The Introverted Evangelist

   I love when I can just sit back and throw my worries aside. That is, when I can  do just that. I'm often consumed with fear and anxiety. Anyone else? Of course! It's hard to find one who isn't concerned with anything at all. But, just like the other plethora of things that plague us while we're on this earth, worry is just another clever little tactic of the enemy.    We worry. We worry that we will never be good enough. Might I ask, good enough for what? To save ourselves? Someone already did that, so you don't ever need to  worry  about trying to save yourself from any sort of situation.    Worry about financial matters? God will provide. After all, He provides for the little birds. He doesn't leave them to worry about such things, because our God provides!    "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?" ( Matthew 6:26 )  

   Fear knots. Fear knots up my mind and my ability to think logically. Fear knots up my stomach, squeezing and churning from anxious thoughts gone awry. When ideal plans turn into idolized schedules we've got trouble. When things don't go this way or that it's easy to let fear knots grow and grow, getting more and more twisted and consuming your every moment. Odds are fear has got you muddled up good.    "Fear not, for I  am  with you;  Be not dismayed, for I  am  your God.  I will strengthen you,  Yes, I will help you,  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." ( Isaiah 41:10 )    He is with   me . Okay, so maybe He's with me whenever my schedule is in order and I've got every little aspect of my day lined up in order, right? No. What happens when I get sick or I forget to do this or do that? Does God just say, "Whoops. Looks like I'll let you figure that one out, and I'll be back when you've gotten yourself together."? C

   We endure this race with the steadfast assurance of the joy  that awaits us at the finish line. We strive not to find a purpose, but to live for His purpose. When He strengthens us we do not grow weary, because His provision is perfect. His forgiveness is flawless, because where sin is deep His grace abound more, and His grace is sufficient. He is all . He is all we need, all we hunger, and when the end is come, He is all we have. He is our joy.    " Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ( Romans 15:13 )    God fills us with all joy and peace when we thrust away our fearful habits and start living a faith-filled life. If you're wondering why the people around you seem so happy , but you are just so not , it may be that you are still holding onto your doubts and worries with white knuckles. God doesn't wan't you living like that. He doesn't like seeing you dangl

   You drew me from my darkest night, and placed me in Your perfect Light. I never have to put up a fight, oh Lord You are my heart's delight.    When I feel like there are raging seas, I will get down on my knees. In the trials and the sorrow, there's always hope for tomorrow.    I tremble and my whole frame shakes, but I'm safe even when the earth quakes:    "Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn." ( Psalms 46:2-5 )    He will help me at the break of dawn, so I can always carry on. His plans shan't be broken, for in this I will hope.

   My mind likes to wander. Oh yes, a wandering wondering mind has surely gotten me into heaps of worry. When wonders wander worries well up.     When worries well up everything that has to do with hope, strength, peace, and enduring seems to all fade away. Believe me, I know the feeling. The feeling you get when all hope seems lost .    What to do? What is for sure when everything seems so uncertain? What can I believe when it all seems too confusing?    "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;" ( Proverbs 3:5 )    Lean not on your own  understanding. Did you know that a plethora of things are still un known to us about God? Surely! God is the Author , Finisher , and the one and only  Divine Creator . There truly is much  we do not know.    "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." ( Isaiah 55:9 )    It is written that His t

   In Your Presence, Lord, I find peace. I find safety in Your mighty arms. I'm completely satisfied by You, my God. You know everything about me, and yet You still love me with Your perfect , unfailing , everlasting  love.    Within me I feel a burning passion to be with You. The fire has blazed for all my life. Ever since I can remember I've longer for this fellowship with my Savior. You're the only One for me, Jesus.    When everyone else left me, You never did. When all hope seemed lost, you gave me a renewed purpose. I know that in all  things You are for me.    "When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God  is  for me." ( Psalms 56:9 )    In all  circumstances You give me joy. In every way You show me mercy. So for all  my days, and every breath I take, I will worship You.    I will greatly rejoice in the  Lord ,  My soul shall be joyful in my God;  For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,  H

   Though the storms in this world rage on and on, nothing can keep me from telling the Good News. If people mock because of my confidence in Christ, it only gives me hope. I have this hope of Heaven securely anchored in my soul.    "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." ( Hebrews 6:15 )    Patiently enduring. We're all just patiently enduring this brief time we spend on earth. This world is tiring, and in our current frail and mortal bodies it will  wear us out. We will begin to feel like quitting, but God always gives us hope  and courage to continue on our path.    "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." ( Hebrews 12:3 )    Consider HIM , bring the hardships of Christ our Lord to mind to strengthen your worn out soul. Christ endured  hostility, temptation, crowds, and even crucifixion. But He was strong in His spirit, becaus

   Heavy laden? Schlepping shame? Come to the Throne. Cast that burden off, and the Lord shall, what? Sustain you! He is faithful  and He will sustain you. It is written!    "Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." ( Psalms 55:22 )    He won't let the righteous be moved, but what about the sinners ? What about those who are ashamed? What about the people who are lost, fallen, and hungry? What about those people? Is there no hope for those people? Is this that the way it ends? A burdensome and futile life?    Surely not! There is always hope! I like to say it like this- there's always hope, because Jesus is alive ! Jesus's offering, the ultimate and final sacrifice, never loses it's potency.    So now where do they go? What do the fallen kids do? Confess, repent, run, and live. Confess that you are indeed a fallen kid. Repent that what you've been doing is wrong. Run into the

   It's a new year, and you may feel  hopeless. Maybe you feel  like every year is another year to bring you hard times and troubles, and you're just not motivated in any way. It may be that you don't even want to go on with life, but I assure you there is  hope. There is  a better life, because in Him there is abundant  life.    You are small and incapable, but He  is bigger than what's hurting you, and able to do all things . Hope is always  available at every hour, every minute, of every day. There is no need to feel  like ending it all, because His lovingkindness  is better than life.    "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name." ( Psalms 63:3-4 )    Say it with me, "Lord, I will bless You. I will bless You while I live ." It doesn't say to bless Him once your life here on earth is over and there's no more suffering or d