for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7

Fanning Into Flame

How would you describe your faith journey? Is it a well-established fire? Is it warming? Comforting? Does it push away the darkness? Or is it merely a spark? Not quite yet a flame? Hardly casting a shadow. Today’s devotional will help turn that surprising encounter with God into a spark. And the spark turns to flame – pushing out fear and darkness.

Fear Has No Place.

One of the most common tactics that the enemy uses to slow you down or to derail you from fulfilling your purpose is fear. Fear’s venomous sting was meant to paralyze you. Fear was sent to kill your purpose and to paralyze your destiny. When fear tries to rule over you, you’ll begin to settle for less than what God has in store for you. Through the Blood of Jesus, fear has no rulership over you. God is greater than the fear that tries to taunt and debilitate you. 

According to 1 Peter 5:7 KJV, the Bible teaches us to cast all of our care upon Christ and that includes our fears. Fear will cause you to draw back, shrivel up and downgrade your destiny and purpose. When fear knocks on the door of your heart, we are commanded by God to cast our fears, cares, concerns and worries over to Him — continually. 

Every time fear tries to rear its ugly head or exert its power over you, God has commanded us to cast our care over to Him. The Amplified Version of 1 Peter 5:7 AMPC expounds on the word “care” in the following manner, “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” The Word of God teaches us to continually cast all of our care, anxieties, worries, and concerns, once and for all — to Christ. 

The root of anxiety is fear. The foundation of worry is fear. The center of your concern is fear. When fear rules over your thoughts, desires and purpose, it will try to hold you hostage. But 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV states, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Through Jesus Christ, the spirit of fear and all its entanglements are broken. 

When fear tries to enter your thoughts, declare God’s Word. When fear strikes and tries to grip your heart, fill your heart and mouth with praise and declare God’s Word over the circumstance. Find every scripture that you can that tackles the situation and use the Word of God to defeat the enemy in every area of your life. 

Confess His Word over your situation and watch God get the victory through you. Fear has no place in your life. Tread over fear and every form of it. God is with you, and He is for you. “Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 AMPC

That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.

God’s gift of faith is like a flame, and when the embers of the fire have cooled you must fan them again and keep them ablaze.

Voice Translation

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