Scriptures: Proverbs 18:21, Mark 9:22, Mark 9:23, Matthew 23:10, Philippians 4:13

Fear and the Power of Words

Did you have huge test anxiety in school, too? I remember my graduation from vocational school well. Though I was a very good student, I always had the feeling of “not being good enough.”

These thoughts, which had nothing to do with the truth, were written all over my life! They loomed so large that I had terrible fear weeks before exams. Even my teacher tried to reassure me, “Déborah, you can do it!”

So, for exam days, my friend and I made ourselves headbands and wrote on them with a sharpie, “I can do it!”, even just for a little fun. But do you know what? The Bible tells us that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV)! And those words on my forehead went straight into my heart!

What sentence have you written about your life? Is it based in fear—or faith in a God for whom ALL things are possible? The sentence written over your life gives insight into what’s going on in your mind.

Oftentimes we tend to doubt, just like the man in the Bible who brought his sick boy to Jesus and said, “‘…But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’” (Mark 9:22 NIV). Do you know how Jesus answered him?

“…’Everything is possible for one who believes.’” (Mark 9:23 NIV)

That is the phrase that should be written over your life! Your Teacher (see Matthew 23:10) says to you, “You can do all things through Me!” (see Philippians 4:13)

Rather than relying on yourself and your own strength, you can rely on the One who is able to do anything through you and for you—even things that seem absolutely impossible!

Don’t be afraid! I encourage you just to be fully aware of what you’ve written over your own life. Maybe it’s time to replace the old “headband” with a new one! 🙂

You are a miracle!

Scripture: John 16:33

Are You Safe?

Gunshots. Screams. Horrific.

I had just lain down in bed when I got a Facebook notification: “Your friend Anne is safe.”

That’s how I learned of another assassination attempt, this time at Schwedenplatz in Vienna. Vienna, my favorite city! I sat in front of my computer for hours, watching the shocking images of what was still happening. “God, why?!”

At that moment, I sadly realized that yes, it wasn’t the first time—and probably not the last time—we’d experience something like this. So how do we deal with the fear that often rises up inside of us?

Prepare for what you can’t prepare for.

Hatred in the world is unfortunately very real. But we can have God’s victory, which is just as real, before our eyes at all times:

“‘…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.’” (John 16:33 NKJV) This verse shows us that Jesus knew what was coming!

Other translations say, “‘…Take heart!…’” (John 16:33 NIV) Again this means, “Be unconcerned. Be calm.”

You can fall completely into the arms of God, the One who always keeps His Word! He knows exactly what happened yesterday, what will be today, and what we will experience tomorrow. But He also knows that it isn’t forever…because He knows the end! The happy end He Himself promises us as His children!

Would you like to pray for peace with me today? “Jesus, it’s true, I’m afraid sometimes. So many things happen that seem completely out of my control. But I want, and choose, to trust You…You alone. For I’m safe with You, even in the midst of the greatest dangers. I ask You for Your peace of mind, Jesus. I need You! In Jesus’ name, amen.”

You are a miracle!

Scriptures: Hebrews 3:1, Jonah 2:1-7

Does He Have Your Full Attention?

What is usually your first thought in the morning? Is it “Oh no, I have to do this and that today,” or are your thoughts generally more positive? Either way, I’d like to encourage you with this Scripture today: “…fix your thoughts on Jesus…” (Hebrews 3:1 NIV).

When I stumbled across this short verse, I thought to myself, “Wow, we could think about this for a week because it is truly life-changing.”

Yes, if you want to experience change, you have to have new thoughts!

The good news is that it is possible for us to train ourselves to always focus our thoughts and attention on Jesus first. For example, when we experience something beautiful, we can give Him a short prayer of thanksgiving: “Thank You, Jesus…I know that was You again!” And when things get more difficult, we can cry out to Him for help: “Jesus, this situation is scaring me and I’m not looking forward to today, but I want to look forward to YOU! I trust that You will intervene!”

I exhort you: don’t make the same mistake as Jonah (see Jonah 2:1-7). He had clearly heard from God but first had to be swallowed by a whale before giving Him (rather than his own angst) his full attention: “As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD…” (Jonah 2:7 NLT).

What is it that tries to steal your thoughts of peace in the morning? Will you make a conscious effort to turn from it and instead fix your thoughts on Jesus? If you do, I assure you—not only will your focus shift from hopelessness to hope, but you will have more JOY in your everyday life!

Let’s pray together today…“Jesus, it’s difficult for me in the hustle and bustle of everyday life to always consciously direct my focus to You because everything seems so urgent! Please forgive me for thinking I have to take care of everything myself when You want to help me. Give me grace to live with my gaze intentionally fixed on You. I want You to have all my attention because I love You! Amen.”

You are a miracle!

Scriptures: Mark 14:33-35, John 13:7

A Bull at the Gate?

Have you ever been like a bull at the gate, determined to charge into something and make it happen, no matter what? Sometimes opportunities present themselves that seem like they must be seized immediately, and so we do—even though everyone around us is screaming, “No…not now…not like this!”

There’s a great expression that says, “There’s power in calm.” I believe that rest always brings us more than decisions made in stress do.

When Jesus was facing the worst hour of His life, He could have been like a bull at the gate—He could’ve made an escape plan with His disciples, for example, or planned a counterattack!

But He didn’t! He sought rest first: “He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ He said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch.’ Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him.” (Mark 14:33-35 NIV)

Whew, what a tough act to follow. Jesus chose to walk this terrifying path without devising a plan of His own. He faithfully pressed on. Jesus came into this situation from a place of rest.

I encourage you to act out of prayer and not out of emotion. We know the results of Jesus’ obedience today: because He chose the Father’s path and did not resist, we are alive today! Yes, because He died, we live!

“…’You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’” (John 13:7 NIV)

Your life is not out of control! God is still in control!

Today, come to Him with your fear. Receive His peace. Kneel before Him and tell Him, “My Jesus, I need You. Help me! I give You my life and all my trust. Amen.”

Just as He did, choose to act out of prayer!

You are a miracle!

Scripture: John 18:11

What Is It That Scares You So Much?

“God is still in control!” I woke up with that phrase on my phone as the world seemed to be going crazy once again! News about COVID, violence, and increased political strife was all over the T.V. and internet.

And then there was me. My life had also been completely disrupted by the crises. Questions upon questions as well as great fear filled my mind…”What’s going to happen next?”

Maybe you’re in a similar situation right now and just don’t understand why you have to endure it.

But God is using your breaking point to make an exclamation point of His power!

When Jesus was taken captive, He knew what was ahead of Him. He knew what He would die for! Yes, He knew that His point of suffering would become the “exclamation point” of life for us! For it is only because Jesus endured that terrible time, even dying on the cross, that we have access to hope, love, and eternal life!

Even when Peter wanted to “save” Him and drew his sword to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus said, “‘…Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?’” (John 18:11 NIV)

You never know what “divine exclamation point” will come after a situation that’s causing you fear, doubt, worry, and despair. But be reassured that God will not let you “carry your cup” without carrying YOU through it!

Would you like to ask Him today to take away your fear? “Jesus, help me to realize that through this situation, there’s a ‘divine exclamation point’ You want to use to show me once again how powerful You are! Please carry me through this time and free me from my fears! In Your name, amen.”

There is life in abundance ahead of you!

You are a miracle!

Scripture: Isaiah 6:8

God Creates Opportunities?

I had been invited to sing at a soccer charity event and was delighted to have the opportunity! Especially when the organizers asked me to sing my song “One Prayer” and share my eating disorder story/testimony.

But as more and more well-known people entered the room, I was gripped with fear! I wanted to retreat but found no place except the hotel bar. Amazingly, there was worship music playing there! I could hardly believe it! I was so moved by this completely unexpected encounter with God that I started to cry.

Yes, when you do unexpected things for Him, you can always expect Him to be there when you seek Him! “…’Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV)

I needed this moment of communion with God to remind me what this opportunity was all about. He had opened these doors for me so that He could reach these people’s hearts!

Once I understood that, I stood on stage not with a show but with a divine authority that enveloped the entire auditorium. Hardly an eye remained dry as I shared my story and then sang “One Prayer”: “One prayer…it can save your life. Let Him save your life!”

The message couldn’t have been clearer. It hit home: “This has gripped me so much that I can’t give my speech now,” the speaker cried into the microphone after me.

The road ahead or the doors that open to you may frighten you, but remember Who is sending you there! I encourage you to enter into His presence and remember this truth. Then say to Him, “Here I am! Send me!”

Be blessed with divine authority in your life, and may the song “One Prayer” encourage you today!

You are a miracle!