no fear in love

1 John 4

"God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both." 4:17 - 21

Over the last few years I have found myself in the middle of some places, and some situations, that were, well....quite crazy. So many stories to tell of how the Lord protected me in the midst of the enemy trying to snatch me. When I think about some of these times, it truly is the hand of God over my life that shielded me.

To be authentic, and to give you a picture of the reality in which we live....

I was in the line of fire at the park in Midtown one day, from a fight that escalated to a drive by shooting. Jesus shielding everyone there and no one was hit with a bullet.

I have run hundreds of miles through downtown Jackson, on many streets that are often on the news. Jesus always runs with me and I have never had anything happen to me.

I have been in the middle of some violent fights on the streets. Jesus has never let one hand strike me.

I have been inside the darkest of houses full of drugs, guns, perversion. Jesus has shown me his light in every one of them.

I have had many people screaming in my face, spit on me, throw things at me. Jesus has always given me grace and compassion in those moments.

I have walked the ground of some countries that Christians are not welcome. Jesus has given favor and open doors in those places.

How can I have fear when I can give testimony to how Jesus has ALWAYS protected me! One day I was having a really hard day, just very discouraged about how to continue - because there are many days I just don't want to! The Lord spoke so sweetly to me and said, "you can move forward in faith, or you can move forward in fear - it's your choice."

How could I go in fear when His word tells us that there is NO fear in his love. I can't pick and choose what I believe in his word - I either believe it all, or I don't believe it at all. I choose to move forward in faith, even when the enemy tries to put fear in me. He can keep on trying, he is not going to win that battle.

This is the most common question I get from people, "are you not scared?" My honest response is this - "If I had a fear, it would only be that I do not do what the Father wants me to do."

I am not afraid of people. I am not afraid of situations. I am not afraid of dying for the sake of the gospel - gosh, then I get to see Jesus!

It is easy to say we love God when that doesn't cost us anything more than a weekly church service. The real test of our love for God is how we treat people right in front of us, and how we walk in faith to what He asks of us.

This is what the Lord sings over you.....