“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect [complete, mature] in love” (1 John 4:18, brackets mine). When we’re fully walking in Christ and understanding the amazing depth of God’s love for us, the fears are gone. All of His peace and joy and love and kindness and goodness are constantly flowing out of us and into our lives. The world doesn’t know this kind of real love, but it’s the life the Father meant us to live, and the Gospel we’re supposed to be preaching!

People spend half their life trying to feel worthy to be God’s representative, then the other half wondering if they’re doing it right. Jesus isn’t calling you to do something beyond you, because you aren’t doing it in your own ability, you’re doing it in HIS. HE qualifies you and equips you by putting HIS Spirit IN you!

Say what God says! Reciting His promises and thanking Him for all the amazing things He has done for you in Christ is the heart of true praise and worship. “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).

Since the fall of Adam the image of God has been distorted little by little, like a photocopy where each copy is a little less clear than the copy before it. Eventually the image is barely recognizable, until fresh toner is installed and the image becomes crisp and clear again. If your walk with God has become faded and lacking clarity, only the Word of God can give you fresh perspective and a clear view of the exciting, limitless life that has been set before you in Christ!

When the Israelites brought an offering to the priest to atone for their sins, the priest didn’t inspect the people to see if they were worthy, he inspected the offering they presented. If you have received the gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus, God isn’t inspecting you to see if you’re worthy of His forgiveness and blessing—He looks at the perfect offering—His Son!

“Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:5-6). You can come to the place where no matter what is happening around you, you are not shaken. How? By taking time and meditating, speaking and growing in the truth of this and other scriptures like it. You’re not ignoring what’s going on around you, you’re just becoming more confident and focused on things above, where you’re seated with Christ!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). God is not far away! Once you came into Christ, He is now right there with you continually. If you feel He’s far away, make sure your faith and expectancy are in the right place, and your fear isn’t pushing God farther away from you than where He desires to be!

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Prov. 4:23). Ask yourself, “What is my first reaction to bad news?” The life of God IN you is greater than any circumstance around you. Identify the inspiration-killers that have tried to defeat you, and become trained in God’s Word to walk in victory against them!

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus”—NOT according to how much is in your bank account, or how good or bad the economy is. His supply to you is not at all rooted in anything going on around you, it comes to you from His glory! (Phil. 4:19 NIV)

Elijah prayed 7 times for it to rain. He didn’t quit at the 6th time and start teaching his disciples why God doesn’t answer prayer. No, he persisted and received the rain on the 7th time (1 Kings 18:42-44). Neither the devil or the world’s system can hold back what God has promised for His children, so forget your failures and start the day with fresh expectation and fresh focus on what you are asking of the Lord!