May 6, 2015
The fear factor is a very real factor. It’s the very first negative emotion (Genesis 3.10), and lengthy lists of phobias have been developed to catalogue myriads of fears.
“And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.’ ” (Acts 18.9-10)
Fear easily overrides gospel work and words. It’s far easier to keep silent than risk ridicule and rejection. “Silent witness” substitutes for words. Apparently even the apostle Paul was not immune to the crippling effects of fear. So often in the scriptures we see him as a bold man of action, but apparently he also harbored inner fears that hindered his work. An encouraging vision, however, inspired him to dispel fear as he went about gospel work. He would be shielded, for a time, from physical harm, and was encouraged in knowing there were many believers in proximity.
Fear of harm, whether through abusive words or actual physical violence, can hinder our work. It certainly has mine. Not being bold by nature, I’ve often allowed fear to restrain me when opportunity dictated action. But, Jesus reminds us that there really are none who can truly harm us (Matthew 10.28).
There is an old saying that there is “safety in numbers,” and that certainly applies, in this sense, to the body of believers. Our local fellowship can offer encouragement to us individually in being about gospel work. When our work is rejected or ridiculed, and our self-esteem in damaged in the process, we can find soothing healing through our fellowship with other believers. They are our ultimate support group.
Hebrews 10.39 is an encouragement when fear strikes and cripples: “ But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Fear causes us to shrink back and retreat to our own peril, but our faith overcomes fear to the preserving of our soul.
Live and serve fearlessly today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
“And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.’ ” (Acts 18.9-10)
Fear easily overrides gospel work and words. It’s far easier to keep silent than risk ridicule and rejection. “Silent witness” substitutes for words. Apparently even the apostle Paul was not immune to the crippling effects of fear. So often in the scriptures we see him as a bold man of action, but apparently he also harbored inner fears that hindered his work. An encouraging vision, however, inspired him to dispel fear as he went about gospel work. He would be shielded, for a time, from physical harm, and was encouraged in knowing there were many believers in proximity.
Fear of harm, whether through abusive words or actual physical violence, can hinder our work. It certainly has mine. Not being bold by nature, I’ve often allowed fear to restrain me when opportunity dictated action. But, Jesus reminds us that there really are none who can truly harm us (Matthew 10.28).
There is an old saying that there is “safety in numbers,” and that certainly applies, in this sense, to the body of believers. Our local fellowship can offer encouragement to us individually in being about gospel work. When our work is rejected or ridiculed, and our self-esteem in damaged in the process, we can find soothing healing through our fellowship with other believers. They are our ultimate support group.
Hebrews 10.39 is an encouragement when fear strikes and cripples: “ But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Fear causes us to shrink back and retreat to our own peril, but our faith overcomes fear to the preserving of our soul.
Live and serve fearlessly today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:55 AM
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