Fear Not

Fear Of Swimming

At the beach today were these three guys from Iran. They are at Uni here. They were very formally dressed for an Australian beach and serious looking. They looked as though they had no plans to get into the water.

It turns out that they are quite unused to beaches. As they grew up in their beautiful, sunny, desert country-by-the-sea, they knew the beaches as "restricted areas".

One of the young men, a PhD student, said that he had learned to swim, but didn't, because he had "much fear" of the water and was too afraid ever to swim.

"Oh", said Trish, "this is Australia, you can't stay out of the water here . . Let's pray to Jesus and ask Him to take away your fear". The three are Muslim. "Yes", they replied, smiling broadly. So Trish prayed her welcome prayer.

Our God, Jesus, does not bring fear, or religious observance, or need for adherence to a set of propositions (Colossians 2:16-17).

No, He brings peace (Isaiah 9:6), and love (2 Timothy 1:7), and freedom (Galatians 5:1); He seeks a one-on-one relationship with us, each one. I testify that this is true.

The three young men appeared to have been blessed by the prayer and were happy and relaxed as they went on their way. Later that day Trish and I prayed again, that Jesus would continue to reveal Himself as they encounter other Christians while they are in our country, and when they return home.

Hallelujah, thank you Jesus.

Favourite Scriptures:

(1 John 4:8,18) . . for God is love. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear . .

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

(Isaiah 9:6)   For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(Colossians 2:16-17)  Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

(Galatians 5:1)  For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and do not be entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

(Revelation 1:17)  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, "Fear not; I am the first and the last, and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hell".

Amen.

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Praise Jesus.