New Year, New Attitude - Praise & Pray (for others) January 4, 2022

Deuteronomy 1:21 - See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

This verse compels us to have a new attitude this year. A godly approach to how we act, speak, and think. We also have to see ourselves differently and thereby, change the way we think of ourselves.

Our new attitude must be rooted in God's word and the fact He promised to stand with us in every situation. Consider His promise in Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. There's also Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

We have to remember these and other promises made by the Lord. They should prompt us to shake off the spirit of fear. We have to stand in this new year knowing that the emotion of fear doesn't belong to us. Its satan projecting it's own concerns onto us. It's afraid we'll understand how strong we are if we become confident in our position as a child of God. If it can keep us scared, unsure, and confused, then that's exactly what it will do. Anything to have one less person capable of putting Luke 10:19 in action - I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. The devil's more afraid of you than you should be of it.

One way to silence the voice of fear is to rejoice in the Lord. Indeed Isaiah 61:3 tells us we should replace the spirit of heaviness with the garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3). King David went as far as instructing his soul to praise the Lord when feeling downcast in Psalm 42:5.

Another way to eliminate fear is to know the word of God and recite it when satan tries to shake you. Using scripture is the only way to silence satan, even Jesus applied this approach when confronted by satan after His 40-day and night fast in Matthew 4. He didn't enter into a philosophical debate with the devil. Instead, on three occasions, He said "it is written," and recited scripture. If Jesus, the very representation of God on earth at the time, relied on the scripture, shouldn't you?

And one more way to dwell in our new attitude is to trust in God's faithful nature. God is never-changing. 2 Timothy 2:13 - if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. What He said yesterday, He says today, and forever (1 Peter 1:25). This is one of the reasons why we should have faith in Him. He can't lie (Numbers 23:19). He cannot fail (Joshua 21:45).

Let us take time to consider today's message and see what changes we can make in our lives to become the people Deuteronomy 1:21 envisions. Children of God who stand tall, unafraid, and confident they belong to the Sovereign Lord. Individuals, families, and fellowships that know they can step into territories and own them because of the promise in Deuteronomy 11:24 - Every place where you set your foot will be yours...

See you at Noon EST!