Fruitful or Fearful?

The night that I was Born Again, I was in MN, near a lake, meditating on the new perspective that God had given me that instant of salvation^{1, 2, 3} (John 3:3, Matthew 3:1-2, 2 Peter 3:9).  As I watched the sun set over the mirror-like lake with my new eternal companion,^{4, 5} (Proverbs 18:24, John 14:17-18) the Holy Spirit, I tried to comprehend the spiritual awakening of being adopted⁶ (Romans 8:14-17) by the King of kings and Lord of lords.  The sky’s brilliant colors gradually faded away to darkness and wolves began howling from afar.  As a girl alone in the woods, I usually would have been afraid but not this time… Death⁷ (1 Corinthians 15:55) was no longer an unknown, I realized that in my heart, I knew that my last breath on Earth meant my first moment in the presence⁸ (2 Corinthians 5:8)  of my Redeemer and Saviour!  But when the mosquitoes began their feast at my expense, I decided to head back to the camp.  As I found my way back through the woods, I walked through spider webs and was instantly reminded of the ‘old creature⁹ (2 Corinthians 5:17)’ that would have been petrified of a spider hitching a ride on me but this time was different; the spider could have joined me because I had found God’s gift of grace¹⁰ (Ephesians 2:8-9), Jesus Christ!  

As a newborn babe in Christ¹¹ (1 Peter 2:2-3), I was still unsure of how to understand the newness that I was experiencing but I sincerely knew (and still know) with full assurance¹² (Isaiah 12:2) that it was not something that would ever change.  A few months later, I read Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.  ”That is exactly what happened!

This virus is certainly a devastating event globally but God has a purpose.  I believe it is an external indicator of the heart’s current condition.  While precautions are always wise, God’s true children know that there is nothing to fear - ever¹³! 

Dearly beloved, I implore you to search your heart, are you afraid¹⁴ (Psalm 118:6)?  Plead with God to use this event in a mighty way through your life:  whether to unveil your deception and cry out to the only One who can save you immediately before it is too late^{15, 16} (2 Corinthians 6:1-2, Matthew 16:28).  He can only be worshipped in Spirit and in truth¹⁷ (John 4:24). Or rejoice (loudly enough that it can be observed from at least 6 feet away), and let the entire world around you know why you’re experiencing a supernatural peace that passeth all understanding!

So… Have you been fearful or have you been fruitful?  

God knows.

Verses Referenced:

1. John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
2. Matthew 3:1-2  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, Repent ye:  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
3. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (other related verses: Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:14-15, Romans 2:4)
4. Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
5. John 14:17-18 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.  I will not leave you comfortless:  I will come to you.
6. Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
7. 1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting?  O grave, where is thy victory?
8. 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
10. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast.
11. 1 Peter 2:2-3 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:  if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
12. Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid:  for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
13. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
14. Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear:  what can man do unto me?
15. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee:  behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)
16. Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
17. John 4:24  God is a Spirit:  and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.