Fear Not

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." -- Isaiah 41:10, NAS

The Bible commands us to be anxious for nothing. The Bible commands us to fear not. Survey the Bible and take note of the many times the Lord commands His people—indeed, even the great heroes of the faith—not to fear:

Genesis 15:1: "Fear not, Abram"
Numbers 21:34: "Moses, fear him not"
Joshua 8:1: "Joshua, fear not"
Daniel 10:12: "Fear not, Daniel"
Matthew 1:20: "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not"
Luke 1:13: "Fear not, Zacharias"
Luke 1:30: "Fear not, Mary"
Luke 5:10: "Simon, fear not"
Acts 27:24: "Fear not, Paul"

The Lord instructs all His people, the sheep of His pasture, not to fear:

Isaiah 41:14: "Fear not...ye men of Israel"
Joel 2:21: "Fear not, O land"
Zephaniah 3:16: "Jerusalem, fear thou not"
Luke 12:32: "Fear not, little flock"
John 12:15: "Fear not, daughter of Zion"

Note also the many times righteous men and women of faith encouraged God's people not to fear:

Genesis 50:19: And Joseph said unto them, "Fear not..."
Exodus 20:20: And Moses said unto the people, "Fear not..."
Joshua 10:25: And Joshua said unto them, "Fear not..."
1 Samuel 12:20: And Samuel said unto the people, "Fear not..."
2 Samuel 9:7: And David said unto him, "Fear not..."
1 Kings 17:13: And Elijah said unto her, "Fear not..."

I would add the following:
To me, the Lord says, "Fear not..."
To my family, the Lord says, "Fear not..."
To my friends, the Lord says, "Fear not..."
To Cobblestone, the Lord says, "Fear not..."
To my pastors, the Lord says, "Fear not..."
To our flock, the Lord says, "Fear not..."

Today's prayer: "God, today I choose to fear not nor to be anxious for anything, for you are with me. You are my God and you will strengthen me and uphold me with your righteous right hand."

One Size Fits All

Jesus put him off: "Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe." -- John 4:48, The Message

We are often tempted to classify miracles by size or by how much we are "dazzled" by them, but I say when it comes to miracles, one size fits all. I believe God is calling us to celebrate every miracle with the same gratitude, the same enthusiasm, the same praise, and the same testimony. Are not all miracles from God, the Maker of heaven and earth? From the straightened finger to the disappearance of cancer; from an ear opened that was clogged by infection to an ear delivered from deafness; from the instantaneous removal of pain to the person who was wheelchair bound leaping to their feet, our God is to be praised. We cannot refuse to believe because the miracle before us is not big enough to dazzle us.

Today's prayer: "Oh Lord I pray that we have not become so bound by our culture of sensationalism that we no longer see your hand in every miracle. Forgive us for wanting to be dazzled before we believe. I give you thanks for the opened ear, the healed back, the relief from pain, the heart restored, the seizures that have ceased, the blood pressure lowered, the diabetes under control, the blockage released, the multiple sclerosis vanished, the cancer eradicated, the hole in the heart closed up, the sense of smell returned, the salvation of the lost, the deliverance of the oppressed, the skin rash that disappeared, the migraine that suddenly stopped, and all the other miracles that I have had the privilege to witness!"

Turning Cartwheels

"Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain!" -- Habakkuk 3:17-19, The Message

When we see a day of trouble approach, it concerns us to prepare. A good hope through grace is founded in holy fear. The prophet, Habakkuk, looked back upon the experiences of the church in former ages, and observed what great things God had done for them, and so was not only recovered, but filled with holy joy. He resolved to delight and triumph in the Lord; for when all is gone, his God is not gone.

Today's prayer: "God, looking back over the past nine years, you have done great things for your church, Cobblestone. And though the bank account is not overflowing, and the chairs not all filled, Though all are not healed, delivered or set free, and Though many have yet to be introduced to you, you have done GREAT things and I rejoice in You, turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God."

Human Frailty

Jezebel, a hard and wicked queen, sent Elijah a life-threatening message. Elijah had been on the mountaintop with God and as often happens, reality of our human frailty sets in after a great victory. Great faith is not comparable to being strong. Elijah had been equipped by God to do this very service to Israel at this time. Elijah depended upon God fully for He was doing God’s will. Yet in a very human moment, he runs away. Here God allows Elijah to know his human frailty; to show that when he is bold and strong, that it comes from the Lord and the power of His might! God in His everlasting love and mercy takes care of the despairing prophet, as He does for us in our lowest moments, for He knows we are but dust. (For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust -- Psalm 103:14). God knows what He designs us for and though we do not know what services or what trials await us, God will take care that we are equipped and furnished with sufficient grace to do His will. (1 Kings 19:1-5)

7 Years & Still Going Strong

Today is a very special day for me. I think it's fitting that it snowed. Reminds me of the purity of God as He washes us whiter than snow. Seven years ago today, in Nashville, TN, I received my miraculous healing from what man has called an incurable disease, multiple sclerosis. My life has never been the same. I don't look the same nor do I act the same. And, praise God I have rarely even been sick (a common cold now and then)! God has granted my request. He has heard my prayers. He has healed my land. He has called me, equipped me, and I have dedicated the rest of my life to laying hands on the sick and praying for their healing.

My life scripture: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! (Matthew 10:8)

Here I Am Send Me

God seems to be speaking a lot to me these days through songs. Makes sense. Heaven is filled with all kinds of music. Today's shout out goes to Delirious for their song "Here I Am Send Me." The words to this song speak of Isaiah, Eziekel, and Paul and oftentimes we think these were exceptional men, out of our league, when in fact they were ordinary men like us, touched by God to believe for the impossible and allow God to accomplish it through them. God is looking for availability. He'll take care of the impossible. Here I Am Send Me. Is that your heart's cry? Ingest and savor these lyrics:

Here I Am Send Me:
Show me a vision like Isaiah saw,
Where the angel touched his lips and he sinned no more.
Let me hear your voice saying “Who shall I send?”
I’ll say send me Lord, I’ll follow you to the end.

Show me a vision like Eziekel saw,
An army of light from a valley of bones.
Breathe life into these lungs of mine,
So I can scream and shout of your love divine.

Search light, burns bright, floods my eyes,
Invade me, serenade me, I’m giving back my life.

Here I am send me, Here I am send me,
There’s nothing in my hands,
But here I am send me.

I’m in Jacobs dream seeing heavens gate,
Let me climb all night on my ladder of faith.
Wrestle with the angel till my body is weak,
Dislocate my bones for it’s you that I seek.

Show me the light Paul apostle saw,
When he fell to the dust and he could see no more,
Open my eyes, open my eyes,
Open my eyes, open my eyes.

I’m frightened what you’ll find,
When you open up my heart, I’m walking in the light,
Cos it’s light that changes the atmosphere,
So touch these lips that criticize,
And put a song in my mouth that opens our eyes.

Today's prayer: "There's nothing in my hands Oh Lord, but here I am send me."

Going Through The Motions

Sometimes it feels as if I'm just going through the motions -- how about you? I woke this morning to Matthew West's song, "The Motions" and the lyrics struck a chord somewhere deep inside my soul. I don't want to just go through the motions. I need the consuming passion of Jesus inside of me. And more than that, I want to live on purpose, not defined by routine or ritual. I made this song my morning devotion. I stepped aside from my somewhat normal routine; in fact, I didn't even open my Bible today. Sometimes God speaks loudest through another person, a song, a chance encounter, His creation, circumstances, a dream..... I think it's okay to change things up a bit once in awhile. And before you stone me, I don't recommend skipping your Bible reading, but just for this morning it was what I needed. "I don't want to spend my whole life asking what if I had given everything? Instead of going through the motions."

Matthew West, "The Motions"

This might hurt
It’s not safe
But I know that I’ve gotta make a change
I don’t care
If I break
At least I’ll be feeling something
‘Cause just ok
Is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

No regrets
Not this time
I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love
Make me whole
I think I’m finally feeling something

Take me all the way
Take me all the way
Take me all the way

Today's prayer: "God, I don't want a life of ritual without meaning. I need a life of passion for you. I want to find out what might happen if I throw caution to the wind and embrace this destiny in you. Consume me with that passion."