This is part one of a two-part series

They’re selling it daily in immeasurable doses. Its seductive tactics have driven an entire society into a panic. It’s the big bad wolf outside about to blow your house down and run off with your wife and children – fear.

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour – 1 Peter 5:8

If the enemy of your soul can attack you with fear, he can run roughshod over everything in your life. That verse says like a lion; it does not say that he is a lion. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah and He’s living in you if you’re born again. So why are so many Christians living in fear along with the world? They lack what I believe is fear’s worst enemy. I found it by meditating on the following two verses:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

 – I John 4:18

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

–       2 Timothy 1:7

I know what you’re thinking. Love, right? Take a closer look. John uses the adjective perfect to describe the love that casts out fear. And Paul said that a sound mind and power accompany the spirit of love that God has given us. In my own quest to conquer fear, I read these verses again and again. I kept asking, “How does love overcome fear?”

Then, I discovered that unbelief is at the root of all fear. What if this? What if that? How are we ever going to get out of this situation? But the doctor said such and such. That is where the tormenting worry comes from. It was that which lead me to fear’s worst enemy—trust. More specifically, trust in God.

From the verses above, it would seem that love is fears worst enemy. There are scores of people who would say they love God, yet they are full of fear. Take a closer look. Perfect love casts out fear because it is founded on trust in God, His Word and His ability to make that Word good. The spirit of power, love and a sound mind can only be activated and properly used if we trust what God said about those three things. Do I believe I have power to tread on all the power of the enemy, that love never fails and that I have the mind of Christ? It’s all about trust.

How could David go against Goliath with no previous combat experience and five rocks? How could he say that because of the victory he was about to obtain, “The whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”? Complete trust in his God. If Americans were more like David and really believed the statement printed on our money, this country would be the head and not the tail financially.

Yes, I am saying that people who live in fear don’t really trust God. Here’s a practical example. My husband and I have been married more than twelve years. I love him perfectly because I trust him. You see my love for him is perfect as a result of him never giving me a reason to mistrust him. If he had in some way broken my trust, I would still love him; however, there would now be fear in my heart and my love would no longer be perfect. I would always have the doubt and worry that he might be unfaithful or gamble away his paycheck.

Has God ever lied to you while campaigning for your vote? Spent your mortgage at a topless bar? Did He tell everyone He knew all of your personal business? Then why don’t you trust him? How do you feel when you come to the realization that someone you love doesn’t trust you? It hurts doesn’t it? Let’s look at what Jesus said in Matthew 22:36-38 when asked about the greatest commandment.

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

This is huge. How can you love someone you’ve never seen with all your heart, soul and mind? Trust. The Law and the prophets hang on these commandments because they trust in God — the One who gave them.

And finally, I got it. It was actually while reading a Norman Vincent Peale book (one of the authors who changed my life). It fit perfectly with the verses I already had. This reference was used to deal with a case of intense fear and worry. Isaiah 26:3-4 is posted on my refrigerator right now.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength…

Now compare these verses with 2 Timothy 1:7 and 1 John 4:18. They create a fear-busting bomb! My mind is sound because I keep it on Him. He gives me everlasting strength and power. I have perfect love and perfect peace because I trust in God. Fear runs screaming out the door when he hears you speak those words with the authority of the Lion of the tribe of Judah!

Trust is fear’s worst enemy. Show God how much you love him by trusting in His Word—not in money, the government or the media. He said that those who trust in Him will never be put to shame (Romans 10:11). So let them sell their fear; but treat it like any tangible thing the enemy has to offer—alcohol, drugs, pornography—don’t buy it! The Word has more than six thousand promises for you. Don’t be stifled by fear another moment. Trust in God, eradicate fear and prosper in every area of your life!

In part two of this series, I’ll tell you about the fear that fuels your faith.

Be blessed friends and have the perfect day everyday!

–Shontta

Psalm 138:8

As there are four types of soil (see Matthew 13), ask yourself whether your heart is Hard, Rocky, Thorny, or Prepared. Furthermore, think about whether your Word-seed will be a planting, a watering, or harvesting. To encourage you to exercise your faith, I’ll share my story and believe that God’s Word will not return empty or void but will accomplish the purpose for which it is sent.

When I woke up this morning, I had a headache. There was no denying the fact that my head hurt. It was a dull, throbbing pain all along the back of my head. I thought that this would be a great opportunity to exercise my faith. Like exercising your muscles, exercising your faith makes it grow stronger.

In the Old Testament, Isaiah saw with his eyes of faith a day coming when Jesus would take sickness and disease upon Himself, so that we (those who believe in Him and His Words) would be healthy and whole.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. Isaiah 53:5 (Amplified)

This fact of Jesus’ sacrifice was confirmed and reflected by Peter in the New Testament.

He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (Amplified)

So, with this knowledge, I applied the method illustrated by the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5:25-34.

25And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

26And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

28For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

29And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

30And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

31And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

32And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

34And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Here is the process that she followed:

1. She Said It, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.”
2. She Took Action on What She Said. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
3. She Received Her Healing. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
4. She Told of Her Healing. She told him all the truth

I followed this process this morning with the final step my telling you of My Healing. I am here to testify that the pain is gone. Praise God! His love endures forever. I challenge you to exercise your faith today. If there is something in your life that is not God’s best, then, follow the process and watch God honor your faith.

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:12,13

When we see an apple seed, we can envision an apple tree with apples. When we see an egg, we can envision a chicken that has the ability to produce it’s own eggs. Why is it so difficult to envision success when we sow the right seeds?

Think about a great achievement that you’ve had in your own life. Now, think back to when you started the endeavor that produced the success. When I was a freshman in high school, I had a strong desire to be on the debate team. As a freshman, I really wasn’t very good. In fact, sometimes when we lost, I didn’t even know why we lost. However, I continued to research, practice, and compete. I would go to debate camp during the summer, and spend many evenings researching new and better arguments. By the time, I graduated from high school, my partner and I were able to win the state competition.

Although I had the faith (belief) that we would win; hope that we would win; and the love for debate; it still took time for the success to manifest. Even though the full manifestation for me was winning the state championship, there were definite signs along the way. For example, my Sophomore year, we placed third in state. This is the process that I’ve seen in every achievement in my life.

“For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” – Mark 4:28

I mention faith, hope, and love because these are great motivators. These are the things that keep us going. All of these relate to vision. If you have faith, you believe you can achieve something. If you have hope, you have a dream for something better. If you have love, you see the potential in something. If you have all three of these, you are able to look beyond what is seen on the surface, the outside, or the beginning.

Notice that the greatest motivation is love. If you love someone or something, you will persevere long after your desire for achievement dissolves. Love for his father is what enabled Nando Parrado survive after the plane carrying his rugby team crashed in the Andes.

His thoughts turned increasingly to his father, who he knew must be consumed with grief, Nando resolved that he must get home or die trying as his mother and sister had been killed in the crash. He led an expedition up the treacherous slopes of a snow-capped mountain and across forty-five miles of frozen wilderness in an attempt to find help.

So, set your vision; tap into the power of faith, hope, and love; and see your seeds produce success.

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24 (NIV)

In the verse above, Jesus clearly says that we will get what we ask for, which should be what we desire. With this verse in mind, why aren’t people more successful? I would like to submit to you that people don’t generally know how to properly desire success.

My observation is that most people focus on what they have, which is generally what they don’t want. If someone wants more or different from what they have, the secret is to desire what you are missing not what you are currently experiencing. Thus, when you pray, pray for what you want, not what you have.

Spend time today picturing yourself being what you want to be. Do you want to be fit? Imagine in your mind’s eye that you have the exact body that you want, that you eat precisely as you should, and you enjoy exercising. Don’t forget to thank God for causing this image to come to pass in your life. Remember, He said that you would have whatever you asked for. Make this image as clear and detailed as possible. Now, look for opportunities to make this image come to pass. You’ll be amazed how information, relationships, and resources start appearing to help you get to what you desire.

God wants to give us what we desire. Thus, it would make sense that one way to please God is to desire something. What do you desire today?

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” – Mark 11:24 (KJV)

Have you ever noticed how many of the people at the top of an organization are very positive? Were they positive before they reached the top or did they get positive when they reached the top?

Life has a definite process about it. You must first BE something before you will DO something and you must DO something before you can HAVE the results of that doing. If most of the people at the top are positive, doesn’t it makes sense to incorporate positive thinking into your life? One of the best ways to change your thinking to a more positive mindset is through confession. As Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

To change your life, you must change your thinking. The first step in changing your thinking is changing what you hear. You have control over what you hear. One of the most significant control points that you have is what comes out of your mouth. If you will fill your mouth with life-giving words, your life will have the power of those words. As Proverbs 18:21 states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” To make it clear, confession works. In addition to the power to change your thinking, confession also has power to change your circumstances.

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. – Mark 11:23 NIV

Now, that you are convinced that confession is part of successful living, here are the five things you must confess about your finances.

1. God has given me the ability to produce wealth and the power to get wealth. As Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
2. God is blessing all the work of my hands. Deuteronomy 15:10, “You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.” (If you are not currently a generous giver, you may need to work on the area of giving to have faith in this promise).
3. God is blessing my savings and investments.There are two parts to this confession, first God is blessing your investments according to Deuteronomy 28:8, “The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” Additionally, God gives us instruction on accumulation in Proverbs 13:11, “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.”
4. I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” and Psalm 34:10, “The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.” and Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
5. I am eating the best of the land, driving the best of the land, and living in the best of the land. God rewards obedience, Isaiah 1:19, “If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land.”

When you know God’s will (as he gives us in His Old and New Testaments), you will start to change your thinking to be much more positive. God has a good plan for you. Trust God and watch His plan manifest in your life today.