Are You a Slave to Fear?

Good morning,

I titled this message “Are You A Slave To Fear?” because I think fear is such a useful tool for self-preservation. Like, if a bear is around or a tiger is chasing you or the building is on fire! Other than that sort of thing, fear is part of a teeter- totter and when faith is up, fear is down or vice versa.

Pastor Joel started his sermon on Sunday saying he prayed that everyone would hear a word from God today. What he talked about, I took so many great points from, like: Finding my adventure as a believer, each of us has authority, each of us is a minister to show and tell the world about Christ. The “word” I heard came from the final song we were singing. It was a sentence, really: I am no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God.

I am no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God.

We sang that sentence over and over in the song. I truly believe it. Yet, I still find myself afraid of things sometimes. But, I have realized that when I notice I am getting anxiety about something, I can stop it!!! I am a child of God, after all, and as His daughter I have rights, inheritance, family, and His DNA!

Hallelujah, I have finally understood the quote: “I can’t stop a bird from landing on my head, but I can keep it from building a nest on it!!” Funny analogy, if you think about it. Who doesn’t reach up and push a bird off your head!!!!

PEOPLE, reach up and say a scripture! I really do say a scripture and stop worrying about whatever it is that is scaring me. I have learned that worry and anxiety are not in any way from God. What will you change by worrying about something?? Nothing.

Just like a teeter-totter works, you go up with faith, you might come down into fear, but, you hit the ground, push back up and sail into faith again. Do not get stuck sitting on the ground and stop all the fun of how the teeter-totter works.

Sometimes we are afraid, but we move anyway, because we know the “unknown” is uncertain! But, if we are Children of God, we know that the most powerful thing we have to protect us is the word of God. What we believe is what makes us different. We know B.A.T.R. is the work God wants us to do, believe in, adhere to, trust in, rely on Him. REALIZE, WAKE UP TO THE TRUTH that we are not slaves to fear… Get that down deep! Master fear, stop being a slave to it! Stop letting fear keep you from small spaces, airplanes, elevators, escalators, chairlifts, failure, people, jobs, love, healing, all the stuff that are thrills and gifts that God wants his people to experience without fear! You need faith when uncertain, you need faith to fail as much as you need faith to succeed! Failure isn’t bad, trying to be perfect is bad! No one can do that so it sets you up to be miserable, fearful, and in denial to all the people around you!! Call on faith! Walk in triumph!! Speak out and remember all mighty God is on the inside of you and nothing can, in any way, harm you! That is truly a scripture! Look below….

Luke 10:19: I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions and physical and mental strength and ability over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

Psalm 138:8: the Lord will perfect that which concerns me!

Matthew 14:27: Take courage, I AM! Stop being afraid.

Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.

Philippians 4:6-7: Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayers and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

You have a say in this life! You get to decide what you believe! I believe the truth of the Bible and my choice is to apply it! Because of Jesus, I am not a slave to fear!!

Love you, Teri