As I promised last Monday, I’m going to pass along my take on some insights that my brother-in-law shared with the family when we were together last, just before the new year.
Robert’s mind is far more orderly than mine is. Combine that orderly mind with an attack of insomnia, and you get a logical progression of thoughts that are well worth writing down. Which, fortunately, he did. (Then there’s me. When I can’t sleep, I start thinking of absurd things like squirrels, verb tenses and trying to remember my street address from when I was in the second grade.)
Robert started with Jesus’ offer in the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 10: “… I came that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Then he asked a great question about that offer: What does life to the full actually mean? What does it look like?
1. If you read Psalm 139 you see that even before we were born, God knew everything about each of us. He even knows the words we haven’t said yet. So Robert concluded we have nothing to hide.
2. (Talking about those who have trusted in Christ for forgiveness and eternal life) God chose us from ages past to belong to him, to be adopted into his family and even to be a new creation. See 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Ephesians 1:4-6. Since God did all the choosing and all the work, we are left with nothing to prove.
3. Jesus teaches in Matthew 19:29 and 25:34 that, no matter what we give up for God, he will sooner or later give us much more as our inheritance. Since giving away always results in gain, we have nothing to lose.
4. If you have nothing to hide, nothing to prove, and nothing to lose, then there really isn’t anything left to worry about. We have nothing to fear. After all, as Paul says in Romans 8, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” He goes on to point out that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
So the next time fear sticks its nose into your business, remember: as a child of God you qualify to claim the advice and promise in Philippians 4, verses 6-7…
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Thanks for reading!
Jan
PS: I’m linking up with Jen and my Soli Deo Gloria sisters!
Jan C Johnson, Writer 
Pingback: The Fear Spiral | Joywriting: Everybody Has a Story
There’s nothing like a logical progression in following God’s word. I, too, often wake up in the middle of the night (this morning is an example) and begin tossing things around in my head. I always say that when the chemicals start flowing in my brain, I may as well get up. So I get up and write about the lessons that God is trying to teach me.
Yours is a good one!
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I must admit…I just sat here and re-read it. It gets better each time. I’ll probably formulate a sermon from it…though you and your brother-in-law have done most of the work! 🙂
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Hey, Tim! Thanks for the comment. I agree; this would make a wonderful sermon! I’m just glad Robert shared his outline and Scriptures with me.
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Very powerful outline. Thank you and your brother-in-law for sharing.
-Cindy
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As always, I appreciate your encouragement, Cindy!
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I’m so glad we’re a part of the family of God!!.
And you are my cousins wife! You are soo very precious!! Thank you Jan,
God Bless you and your family,love,Kathy
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Thank you, Kathy! God has really blessed us with family.
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Wow, funny that we were thinking along the same lines. Glad you encouraged me to come over. I love your list of nothings: nothing to hide, prove, lose, fear. What else is there then to worry about??? Great reminder!
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Thanks so much, Loraine! I love that we can each bring our perspectives and help support each other.
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point #3 just jumped out at me tonight. We serve such an amazing Heavenly Father don’t we? Thanks for visiting my blog this week! It’s great to meet a fellow SDG sister.
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Yes, and I can see how that third one fits in with the subject of your wonderful post! Thanks for visiting me back, Melanie.
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I love, love, love this post! As someone who often deals with fear and anxiety, this really spoke to my heart. Thank you.
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Hi, Laura, thanks for the sweet comment! Your post about the rings inspired me, too, as I hope I told you.
Blessings!
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