Category: Fear

Obey What You Know

“And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled. David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all.” 1 Sam. 30:17-19 (ESV) What kind of battle are you facing? How should you respond? Obey what you know. Yes, it will take courage and you may have to overcome the fear of the unknown. Face your fears and walk in the light God gives you. Where God guides, He always provides. David turned a setback into a comeback. He pursued God’s comfort and wisdom. In obedience to God, David mobilized 400 of his warriors and they recovered all that had been taken by the Amalekites. Nothing was missing! You know that God is working. You know that God is faithful. You know that if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. If you can’t feel His presence, you can still trust His heart. Remember, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 ESV). God is working in you so that He can do His work through you! Obey what you know. Pursue God daily. Rest sufficiently. Eat nutritionally. Exercise consistently. Read strategically. Pray specifically. Trust God completely. Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Adversity Anxiety Fear

Name Your Pain

“And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep.” 1 Samuel 30:3-4 (ESV) Sometimes life can surprise you with circumstances you did not see coming. You get the wind knocked out of you and you experience pain that lingers like a low-grade fever. Maybe you are there right now as you seek to make sense of this intrusion of adversity. David and his warriors return from war expecting a warm welcome but were greeted with the smell of devastation. Their city had been burned and their families taken captive. Grief saturated their emotions as pain crashed upon them like a tidal wave. Have you noticed how we try to cover up our pain? In fact, so much of life is actually pain management. We try to ignore our pain, or suppress our pain, and escape our pain. If only we could forget about our pain for a little while, then we would be able to catch our breath and take a few more steps forward. God is teaching me that grieving is part of the cleansing process in which He addresses areas that need to attention. It is wise to name your pain. Learn to grieve with specificity rather than treading water in the sea of ambiguity. God will meet you at your point of need. Take time to grieve your losses. Feel everything God wants you to feel as you lean into His unconditional love. Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Tags Devo

Deuteronomy Fear Moses

No Need to Fear

“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’” Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (ESV) Have you ever felt inadequate or insufficient for a task? Joshua experienced a defining moment as his mentor, Moses, handed off the mantle of leadership and transferred the baton of responsibility. In the sight of all Israel, Moses commissioned Joshua as the one who would lead the people of Israel into the land of Promise. Joshua would lead the charge to possess the land flowing with milk and honey. Moses imparted words of comfort to his protégé, Joshua. Not only did Moses affirm possession of the land, but he also affirmed God’s provision. Moses clarified to Joshua that the Lord would go before him. He assured Joshua that the Lord would be with him and would not leave him or forsake him. There was no need to fear. There was no need to be dismayed. God always provides you with everything you need to accomplish His will. If you are facing a God-sized assignment, you can rest in God’s sufficiency to equip you with everything you need to fulfill His assignment. If you are walking in the unknown and the uncertain, you can know God’s provision and you can be certain of God’s abundant supply. Wherever God guides, He always provides. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Depression Fear Perspective

Loss of Perspective

“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’” 1 Kings 19:1-2 (ESV) Loss of perspective leads to confusion. Elijah confronted idolatry and the forces of evil with courage and boldness. He aggressively opposed the prophets of Baal and Asherah. Elijah was able to raise his hands in victory after the fire of God fell on Mt. Carmel to consume the sacrifice. The public victory had been won. Privately, Elijah shifted from faith in God to fear of the wicked woman, Jezebel. Elijah confronted the prophets with utter courage and now is running for his life as a coward because of a threat from Jezebel. Elijah displayed confusion as a result of losing his perspective. He falls into deep depression. What are some causes of depression? Frustration can lead to depression. Frustration over the circumstances you find yourself in can lead to depression. Sometimes frustration related to a strained relationship can cause depression. Fear can certainly bring you down into the pit of despair. When you stop viewing life through the eyes of faith and start viewing life through the eyes of fear, depression seeps in. Fatigue has a way of opening the door to depression. When you are exhausted, you can quickly lose perspective. Then, of course, there is the bandit of financial pressure. That kind of perpetual pressure can lead you down the alley of depression. Do you currently have God’s perspective on your life and on your circumstances? Have you experienced any level of depression in recent days? There’s hope! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Deuteronomy Fear Moses

No Need to Fear

“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’” Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (ESV) Have you ever felt inadequate or insufficient for a task? Joshua experienced a defining moment as his mentor, Moses, handed off the mantle of leadership and transferred the baton of responsibility. In the sight of all Israel, Moses commissioned Joshua as the one who would lead the people of Israel into the land of Promise. Joshua would lead the charge to possess the land flowing with milk and honey. Moses imparted words of comfort to his protégé, Joshua. Not only did Moses affirm possession of the land, but he also affirmed God’s provision. Moses clarified to Joshua that the Lord would go before him. He assured Joshua that the Lord would be with him and would not leave him or forsake him. There was no need to fear. There was no need to be dismayed. God always provides you with everything you need to accomplish His will. If you are facing a God-sized assignment, you can rest in God’s sufficiency to equip you with everything you need to fulfill His assignment. If you are walking in the unknown and the uncertain, you can know God’s provision and you can be certain of God’s abundant supply. Wherever God guides, He always provides. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 80: Deuteronomy 30-31) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Depression Fear Perspective

Loss of Perspective

“Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.’” 1 Kings 19:1-2 (NIV) Loss of perspective leads to confusion. Elijah confronted idolatry and the forces of evil with courage and boldness. He aggressively opposed the prophets of Baal and Asherah. Elijah was able to raise his hands in victory after the fire of God fell on Mt. Carmel to consume the sacrifice. The public victory had been won. Privately, Elijah shifted from faith in God to fear of the wicked woman, Jezebel. Elijah confronted the prophets with utter courage and now is running for his life as a coward because of a threat from Jezebel. Elijah displayed confusion as a result of losing his perspective. He falls into deep depression. What are some causes of depression? Frustration can lead to depression. Frustration over the circumstances you find yourself in can lead to depression. Sometimes frustration related to a strained relationship can cause depression. Fear can certainly bring you down into the pit of despair. When you stop viewing life through the eyes of faith and start viewing life through the eyes of fear, depression seeps in. Fatigue has a way of opening the door to depression. When you are exhausted, you can quickly lose perspective. Then, of course, there is the bandit of financial pressure. That kind of perpetual pressure can lead you down the alley of depression. Do you currently have God’s perspective on your life and on your circumstances? Have you experienced any level of depression in recent days? There’s hope! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Fear God's Will Intimacy with God Selflessness Wisdom

Our Whole Duty

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl 12:13 (NIV) Imagine enjoying a cup of coffee at Starbuck’s with one of the wisest men to ever live, Solomon. That’s right! You are sitting across from Solomon and you ask him to share with you what he has learned after experiencing life in a way that few would ever experience in a lifetime. Solomon pursued wealth, wisdom, and women. At the end of his life, he looks into the review mirror and captures what matters most. Let me share the first essential to doing life God’s way: Revere God. Solomon says to “fear God.” In the language of the Old Testament, to fear God means to revere God. It means to hold God in high esteem. We are to place the worth and value on God that He deserves. We are to reverence God for who He is and for what He has done. Revering God involves giving Him first place in your life. Your ambition is to honor God with your life. His agenda becomes the focus of your life. You revere God by aligning your heart with His heart. Revering God is demonstrated by loving what God loves, and by hating what God hates. In his book, Walking with God, John Eldredge writes, “I assume that an intimate, conversational walk with God is available, and is meant to be normal.” As you walk with God and revere Him, your love relationship with God will become intimate. Doing life God’s way always produces intimacy with God and brings Him pleasure. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor (This devotional was originally posted in ’07 or ’08. I’m taking a break from writing for a season of personal renewal.) Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Beauty Fear Mother's Day

Mother’s Day

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Prov 31:30 (NIV) Our culture places immeasurable value on beauty. Teenage girls and women combat incalculable pressure to compete with the enhanced images of celebrities frequenting magazine covers. The pressure escalates as trends vacillate from month to month. What is considered a beautiful trait now may not measure up next month. Swirling in plurality, our culture redefines beauty as often as the shifting of sand upon the seashores. The Bible defines beauty in relationship to how one reveres God. From God’s perspective, beauty is an internal reality instead of an external commodity. Your authentic walk with God determines your level of beauty. External beauty is fleeting. From the moment we are born, our physical body begins to deteriorate. This shell that we live in continues to age. How we respond to God determines our inner beauty. Fearing God is the key to beauty. Fearing God means to revere Him, to adore Him, and to esteem Him. To fear God is to value what He values, to love what He loves, and to hate what He hates. Fearing God involves being perpetually aware of His holiness and purity. If your mother is still living, have you praised her for fearing the Lord? If your mother has already gone to heaven, spend some time in prayer thanking God for blessing you with a mother who feared the Lord. You are blessed to have such a rich heritage. I am so grateful to God for blessing me with a mother who fears the Lord. Her life has been a continual source of inspiration. My brother and I arise and call her blessed (Prv. 31:28). Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Fear One Month To Live Passion Zeal

Passion in Action (2)

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.” Prov 23:17 (NIV) The current of our culture is counter Christian. As you seek to live out your faith in a fallen world, you will quickly discover that walking in reverence to God and in full devotion to Jesus will place you in the minority. You may forfeit popularity in this sin saturated culture, but you will not forfeit your position in Christ. You may not be affirmed by society for your faithfulness to God, but you will be rewarded by God who is all-knowing and who takes care of HIs own. Don’t allow the prosperity of the wicked to distract you in this life. Don’t allow the visible affluence of the disobedient to diminish your passion for the things of God. Always be zealous for the Lord. Guard your heart and fortify your passion for God. Revere God as your Heavenly Father. Revere God as the One who created you, pursued you, rescued you, and empowers you for victorious living. Revere God for His holiness. Revere God for His nature and character. Demonstrate your devotion to God by your unwavering allegiance to His redemptive plan. What if you had less than thirty days to live? How would your loyalty be adjusted? Would your allegiance to God’s agenda expand? How differently would you channel your passion? Let’s live life for God with the intensity of our final days on the earth. God deserves our best! God deserves our reverence and our diligence! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Fear Good Life Intimacy with God Reverence Wisdom

The Good Life (4)

Depression Discouragement Fatigue Fear Financial Pressure Frustration

Growing Through Depression (2)

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 2, 2008
62 Comments on Growing Through Depression (2)

“Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.’” 1 Kings 19:1-2 (NIV) Loss of perspective leads to confusion. Elijah confronted idolatry and the forces of evil with courage and boldness. He aggressively opposed the prophets of Baal and Asherah. Elijah was able to raise his hands in victory after the fire of God fell on Mt. Carmel to consume the sacrifice. The public victory had been won. Privately, Elijah shifted from faith in God to fear of the wicked woman, Jezebel. Elijah confronted the prophets with utter courage and now is running for his life as a coward because of a threat from Jezebel. Elijah displayed confusion as a result of losing his perspective. He falls into deep depression. What are some causes of depression? Frustration can lead to depression. Frustration over the circumstances you find yourself in can lead to depression. Sometimes frustration related to a strained relationship can cause depression. Fear can certainly bring you down into the pit of despair. When you stop viewing life through the eyes of faith and start viewing life through the eyes of fear, depression seeps in. Fatigue has a way of opening the door to depression. When you are exhausted, you can quickly lose perspective. Then, of course, there is the bandit of financial pressure. That kind of perpetual pressure can lead you down the alley of depression. Do you currently have God’s perspective on your life and on your circumstances? Have you experienced any level of depression in recent days? There’s hope! There’s help on the way… Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor