Choose faith, not fear

I pray that every person reading this article is strengthened, enriched, comforted and encouraged according their need. I pray each one will be drawn to explore and apply the inexpressible life changing truths of God’s Word – the Holy Bible.

As I travel into rural Australia and having spent time with so many, I see first hand, the challenges being faced in the bush. I’ve found many struggling through the process of grief, ones facing Bank foreclosures, the closure of much needed Financial Counseling Services, health problems which need more care than what is available in their region, bushfire threats and the urgent need for rain.

I feel to write on the topic, ‘CHOOSE FAITH NOT FEAR’.

If we look at the factual – what’s happening around us, alarm can easily seize us. It’s only when we make a DELIBERATE DECISION to CHOOSE FAITH BY AN ACT OF OUR WILL, things begin to come into right alignment or divine order. That does not mean denial of the present situation, but an INNER KNOWING that though ‘things may seem this way at the moment, THEY ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE! As we meditate on how things would look given the answer to the situation, that focus becomes more real than the surrounding circumstances. This attitude allows us to walk through trials with strength and hope.

Hebrews 11 is known as the ‘faith Chapter’. Perhaps you might study it for yourself and begin to APPLY it in your current challenges. Heb 11:1 says, ‘faith is the SUBSTANCE (the tangible reality) of things HOPED FOR, the EVIDENCE of things not seen, (not yet visible to the naked eye).

Our hearts cry might go something like this: ‘Lord I know it may not look like it right now, but I know in Whom I believe! Your Word is YES AND AMEN! I call those things that are not, as though they are! I have an earnest white hot expectation that You are working all things together for my good. I declare and confess that ‘He Who has promised IS FAITHFUL! I thank You Lord for the rains that are coming, steady soaking rain that brings forth the green shoot in it’s season. I SEE, with the eye of faith, green pasture and healthy lifestock I am not moved to alarm by this prolonged dry spell because I KNOW in my inner being, You will not fail me, You will strengthen me and harden me to difficulties and uphold me with Your righteous right hand’. (Isaiah 41:10). Thank You for Widsom Lord, wisdom to know what to do, that You might drop it into my spirit even as I sleep. I thank You that You and only You know the beginning from the end. Your love is so great for me that Your desire is to meet every need ‘according to Your riches in glory’ (the unlimited resources at Your disposal).

As we speak forth, out loud, faith filled words under the leading of the Holy Spirit and in accordance with the Word of God, and BELIEVE in our hearts, all power of heaven is released to back our confession of faith. As I stand in absolute trust in my Heavenly Father ‘I hold fast to the form of sound words’ (2 Tim 1:13) That phrase ‘hold fast’ means (to keep secure possession of, hold firmly) to speak faith filled words regarding your situation no matter what it ‘looks’ like.

Just this week, I stood with a friend facing serious bushfires caused by lightening. Right in the face of the flames bearing down on her, leaping from tree to tree and about to jump a firebreak, we continued to speak faith filled words. At the last moment, the wind changed and the fire turned back on itself (JUST AS WE’D PRAYED), sparing 100,000’s of acres in its path! THAT’S THE POWER OF ‘HOLDING FAST TO THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS’

Finally, as we approach this Christmas Season, I pray we would all take time to remember and acknowledge the ‘Reason for the Season,’ Jesus Christ. For the year ahead, I fervently pray that all of us would desire to press deeper in the truth of Gods life giving Word, discovering the nuggets of unfathomable wisdom pertinent to OUR particular situation. Christianity is a practical daily journey of submitting and yielding to the leadership of One so much wiser than I. It is reading His Word and applying His rich truths to our own lives by His grace (enabling). I GUARANTEE HIS WORD WILL BRING REST TO YOUR SOUL. It re-aligns our thinking, and brings a deep peace to the innermost parts of our being.

May God richly bless each an every one, may your hearts be filled with love, joy and peace this Christmas season.

(For many years, as I’ve prayed for our Nation, I’ve asked God for an opportunity to effectively help more people. To request a visit when I’m in your region, order an easy to read Bible with many helpful explanatory notes and many other services, please ring or email me. Please tell your friends of these services offered. I have seen God divinely intervene in the lives of so many people over the years by happening to be in the right place at the right time. Many of you who reading this know what I’m talking about)