TargetPoint Volume 23 of 32
Todays Verse/Thought: Are You Energized or Immobilized?
Psalm 56:3 But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Life Implication:
Simply stated, FEAR IS WHAT THE ENEMY USES TO PARALYZE CHRISTIANS, making them immobile. If the devil can immobilize us, he has succeeded in taking away the abundant life Jesus promised us.
We have such a wonderful example in the scripture of a man who at one time was immobilized with fear . . . but later, became energized by the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember Peter?
Peter became IMMOBILIZED WITH FEAR as he walked on the water toward Jesus, and suddenly, looking down at his circumstances, he immediately plunged below the water. Again, it happened as he warmed himself by the fire as Jesus was being interrogated. The question came from a mere servant girl: Aren't you with Him? Fear literally froze Peter and with expletives, he renounced any knowledge of Jesus. And yet, after Jesus returned to His Father in heaven, it was Peter who PREACHED FEARLESSLY for three hours, totally energized, totally oblivious to what others might do to him. Peter was ENERGIZED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Hebrews 13:6 says that we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. There are times when we will be tempted to be fearful. If we give in to that fear . . . allow it to run rampant, we will become paralyzed. But, if we do not allow ourselves to become obsessed with apprehension, and take courage, then we can BOLDLY STAND ON THE PROMISE of God's assurance to us.
Life Application:
You have heard of making positive statements to change your situation. While I am not of the positive thinker camp for the sake of positive thinking . . . I do strongly believe, that making POSITIVE STATEMENTS FROM GOD'S WORD will literally UN-paralyze us while at the same time paralyzing the enemy.
Jesus Himself, rendered Satan ineffective by speaking God's word in the face of the enemy's attempt to tempt Him. You can do the same. When fear begins to haunt you, SPEAK ALOUD that you are a child of God . . . that you refuse to be intimidated by your circumstances . . . that you choose to be full of courage and not obsessed by apprehension; . . .simply because you can say . . . The Lord is my helper, SO I will not be afraid.
Tomorrow In TargetPoint:
Faith Or Fear, Which Do You Nourish?