Personal Development God's Way » fear

David’s Faith Secrets

Jill Rapley — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:51:07 +0000

Have you ever wondered how David could have had the courage and faith to face Goliath when all the army of Israel were trembling in their boots (or sandals)?

When we read the story in 1 Samuel Chapter 17 we find that David did not even think twice when he heard the threats of this giant.

He was not going to allow this brutal Goliath to intimidate the army of his God!

So just what ARE the secrets of David’s faith?

I see three top secrets:

1. David could not be distracted.
His focus was so strongly fixed on:

The honor of His God.
His certainty that God’s army were destined to win the war.
Consequently no fear, no noise, no emotions or even Goliath’s jeering could distract him from his focus.

2. David was not intimidated.
- Goliath scoffed – David was not listening to that!
  
  Faith does not listen to fear!
- The army of Israel were trembling with fear – that did not intimidate David.
  Faith is not moved by fear!
- His brothers were jealous of him – David took no notice.
  Faith focuses on achieving victory – not on people’s negative emotions.
3. David fought the battle using strategies that he had already proven.

Once it was agreed upon to allow David to face Goliath, Saul immediately took him to the armor room to be fitted for his battle clothing.

But nothing fitted David. Everything was too heavy for him.

Finally he threw all of the Saul’s armor aside saying: “I can’t use these, because I am not used to them”. (1 Samuel 17:38).

Instead he went out to the brook and choose 5 stones. He was going to use the equipment that he had SUCCESSFULLY used in the past to kill the lion and the bear when he was protecting his father’s sheep.

David was skilled in winning.
David’s strategies were different from those of the army of Israel – BUT

David’s strategies were proven. He had used them to win in the past.

What are the top three secrets to David’s faith?
1. He could not be distracted by fear because his focus was on winning.
2. He could not be intimidated by fear because he was strongly focused on his God.
3. He used strategies that he had ALREADY be trained to use.
I am sure you see more secrets to David’s faith. Please share them below.
I am sure that you have had many experiences of faith in your life. I would love to hear about them. Please do share in the comments.

Real Faith Faces Facts And Changes Them!

Jill Rapley — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:55:41 +0000

Over the years I have so often noticed a confusion in the lives of many people as to what faith really is. Some seem to think that if you actually speak out a problem you lack faith. Yes I have been around people like that!

The idea behind this is you “cannot even mention anything negative because you attract it”. No, no.

Real faith is bold enough and has the courage to face facts square on and still be able to say “but God”. In other words, real faith can say “I don’t care how big the problem, God is bigger!”

Remember David? Did he for a moment minimize the strength, power and size of Goliath? Not at all! He knew that he David was no match for Goliath.

But God!

David knew his God! He knew his God was bigger than Goliath and he KNEW his God (THE God) would be with him. He had courage and FAITH.

Daniel made a very bold declaration:

But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. (Daniel 11:32)

Daniel certainly knew what he was talking about! When he was thrown into the lions den, he did not overcome them by talking himself into thinking they were mere cats! No, he KNEW they were lions and they were dangerous and he faced them!

But Daniel did not face the lions alone. He faced them with FAITH and confidence, not in his power but in the power of his God.

Faith and fear cannot live together:
I have been around people who are so fearful of even mentioning their problem or difficult situation for fear that they are making a “negative confession”. (Yes, there are even Christians with this attitude, and they say they are walking in faith!).

This is a denial that is born out of blatant FEAR.

Faith is not fearful. Real faith is well able to face the FACTS and say BUT GOD. Why? because real faith always looks higher than the problem, difficulty or challenge.

So one negative statement is not the issue (and yes I agree, idle words are not good!) The REAL issue is focus!

What are you FOCUSING on? What is the mediation of your heart?

Are you focusing on and meditating on the problem or on solutions?
Are you focusing on the negative “what ifs” as an outcome to a situation or are you focusing on victory?

Today’s question:
Are you REALLY walking in faith or could there be some fear in your life still?

Today’s challenge:
Let’s cast aside ALL fear and walk in REAL faith. Faith that is courageous and well able to face facts but know that there is a higher fact. God’s fact!

Real faith looks the present facts in the face and say: I see you, BUT God is greater! Real faith faces the present facts and then looks higher!

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What Are Your Words Doing To You?

Jill Rapley — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 03:06:23 +0000

Do you know that every word that you think and say affects your life and the life of those around you?

Does this mean that every single word you speak or think actually affects your life? YES.

Your words affect your faith and consequently they affect your present mood and emotional state. Consequently they set the direction for your future.

Your words are powerful! They are seeds. Remember that Jesus one of the Parables that Jesus taught was the Parable of the Sower.

In the interpretation of this parable Jesus likened the seed to the Word. Yes it was the Word of God He was referring to, but we also need to remember:

We are created in His likeness.
God used His Words to create this world.

God uses words to create and He entrusted us with this same power. This is a part of being created in His image.

The question is: What are YOUR words doing?

Do your words bless those around you as well as your life?
Do your words motivate or discourage?
Do your words build faith or inspire fear?
Do your words inspire or dishearten?
Do your words bring freedom or bondage?

So here is another question: What do you REALLY want to do?

Bless or curse?
Motivate or discourage?
Build faith or bring fear?
Inspire or dishearten?
Set free or cause bondage?

I am sure that you want to be a blessing to others as well as build a positive future for yourself right? So how can you be sure that this is really what you are doing?

First: THINK! Yes think before you speak. At times we are so quick to say something without even thinking right? And then comes the regrets.

Second: SOW good seeds. Make sure that you are sowing GOOD and POSITIVE thoughts into your mind every day.
Be disciplined to spend time every day reading the Bible, motivational and inspiration books.
Sow good seeds (words) into your mind EVERY DAY.

Third: Be alert to what you are hearing, reading, watching.
Be alert to every impression that comes your way and deliberately filter it.

A Challenge:
Are you willing to stop and think before you open your mouth?
Are you willing to take the time to sow good seeds into your mind every day?
Are you willing to take the time to be alert to and filter everything that comes your way?

I am sure that you are willing to do these things because I know that you are a champion. You can detect champions by the way they speak.

Can those around you detect that you are a champion?

Recommended resources: Download a free set of mp3s and mp4s from John Di Lemme that will challenge you AND show you how to take control of your life.

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Called to Win, Never to Lose

Jill Rapley — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:03:27 +0000

This post is based on: Jeremiah 1:17-19:

17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.
18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land.
19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

When God calls you, He has already made all the preparations necessary for you to succeed. Failing is never an option when you obey God’s call for your life.

Do you feel worthy of God’s call?
If you don’t feel worthy of God’s call on your life, you are not alone. Jeremiah was not exactly the ideal candidate to become a prophet to the nations. He did not seem to be a great candidate for success either.

Let’s face it, if you were to interviewing candidates for the position of a prophet to the nations, would you choose someone who by his own admission could not speak? (See Jeremiah 1:6 “… I do not know to speak for I am only a child”) I am sure you wouldn’t choose someone as unsure of themselves as Jeremiah was.

In fact, I am sure you would see him as weak, perhaps even unstable and certainly not ready for the position that was open in your organization. No, according to man’s criteria, Jeremiah was not the ideal choice.

But God saw beyond the outward appearances (of course). He saw beyond the fears and doubts that Jeremiah was expressing and choose the man He knew he could trust.

If you sense God calling you to be and do something you think is too hard for you, remember this:

God knows you better than you know yourself.
If God called you, then you KNOW you can be ALL He is calling you to be and you KNOW you can do all He is calling you to do.

God equipped Jeremiah:
God gave Jeremiah:

The words to speak,
Careful instructions as to what he should do and how he should react,
A guarantee of success.

Special instructions:
God gave Jeremiah specific instructions:

Stand up and say to them whatever I command you.
Do not be terrified by them or I will terrify you before them. This is a very sobering command accompanied by a consequence of disobedience. Do not be afraid of them.

Fear and Faith
Fear is actually misguided faith. Fear believes the worst can happen. Fear is faith in evil. Losers walk in fear.

When you walk in faith you believe for the best outcome. You know that God is good and so only good (or what is good for you) can happen. God is looking for men and women of faith, to obey Him and follow Him. Winners walk in faith.

If your faith is focused on evil, then evil can happen. If your faith is solidly placed in the good things that can happen to you, God will see to it that you are protected from evil, and only that which can do you good will happen in your life.

Evil may fight against you, but it will not prevail. This is the promise that God gave to Jeremiah, and is the same promise He has for YOU.

All He asks is that you trust and obey!

This is No #4 of the Series “Why Did God Call Jeremiah?”