Most Frequent Command In Scripture: Do Not Be Afraid

“Don’t Be Afraid” – The most frequent command in Scripture? Are you as surprised as me? Would you have even guessed that if someone asked you?

However, after thinking about it makes sense. Fear makes us aware of our limits and boundaries- Jesus, loves to challenge our limits and boundaries. Faith by definition is a challenge to what we have defined as “safe.”

Real Faith is risky, even dangerous. And as Jesus trains and develops our faith and trust in Him, there is but one method; confronting our fears and limits.
So if we are going to be trained by faith, if we are going to be transformed; then Jesus is going to place us in difficult circumstances that will push our limits and place us face to face with fear.

Peter was not invited (maybe invited himself) to walk on water when the water was calm and undisturbed. Jesus invited Peter to walk on water during a dangerous storm. Peter did not simply walk on water; he walked through a frightening and intimidating circumstance. It was not about walking in water, it was about confronting fear.

I am learning that circumstances that stretch my faith are fearful circumstances. I am learning that faith requires me to step towards Fear. What if fear was no longer a deterrent of growth for us? What if fear became a welcomed signal that God is near and working? What if the real peace I am longing for is found in the other side of fear?

Just for fun, here are a few Scriptures with this command; Step out.
Gen 15:1, Gen 26:24, Exod 14:13, Exod 20:20, 2 Chron 20:15, Dan 10:12, Acts 18:9, Rev 2:10

FINISHER WANNABE

Jesus made it crystal clear, he was a Finisher. Jesus regarded finishing way different than I do. In John 4:34 Jesus declared that his "food" was to do and FINISH the work that his father gave him. The Father gave him work and purpose for only one reason; to FINISH it (John 5:36).

Wow, his very sustenance was finishing the task given to him. Is that as foreign to you as it is for me? I am not a finisher- more like a professional starter. I start so many more books and tasks than I finish- sometimes I like to start a few a time.

Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” What if I read this differently? Instead of being created to do works, what if I was created in Christ Jesus to finish good works?

Dear God help me to be a FINISHER. Create in me a craving, a longing for finishing what you prepared in advance for me to do. Transform me from a starter to a consistent finisher. Remind me that at the cross you cried out “It is FINISHED!” I want be a finisher like you.

Jesus' Power Over The Little Things

It truly is UNEXPLAINABLE, Jesus cares about the little things in our lives, the details that we would consider to be beneath his care and attention.
Surprisingly, He loves and works through the details of our daily events. Yes, He even uses those seemingly unimportant things to reveal to us the very important truths.

Jesus shows up when we allow Him the room and space of our "mundane."
What have I been missing? I chose to invite Him, to my routine, to my everyday, to my ordinary, to my unexceptional. Who knows, perhaps He will turn the water into wine. Perhaps He will add quality and quantity.

Dear Jesus, display your presence in my little things, please.

Wonder Wisdom

There is wisdom that comes come wonder. The exercise of wondering, considering, pondering on Jesus' works will always guide properly with the Truth that is the Way and is the Life.

At Northeast we are taking the next seven weeks to discover (maybe recover) the Wonders of Jesus on the Gospel of John.

John calls these wonders, signs. Signs communicate important information. In Scripture this information is not just important, but more importantly it is transformational.

Wisdom comes from wonder, wonder comes from observing and applying the signs of Jesus.

Lets Wonder together! Lets pray for fresh eyes that can recognize and appreciate the signs of Jesus. Lets discover some new perspective on Jesus. Lets recover any wonder we have lost.

Solomon's Labor Day Wisdom - "Getting" Is "Ghetto"

Solomon's Wisdom invites us to question our Labor, toil, and striving. What is all our "getting" us? Eccles. 2:22-24 says: "Getting" is getting us pain, grief and no sleep. A meaningless chase that leads nowhere with nothing. Getting is ghetto Solomon concludes.
The Alternative... nothing is better than to eat, drink, and find satisfaction on our Labor. This is a gift from the very hand of God. Labor Day is a good opportunity to examine what is our hand toiling for. Am I reaching to get stuff or my reaching for the enjoyment that comes only from the hand of God?

Also, check out these Scriptures for your Meaningful Labor Day. Isa. 55:1-2, Matt. 11:25-30