Shabbat Shalom!
As you rest in the Lord on this Shabbat, meditate on who you are in Christ! This morning the Lord was teaching again in the classroom of Heaven. He gave a series of visions of people walking around with their heads bent over as if ashamed of who they were. They were showing a kind of false humility which is not of the Lord. They appeared to be too shy and timid to stand up for the Lord. This false sense of shame had robbed them of the authority and power the Lord gave them to do His kingdom work. Then I heard the Lord say, “This is not how you are to live! You must be bold in these days! You must stand strong in the gospel of the kingdom of God! Be strong and courageous! Do not live in fear! I am with you! What do you have to fear?”
How many times did the Lord say this to us. I counted over 328 times the Word of God tells us not to fear or be anxious. How many more times must He say it for us to live in it? As I was growing up in the church, the spirit of religion was in control and teachers were saying that timidity and a kind of false humility were the same thing as piety and righteousness. They taught that the only alternative to this lifestyle was a life of spiritual pride which goes before a fall. They were sincere in what they taught. It all they knew because it had been taught to them. They were sincere, but sincerely wrong. Thank God that we have been set free from these false teachings and from the spirit of religion. I believe the freedom this gave me is the reason why I hold so closely the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self–discipline.” Some translations substitute the word “fear” in this passage for the word “timidity.” Timidity has its origin in fear, and that doesn’t come from the Lord.
I started to meditate on who we are in Christ. Paul says that we are “more than conquerors through Him.” (Romans 8:37) Those who are in Christ have gone beyond judgment and condemnation: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2) There is no longer any enmity between God and those who are in Christ: “Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:14b) One more thing: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30) Think on these things and reclaim all that the Lord has given to you when you were sealed in Christ Jesus! Amen!
My prayer for you today is the same prayer which Paul spoke over His spiritual son, Timothy. “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” (2 Timothy 1:13-14) I say it again, “Hold fast to that which has been given to you through the Holy Spirit!” Amen and Amen!
Shabbat Shalom!
Date: March 16, 2013
Renee Tannian
October 06, 2021
Hi Pastor Durham, I’d like to know what the Lord has said about the vaccine? I’m skeptical about it long term effects. I’d like to know if the Lord has given you His thoughts on this control the Government is putting on the people of the US instead of free choice. Thank you so much. It’s a blessing to hear from God. Hallelujah!
Peace, Renee