“Father (God) Eradicates Apprehension Readily (F.E.A.R)” 

By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

June 06, 2008

Editors Note: The devotional has a background song  which can be heard if you use Internet Explorer.

Observations:
I asked myself what were the actions of Jesus?

1. Jesus was about to pass by them walking on the lake.

2. When the disciples were terrified, Jesus spoke to them immediately and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

3. Then Jesus climbed into the boat with them and the wind died down.

I asked myself what is the significance of Jesus walking on the lake?
Jesus is in control of creation. There is the density of water and no human being can stand on a body of water without being submerged let alone walk on it. Jesus could because He created everything and changed the properties of water at that moment to reach out to His disciples. That is so exciting to know.

I asked myself why the disciples were afraid?
They were facing the winds in the middle of the lake. Adding to that they saw someone walk on water in the dark that they had never seen before! Few of them were fisherman so they dealt with water a lot but never walked on it. The only one to briefly walk on water was Peter because Jesus told him to come to him. Once he looked down though he was about to drown until Jesus rescued him. The disciples did not want to deal with a ghost amidst their other problems. It is their misconception of what they saw that gave them most of their fright. In a world of confusion, they felt an intrusion without realizing the One walking on the water was their solution.

I asked myself what is significant of Jesus’ actions right after they were afraid?
Jesus immediately spoke to them without waiting. Jesus knew what they were going through and addressed them right away with these words, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” similar to the words Jesus spoke to Jairus when he told him, “Do not be afraid, just believe.”

Jesus was telling them that He was with them and there was nothing to worry about since He was there now. By saying, “It is I”, Jesus is reminding them that He was the One that fed the 5000+ and here with them now. To prove it, the wind even died down and the boat was sailing normally. That is exciting to know! Oh, yes it is!

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. The perception I attribute to Jesus will determine whether I am afraid of Him or not. I am not talking about reverent fear of the Lord for that is good! I am talking about the fear that Satan wants to instill in us towards Jesus. Satan wants us to be afraid of Jesus so we do not go to Him. The disciples were so scared that they cried out and I bet they were trying to get away as fast as they could from what they perceived to be a ghost. Jesus had to give His credentials to them again to remind them who He was when He said, “It is I”. Jesus was also telling them not to be afraid of Him but to be of courage. This is exciting to know!

I do not have to be afraid of Jesus. I can always turn to Jesus. When I do wrong, Jesus is not the One who will hit me with a broomstick as some think. When I make a mistake, Jesus in His love shows it to me and helps me to overcome it. When I am faced with trouble, Jesus wants me to take courage and believe in Him. Jesus does not want me to be afraid.

How comforting that is for me because I know whatever I am faced with, Jesus wants to face it with me and will help me. Jesus came to the disciples to help them in their problems and fright. I know Jesus will do the same for me and He already has been.

It has been 15 years since I rededicated my life to the Lord on June 06, 1993 during a Billy Graham Crusade in Pittsburgh, Pa.  I was so afraid of getting bad grades that grades became my idol in my life. I knew Jesus but I gave more allegiance to my grades than to Jesus because I was really upset how Jesus could let me do poorly when I was His child while others who were not His child were doing so well. The thought of not getting 'A' grades put a lot of fear in me. At times, I also felt did Jesus really care for me and is He really listening to me. It is at that time the Lord Jesus in His love did not leave me or abandon me but kept reminding me of His love.

You see there was a Saturday that I had to work and I thought it was improbable to get that Saturday off but Jesus Christ made a way. My manager at the job I was doing allowed me to get Saturday of so I went to the Billy Graham Crusade. What is more remarkable about that is that when I was going in the PAT bus to see the crusade, I felt I should read a passage from the Book of Peter.

When I went to the crusade, I was so shocked because Billy Graham had preached on that passage and I felt it was specifically addressed to me. To add to that out of thousands of people there, I was sitting next to a campus minister from the University of Pittsburgh, who asked me about baptism. I told him at the time that I was not ready to be baptized but he was a minister I loved because in my turbulent times he took me in.

After I rededicated my life to Jesus, laying all my fears and idols upon the Lord to give me new life in Christ that I was missing because of my fears, I eventually got baptized.

Now, when it came to classes, I told myself 'I must focus on the Lord seeking His Kingdom first, I must do everything for the glory and honor of the Lord, I must work hard and cheerfully doing everything for the Lord, I must depend on the Lord and leave the results in His precious Hands.'

My focus had become upon Jesus instead of the fear of not getting an A. To make that focus a reality, I would not even check my exam grades but wait until my transcript came. I told myself no point in checking the grades, if I cannot change them. Surprisingly, when I got my grades I had done so well. Once I even made 4.0 in all Legal Studies/Administration of  Justice classes.

I share this with you friend because we can have trouble and that trouble can lead us to fear but Jesus is there for us to alleviate that fear. More than anything Jesus wants to take us away from the fear of Satan and hell.

This can only happen if we give our lives to Jesus Christ and make Him in control of our lives. He will deliver us from Satan and hell. All of us are bound for hell without Christ intervening. We should be afraid of our sin and that is the only thing we should be afraid of because then, the fear of sin taking over our lives and opening an entrance to Hell should move us to action. The action would be to acknowledge that Jesus alone can save us from the fear of hell.

When Jesus died on the cross, Jesus died so we do not have to face hell only if we ask Jesus to cover us with His precious cleansing blood. Satan wants to snatch us away from God, but God in His unfailing, abounding, and great love for us intervened through Jesus Christ to save us. Jesus wants to save but we need to accept the Salvation being offered. It is not enough to have fear of hell if we do not act on that fear and find the solution in Christ.

Just as Jesus took the initiative with the disciples, Jesus has taken initiative with humanity. Jesus already paid the price with His blood shed on the altar of the cross. Now, it is time for you and me to accept what Jesus did for us so we can be set free from the fear of sin and hell.

Jesus is also there for our daily lives to walk with us and talk with us. He cares for the fears we have right now even if they have nothing to do with spiritual things. What the disciples were facing had to do with the wind and the fear of seeing a ghost. Jesus addressed that and Jesus will address your fears too!

 Every time I have been shaken, Jesus kept reminding me not to be afraid, just believe even when it came to my beloved dad's situation who went to be with the Lord. I believe in Jesus and that He will handle situations for me as He has handled our dad's situation. My dad who did not know Jesus previously finally came to know Jesus Christ as His Lord and Personal Savior and was ready to meet Jesus. That was the greatest miracle of all more than my dad's physical healing.

This however did not take our pain away of losing our dad but Jesus intervened.

Rather than worrying about what could have been, I can bury myself in the Arms of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has not abandoned me. Instead, Jesus has come to me and has met me where I have been. Jesus has given me a new song to sing of praises to our Father. Jesus will give you a song to sing too and does not want you to be afraid!

I ask you now dear friend, what is the fear you are facing in life?
Dear friend, there are a lot of things that can keep us in fear. Being fearful is a result of distorted perceptions many times. When the disciples were afraid when they saw someone walk on the water, it was because they had this distorted perception that it was a ghost not knowing it was Jesus Christ coming to their rescue. When we are fearful, we think about all the things that could go wrong and that increases the fright meter. We get fearful because we realize what we want may not happen, we realize we are sailing through life and are being beaten by the winds that affect our academic life, career life, relational life, etc. We get fearful because we lean too much to the world for our answers.

Most of all we are kept in fear because we give into Satan’s lies and deception. It is Satan’s mission to keep people fearful and away from Jesus. Satan wants us to fear God in a negative way but will not tell us how beneficial it is to fear hell because he wants us there . Hell and sin is the only thing we need to fear because it will move us to the Lord Jesus Christ.

 As long as Satan can keep you and me afraid of everything but sin and Hell, he knows we will dwell in that fear and be paralyzed by it. Yes, friend that can happen especially when we don’t want something to happen and we know it may, then paralysis of fear can come over hindering everything else in life.

Fear of the unknown is the most deadly fear. This type of fear paralyzes the human. It freezes us from doing our daily responsibilities. It invades our mind like poisonous venom. All our thoughts are held captive to the fear we have. Fear of losing family, relationships, friends, future, jobs, status, or stability in life can induce us to take measures that could be catastrophic. That's what the enemy wants. Satan knows your fears and will work on those fears to frighten you and confuse you. Satan wants to make Hell here on earth too.

I want you to know it does not have to be this way. Though the Devil uses your fears to freeze you, you can overcome his attacks. In the Name of Jesus, you can command the Devil to pick up his weapons and flee and he will. Jesus loves you so much and knows your every fear.

He says to you, "Fear not, do not be dismayed, I am your God, I will uphold you and strengthen you with my victorious right Hand" (Isa 41:10).

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, of power, and of a sound mind"(2 Tim 1:7)

You need to have the Lord Jesus in your life to claim His promises. God's promises are for you too as you come to Him. Please don't be fearful about your relationships, your family, your future, or your Salvation. Remember, He who bears our burdens also gives us Salvation. Jesus is bigger than your problems and He can take care of you and your problems.

It does not matter how difficult the solution may seem. With the Lord all things are possible. Nothing can shake you when your foundation is upon the Rock, Jesus Christ. Even through hard times and suffering, He will pour out His abundant love and grace upon your life.

"Perfect love casts away fear."

This is the kind of love the Lord gives to all who are His. Your old life and fears won't matter anymore when you yield to Jesus who wants to be your Lord and Personal Savior who has plans for you that are beyond comprehension. He offers you Himself that you may rest in Him and let Him abide in you. With the Savior on your side you can ride life's high tide.

Fear is not of God but of the devil. If you are kept afraid, you need to ask yourself what place Jesus really has in your life. Jesus who came to the rescue of His disciples, won’t He do that for you to friend! Yes, He will! Jesus will come to you and you can rest in Him. Jesus tells you whatever you are going through, “Take courage, It is I, do not be afraid.”

This means whatever has happened or is happening, you can pick yourself up and take courage, courage to be able to do things that you have been afraid of. It is not on your own strength though, for the disciples did not stop the wind but it was Jesus being there with them and helping them that stopped the wind. Jesus can do the same thing for you.

"It is not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord!"

“Oh my people, trust him all the time. Pour out your longings before him, for He can help.” (Psalm 62:8, TLB)

“I stand before the Lord, waiting for him to rescue me. For Salvation comes from him alone. Yes, he alone is my Rock, my rescuer, defense and fortress. Why then should I be tense with fear when troubles come?” (Psalm 62:1-3, TLB)

Ah Jesus is there for me and He will be there for you too. Rest in the Lord for He does not want you to be afraid. Come to Him as you are and may the words to this song that I wrote uplift you. This song was written eleven years ago to help those going through broken relationships but this problem-solution song can help you take inventory of whatever is happening in your life so you can give your life to Jesus for His Help, Hope, and Healing!                                 

Solution Through Confusion
By Ramesh C. Reddy

In a world of confusion
when there is no solution,
In a world of intrusion,
when there is thoughtless pollution

What do I See?
What do I Hear?
What do I Feel?
What do I Say?

I see the pain and the hurt.
I hear the cries on earth.
I feel the tears on the dirt.
I want to say, you can have new birth

For every heart that cries,
For every soul that dries,
For every mind that tries

Tries for love,
dries for love,
cries for love,

Love of friends,
love of parents,
love of spouses,

I want you to know,
when you are full of woe,
and feel so low,
Someone loves you Though.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is His Name.
With His love, you won't be the same.
To love you so much, He came
Filled with the Holy Spirit, you can have a new Aim

Come with the heart that cries.
Come with the soul that dries.
Come with the mind that tries.
Come, Come to Jesus

He wants to be your SAVIOR.
In whom you can find Favor

Confusion will be cast.
Intrusion will be past.
Thoughtless pollution won't last.
Solution in Jesus Christ’s love will be vast.

Look to the Cross and His Blood.
Experience His love that will Flood

Amen!

"Father (God) Eradicates Apprehension Readily!” (F.E.A.R)/”What is the F.E.A.R you are facing in life?”

Listen to the background song, "Starting to Rain"

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, my Lord and Personal Savior, you know what the disciples were going through and what was keeping them afraid. You could have left them to themselves but you did not. Instead, you took it upon yourself to go and rescue them. Thank you Jesus for telling them to take courage and not be afraid, for it was you in their presence. Whatever was keeping them afraid, you were there to help them through it and can do the same for us. You Oh Lord know what keeps us afraid and we ask for your help. Thank you for your love in our lives. Come and reign in us Oh Lord and protect us in the shadow of your wings. We rest in your Arms of Love. I pray right now for the one who is so afraid of things that are happening. You know what they are facing and how they need you Lord. I pray for the broken hearts out there that you would fill them with your presence and power of your love and keep them in your care. They will know that you have not forgotten about them in this world and will rescue them in your timing. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. Thank you for helping me learn from you Jesus. Thank you for dying for our sin and coming back to life to save us. Please forgive us Lord! Thank you so much Jesus. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Make this your prayer. Don’t let the enemy deceive you into thinking you need all the answers before coming to Christ. Let me just assure you though you may not have all the answers right now before coming to Jesus, He will answer them slowly. Yes, He will for I know our Redeemer will! Amen!

Prayer:
Jesus, I thank you for being the Bread of Life. You are the Living Bread of my life. Thank you for coming from Heaven and giving your life for the life of the world. You sacrificed yourself for humanity. Thank you Lord when we eat of you symbolically making you part of our life, digesting what you teach us by following you, we can be living Eternally, and the fruit that comes will reflect and resemble your life. I want that Father God. I want that Lord Jesus! I want that Holy Spirit! I know of a lot of people who partake of Holy Communion where the bread represents your body broken for their sin and the juice represents your blood shed for their sin. When we partake of Holy Communion, we are reminded that we are remembering you. I want to remember you always Lord Jesus. But for me to remember you always, I need to know you and acknowledge everything you said you are. So right now I acknowledge that you are my Lord and Personal Savior who died and rose again to give me life from sin. So right now, I come to you and say how sorry I am for my sin and living a life on my own. I repent of my sin and ask you to forgive me of my sin with your cleansing blood which I accept. Wash me and I will be clean from this infection of sin. Come Lord Jesus and please become part of my life as you live in me and I will live for you. I thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. I do need your Spirit to reside in me and work in me and through me so I surrender all that I am and will be to you. Whatever your will is for me, please give me the strength and willingness to bear it and rejoice in you. Thank you so much Jesus. I thank you Jesus for becoming my Lord and Personal Savior. I thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and have answered me. I thank you that I am your child Oh God. I thank you for becoming my only Way to Eternal Life. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!