenant. (Miriam Webster Dictionary)

EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO DID NOT OCCUPY: DISOBEDIENCE

Numbers 13:30 – Israelites: God sent in (12) Spies in the land to spy out and (10) came back with a bad report. Caleb insisted they were well able to occupy. But the people were afraid and insisted they were as “Grasshoppers”.

Luke 19:13 – We are to occupy until he comes.

Occupy – Pragmateuoma – 4231 – to busy oneself with trade; occupy; to be occupied in anything; to carry on a business.

Jesus was about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49) and He said unto them how is it that you sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Business (G) 4399 Melakah Deputyship; Minstry; Employment; Manner of Workmanship

Ephesians 2:10 – We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

WHAT ARE WE TO DO AS GOOD SOLDIERS?

MATTHEW 10:7-9 – AS YOU GO PREACH SAYING THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND. HEAL THE SICK, CLEANSE THE LEPERS, RAISE THE DEAD, CAST OUT DEVILS: FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED NOW FREELY GIVE.

MARK 16:17-18 – AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; IN MY NAME SHALL THEY CAST OUT DEMONS; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES; THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPANTS AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING, IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY SHALL RECOVER.