Faith is the Opposite of Fear

DAILY VERSE

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:2

DEVOTION

Many people make the mistake of thinking the opposite of fear is hope. The opposite of fear is faith. When fear enters into our lives it challenges our faith.

Faith tells us that our God can conquer all things and that nothing is impossible for Him. Fear shreds that to pieces. It comes in and brings with it feelings of dread and hopelessness.

Next time you face something that challenges your faith, stop! Remember that God can toss your mountain of burdens into the sea. With Him, ALL things are possible, nothing is too big!

When Chaos Enters In

DAILY VERSE

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 12:18

DEVOTION

None of us are perfect, though we follow the only One who is. Because we are fallible and prone to allow pride to get the upper hand, there will be times when peace is replaced by chaos.

What are we to do when chaos enters in? We need to quickly assess the issues.

If we didn’t cause the issue, we need to give some grace to the perpetrator. We need to at least attempt to focalize our concerns lovingly, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us. If the other person is blinded by pride that they cannot see they’ve caused an issue, forgive them despite themselves. Pray for the situation.

Because we are prone to sin, peace will not always prosper. We always need to bring the situation to God. He is always in control.

Don’t Become Distracted

DAILY VERSE

Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:25-26

DEVOTION

The Greek word for “anxious” in this passage means “distracted.”

We have free will. This is what brought about the original sin. God did not create us to be robots, He made us like Him. We have a spirit. But we also fail on a regular basis.

When those failures lead to circumstances, we have a choice; we can either allow anxiety to overtake us, or we can go directly to God for help. Our response here is crucial.

Don’t become distracted, keep your eyes on God.

Into the Sea!

DAILY VERSE

Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.

Matthew 21:21

DEVOTION

I’ve read this verse I don’t know how many times. Then yesterday it finally dawned on me; our burdens are the mountains!

As we face obstacles or difficult times, our worries can turn into mountains. Like David facing Goliath, they become immovable. But when we stop and realize that God is bigger than these things, He challenges us to have faith.

With God, our mountain of burdens can be tossed into the sea!

Push Out the Business

DAILY VERSE

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

DEVOTION

You have the ability to say, “I choose to trust God,” in any situation you face or thought you have. His Word promises that when you fill your mind with what is virtuous and praiseworthy, “the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9).

As the world crashes in on you today, choose to make time for God’s Word. Allow His Word to push out the negativity and business of the day. God’s peace will ascend upon you.

God is in Control

DAILY VERSE

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9

DEVOTION

If you’re a Christian, God alone is in control. He’s your security. He’s never been powerless over His creation for one fraction of a second since the beginning of time.

Though we may not understand what He is doing in a given situation, He is still working toward a conclusion that is in line with His will and will produce the best outcome for your life.

You Are Unique

DAILY VERSE

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:14

DEVOTION

God created you. Your race, culture, language, nationality, sex, and many attributes of your physical being are God’s “choices.”

He gave you talents, aptitudes, intelligence, personality, and spiritual gifts that make you unique. You have a purpose in this world. Ask God to use you in mighty ways.

You can glorify God in your workplace, in your home, out in public, anywhere God places you!

Always remember; that God made you who you are. He took great care in creating you to be unique and different from anyone else. He loves you more than is humanly possible, just the way you are!

Hold On to God’s Peace

DAILY VERSE

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27

DEVOTION

Here are some things that can rob you of God’s peace:

1. Fear—Some people live in a reactive state. They allow circumstances to pull them out of peace and directly into fear.
2. The Enemy—He lurks around every corner. Allow him to get a foothold and he will strip your peace away.
3. Sin—Peace and rebellion can’t co-exist. You must repent and turn away from it.
4. Giving Up Peace—When difficulties arise, we can forget that we have God’s power to rely on and simply surrender our peace.
5. Losing Focus—When we take our eyes off of Christ and rely on our own strength, we quickly buckle.

Because God is with us, we don’t have to give in to any of these things. Hold on to the peace that God gives, knowing He’s watching, directing, and caring for those who trust and believe in Him.

Our Future is Secure!

DAILY VERSE

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

DEVOTION

We often look ahead to the future and wonder, “What will I be doing and where will I be in “X” number of years?”

God knows. He’s always had a plan. We should be more concerned with doing His will in the present.

Our future has already been secured!

Things Above

DAILY VERSE

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:2

DEVOTION

If we only had the foresight to hit our knees every time we were tempted, our lives would be greatly changed.

Now, if we were to make this a 24/7 practice, our lives would be unrecognizable – in a good way.

We’re all guilty of clinging onto things more than we cling to God. If we lived in a state where we were prepared to lose everything in a given moment, we’d be living much more fruitful lives.

Focus on the things that matter.