As I meditated on this 1 Timothy verse from blog 112, something struck me and I have not been able to put it out of my head:

 

1 Timothy 4:12  Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

 

Notice he says:  set an example for the believers

 

As I read that I wondered:  Why is he saying to set and example FOR THE BELIEVERS?  Don’t they already believe?  Are they really in need of an example?

 

The answer is YES.

 

And I think it is safe to say that in our country today, God is calling us to stand up.

 

In many parts of the world, the world is in chaos…..but we hear testimony after testimony of God showing up and overcoming the world.

 

Here in America, it is just the opposite.  Our world is somewhat in order, and by removing God we create our own chaos.

 

I mean—-we are free to have Him…….so why don’t we?

 

Imagine what God could do if we would actually invite Him into our country?

 

This is not a challenge to those who don’t know Him….it is the challenge of Paul to all of us to set the example for other believers….in:

  • The way we talk
  • The way we live
  • The way we love
  • The way we worship
  • The things that we refrain from

 

I heard a pastor say that Fear is faith in the wrong god.  What a concept.  The reality is that we must take back the spiritual dominion over our small worlds of influence….if we do, it will have a rippling effect…..

 

So….my question today is:  What Are We Afraid Of?

 

As I worshipped yesterday…..I got my answer:  we are afraid of a lot of things.

 

I am not going to judge fear….because I have it too.  I am going to identify my perception of what the enemy does to create fear….sometimes, if we can identify our opponent—we are better able to defeat his plan against us.

 

As I began to pray and worship on how the enemy might attack, I began to see the list of vowels…..A, E, I, O, and U.  The enemy has used these (and probably many more) tactics to set us back:

 

  • ACCEPTANCE  Nicodemus in John 3.  Nicodemus is curious to talk to Jesus but does not want to lose his favor with the Jewish Council.  So he seeks Him out in the secrecy of night.
  • ENERGY  The disciples in Matthew 26:40.  When He needs them the most, the disciples fall into slumber.
  • INTIMIDATION  Daniel 6.  Nothing brings greater intimidation than a lion pride that is waiting to devour you….or a giant….or a Roman centurion looking for someone to use as his next example.
  • OBSTACLES  Exodus 3.  Moses asks Pharaoh to give freedom to one of the greatest free labor forces that the world has ever known.
  • UNDERMINE  Job 4-23.  Job’s friends turn on him.  Nothing sets us back like discouragement in the midst of our issues.

 

 

Jesus came to set us free.  Let’s purpose to be an example of living by Faith and not by fear.

 

Let’s set an example for the believers in all that we do.

 

It is in great displays of FAITH that we truly do….SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE BELIEVERS…..

 

In The Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

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Coach J