Our Fears and How to Escape them Through Faith

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"I wish I had great faith." These are words that almost every Christian has said at one time or another. But faith is like a muscle, which must be exercised in order to become strong; just wishing cannot make it happen, but prayer can help.

Christians are to believe God, not only for salvation but for everything. Rather than a spiritual "plateau," faith is actually a process that involves increasing degrees of trust throughout life.

• Little faith hopes that God will do what He says,

• Strong faith knows that He will,

• Great faith believes that He has already done it.

From Victoria Osteen at Facebook.

"Your vision sets your expectations. See yourself blessed, strong, healthy & accomplishing your dreams. Get in agreement with what God says about you and live the life of blessing He has prepared for you!"

Releasing the Power of Faith in God

It was all working up to this point in my life, and then it became a reality for me on July 28, 2013. 

 Christianity is all about making improvements in our lives, and one subject it focuses upon, is removing the sins that so easily distract us, those things that produce negative results. From my last post: ...there's been a bunch of days where I felt defeated, experienced discouragement, and got depressed. Would I have been operating in total faith, these experiences would not, and could not happen. But I had conditioned myself to fall back into fear.

Defeat, Discouragement, and Depression - Don't Give Up!

Yea, that's what they all tell you, "Don't give up."

It was back in mid May, when my self-employment work source (I do web design and SEO) came to a screech. It hasn't picked back up yet, and I document that here now - 2 months. I've had a few jobs from prior clients, but nothing to keep me busy. I've had a few ups and downs, but always in communication with God, even if it was only to express my attitude.

The 5 Deadly D's - link to post at blog.precept.org

How Does God Deal with Repeated Sins?

I noticed this podcast from Dr. Charles Stanley, "Grace And Continuing Sin - Part 1," and was really curious what his thoughts were on it, as I have a couple of these. I have a great admiration for Dr. Stanley; his teachings are always strong, scriptually sound, and meaningful.

We've all had to deal with coming back to God with the same thing over and over again and wondering, "How long will He keep forgiving for the same sins?" Just how much grace is available to us? Dr. Stanley suggests that if a person is saved, sin cannot terminate her relationship to God. But it can destroy her testimony, fellowship, joy, peace, happiness, and purpose for living. A sinful lifestyle is like a disease and is spread by human nature.

I like how he puts it: No matter how much sin you have, God's forgiving grace has even more. If you sin 10 times, grace (God's unlimited love for us) abounds more. If you sin 1,000 times, grace still abounds more. You cannot out-sin the grace of God. Otherwise, sin could rein over the cross.

Behaving as Myself; Impaired with a Loss of God's Power

Even though we try to cover it up, it's evident to our associations, when we have fallen from God's abundant life style. They may not realize that we're out of touch with God, but they can sense something different about us, usually reflected in our mental state. And most of the time, we don't realize it ourselves, "I'm just behaving as myself, and need to make things right."

Grace means that all of your mistakes now serve a purpose instead of serving shame.
…because He has a purpose. A purpose for your hurt, troubles, trials, failures, everything!

Courtesy of  King David, after the Father's heart… grace

Physical Healing from the Lord Jesus

Courtesy of Free Christian Wallpapers

Used to be that when I would watch TV with my wife, I'd have to have it turned up to at least 32, while she's comfortable with it set at 24 to 28 (at our settings). And it would occasionally irritate her that I had to have it so loud ... at times I couldn't hear it unless it was at 40. It varied with background noise.

And that's what I recently found out about my hearing problem: it wasn't just a lower volume that I was experiencing, my hearing failure was due to background noise interference, commonly called CPS - Cocktail Party Syndrome. "I say, chap wouldn't that be a nick-name for it?"

Whatever they name it, I had that, and have had it for as long as I can remember (which could be 10 years or 60). So for the last 2-3 years, my wife and I have been looking at hearing aid solutions, none of which we could afford. I'd spotted an ad in Popular Science magazine a couple times, and visited their website. Even though they cost less than $800, that was still something way down the road.

So, I am telling my testimonial of this today, after I've proven to myself and my wife, that indeed, my hearing is much better.

It happened during our church worship, about one month ago. It was a very powerful worship as I remember; I could hear the faint voice of God telling me, "Why not? Are you not worthy? Did I receive the stripes in vain, or are you going to exorcize the faith I've given you?" My wife was astounded, and the following Sunday I announced my healing miracle to the congregation.

I am now even more grateful for returning to the Lord, it's been 13 months, now! Awesome things like this is what pushes us towards a greater maturity with God, and builds our faith for other things to come. So, what's next, Lord?

I Can Say It Now, "I Need You More"

It's been a little over a year now, that I've come back to God, and finally I can say that my faith is stronger than I've ever seen it before. I think possibly that God knew I wanted this - to be able to say, "I need You more; I need You more than ever before!" And now I can truly say that I do. It feels good!! And I have a new sense of security. It all came about as I heard this...

(video loops courtesy of pond5)

And after hearing this song, maybe you need Him more, more than ever before.

I Need You More

I need You more
More than yesterday
I need You Lord
More than words can say
I need You more
Than ever before
I need You Lord
I need You Lord

More than the air I breathe
More than the song I sing
More than the next heartbeat
More than anything
And Lord as time goes by
I'll be by Your side
Cause I never want to go back
To my old life

Right here in Your presence
Is where I belong
This old broken heart
Has finally found a home
And I'll never be alone

Ready to Serve, and Spread God's Word

There comes a time in every TRUE Christian's life, when you want to share your joy with the world.

Sharing our Lord's prescriptions for life, becomes something you yearn to do - it lifts you higher. Well, this time has come for me, and I am exuberant! But did you know, that when you have it in you to do something spectacular, that God will give you great ideas for your success? As so, this happened to me:

Being a member at IBOtoolbox, you have a chance to freely broadcast articles to the members there, and your article (they call them press releases) will also be syndicated to 3 other sites. Should the members comment on your PR (they get credits to do so), your story will be bumped up on the IBO wall, for a chance at even more comments and sharing. Members can also share your message to multiple social sites via AddThis (more credits). I also came upon one certain member who published PR's of encouragement - she had loads of comments on ALL of her stories.

Just previous to writing this, I posted a press release for the IBO wall: Turning Stress Into Success. I got it from ActsWeb.org, Solutions and Helpful Advice. They encourage evangelizers to use their content. Within 20 minutes, I got 6 comments, and 5 members who wanted to be my associate. But it doesn't stop there. You see, your latest PR's are listed on every press release page, so the public can brows through them, and read and comment.

Acts International: Find and Know God • Bible Helps and Studies • Words of Inspiration • Share Our Articles

I Bless His Name for opening this up for me, and have faith that my stories at IBOtoolbox will give encouragement, as well as lead some to the magnificent life that Christ has for everyone.

Another Lesson, from Charles Stanley, & I Can Trust My Father Completely Now!

God Is in Control of Our Circumstances; He Rules over ALL Events, People, & Situations.

Victim or Victor By Dr. Charles Stanley

Courtesy of UB David & I'll B Jonathan, Inc

It's so amazing the way Charles Stanley presents concepts, ideas, and facts - he is truly my FAVORITE Theologian! Charles starts out describing the 5 different types of people, their worldview and how it directly affects how they relate to God:

Don't Fret Little Man, God's Got You Covered!

So here we are, my wife, her son, and myself, trying madly to return to a life where we don't have to concern ourselves about getting our power turned off, our mobile phones disconnected, loosing our internet connection, all the rest of the necessities required to survive in today's economy.

Like all winters for the web design and SEO industry, work drops off especially during the holidays. But last winter really hit me bad; I was without work for FOUR months. So our savings drizzled down, and we were caught with insufficient funds... several times. This escalated as our savings disappeared, and our expenses became greater than our income. And there's a collection of other debts that are still hanging.

Almost Didn't Go to Church Yesterday

... and I can't imagine having missed the lesson God had for me!!

Have you ever had that feeling, "So what if I miss church today!" Well, I had it yesterday. And come 15 minutes before it would start, I reasoned in my feeble mind, "Might as well, what else do I have to do?"

So I got there just as the first song was being played (we have canned music, more about that later), and it was another one I hadn't heard before. I used to hate it: when I first started back to church, most all songs were ones I hadn't heard before ... hard to enter into an attitude of worship. And then the woman behind me was clapping way too loud. Yea, I had troubles ruling my mind, as I did all week long.

The sermon was about prayer and our power and authority that God has given us through Jesus. Dr. Steven Boate started by discussing prayer, and how important it is. Yea, I know, I've been trying to pray more - catch myself "not" a lot, and feel guilty, but what is there to pray about, anyway????

From Creative Prayer - GO THERE, good prayer stuff!

Pray ... when you awake, tell God you're happy to be alive.
Pray ... giving thanks for your breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Pray ... when you're facing a decision. God may show you something you hadn't considered.
Pray ... that God watches over your loved ones as they go to school, to work, to a ball game.
Pray ... asking God to help you with your walk with the Lord.
Pray ... Holy Spirit, work in me and through me.

And I said a prayer as I started writing this.

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up," Luke 18:1. 'Prayer is the way to get God involved' (started taking notes). Then Steven stated something rather questionable, "Did you know that God doesn't do anything here on earth?" The place became totally quiet. "That's right, God doesn't do anything here on earth. He uses people like you and me to accomplish His works. God and Jesus are NOT relying on the earth, YOU ARE! Without you, carrying forth good works, nothing would be done. And it's so simple to do His work"

God Shows Himself to Me Again

Now that I have this blog, I can document all the times God talks to me, and shows His power.

Since coming back to God in January of 2012, I've witnessed a few episodes where God had to tell me something directly. The first one was when he spoke to me, telling me that I would never have to worry about making ends meet, and how that I am chosen to develop a perpetual motion magnetic energy generator, and that I will soon be very wealthy. The second time I witnessed God's power ... not just a feeling, an actual events, when He had me cast out a demon from my house in February. I posted a blog post here describing it.

The previous Sunday (May 27), God showed me that I was acting out of my ego for this new business. He wanted to let me know that it is HIS business, not mine, and the purpose of it is to serve His people. This lasted all day Sunday, and into Monday. That Monday, I went to the Salvation Army seeking utility payment relief. It was there that He spoke to me saying, "It's time you keep up with the group," meaning His chosen (for a certain designated task).

With the Lord, You Will Receive Success

When I came back to the Lord, I put together a MS Write Pad for verses that have great meaning to me. The first verse entered there was "Trust in the Lord with all my might and He shall direct my paths Lean unto Him also with thy understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." The Good News Translations says it as so: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way."

This morning I awake to my Bible on my computer, with that same verse there. And I now see the difference between when I wasn't with the Lord, and now, as I am with Him.

What a shame it is that we not only lean on our own understanding, but we also take pride in it. And we are so blind to see that success equals favor in finances. Erma Bombeck said it this way, "Don't confuse fame with success. Madonna is one; Helen Keller is the other." Yes, success is merely reaching a goal. "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." Booker T. Washington

Do you have success in your life? Do you have God in your life? If you do, you will.

My Spiritual Recovery Back to Jesus; My Experience

I am here, an actual living being. But not just living, I am a god. Whatever I will, will come forth. And yet, I also have a creator who made me. He also has a will, and whatever He wills, will be manifest.

I have known my creator for all of my life. And I have allowed His will to override mine at times. But for the most part, it was my decisions that were allowed. And when I allow His control in my life, even that is a decision of mine, that I felt was the best for my circumstances.

My parents took the time to make sure that I would reverence God, and to believe that He sent His Son into our world to redeem us, which would in turn, allow us to enter into His presence, one of total truthfulness and obedience. And there is nothing of greater importance than total truthfulness and obedience. Without these, we become unknown even to ourselves.