A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (October 14, 2016)
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)
Fear will paralyze you and keep you from the victory that God has planned for you. Fear is a spirit and the spirit of fear is not from God (2 Timothy 1:7). Peace is a show of confidence. Peace is the outward manifestation of an internal confidence and confidence is the manifestation of pure faith. Mature faith running at full power will destroy all of the plans and purposes of the enemy while delivering joy to the warrior of God. You can actually be swinging the sword of truth in what looks like the battle of your life with a smile on your face, peace in your heart, and victory on your lips.
Because you know the Word and because the Word says, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world,” (1 John 4:4 KJV), you do not fear. Because you know God is on your side and because you believe Him, you stand in faith knowing that no weapon formed against you can ever prosper (Isaiah 54:17). You are victorious and you know it, and because you know it, you have peace.
Quit begging God to give you peace. He already has. Romans 5:1 says that as believers, “having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus is the King (and Prince) of peace and in Ephesians we are told that He Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). Not only that, but the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, God Himself lives inside of you. You are a three-part being. You are spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). When you became a believer, the very Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, moved inside of your spirit. As a Christian, you are literally Spirit-possessed.
Your spirit is you, my spirit is me, and the Spirit of God is God. Because you are indwelt with the Spirit of God, you have the peace of God inside of you and regardless of what’s on the outside, you have the fruit of the Spirit on the inside (Galatians 5:22). As a Christian, He who is in you (the Holy Spirit) is greater than what is outside of you (1 John 4:4). The peace of God should be flowing out of you into the world instead of the stress and pressures of the world getting into you. You have at your disposal the greatest power in the universe. Nothing can overpower the love of God and according to 1 John 4:7-8, God is love. Perfect love casts out fear (v.18).
Worry and stress are by-products of fear. Rest and peace are by-products of faith. To eradicate the fear, all we must do is walk in perfect love, be led by the Spirit, and then the peace of God will flow from us and minister to a world that is living in darkness.
Jesus said you are the light of the world (Matthew 5:15). You have a responsibility to let the light shine from you into the darkness. Your testimony of peace will encourage and minister to others and you will discover through walking in the peace and rest of God that you will bring glory to God:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven” (v.16).
Walking in faith will make you a warrior. Walking in fear will make you a worrier. Warriors overcome the enemy and enjoy peace and rest even during times of battle. Worriers live in a world of tension and stress, continually in fear at what might happen. What world are you living in?
