Kelly
Fear is natural it is a defence mechanism which helps us preserve our lives.
Immediately after the crucifixion the disciples were skulking about, hiding
from the authorities because they were afraid. It was only after they were
filled with the Holy Spirit that they became bold.
In more recent times, John Wesley, founder of the Methodist denomination,
went to America as a missionary. He failed miserably. It was only after he
had returned to England and met some Moravians who were instumental in his
receiving the Holy Spirit that he was successful in his evangelism.
There is no need to feel guilty about feeling afraid. The remedy is to seek
God's will for your life and you will receive the empowerment. The real
shame is when fear stops you from following the promptings of the Holy Ghost
(guilty 8^( ).
Just my 2d's worth.
BoW
----- Original Message -----
From: Gist, Kelly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 2:26 PM
Subject: [RR] FW: Inspiration - Boldness in Witnessing
>
> Subject: Inspiration - Boldness in Witnessing
>
>
> When they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was
shaken,
> and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word
> of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).
>
> Fear is a powerful controller. It either compels us to do what is
> irresponsible or it impedes us from living responsibly. Recently a
> denominational executive spoke in our chapel, and his opening statement
was,
> "As I travel among our pastors, I'm overwhelmed by the realization that
the
> number one motivation in their lives is fear of failure."
>
> After several years of teaching evangelism and overseeing evangelistic
> outreaches, I can tell you with confidence that the number one reason
people
> don't share their faith is fear. Agoraphobia, fear of being in public, is
> one of the fastest growing psychological disorders. Fear of failure, fear
of
> the devil, fear of man, fear of everything is plaguing our society.
>
> Do you know that the most frequent command of Jesus in the Gospels is
"Fear
> not"? In anticipation of Israel's entrance into the Promised Land, God
tells
> His people four times "Be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1). The writer of
> Proverbs says, "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous
> are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1).
>
> The fact that God doesn't look favorably on cowards and unbelievers is
made
> evident in Revelation 21:8: "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and
> abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters
and
> all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and
> brimstone, which is the second death." Does it surprise you that cowardly,
> unbelieving people are listed in a rogue's gallery with murderers and
liars?
>
> It is a characteristic of the Spirit-filled life to be bold (Acts 4:31).
The
> early church didn't pray for "divine appointments"; they prayed for
> boldness. God's kingdom can only be established by faithful and courageous
> people.
>
> Lord, I purpose to be strong and courageous in Your name, ready and
> trustworthy to accomplish Your will.
>
>
>
> -----------
>
> This daily devotional is published and distributed by
>
> Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
>
> < http://www.ficm.org >.
>
>
>
> - JENKENS & GILCHRIST E-MAIL CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE -
> This transmission may be: (1) subject to the Attorney-Client Privilege,
(2)
> an attorney work product, or (3) strictly confidential. If you are not the
> intended recipient of this message, you may not disclose, print, copy or
> disseminate this information. If you have received this in error, please
> reply and notify the sender (only) and delete the message. Unauthorized
> interception of this e-mail is a violation of federal criminal law.
>
>
>
>
_______
To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm
http://rangernet.org Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
