fear

April 23, 2020 Jfuglerwriter 1 Comment

How are You Doing?

When someone asks how we’re doing during the continued lockdown, we might say “fine” but really mean frustrated. As Christians, we’re supposed to keep a stiff upper lip and quote all the right verses, like “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

In reality, we might really feel like saying, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalm 43:5 NIV)

As the Corona crisis drags on, God continues to get our attention. If we are feeling discouraged, cold, fearful, anxious or uncertain, it’s the right time to run to Jesus. Pain has a way of showing us our helplessness. We can’t fix ourselves. And this is where we’re living right now.

What does God want to change in your life? Are you willing to let him?

God’s Word is filled with treasures for you at this time. Pour over chapters and passages, seeking God in it all. He’s there. It’s his living Word.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)

God might want to do some character surgery on you, working in your soul, spirit, thoughts, attitudes and heart. And that takes time. However, when you emerge, you’ll feel brand new. You will have been pressed on by God himself.

When this season comes to a close, I want to be a different person. I want God to have worked permanent change in my heart through his Word. His living Word. I know I have to spend hours in my Bible for that to happen. It’s my choice.

Have you had a mini-retreat with God since the lockdown began? There are a lot of good things you can do with your time, but none better than being with Jesus and in his Word.

Soon, we will emerge on the other side of the Corona crisis. You still have time to invest in your most important relationship before the rushed life resumes. Don’t miss this opportunity.

I’d love to hear what God is showing or teaching you these days? Comment here or email me at jon@yourlifewithgod.com.

Take time to download my new book so you can maximize your time with God. There are five experiences inside that will help draw you closer to Jesus. Download it at www.GetFreshFaith.com. And share the link with your friends.

April 25, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Joy and the Word

Joy and the Word

Life happens and our joy is sucked right out of us. We’re blindsided by getting fired, losing a good friend, receiving a call from our child’s principal’s office, or . . . you fill in the blank. 

You might be in that place right now.

I understand.

I remember one of my most heart-wrenching moments. I heard about the death of a friend. He was only in his 30s and I learned the details on TV. The shock just killed me. I dropped to my knees in anguish before God and sobbed.

“No, no!” I shouted. “No, no!” Still, to this day, I grieve over the sudden loss of this dear friend.

How can our joy be restored when we are suddenly thrown to the depths?

The same way our joy is restored when we are lackluster, lukewarm or indifferent towards God and life.

I believe the Word of God is our anchor. There is something about his Word that feeds us supernaturally. Jesus said it himself, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 NIV)

Every single word of Scripture is from the mouth of God. We have a treasure trove of nourishment for our soul. This nourishment builds and restores joy. I can’t explain how it happens, but it does.

How about this truth? Jesus rose from the dead. “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”  (Matthew 28:6) Now that really makes me happy. Not the world’s kind of happiness. Joyful! As only God can produce!

There are thousands of truths in the Bible that are foundational for our joy. I just mentioned one.  Centering on that truth alone will drill deep into your soul and produce a consistent joy.

Whatever has robbed your joy, it’s no match for God’s Word. I encourage you to feed on God’s Word today. Dwell on the truths that will build a deep joy in your life. A joy that will help you cope strongly with your current struggles.

Here are some promises you can read, think about and pray through. Feed your soul. Feed joy.

God’s inseparable love: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)

The power of God’s Word to change your life: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)

God relieves your fear: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

(From my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Day of Joy. Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback).

February 16, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Facing Your Giant

Facing Your Giant

Is there a giant in your life that has you paralyzed? The Israelites faced a real giant that immobilized them. His name was Goliath and he stood seven feet tall. David took care of him with one smooth stone to the forehead.  

Your giant may not be a person, but it has you paralyzed by fear or another crippling emotion. What comes to mind when you think of your giant?

While David’s conquering story is remarkable, there’s someone else in the Bible who faced an even bigger giant. That person was Jesus and his giant was the cross.

Jesus agonized over facing his giant. This was not a challenge he wanted to meet. He did it out of obedience, but he almost backed out.

Let’s visit that pivotal hour in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus experienced a dark, pounding heaviness. Jesus’ words to the disciples capture his emotions clearly, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Matthew 26:38 NIV)

Jesus was so overcome that “he fell on his face and prayed.” (Matthew 26:39 ESV). I can picture his legs giving out as he dropped to the ground. He was not on his knees, but on his face, a picture of desperation. This was a deep, agonizing, all-out prayer to his Father.

Jesus knew what lay ahead. The cross, where he would bear the weight and pain of the sin of all mankind. It was a giant he couldn’t face alone and one he so dearly wanted to walk away from.

Then came one of the most quoted lines in all of Scripture, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39 NIV) He prayed this once, then came back to God a second time with the same excruciating prayer. And even a third time as the Bible describes drops of sweat like blood falling from his forehead. That’s how big a giant the cross was for Jesus. 

Can you imagine the groaning, crying and soul-wrenching that happened in that garden in his prayers? Jesus poured his soul out to his Father. It took this pouring out for him to arise and face the giant of the cross just hours away.

We can learn from Jesus as we face the giants in our life. Or, as you ponder, THE giant you’re facing right now. What is it?

You cannot gut it out. You cannot employ positive thinking. You cannot ignore the giant and move on. You must face it with soul-wrenching prayer like Jesus.

Where is your garden? Where can you go to empty yourself to God in prayer? You might engage God in a terribly painful conversation, as we saw in Jesus’ giant-facing hour.

Overpowering emotions could be crushing you as you consider the giant that has paralyzed you with fear, grief, hatred, weakness, hopelessness or anger. Fall on your face before the Father, as Jesus did. Be honest with him. Transparent. Empty your emotions to him.

Just as he did for Jesus, God will give you the power to face your giant. It won’t be easy, but you’ll be going in the power of his Holy Spirit.

(From my new devotional Your life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer. Avialable in March in Kindle and Paperback formats from Amazon).

October 23, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Faith and Fear

Faith and Fear

“Fear not, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

My wife and I were at a crossroads two years ago that defined our faith.

She was diagnosed with cancer. The word itself can send chills up and down your spine. It stops you in your tracks. It puts life on hold.

Fear tried to show up, as it often does when cancer strikes. If you’ve been there, you know what I mean.

Miraculously, God spared us from fear. I can’t explain it. I can’t say our faith was so well grounded it couldn’t be shaken by the news of cancer. However, I do know that was part of the reason.

So you don’t assume we are some super-faith couple, I will tell you we experienced many other hard emotions. Like trauma, discouragement, heartache and sorrow. Thankfully not all at once!

We had a choice. Would we let God into our experience, or would we bear cancer on our own?

We invited God to walk with us. We experienced his presence through his Holy Spirit, the Bible, each other and hundreds of other friends. We were not alone.

Cancer isn’t the only thing that can bring fear into our lives. I could list a dozen other things and so could you.

Fear paralyzes our faith. Other than unforgiveness, I can’t think of anything that puts an instant deep-freeze on our faith.

Why is that?

Fear is most often tied to the unknown. My wife and I had never done cancer before, so as we walked through it, we rarely knew what was next.

Your teenager is out with the car at night. You fear what could happen out on the road. When he pulls into the driveway, there’s immediate relief.

Things are unstable at work and many co-workers have been laid off. Could you be next? How will you provide for your family? Where will the next job come from? An unknown future can cause fear.

The doctor ran tests and you won’t get the results for three days. Those three days can be agonizing if you let fear take over. It’s hard not to!

The key to chasing out fear is to invite Jesus into your experience. Then your faith can thrive. It’s the only way.

Jesus himself said, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 ESV)

He comes into our situation with his perfect love. Then we experience this truth: “Perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:18 ESV) God is The Perfect Love that expels fear from our life.

When you live in God’s perfect love, there’s no room for fear.

The darkest, most fearful experiences don’t have to be absent the love of Christ. He will banish your fear.

Invite Jesus into your fears. Please don’t go down this road without him.

(From my upcoming devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Faith. Releasing January 1.)

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