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Church on mission is definitely a trendy title that is all over the place these days. the concept that we are required to label church buildings, missional, has forever been somewhat strange to me. please, shouldnt all bodies of Christ be missional in their very core? Shouldnt a church, at its very nature, want to meet their culture and city with the message of Jesus as a missionary would in a foreign country? Isnt this what the church buildings is challenged to do in the sending out by Jesus in Matthew 28:19? Our own hometown deserves this kind of church. Central Austin churches is slowly transitioning to what our Creator instructed in Holy Word.

The messiah gives the direction in Acts 1:8 saying, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 justifies this concept as, right before Jesus Christ ascends to Heaven, He points the disciples on a journey that would begin right in their individual community. He begins with their local place of Jerusalem, and then broadens the call to the uttermost parts of the globe.

As believers, we are not moved to social clubs, but to be missional people who are anxiously going out and meeting people right where they are with the gospel. We have seen this throughout history: God motivated Abraham on a mission to move from his city and his people and go to the town that God would show him (Gen. 12:1), God motivated Moses on a mission to restore an enslaved people and lead them to joy (Exodus 3:8-10), God sends Jesus on a journey to world to bring back all things to Himself through the cross (Colossians 1:20). And now God is sending believers on a journey to engage communities, cities, ethnicities, and even nations with the good news (Matt. 28:19 Mark 6:7 Luke 10:1 John 20:21 Acts 1:8). If we dont respond to this urge and continue to display the church buildings like a closed off country club ” urging that people resolve their abilities, pay their deposit, and drive to our sanctuary God will continue His exploration without us.

The greatest tool the enemy uses against us in life is fear, because fear keeps us from doing many of those things we would like to do in order to make our lives, and the lives of others, more complete and prosperous.

Since we are born with only a few fears like the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises, all other fears are learned. The fear of failure, the fear of rejection, and even a fear of success are all learned fears and are really just lies from the devil.

Naturally, God wants us to live abundant and prosperous lives, but the devil is not going to just step aside and watch while God outrageously prospers us. The devil’s whole purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10), and the best way he is able to do this is by causing us to doubt and fear.

One important thing to understand is the fact that doubt always precedes fear. If the enemy can get us to doubt and give in to it, it will then grow into fear. And even though fear can sneak up on us fast, it doesn’t have to paralyse us. It’s then that our courage can get us through.

How do we develop true courage? Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Truth, righteousness, preparation to share the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God is the armor. Verse 16 says, “Above all, take the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy.”

It’s important to understand the power of faith in God’s Word because fear is such a massive thought force competing for control of our minds. Just know, faith is much stronger. We can cancel out fear with faith because there is no force in this world more powerful than faith, and the most amazing things can happen as a result of it.

Faith is a shield. When the devil’s lies come at us in the form of fear, we must know what God’s Word says concerning our circumstances in order to quench that fear.

Unfortunately, too many Christians are ignorant of the power of faith, so they only operate in fear, which is the exact opposite. We cannot operate in a spirit of faith and a spirit of fear at the same time. We will flow in one or the other. We must oppose the spirit of fear and close the door on the devil so we may move forward with God’s plan for our lives.

As Faith is our shield (our defense), God’s Word is our Sword (our offense). That means we must not only believe God’s Word, but we must also speak it.

Our words are containers of power. When all hell is coming against us, we need to hold fast to the confession of our faith and say what the Word says in light of our situation instead of what the circumstances look like or how they make us feel.

Not speaking the positive report of God’s Word is the reason why so many believers fall short of receiving God’s best and continue to live in fear. 2 Corinthians 4:13 says, “I believed, and therefore have I spoken.” By speaking negative words we are operating in fear and are in agreement with the devil. The door then remains open for him to produce the very conditions we are speaking. Instead, speak the promises of God in faith by getting into agreement with Him.

Again, the greatest tool the enemy uses against us in life is fear, but we can quench the firey lies of the enemy by faith and eventually see God’s promises fulfilled in our lives.

Copyright 2006 Daniel N Brown

Daniel N. Brown is an entrepreneur and teacher of biblical success principles. Get his FREE report, “Christian Prosperity Secrets” when you sign up for his FREE weekly newsletter.
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