Be Bold: Don't Be Afriad to Speak

The spirit of fear and lack of boldness is a major issue for many young (in age) Christians. Youth are often inundated with peer pressure and to go with the flow; to conform to the ways of the world. Many young people are so consumed with how people look at them and perceive them instead of realizing that the only person who can affirm them is their Creator. Yet we are called to something great and that is to tell the world that God is real, that He gave His only Son as a sacrifice so that our debts and sins could be forgiven. God wants us to speak. He wants us to do that which He has called us to. In Acts 18:9-10, God spoke to Paul and said:

…Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

¹⁰For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

¹¹And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

If God has called us to speak then He has made heavenly arrangement to ensure that we glorify His name. God asks that we “not hold our peace, for He is with us”. He said that He would be with us. He is telling us that if we just trust that He will fill our mouths and stand by us and His Word, we shouldn’t be afraid to speak. We should feel free to open our mouths and tell of His mercy, love and grace. God also promises that no one would harm us. If God is for us, who can be against us? I know we all have heard it before but do we really understand and believe it? We should constantly remind ourselves that Christ said He would not leave us as orphans. We will not need to fend for ourselves and protect ourselves from all the wolves in the world. No, He is going to protect us. He will make sure that we are kept and preserved. Then God says something beautiful, He said that He has many people in the city. I wonder, do we ever stop and think about the fact that God has strategically placed many of us in a particular city for a particular reason? I know that my God just doesn’t throw ideas in the air and see if they stick? No, He is a thoughtful God that orchestrates all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. God has set His people in cities to be an encouragement, protectors, watchers, and a cup of cold water. He has not forgotten us. If He has called us He will take care of us and that also means situating His saints in various places.

God will also give you the words to speak. Isaiah 50:4 reads,

4 “ The Lord GOD has given Me

The tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak

A word in season to him who is weary.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear

To hear as the learned.

And while the previous passage speaks of Christ, we have been commissioned to do His Works on the earth. So if Jesus wants us to do that which He did, wouldn’t it only be fitting that we too will have the tongue of the learned? We would have a word in season for those who are weary? Bottom line, when He calls you He equips you. You never have to worry or wonder what to speak. God will give you the words, He will provide protection, He will be with you, He will provide people in the faith as a comfort for you and so much more.

Dare to be different for the Lord. I know it can be hard dealing with people’s perceptions of you, wanting to be liked by classmates and co-workers, but we need to understand we only need to be approved by One’ person” and that is God! We are in the world but we are not of the world. We need to remember what Jesus said about us in His prayer before being led away to be tried and crucified. My music ministry director mentioned something to us once. He said that God mounts us on wings as eagles and as many of you may know, eagles soar to new heights and when the wind is troublesome they don’t stop flying they just rise higher. He said that eagles don’t flock. That simple phrase really changed my outlook on how I see myself through the eyes of the world. It doesn’t matter if we are ostracized because eagles don’t flock anyway. Let us not seek approval or comfort from the world, but rather know that we can speak boldly because the Holy Spirit lives in us and guides us. So wherever you are, if God is calling you to stay and speak, then you do just that. Know that He is with you and that He loves you. Know that He has put His Word on the line. Also realize that you can do nothing in the flesh. God’s Spirit does the work and gets the glory. You are a vessel and a partaker but you are not the author or the recipient. Allow God to use you for the saving of souls. Don’t be afraid to speak and don’t be afraid to be different.

I pray that God delivers you from fear and baptizes you in love and boldness.

Dr. Wilkerson's reponse to "An Urgent Warning"

I received this response e-mail from our pastor about the warning that he sent out last week. Again I ask you to pray for understanding and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you about the things to come.

A PASTOR’S RESPONSE TO “AN URGENT WARNING”

It is the task of a true prophet to warn. We have recently heard such a clear warning of perilous days just ahead of us. The prophet is like a man who comes to warn a shepherd that ravenous wolves are approaching. It then becomes the shepherd’s task to appropriately discern the warning and to guide those in his care to a place of wisdom and security. I am not a prophet. I am a local pastor. I must ask myself what I am to do in light of hearing the warning from God. What should I say to those under my pastoral care? First, I want my people to clearly hear the word. What is it saying and what is it not saying. Some have heard of fires and looting and their hearts are filled with fear. I am to assure my people that God is always completely in control. God is sovereign. Nothing takes place outside of his notice and counsel, and all things happen for his ultimate, highest glory. Even in the most troubling of times, our God knows exactly what he is doing.
Second, I want those I serve to know two things concerning God’s wrath. First, some leaders in the church have sadly fallen into the deception that there is no such thing as the wrath of God. Roman 1:18 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Some act in ungodly ways, others are ungodly by their suppressing the truth of God’s wrath. Some leaders reduce, ignore and even ridicule anyone who reminds them of the certainty of God’s wrath. Romans 2:5 also tells us clearly that the wrath of God is toward those whose hearts are hard and impenitent. This leads to the second element of understanding God’s wrath. It is never, ever, ever poured out on the children of God. In I John 2:2 “He is the propitiation for our sins.” The word propitiation means “wrath quencher.” What marvelous grace, what redemption! God’s wrath at my rebellion and sin has been quenched on the Cross of Christ. Hard times come; rain falls even on the just but wrath does not.
Last, I am obligated to guide the flock given to me with loving-kindness and soberness. If a wolf or a storm is coming, I as a shepherd must know the conditions of my flock. Are any sitting on the fence? Warn them that this is no time for compromise or close affiliation with the world. Partying in the house of an Egyptian on the night of the Passover is definitely not a good idea. This is a time to stay close to the Chief Shepherd. This is also an opportunity for us to call out to those outside the gate. Jesus is the Door and has opened his heart. His cry it that all flee from wrath to come. More than shrinking behind a double-locked door or fleeing to a rural farm, this is a call from Jesus to move your life into the sheepfold. When a prophet comes with a message of warning, often people want the prophet to give them specific advice about what to do in response. At times, God gives the prophet a word, but more often it is up to the shepherd, and even more so, up to every man of God to take the word into account for his own family. Just as a pastor has stewardship of the church, a man of God is to give an account of his own family. When one comes to warn that wolves are coming, it is not always his responsibility to tell them what to do. We can hear from God. Joseph heard God say to store up food for the season to come (Genesis 41). Moses heard God say to receive gifts from the Egyptians for their journey (Exodus12). We as well can hear from God for our situation. Sheep do hear the Shepherd’s voice. Jesus—in this hour, in this storm—will not only guide his people and comfort his flock but will also give them boldness, confidence and a heart to serve those troubled by the afflictions.
A prophet once came to Paul and prophesied that if he went to Jerusalem he would be bound and put in prison. The prophet was faithful to give his word; it was up to Paul to hear from God how to deal with that warning. Paul, after hearing the prophecy, still decided to go to Jerusalem—willing to risk his life for the gospel (Acts 21). Some will hear and stay in a place of safety; others will hear and go to a place to serve. Some churches are positioned in cities that will need their spiritual strength and compassion. Perhaps the wisdom of Paul in Ephesians 5:15-18 speaks most to what we need, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”

No Worries!

In this time of economic crisis and rampant fear, God has given us many promises in His Word. God promises to take care of us through all things. So there is no need to worry or fear what is going on around you. You have a Mighty God! Your strength, your guide, your joy! He will always be there for you. There have been several suicides due to the economic downturn and many people who have placed their faith in money and belongings (mammon) and not God, find themselves lost, because what they once believed in, is now gone. You know something that they don't. You know the saving grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Please pray for people you know and don't know that may be lost in this time of turmoil. Share with them these promises, and tell them the good news of Jesus Christ! Remember, there is no need to worry, He is mighty to save!

Philippians 4: 6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9

8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed

Matthew 6:25 - 34

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Lord, I pray that You will bind the spirit of worrying in Your people. Let us remember that You are our portion, our ever present help! You are everything to us. You are our God and we are Your people. You provide all our needs and for that we are grateful to You and give you all the praise and all the glory! Lord we ask that You please use us to share Your grace with others. Let us remember to keep Your Words close to our hearts and share it with others in due season. Amen.