When our human nature says RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, what does it take for us to overcome the intimidation and fear, and run TOWARD, instead of away from, "THE ROAR"? The most important thing is knowing the tactics of our enemy and seeking after the vigilance and wisdom of God! Let's get right into "OVERCOMING INTIMIDATION"...
Message from chapter 7 of our book entitled, "OVERCOMING INTIMIDATION."
Intimidation is one of the greatest hindrances to accomplishing anything significant in this life. If you have ever contended with peer pressure from classmates, approached your employer for a raise, walked into a gathering and just "knew" that everybody was talking about you, had to walk any distance in total darkness, tried to tell someone for the first time that you love them, or stepped out to share your faith, you know exactly what I am talking about. Fear shows up, that giant among emotions, often in the form of an anxious feeling in the pit of your stomach. Much like swimming upstream, the longer you stay in the situation, the stronger this unseen force seems to grow. You may even begin hearing things in your head, words that condemn you or put you down. Yes, even your own thoughts turn against you! Fear has gripped your heart, and you find yourself contemplating whether or not you are going to turn and run away.
Sound familiar? In fact, it is all too familiar, and for some it is a way of life, although it is not accurate to describe this as "living." So, if you are ever going to enter into the Abundant Life, you are going to have to learn not only to stand up in the face of intimidation, but also to fight your way through it. If you do, what awaits you on the other side will far exceed your greatest expectations. Always remember this crucial scriptural principle: "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1)
Likewise, our old natures will flee when no one pursues us, but our new natures are bold as a lion. To illustrate this, I will relate an amazing story I once heard documenting the way some lions pursue and trap their prey. I find the lions' method quite intriguing since intimidation plays such a prominent role in the way they hunt for food.
As male lions grow old, not only do they slow down considerably, but their teeth also become brittle and painfully sensitive, making it very difficult for them to chase down and kill prey. In order for the big male lions to be able to eat on a regular basis, they recruit the female and young male lions of the pride to accomplish the difficult task of chasing down and killing their meals for them. With both the females and young males in tow, the ferocious-looking male lion sets off on his quest for something to eat. Once he has spotted a herd of animals feeding in the distance, he approaches them very stealthily. The big male, once in position, keeps as low as possible while the females and young males quietly position themselves on the opposite side of the intended prey. Once they are close enough to them, the old male lion rises up and lets out a tremendously loud and intimidating roar. At that fearsome sound, the herd begins running away from the old male in the direction of the waiting lions, not realizing that the big male lion is relatively toothless. Consequently, the female and young male lions are able to chase down and kill members of the herd with much greater ease; the intimidating sound of the old lion's roar literally drives the prey right into the jaws of death. The moral of the story is this: whenever you are confronted with an intimidating situation, head straight towards it. Therein lies your freedom! If the unsuspecting animals had only run into the intimidating roar of the old lion, more of them would have been around to graze another day.
This same principle is demonstrated in the account of the war between the Israelites and the Philistines in which David killed the champion of the Philistines, the giant Goliath. The situation that confronted God's people appeared to be quite dire. Goliath dominated
the scene, demanding that the Israelites put forth a champion to face Goliath in one-on-one combat, winner take all. If Goliath won, as looked probable, the Israelites would become the slaves of the Philistines. Conversely, if Goliath lost, the Israelites would be the masters. The challenge was summarized by Goliath thus: "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together." (1 Samuel 17:11) The reaction of God's people to the roar of the giant was to flee, though no one was pursuing them; the giant was simply offering the challenge. "And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid." (1 Samuel 17:24)
Such was the situation on the day when David came into the camp of the Israelites at the instruction of his father. David was bringing supplies to his brothers and presents for their captain. In return, his father wanted David to find out how his brothers were doing. The occasion, however, was of the Lord, for David heard the words of Goliath and observed the terror amongst his own people.
Upon learning that no Israelite had volunteered to be the champion of his people, David offered his services to Saul their king, though David was but a youth. The king was reluctant, but eventually he acquiesced, and David went out upon the field of battle to face the giant: "And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:40) The giant, looking with disdain upon the youth who stood before him, uttered words intended to quail the heart of the young warrior. "And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field." (1 Samuel 17:44)
David did not back down, neither was he dismayed or filled with fear. David was bold as a lion. "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
Thus the battle was joined: "And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell
upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the
Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled." (1 Samuel 17:48-51)
Note the significant phrase: "David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine." David ran to the roar! He refused to be intimidated by the giant, and God wrought a great victory that day.
We pray that this testimony and brief exhortation fans into flames your passion for loving, trusting, believing, and following God whole-heartedly. If you allow those flames to burn and increase in your life with Christ, your life will be ever better... guaranteed!
Keep PRESSIN' IN!
"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14)
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Keith and I are a team, passionate about reaching people with our music and writings that proclaim the Gospel that Jesus Christ preached. We regularly offer our messages electronically by podcast,
social media, website, and this blog. I must say, however effective these outreaches prove to be, Keith has NOT stopped boldly, yet lovingly, approaching people at gas
stations, supermarkets, and stop lights. In fact, since about a month after we met in 2008, I haven't been able to count the people he befriends, everywhere we go, usually leaving them with one of his books or CDs. Anyone who has seen him in action will tell you what a faith-building sight it is! Keith knows, intimately, how God uses these opportunities to provide folks with something they need, at the place where they are, at exactly the right time.
I hope that, as you read this blog, your heart, soul and spirit is stirred with an increased passion for oneness with Christ Jesus and for pouring into people. I have referenced this writing in a personal letter we are mailing out this month to the friends, family members and financial partners of Toward The Mark. If you would like to begin receiving regular mailings from us, just send an email request to Keith and BrendaLee Shealy or mail a printed request to: Toward The Mark, Inc., P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.
Now...
about IT, this is Part I of II:
During
rush hour traffic, a guy in a red pickup truck cut me off, the back corner of
his truck barely missing the front of my car. I guess he was hoping to make it
through the next intersection before the traffic signal turned red. My Mom
would have said "If I didn't know better, I would think that fella' was
going to a house fire." As God would have it, the guy did not make the red
light, and I stopped directly behind him. On his back window I could see a
decal with the Harley Davidson logo and the words "SOLD OUT JESUS
FREAK."
Upon seeing that, I
jumped out of my car, opened the trunk, and grabbed a copy of our book, XII Smooth Stones. (I keep a complete
supply of our teaching resources in my car, because ministry opportunities can
appear at any moment.) As I went up to the red truck, I signaled to the driver
to roll down his window. With a surprised look on his face, he complied, and
before he could speak, I handed him the book, saying "God bless you."
As we pulled away from the light I could see him smiling and vigorously waving
to me through his rear window.
Now, although I am able to
sow God's Word regularly, it is not every day that I get the kind of
encouraging response that I received later that evening from the driver of the
red truck. Later that evening he sent an e-mail saying that, once he opened our book, XII Smooth Stones, he could not put it
down, and before he knew it, he had read the entire book. He said in his e-mail
that the teachings were everything that he had been craving and praying for, but
was not getting from the church he had been attending. He then asked if I could
speak to a men's group that meets on Tuesday evenings and bring copies of our
new book. I replied that I would be honored to go and that Brenda and I would
be praying for them.
Since that evening I have
received several e-mails from the owner of the red truck. I also spoke to
approximately thirty-five men for about an hour in an old garage where it
was about 95 very humid degrees. These men were there because they wanted more
of God! When I had finished speaking, I was able to sow into their lives over
fifty copies of our books. This is but one example of the ways we are able to
freely give because of the hard work of our team and the monthly financial
support of a very small group of generous partners. None of this would have
happened, however, if I had not seized the opportunity to approach the driver
of the red pickup truck. For, once again, God had honored my morning prayer
request to open a door to sow the good seed of Toward The Mark's teaching
resources into the fertile soil of someone's life.
So I have a question for
you: What is it that that would compel a Christian to jump out of a car at a
busy intersection while most professing Christians would not? After all, Jesus
instructed us to go "into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature." (Mark 16:15) How is it, then, that we seem to be hearing
less and less about scripture-based evangelism? Here we stand at the threshold
of our Lord's return and the very spirit of slumber that we are all warned not
to entertain seems to be knocking Christians unconscious everywhere. Jesus knew
this would happen, and He warned us numerous times, such as in the following
passage of Scripture...
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." (Mark 13:31-37; Emphasis added.)
Those words have special
meaning for us, since we are so close to the time of the End. The Lord wants us
to be spiritually awake so that we can watch for His coming. However, even
those who were alive when Jesus walked the Earth were in need of a spiritual
jump-start. Hear what Jesus said to His disciples shortly after He had risen
from the dead...
"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them [To rebuke severely; censure; Scold] with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." (Mark 16:14)
After getting their
attention, the Lord immediately commanded them to go "into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature."
(Mark 16:15; Emphasis added.) They did...
"And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." (Mark 16:20; Emphasis added.)
So, what is IT? What would cause a person to go into
all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature, having the same desire as God to see every creature come to the
saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? For starters, IT is having a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. When you
examine the lives of those who fulfilled God's passion in their lives and in
the lives of others, you will find that each of them had met Jesus Christ. And, because of their encounter, they laid their lives down, including plans, wishes,
possessions, relationships, philosophies, etc., to witness to His Greatness.
Multitudes of people have
heard about Jesus Christ, but the evidence of the vast majority is that they do
not know Him. Meeting Jesus and knowing Him are so much more than having heard
about Him. Once you have truly met Him, you will never be the same, and the
impact of being in the Lord's presence will inspire you to seek from God what
you cannot find any other way. This includes coming to know Him, even as He
knows us.
One of the beauties of
God's creation is that we are all different, and His approach in dealing with
each of us encompasses those differences. So not all encounters with Christ are
alike. For instance, there are those who have met Jesus as an all-consuming
fire, such as Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul). Conversely, Jesus may be very
gentle, or He may choose some manner in between. The Book of Acts records
Saul's encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. At the time, Saul was traveling on
the road to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus as violators of the Law of
Moses...
"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the thorns. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man." (Acts 9:3-7)
Saul fell to the ground
in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Compare that with the account of the
men who came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane...
"Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he (Jesus) had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground." (John 18:1-6; Emphasis added.)
The Bible documents other
similar occurrences in both the Old and the New Testament, but such
experiences are not limited to Biblical times. I have personally had several
demobilizing encounters with Jesus Christ, but I have also encountered Jesus in
more gentle ways that were just as profound, but much less taxing emotionally and
physically. In our book, Letters from the
Front, I describe in detail some of those events. If you have not read the
book, and are interested in knowing more, our TowardTheMark INC. website has all of that and more in our other printed inventory available.
I know a brother in the
Lord who testifies that the Lord visited him and his wife as she lay dying. With
the gentleness of a lamb, the Savior kissed them both on their foreheads while
speaking words of love and deliverance. His wife was miraculously healed that
day! This brother also tells of a moment when he suddenly found himself in the
presence of the Lord in Heaven. His soul was flooded with joy so quickly that
his body felt like it would soon explode, and he pleaded for it to stop. This
occurred in less time than it takes to read this paragraph.It is certain that our
bodies cannot withstand the power of God's presence. In the parable of the
garment and the wine bottles, Jesus taught that we need new bodies to be able
to stand in His glorious presence, and to enjoy the fullness of the new life He
brings. That same parable concludes with a warning about rejecting the new life
that God offers to us through Christ.
"And he spoke also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agrees not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desires new: for he says, The old is better." (Luke 5:36-39)
Observe how the old
bottles will burst and perish if the fullness of the life of Christ is poured
into them. God knows our limitations and will not put more on us than we can
bear. As the psalmist wrote, "For he knows our frame; he remembereth that
we are dust." (Psalm 103:14) On the other hand, He knows that through Him
we can handle far more than we think. Also notice that the natural tendency is
to reject what the Lord offers, preferring the old life to the new. "No
man also having drunk old wine straightway desires new: for he says, The old is
better."
This last point explains
why it is likely that you have never been around someone who has encountered
Christ, even within the avid church-going crowd. You may be thinking, I am
faithful in tithing, Church attendance, and helping others, but I have never had
an encounter with Jesus Christ. If you have never experienced anything like the
things that we have shared with you in this letter, it in no way means that God
does not love you, or that He respects someone else more than He does you. As
the Scripture says, "God is no respecter of persons." (Acts 10:34)
Now, although God is not a
respecter of persons, He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently
seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) You will only get out of something, what you are willing to put into it. This proves no less true concerning your becoming ONE with your Heavenly Father. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows,
that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7) If you desire for the Lord to
show Himself to you in a great way, then you must seek Him diligently. If you
noticed, Paul did not say that God is a Rewarder of those who "merely"
seek Him. He said that God is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him!
I share this with you in hopes that it will help instill in you an unquenchable desire to diligently
seek God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and body. You must understand, this
walk with God is an "all in or all out" endeavor! "I know thy
works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So
then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out
of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16) God wants nothing more than to draw
close to us, but He is hindered only by our lack of desire to first draw close
to Him! God's Word is clear on this.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (James 4:7-10)
Too many "Church
folk" today are wandering around thinking that God does not love them for
one reason or another. They leave Church lonely on Sundays wondering if God
even exists. I say, try something new! Seek God diligently, offer up thanks
to Him for who He is more than for what He can do for you. Also, if you have
given yourself entirely to God and have yet to experience anything like I have
shared in this letter, do not be discouraged. Rather be very encouraged. God
will reveal Himself to you in His time...
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." (Hebrews 10:35-36)
Be assured that God can
show Himself to you in many different ways, and do not think that God only
shows Himself to us in big ways. Some of my greatest experiences have been when
God moved in the small matters of my life; Whether it was getting a much-needed
check in the mail as a bill came due, getting an encouraging phone call when I
needed it most, or hearing His soft and gentle whisper in my spirit. God has
many ways by which He can reveal Himself to each of us; Such ways will build
our faith like nothing else can.
We pray that this message
has helped you better understand the importance of diligently seeking God.
Remove all distractions from your life and seek Him with your whole heart! I
also pray that, from this day forward, you will make God your permanent residence
and will give your life to leading those around you, as Jesus prayed in the
garden, into oneness with our Almighty God and King.
To be continued...
Part II of this blog message is coming up within the coming month.
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To help you further your fight to victory through the battles that confront every one of us in these turbulent times we live in, get your copy of our book, " LETTERS FROM THE FRONT." In this collection of 12 letters written from the front lines of battle fought in the spiritual, natural, and theater of the mind, Keith's Scripture messages will build your faith and help you reach God's full potential for your life.
