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Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Welcome to day two of our study of joy from the book of Philippians. Paul is in prison, and as a result of his incarceration there has been a renewed sense of urgency that has developed in people to be bold in their witness for Jesus Christ.  Paul’s willingness to endure hardship for the sake of Jesus Christ has motivated others to become more courageous in their sharing of the gospel.

Philippians 1:12-14  “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”

People were motivated to share the Gospel courageously and fearlessly because of how Paul responded to jail time. Paul says that as a result of his chains the whole palace guard and all of the people responsible for the operation of the jail now know why he is there. They were all exposed to the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ. Everyone in the churches knew of Paul’s boldness when he was free. Now they have seen his boldness when there is an attempt to silence him. They have seen the true nature of salvation: it is not simply a convenient lifestyle that produces positive results, but it is a total transformation of the whole being that produces consistency in spite of circumstances.

As a result, the people of the churches were being motivated to surrender their lives to the cause of Jesus Christ. Oh there were some who were faking it and were boldly speaking out for Christ out of envy and rivalry, and maybe even out of the selfish motives of spiritual attention deficit disorder. But Paul understood, as we should, that the power of God is in the speaking of the truth not in the motive of the heart. The motive determines our reward, but not the hearer’s response. The Word of God does not return void – ever!

For this reason Paul rejoices. He is filled with joy because the gospel of salvation is being preached and taught to more and more people. My friends, we are partners in the gospel, and we should be rejoicing when we hear of the gospel being preached. My heart is broken when I hear about churches that are fighting over how the gospel is preached or what methods are being used for evangelism. I am distressed when I get reports of people who are attacking leadership because they don’t like a particular way the pastor speaks or challenges them or some author or book he plans to use. I am confused by the people who call themselves Christians and continue to cause division and hurt in the church because music, worship style, and people’s personal freedoms do not match their own choices. To quote Paul, “What does it matter?” We should all be rejoicing because the gospel is being preached. Our only concern should be for the truth and not a false gospel. The method and the motive are insignificant if the message is true.

Let’s spend today repenting of the criticisms of the church, and rejoicing over the ways the people of the church are spreading the gospel. That’s all that really matters. Today, choose joy instead of being a joy-sucker.

Pastor John

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Tuesday, January 25, 2022

For the rest of this week I would like to spend some quality time reflecting on the subject of joy from the book of Philippians. Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi while he was in prison, and yet it was his most uplifting and encouraging letter. What makes that kind of joy possible when the circumstances of life were so horrible? I think we will discover some wonderful truths that will help us not only know the answer to that question but also experience joy for ourselves.

Philippians 1:3-6  “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.“

I believe it is very significant that the first statement of joy that Paul makes to the people in Philippi while in his prison cell is based on his relationship with them. Relationships are vital to the experience of joy in our lives. Paul calls the people in this church his partners in the Gospel, and it is because of that partnership that he is able to endure hardship.

We see this principle worked out in a variety of ways in our everyday lives. Like athletes who press on toward the prize of winning a championship even though they are seriously hurting from an injury because they are surrounded by partners in the pursuit of the goal who support them and carry out their roles.

This is what the people of Philippi were to Paul – partners in the work of bringing people to Christ. Even though Paul was sidelined by his imprisonment he was filled with joy when he thought of the partners he had who were still hard at work to carry out their commission to spread the Good News. I have discovered this joy of partnership in the church. So many pastors have yet to experience it because they are forced to do all the work alone. They are leading a flock of impotent and sterile sheep who are unwilling to propagate the Gospel. Somehow they have gotten the idea that it is the shepherd’s responsibility to produce more sheep. These churches may be filled with people who do all kinds of work in the church, but fail to do the necessary work of evangelism in the world. I know the sorrow that is produced in the heart of a pastor when he is leading a church like that.

I also know the joy of being in partnership with people who are experiencing the work of God in their lives. They are at work in the church and in the world focused on the salvation of lost souls.  They are growing in their love for Jesus Christ, which is expressed in their abounding love for each other. (see Philippians 1:9-11). They are striving for purity and holiness, and their lives are filled with the fruit of righteousness so that it is obvious that they belong to Jesus Christ. I am overflowing with joy right now as I write this because it is true of the sheep at my present church.

I praise God for our partnership in the Gospel. When things go wrong on any given day, and hardship comes, I am filled with joy anyway because of that partnership, knowing that we are serving our Lord and Savior with all of our heart. I trust that your partnership with me brings you the same joy. 

Pastor John

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Monday, January 24, 2021

We bring to a conclusion today our study on trusting God’s character in bad circumstances with Paul’s final words from Romans 8 before he makes the statement that all things are working out for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:26-27  “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”

Jeremiah 8:18 “O my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.”

The basis for this study has been the “things” that are working for our good, and we have discovered that the “things” does not primarily refer to the circumstances of life but to the activities of God as expressed by His character in us. In review, the “things” that are at work for our good are:

1. The freedom from the sinful nature because of the Spirit of life given to us in Christ
2. This life is one of righteousness and peace
3. We have been adopted as children of God and granted all rights as heirs with Christ of all things
4. This hope we have in our final redemption into a spiritually perfect and eternal body gives us the patience to endure hardship today

And finally…

5. …while we patiently wait for that final redemption, God has given us the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit to provide us with strength in our times of weakness.

Paul begins verse 26 with the phrase “In the same way”. He refers to what he has just stated in the previous verse – we are inwardly groaning for the day when we will be free from the limitations and bondage of this physical existence and we will be given our eternal bodies. When we experience trouble and hardship, we groan for relief, and the ultimate groan is the cry for heaven. The groan for heaven is a groan we know, because we know the outcome of it. The groans for present relief are groans we do not know, because we cannot find answers. But the Holy Spirit groans for us because He does know the answers. In the same way that we groan for what we know will be the ultimate answer – heaven – the Holy Spirit, who searches our hearts and knows the mind of God, groans for the answers to our present situations so that all works out for good according to God’s purpose.

I hope you find this as helpful and encouraging as I do. In those dark times when answers are hard to find, we can trust the companionship of the Holy Spirit who is at work to bring about good from the heart of God. When words cannot express the depth of our emotions and fears, the Holy Spirit understands our groanings.

Do not fear the times of inexpressible confusion. Do not fear the times of unanswered requests. Do not fear the times of limited understanding. The Holy Spirit is never confused, is never withholding an answer, and is always working to bring us understanding in faith. His time schedule may be different than we desire, but we can trust the outcome to our Sovereign Companion.

As a result, we can wholeheartedly proclaim with the Apostle Paul the words of the rest of Romans 8 in this summarized version:

If God is for us, who can be against us? With all of these things at work on our behalf we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. I am now convinced that nothing in this world or in my current situation can separate me from the love of God because I am in Christ Jesus my Lord.

May I suggest that you commit that to memory, or write it on a card and carry it with you at all times. The next time a situation arises that looks dark, or diminishes you hope in any way, pull it out and read it and be refreshed. God is at work around you through the Holy Spirit in you to produce His good through you. That’s a guarantee!

Pastor John

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Friday, January 21, 2022

Even though we have been spiritually adopted as children of God, as we discovered yesterday, the reality is that we still have to endure the hardships of this physical life for a time. Paul understood that when he wrote this next passage of encouragement to us in Romans chapter 8. Let’s be honest, for most of us the physical hardships, troubles, and trials of life usually overwhelm our spirits and we long for them to be over. Our patience runs thin. We run after the pursuits of the flesh rather than rest in our position as a child of God.

Romans 8:22-25  “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

According to Paul, the reason we run out of patience and run into problems is that we have displaced hope. For some reason we have bought into a self-serving spiritual philosophy of adoption that seeks to guarantee the fulfillment of the desires of the flesh. “Give me my inheritance now!” is the cry of the prodigal followers of this position. The hope of such people is placed in the fulfillment of life today. But Paul refutes that prosperity gospel with hope in the ultimate redemption of our current physical body when Jesus returns to give us our eternal, spiritual body. Until then, we groan inwardly as we wait patiently for that to occur.

I like to think of this in terms of a caterpillar, even though the analogy is not perfect. Prior to my salvation, I was just wandering around feeding on any green leaf I could find. I may not have been the nicest creature to look at, but I did my best to combine my colors and my defense systems into an external appearance that could be tolerated. On the inside I was filled with bitterness: just ask the robin that tried to pick me up until I squirted his beak with my juice when he squeezed me too hard. I was afraid of intimacy, because any time someone would get too close I would curl up in a ball and protect myself from harm. Then one day I was moved in my spirit to leave that life behind. I suddenly understood that there was a purpose for my life and that I could be free to fly. I put to death the old ways and was transformed into a new being. I spun myself into a grave where death would normally be certain, but where God’s power would transform me. This grave is ugly and hard. I am bound up in it, but I am patiently waiting to be fully released because I know that when I am I will be complete. Inside this shell I groan to be set free. My wings have formed. My spirit is transformed. My will is conformed to that of my creator. Very soon He will energize me to break out of the grave I am in and fly into His arms. Until He does, I wait patiently.

As I said, the analogy is not perfect, for in one sense we have already been set free from our cocoons to serve Jesus Christ in freedom. But in light of what Paul says in today’s Scripture, we are still in a physical cocoon. It limits us. It confines us. It makes us long to be free from its restrictions. But our hope is not in this physical life: it is in the death of this flesh and the resurrection into spiritual eternity. With our hope fixed firmly on that guarantee, we can patiently endure the hardships of our current cocoon.

Pastor John

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Thursday, January 20, 2022

We are currently in a devotional study of learning how to trust God’s character when we face bad circumstances.

Unfortunately in our modern culture there are far too many people who do not have the privilege of knowing their father. Even when the father is present, so many have a poor understanding of what a real father is like because of the model he presents. But if we can look beyond the human limitations and failures of earthly fathers and open our hearts to the incredible wonder of a perfect Father in heaven, we will be empowered to endure hardship because we know His heart and His purpose is always good.

Romans 8:14-16 “…because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Romans 8 tells us about all of the things that are at work in our lives to help us handle tough times, and one of the most significant for me is this one – I have been made a permanently loved child of God with all rights of sonship. Here are three benefits of believing this truth.

1. We have a life free from fear because of the power of the Father. When I was young I had a vivid and recurring dream. I was a toddler and was in a fenced area containing a large bull with huge horns that swept down in a curve in front of his head much like tusks on an elephant. The bull charged me, knocked me down, then scooped me up with his horns and began tossing me in the air. With each toss I became more filled with terror as the bull would catch me and then throw me higher. At the top of one toss I noticed my father coming to my rescue. He jumped high into the air using the back of the bull as a springboard and snatched me away from danger, setting me down carefully as he landed on the ground. He turned and grabbed the bull by the horns and began spinning him around like an Olympic hammer-thrower. At just the right moment he released the bull and flung him into a far pasture. I awakened from the dream feeling at peace that I had a father who would protect me from harm.

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of adoption as a son, and we may cry out to Him in any situation knowing that He will respond with intimate love and infinite power.

2. We have been made an equal heir of all things with Jesus Christ. When God adopts us as His children he removes all distinctions, between us and other people, and also between Jesus Christ and us. Yes, Jesus is still God and we are not, but God honors those who are in Christ with all the rights and rewards of being His children. The Apostle John states it this way: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:1-2)

3. Finally, the sufferings of today are necessary for the total experience of glory later. We are much more appreciative of gain when we have experienced loss. Blessings are more valued after cursings. Light is more highly esteemed after a period of darkness. Glory will be more fully revealed after suffering. Do not fight the hardship – embrace it as a training ground of personal growth leading towards the revealing of God’s glory.

Hardship and hurt are able to be endured because:

• fear has been removed by the power of the Father to control and conquer the difficulty;
• the Father treats me with the same love and honor that He treats Jesus because I have been made an equal heir;
• God is designing all of the tests in this life to improve me and prove to me His love so that I will experience the fullness of His glory.

Be encouraged – you are a child of God.

Pastor John

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Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Yesterday we talked about the word vitality, and that God has granted us vitality of life in Jesus Christ. The root word of vitality is vital, and it is used to describe certain organs in our bodies that are essential to existence. Our vital organs are primarily contained in our chest cavity, protected from the normal activities of life by our rib cage. But in the event that we will be involved in some form of dangerous activity, we wear extra protection. Police officers wear bulletproof vests; football quarterbacks wear flack jackets; and Christians wear a breastplate of righteousness.

Being a Christian is a dangerous profession: the Enemy is out to destroy what makes our life vital. He is constantly shooting his flaming arrows at our hearts, trying to interrupt the flow of life-giving blood. He cannot undo the saving power of the blood of Jesus Christ, but he can stop it from having its intended result on our personal choices and lifestyles. He shoots his wicked darts at our lungs, attempting to quench the breath of the Holy Spirit so that we gasp for the air of the world to survive. He aims his attack at times at our stomachs, hoping to stop the feeding on God’s Word and the digesting of truth so that he can deceive us and mislead us into sin.

But God has provided us with an impenetrable defense system to protect all of our vitals. It is the breastplate of righteousness. 

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place…”

But what makes this such an effective defense system? First, it is not of our own design, so it has none of the limitations of our humanity. Our own righteousness is as filthy rags and was surrendered as worthless at the cross when we were saved. Second, it is not simply a righteousness made for us by God but rather we are made the righteousness of God. The breastplate is the actual righteousness of God Himself. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. 

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Jesus Christ actually became our sin, so we are no longer declared to be sin but instead have become the righteousness of God in Christ. This is not an addition to our lives; it is the replacement of our lives. It is our very identity: we are righteous.

Because of this, when we fall into sin or become overwhelmed with trouble and trials, it may be because we have ignored or forgotten our identity. The righteousness of God is still there, but as Paul says in Ephesians, we have not made sure it is in place. Make sure that your vitals are protected by a constant reflection on the righteous nature and character of God Himself that is our permanent possession and you will be protected from the effects of the bad and evil in our world. God’s righteousness is at work in you to bring about His good.

If you want to take the time for one more point, here is a free bonus. The righteousness of God is not only a defense system, but it is also an offensive weapon against the hardships of life. Read this, and let the truths of Scripture touch and encourage your heart.

“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”  2 Corinthians 6:4-10

Pastor John

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Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Bad circumstances have a way of sapping our energy. We get mentally drained trying to figure out solutions to the problem. We get emotionally drained by feeling all of the possible responses we could have to the problem. We get physically drained by all of the activity it takes to try and fix the problem. I’m tired just writing about it. But I have good news for us all – it is not the circumstance that causes the draining of our energy; it is our fleshly response to the circumstance that does that. The circumstance itself has no power. We empower it by how we respond to it. We empower it to control us and deplete us of strength when we respond to it with our own reasoning and activity. We become emotionally drained because we know the limits of such responses and our hope is diminished based on our finite limitations. 

I want you to notice the difference between what I just wrote and what Paul wrote in Romans about our responses to circumstances.

Romans 8:6 “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”

Romans 8:10-11 “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”

What I wrote is all about what I am able to accomplish in my human nature, and what Paul wrote is all about what God will do through His Spirit. What I wrote brings fear and failure. What Paul wrote is vitality and peace. 

The Greek word for life is zoe, and its base meaning is “the state of one who is possessed with vitality”. I like that word vitality. It describes what I desire for my existence. It is certainly not what I experience when I respond to circumstances from my flesh and human nature. But because Christ is in me, and in you, the death we have been living in response to our circumstances has been replaced with the resurrection power of Jesus Christ who has given life -vitality – to our mortal bodies.

My friends, we have the power of God residing in us, and circumstances cannot change that fact. Our response to those circumstances can change the experience of that fact if we choose to respond from our flesh. I know how easy it is to blame others and blame events for causing our current mental, emotional, and physical stress: I do it all the time. But God is richly showing me that His Spirit provides vitality in all of those times, and that the circumstances are powerless in and of themselves. My response to them is what needs adjustment. The sinful circumstances of this life will not be changed until Jesus returns. What can be changed is my response and attitude. 

Jesus, thank you for bringing your resurrection power into my life and giving me vitality. Forgive me for responding from my flesh to the things that happen in my world and for placing myself on the mental, emotional, and physical throne of my life by thinking I have the solutions and ability to act in my own strength. Use these times to strengthen my faith and determination to trust you with the outcomes. Thank you for the peace that passes all understanding when I give all of the control over to you. Amen.

Pastor John

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Monday, January 17, 2021

A very well-known verse in Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.“ Most of us might tend to apply this verse to the circumstances of life and claim that they all have to turn out right. But there is a deeper understanding to this passage than that. I believe that the “things” that are at work for our good are the things that Paul mentions earlier in the 8^th chapter of Romans verses one through four.  

Romans 8:1-4 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.”

When we simply define “things” as the circumstances of life, it becomes very difficult to find the faith to believe they are doing any good when they are so humanly bad. That is why we need to look at the things of God that are constantly at work in our lives regardless of the circumstances so that we can stand in faith during the tough times.

Circumstances can be binding and suppressive. We begin to focus on solutions rather than substance. We turn our attention from who we are becoming to what we should be getting. I am reminded of a scene from one of my favorite movies of all time, What About Bob, starring Bill Murray. Bob is an emotional and psychological wreck, living in the bondage of constant fear. At one point in his recovery process the daughter of his psychologist convinces Bob to go with them to the lake to go sailing. Bob is scared to death of water, but wants to be free and says he will trust the daughter and the boat. The next thing you hear is Bob yelling, “I’m sailing! I’m sailing!” The camera zooms in on the boat and we see Bob lashed to the main mast of the boat with multiple ropes and covered with numerous life preservers strapped to every part of his body. 

Now in Bob’s mind he was sailing because he was on the boat, but he was far from free. That describes far too many Christians today. They are on the boat but they are not free from all of the emotional and physical bondage of a previous lifestyle or experience. A current contemporary Christian music group called Casting Crowns has a song called Voice of Truth, and one of the verses of the song goes like this:

Oh what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I’m in, onto the crashing waves.

To step out of my comfort zone Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is, and He’s holding out His hand.

But the waves are calling out my name  and they laugh at me, reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed. The waves, they keep on telling me, time and time again, “Boy, you’ll never win!” “You’ll never win!”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story. The voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!” The voice of truth says, “This is for My glory.” Out of all the voices calling out to me I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.

We all have the same choice. We can listen to the voice of the circumstances and believe the worst, or we can listen to the voice of truth and be set free. God’s truth of freedom is constantly at work in us, regardless of the circumstances. We are no longer condemned. We are free from the penalty and the power of sin. You can choose today to live according to the Spirit of God’s freedom and not according to the sinful nature’s bondage.

Pastor John

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Friday, January 14, 2022

There are three Scripture passages that serve as a great conclusion to our weeklong study of being strong and wearing the armor God has provided us.

2 Peter 1:3 – 4  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

1 Timothy 4:8  “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

1 Timothy 6:6-7  “But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

The pursuit of everything in our lives is to become a reflection of God’s glory. It is in the power of the indwelling presence of Jesus that the work of godliness begins. It is in the commitment to wearing the armor that godliness is accomplished.

In my files I found this anonymous prayer that sums up the week’s study. I hope you will find it as encouraging and challenging as I do.

The Warrior’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, Today I stand in victory by putting on the whole armor of God.

I put on the Belt of Truth! May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan’s lies.

I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness! May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

I put on the Shoes of Peace! May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.

I take the Shield of Faith! May I be ready for Satan’s fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

I put on the Helmet of Salvation! May I keep my mind focused on You so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

I take the Sword of the Spirit! May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.

By faith your warrior has put on the whole armor of God.

I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory! Amen

May I suggest that we read that prayer regularly as a part of our devotional routine. I believe it will change our perspective and give us strength for what is ahead.

Pastor John

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Thursday, January 13. 2022

Fear kept me from being very good at sports when I was a youngster. I remember the very first time I ever tried out for little league baseball. Playing baseball was my dream. My grandfather used to play catch with me and taught me how to throw the ball straight and with a curve. My mom used to tell me stories of the days she would watch the Cleveland Indians at the stadium on the shores of Lake Erie. She even took me there for a game. I remember my boyhood hero – Al Kaline of the Detroit Tigers – and in my office I still have a baseball hat he autographed. I dreamed of playing baseball like Mr. Kaline.

But when I took the field that first day of tryouts, I was scared silly. I had a baseball glove that was ok, but when I saw the gloves the other boys had, fear told me I would not be able to compete. Some of them wore baseball shoes, and I only had tennis shoes. Again, fear of not measuring up overwhelmed me. Most of them had been playing organized ball for a couple of years already, and I was the outsider and didn’t fit into their group. Fear told me I would not be able to compete. I saw the way they caught the ball and threw the ball and stood with confidence at the plate swinging hard at the fastballs the coach threw at them. I knew I would not be able to compete. I was afraid because I had decided that my value and acceptance as a person came from my performance on the baseball diamond, and that performance was about to be sub-standard. Fear told me I was sub-standard.

I was living in a spirit of fear – fear of what others would think of me, fear of not measuring up to someone else’s standard, and fear of having to face the reality of my poor performance. My dream was becoming a nightmare.

But then something happened – I made the team. I was assigned the position of second baseman. I found out later that everyone made a team, and that second base was the best position to put a poor player because other players could cover for him. But none of that mattered – I was on the team. I still had lots of fear. What if I miss a ball and blow the game? What if I strike out and blow the game? Every thought I had was from the negative perspective. I knew I could not compete.

 I hated that first year, but my dream did not die. I played every year after that, and fell more deeply in love with the game. I began to play with confidence, and the day came when I fulfilled my dream (to a degree) and played outfield like Al Kaline on several Amateur Baseball League teams in North and South Dakota, making it to the state championships several times, and leading my team in hitting.

To accomplish all of that, I had to conquer my fears.

2 Timothy 1:7  “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

I overcame fear by discovering my value and acceptance in Christ and not in people’s opinions or standards. To remind me of that every day, I still have a trophy from 1967, the third year I played baseball, and my team won the city championship. Not because I was so good, but because I was learning to not live in fear. I was learning to live in the power of a sound mind. That didn’t come from wearing a batting helmet but by wearing the helmet of salvation. In Christ I am complete, and that removes the obstacle of fear.

Pastor John