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

The Holy Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Ghost—is familiar to even non Christians. And, most people are somewhat knowledgeable about the first two. But the third person, the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, is mystery to most. Perhaps this is because His very being has never been a human being. It could be that proper information on the Holy Spirit hasn’t been thoroughly explained to the masses. In truth, the Holy Spirit doesn’t make you weird or spooky; instead, you become more keen and discerning. Your intuition becomes amplified. You always know what to do when you don’t know what to do. Jesus promised us this gift upon His departure. Since Christ thought it important we have the Holy Spirit, shouldn’t we be aware of why? Now just as much as ever, we need the Holy Spirit.

But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

—John 16:13 AMP

Jesus explains clearly what the purpose of the Holy Spirit is. He tells us what happens when we allow The Spirit to dwell in us. Let’s look at the three reasons here:

1. He guides us into all truth. This is for the times when you need to make a decision or are trying to get to the bottom of something. Personally, I have used this portion of scripture anytime I am looking for anything. It has been valuable in teaching my young son how to depend on the Holy Spirit to help him. Most recently, he was looking for one of his favorite toys that his father bought for him. We prayed, “Holy Spirit you know all things. Show us where the toy is. We thank you for doing it in Jesus’ name.” At first my son was frustrated because he had looked everywhere, but I told him to be quiet and go on with his day. You see, the Spirit is a gentle guide—we can’t be led while in a frazzle. A couple of days passed and we hadn’t found the toy. I asked my son, “Has the Holy Spirit ever let us down? Don’t we always find what we’re looking for?” He agreed. His faith and belief in the Spirit is strong because I’ve taught him to depend on Him for guidance. Yes, of course, we found the toy and praised God!

1. He relays messages to us from the Father. This is what is called a rhema word—or a word spoken directly from God to the believer by His Holy Spirit. The verse says that He tells whatever He hears from the Father and makes it known to you. So the Spirit is, in effect, a conduit or channel to the Father and we gain access by the Son Jesus Christ. This is why prayer in the Spirit (in other tongues) is mandatory if you want clear messages from the Father. At some point, we need to shut off our natural minds and pray the perfect will of God. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:14, “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.” Sometimes we are like my son, so mentally frustrated that we can’t hear what God is trying to say to us by His Spirit. But, when the rhema word comes and tells us exactly how to handle a situation, it always leaves us in awe. Praying in the Spirit and praying the Word—these are the only two ways I know to pray the perfect will of God. Then, those messages from Him become more clear and easier to recognize.

1. He tells us what will happen in the future. Wow! Who knows how many volumes could be written on the testimonies from this portion of the verse? How many scores of believers have averted disaster, become wealthy and broken engagements because the Spirit told them what would happen in the future? I’ve noticed however, individuals be hindered at two extremes. On one hand, the Spirit tells them the future and they become afraid and shrink back. On the other, some become arrogant and trample God’s grace and favor by self righteous acts and narcissism. Nevertheless, don’t be stifled! God always provides provision for the vision. After all, it is His vision for your life (Philippians 1:6). Joshua saw his future and God himself encouraged him to be strong and courageous (Numbers 14; Deuteronomy 1:38; Joshua 1). Forty years prior, Joshua saw what his future held. He could have become arrogant or fearful being privy to this information, but he held fast to the promise of God, got quiet and lived his life. Do you need to know your future? Get full of the Holy Ghost and He’ll tell you.

If you have not had an Acts 2 experience, this is what is necessary for you to receive the gift of tongues. The Holy Spirit is not supposed to lay dormant in you. You must exercise it daily in prayer. Allow Him to guide you as the verse says. This will revolutionize your thinking and change your life! Solomon wrote in the Old Testament, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-7).”I know people all around you are panicking, but if they were saved and full of the Holy Spirit they would be at peace. What about you? Are you afraid? Confused? Don’t know how to handle your situation? Trust in the Words of Christ, get baptized in the Holy Spirit and pray in the Spirit—He will guide you into all the Truth.

Be blessed friends and have the perfect day everyday!

—Shontta

Psalm 138:8

I wish I could be thinner. I wish I had more money and a bigger house. I wish my golf swing was better. You don’t have to wish for things like this any longer, because you can have them all!

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. –Psalm 37:4-5

Don’t wish it were so, make it so! God is not a genie—He is not granting wishes. He’s already blessed you. And, the Bible has multitudinous versions of the same formula for obtaining your desires. Outside of your height, age, race or sex, you don’t have to wish things were different. You can speak and act on God’s Word and bring those things into reality.

There are some things about us that were predestined and predetermined by God (Romans 8:28-31). However, there are other aspects of our lives that the Father left up to us. Do you wish you had a happy home? If so, so does God—but He’s not going to make your home happy. You have to do that; and as you do so, He’ll bless you in it. Study the lives of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). God didn’t force His will on any of them. He simply gave them an invitation to participate in His plan. They accepted, but made some mistakes along the way.

Proverbs 19:3 gets my attention every time I read it—let’s look at it together. I’ll show you more than one translation of the same verse for emphasis.

A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD. NIV

People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord. NLT

The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and frets against the Lord. AMP

People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed? The Message

I saved the best for last—laugh out loud! Why do Christians and people in general, always wish for obtainable things? Jesus paid the price for everything we could ever want or need. The Word says that He’s given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and that all things are ours (2 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 3:22). In another passage (Psalm 115:16) the Bible tells us that the earth has been given to the children of men. And the icing on the cake is the Holy Spirit—He guides us into all truth and tells us the things that are to come! So stop living your life haphazardly and then blaming God as the verse above says. Don’t let wrong actions or inaction mess you up and then wish you had a better life.

Now please, don’t misunderstand me. If you are in a situation where you neglected to include something that could’ve enhanced it—that’s not the type of wishing I’m referring to. Wishing you had brought a camera or you hadn’t worn those shoes with that outfit (what in the world were you thinking boo?!) are examples. Nor am I referring to unethical or ungodly wishes, such as wishing you had someone else’s spouse—won’t work. No, I mean life-maximizing issues. Instead of saying, “I wish I had more energy.” Say, “I have the life of God in me and I can do all things through Christ!” Then act like it is so and eventually, you won’t be acting anymore—it will be your reality. Don’t wish things were different, make them different! Eliminate the wish factor. Jesus told us that we can have what we say. Just start saying how you want things to be and then act on what you are saying. I guarantee you, every wish will come true.

Be blessed friends, and have the perfect day everyday!

Psalm 138:8

—Shontta

Do you realize that money in and of itself is morally neutral? Consider this for a moment, a person spends $2,000 a week to support his cocaine habit. Is this money good or evil? I submit to you that the purpose that this money is used is evil. Now, let’s say the same person gets saved and spends that $2,000 to support missionary work in Africa. I would say that this money is being used for good. When we really look at money, it is a tool. It is often referred to as an instrument. A scalpel in the hand of a heart surgeon is a good use of that tool or instrument. However, that same scalpel in the hand of a murderer is an evil use of that tool.

Thus, whether money is good or evil is dependent upon who holds it or controls it, and their motive for doing so. There is definitely a dark side to money, which is called greed.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 1 Timothy 6:10

Greed (or the LOVE of money) is what happens when money controls the person rather than the person controlling the money. Money is my servant not my master. Making money your master is a form of idolatry. By using money to do God’s work instead of letting money use you, you are giving the proper direction to the power of money.

If, as Christians, we relinquish control of money to evildoers, then, we are assured that the world will continue to get darker. On the other hand, if we shake off the strong cultural norm that Christians should not be wealthy, we can change the overall nature of our society and reach more people for Christ.

Obviously, we must ALWAYS examine our motives. James 4 states,

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

It’s OK to have gold, as long as gold doesn’t have you. Jesus came to give us life more abundantly (John 10:10) and, believe it or not, that includes finances. Our prosperity is our witness that we are different from the world and a sign that God does bless His covenant children in ALL ways.