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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

perfect love casts out all fear

the theme for the conference that we attended this past weekend was "fearless." it was hosted by Because of Jesus ministries. with all that is going on in the world today, the theme was perfectly selected by God to bring teachings about Who He is and His great love for us so that we can rest in His love and care in the midst of such trials and hardships that seem to be overwhelming the lives of so many in the world right now. the main Scripture was I John 4:18, .."perfect love casts out all fear..." how is it that we can experience such perfect love that we have no fear in the midst of the life that we live? this question was bombarded by Truth as each speaker presented the message that God laid upon their heart.

connie witter opened the conference by sharing some of her experiences of temptations to feeling fear and how she looked to Jesus to reveal the truth of God's overwhelming love for her. "God i know that You love me," are the words that she shared that she would speak to Him to help her get her heart and mind back on Jesus, where there is perfect peace and no fear. perfect love does cast out all fear!

i loved it that my whole family was there. i want my children to learn to experience that peace that passes all understanding in the midst of chaos and tragedy. that peace that replaces fear when we relish in the love that God has for us. so much distress and worry can be prevented in their lives as the revelation of God's unconditional, unfailing love becomes more real to them than anything else. it was wonderful knowing that their ears and their hearts were hearing such Truth. they may not ever be able to know or understand everything that is going on around them. but they can know the love that their Heavenly Father has for them will never change.

to be continued...

25 comments:

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Christy:
I need to hear this again and again. The closer I draw into that "Love", the deeper my peace and the more diminished my fear. This morning, like most mornings, I stand on the edge of a new day; I have a decision to make. To worry about a few things or to rest in the trust and love of an eternal God who has my "comings" and "goings" covered from the start!

That's is perfect Love...

peace~elaine

Andrea said...

AMEN!! Beautiful..."perfect love cast out fear" is a great reminder for my day! Thank you!!

Blessings and prayers, andrea

beckypdj said...

I don't remember how I came across your blog, but I have been reading for a couple of weeks. When my 16 yr old son Peyton went to Heaven, all my mind could process was the fact that God loved me. I am going on 17 months living without my son. I miss him constantly, but there is no fear because I know God loves me every second of every day. Thank you Lord.

Warren Baldwin said...

Sounds like a great conference, and how wonderful that your whole family could attend. Cheryl and I always tried to get the whole family involved in things like that. It does help them and the family as a whole.

This statement of yours was very insightful: "I want my children to learn to experience that peace that passes all understanding in the midst of chaos and tragedy." We can't shield our kids from all hardship, but we can build their strength and character to hopefully endure. Isn't that what the Holy Spirit does for us? Good post!

Shanda said...

Awesome post!

I remember going to Billy Graham crusades with my Dad (he used to work at them) as a child. These kinds of truth filled conferences take root in your heart even as a child - so glad your entire family was able to be there!

One of my favorite marriage proposal stories that I have ever heard was from a friend of mine who had come from a broken home. She was one who needed the investment of time before she would open up and trust because she had been so wounded as a child. Her boyfriend shared this Scripture with her and they talked about how the perfect love of Christ casts out fear and then he got on one knee and proposed telling her that he loved her; but it was because of each of their relationships with Jesus Christ and His completed work that they didn't have to fear...as long as they kept Him at the center; they had no reason to fear. They are still going strong today seeking His face as they build their own family.

Jennifer W. said...

Wow...what a great message. And how wonderful that your whole family got to hear it-what a blessing! I can't wait for the next installment!
Jen

E @ Scottsville said...

Thanks for sharing this message with me today. I'll admit, I need it pounded into me right now. *sigh*

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Sounds like a great conference and so neat that the whole family went! Often it's just us women who attend and the husbands and children don't understand the revelations we experience through them.

Our society is so fear driven - at so many levels - and I think it is because many here in our country have denounced the Absolutes and think that everything and anything is okay. So many are so far from God. So many even doubt His existence now.

Fear is Satan driven. I have slowly been working on trust and having confidence that no matter what happens in my life it is okay and He is the one really in control afterall, or I should say He has been doing a work in me! Sometimes its a difficult job!

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

LisaShaw said...

Beautiful sharing Christy. Drawing into that perfect love more and more until His return so that we can walk in that perfect peace which is FEARLESS!

Praise the Lord!

~*Michelle*~ said...

How this is perfect for my ears today......wow!

When we live by The Truth, there is no room for fear. Fear is the enemy's gateway into our life.....and we must put on the armor of God to stay strong and walk in the life that God intended us to have!

Amen! I cannot wait to hear all that you have to share from this conference.

xox

Julianne said...

I'm so glad you shared that with us, for all of us who couldn't be there, it was so nice to read about it. Sorta like a little mini conference for the rest of us!
Julianne :)

Heart2Heart said...

Christy,

What a beautiful day that you got to spend with the family and loving the message. I could use a great big dose of fearless in a bottle. Could you perhaps bring some back with you?

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Unknown said...

Wow that conference sounds awesome. And in these trying times we need to find peace to make us feel whole and grounded.Great Post! Stopping by from SITS!

Miss Charlene said...

That's awesome because that very same verse has been on my mind for over a week too! It has been lingering in my brain like a whisper from the Lord. Thanks for sharing!!

He & Me + 3 said...

That is so cool that the whole family got to hear the message.
So great to know and experience the truth that His perfect Love casts out ALL fear.

RCUBEs said...

That's nice that your whole family got to go to that conference! Like the young plants, when we water them, it nourishes them to grow into beautiful, mature plants. Just like what you are doing with your children. With the training you impart, they will go to that way where they should go! God bless you sister and waiting to hear for more about this wonderful conference.

momstheword said...

Thank you. I needed to hear this reminder today (and every day).

I also think the opposite is true. Perfect fear casts out love. When we are in the grips of fear, we are not looking to the Lord. We are not resting in His love!

We need Him to get it into our heads and hearts that we can truly just trust Him to do what He knows is best.

Anonymous said...

I need to remind myself of this all the time.

It is interesting to me that many of the things that cause me to fear do not upset my husband, while the fears that he struggles with often do not upset me.

♥Hope

Daveda said...

Love is powerful. God is love! And, I loved the conference this past weekend. Can't wait till next time!

Adeye said...

Sounds like an amazing conference. Yes, His love is so steadfast--never changing, always the same. What an amazing ROCK we can cling to.

Daveda said...

Can you stop by my blog and tell me again how to copy the imagine for the blog award? Please? I know you right click...I think...Then what. I have only done it once and I forget. Sorry :( I will remember from now on. I hope LOL

Loren said...

I think everyone needs to learn more and more of Gods love for them. So many operate in Fear, parent out of fear but if we just KNEW how much we were loved....WOW what a difference! Thanks for the post! Praying that your children allow this Word to go deep and grow into all the God has planned for each of them!

Blessings!

KEE said...

Thank you for sharing this. It's something I really need to hear and meditate on these days.
So glad you had a great time and got to share that with your whole family.

Julie said...

Christy, You are absolutely right, perfect love does cast out our fear.

Thank you for your comments at my blog. I was quite the striver for most of my walk with God. He has been removing "self-effort" from me. I see it diminishing and I am grateful. I am learning to settle into Him.

Have a blessed day!

Angela said...

to experience that peace that passes all understanding in the midst of chaos and tragedy. that peace that replaces fear when we relish in the love that God has for us. so much distress and worry can be prevented in their lives as the revelation of God's unconditional, unfailing love becomes more real to them than anything else.

amen amen amen