Fear has a Voice, but We don’t have to Listen to it!

Fear has a Voice, but We don’t have to Listen to it!

by | Sep 2, 2020 | Uncategorized

You may have heard “Fear not!” is said 365 times in the Bible–one for every day of the year.

Fear is a stronghold. A stronghold is like an iceberg–the sea of our thoughts and emotions hide the majority of it. The ten percent we show to those around us is no indication of its depth and size.

Fear talks to us and for us, too! I hear fear in people when they say things like, “I’m not doing that!”, “I can’t do it!”, or “I won’t go there!”

God does not want us to live our life in fear. He wants us to be free!

For God did not give us a spirit of fear,

but of power and of love and a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

Why does this verse mention a sound mind? Because fear causes us to imagine everything bad that can happen to us. It messes with our thoughts and can make us irrational.

God gave us the power over fear through the Holy Spirit and the saving power of His blood. Jesus’ blood releases us from the bondage strongholds keep us in.

I admit, I have my share of strongholds. I am learning to be free by the truth of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit, reminding me of the lies of the deceiver.

Satan desires to keep us captive. But we need to come out of our cell.

Satan desires to keep us captive. But we need to come out of our cell. #ThisSideofHeaven #Fear #Getoutofthatcell

[Jesus will] deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Hebrews 2:15 ESV

Did you know Fear has friends? Their names are Control and Untrust. All three usually go together. Fear loves to control everyone and everything around it.

Fear does not trust.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

1 John 4:18 ESV

In order for us to truly love, we must not fear. Fear equals distrust. Love is trusting.

Trusting God for answers, for wisdom, for healing. for light in our darkness and confusion. When we trust God, we show how much we love Him.

Of course, I am not saying we have to trust everyone and if we don’t we have fear. That’s not what I mean.

In order for us to truly love, we must not fear. #ThisSideofHeaven #Fear #Love

Fear says, “Don’t trust anyone.”

Fear says, “I can only depend upon myself.”

When we think we are the only ones we can depend on or the only ones who have the answers, we are not trusting God. Our Father puts people into our lives to teach us.

We must be teachable. God lets nothing go to waste. If He can’t use it for our good, then it won’t happen.

Trust God with your day to day life–with your fears–your desire to control–and untrust.

He wants to free you.

Does Anyone Read the Bible anymore?

Does Anyone Read the Bible anymore?

by | May 15, 2019 | Uncategorized

I admit at times I am too passionate about Bible study.

The last thing I want to do is turn people off towards opening their Bibles. But, I see a trend in churches, (especially those that are not Southern Baptist; I am not Southern Baptist but they are known for their deep love of Bible study.) there seem to be more book clubs than Bible studies. Meaning, they get together and read a lot of books Christians write on what the Bible says instead of reading the Bible together.

I love to read and read many of these same books on my own time. I feel when we get together in the church, we should be reading the Bible more than any other book.

Almost twenty- years ago, the Lord called me to be a Bible teacher.

I devoured every Bible study I could get my hands on to understand God’s Word better. One year for my birthday, my husband bought me Bible software to make my research easier. I loved it. It is my third program (Logos 7) which I use all the time.

God made me for research. He made me to study and learn and to teach anyone who listens for more than a minute.

I love to teach, really I do.

My husband is often my unwilling student.

Everything I learn, he learns…

If he doesn’t have time, then my kids have to listen. And I will gladly follow them around so they don’t have to sit and hear me out.

But, back to the Bible.

I think the church really wants to make it easy for everyone. But, sometimes, by putting scripture on a power point it can cause some people to become lazy. Hebrews 5:11-14  warns us about becoming lazy or dull of hearing. We don’t need to take our Bibles to a Sunday morning service anymore.

If we don’t open our Bibles at church, why should we open them at home?

 I have been teaching a study on the Parables of Jesus. The only book we use is the Bible. Yet, there are those who do not bring their Bibles to a Bible study.

I know churches where you could never take your Bible and it would not matter. We are becoming Bible illiterate and it saddens me.

 Our lack of biblical knowledge, both in our heads and hearts is clear by the state of our country, church, and of most families.

We need the Holy Spirit to teach us God’s Word, but we have to open the Book, first.

I love God’s Word.

I didn’t necessarily set out to become a Bible teacher. One of my pet peeves is when people take scripture out of context to fit their worldview. It’s not even about memorization; it’s about living and breathing God’s letter to you.


I love getting the mail to see what’s there for me.  I am seriously like a child when I get a package. If someone else in my family gets a package, I want to know what’s in it.

Whenever I get a real card or letter in the mail—not an email or e-card, but the real paper kind—I love to read and reread it. Someone took the time to sit down and write these words for me. I leave it on my table and pick it up a couple of times a day for about a week just to read it again.

That’s how I see the Scriptures.

God spent many years through many of His obedient followers to write me His eternal Words. Words to comfort me, teach me, love me, and save me.

There are Words that show me what I cannot see with my eyes—His Son.
Many people have died to print these Words, take them to other countries, and teach them. We have it so good.

How many Bibles do you have in your house? How many do you read?

 God doesn’t love us any less for not being in His Word. But, He wrote it for you. Ask Him to reveal Himself through the pages of His Word. He will do it!

 Go to Bible studies; get the Book, not an electronic version. Take notes, write in the margins, and highlight the verses you love.

Wear. Your. Bible. OUT! That’s why He gave it to us.

Pray, too. A lot.

This is not condemnation.

I hope this encourages you and sparks a new interest in God’s Word. If you have questions ask me. I will do my best to give you an answer. If I don’t know it, I will find someone who does.

Thanks for listening! I promise I will not follow you around. 🙂

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete and equipped for every good work. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV