Come and sit a while beneath my tree or upon its billowy branches and rest a while with me.....

Part 2

What is a stronghold of fear? Very simply put, it is something that has a STRONG HOLD on you! Vain imaginations, ungodly beliefs, fear of man, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of death, fear of the devil-and the list goes on and on. We must learn to identify our fears, confront our fears and destroy our fears in order to be all God has called us to be.

Apostle Paul recognized that the young man he was mentoring in ministry was not pressing in to the fulness of his potential. He knew that Timothy had many gifts that were imparted to him by God, nevertheless, they were lying dormant within him. Fear had paralyzed Timothy's giftings and caused him to be ineffective.

"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. Fot God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." II Timothy 1:6-7

Scripture is clear that God is not the author of fear. There is an appropriate fear of God, born out of respect and awe for His sovereignty. But it is not this type of fear that controls and dominates men's and women's lives and keeps them from fulfilling destiny. This type of fear is from the devil and from our own minds coming into agreement with the powers of darkness. It will torment us, paralyze us and prevent us from receiving all the good things God has for us. It is a bondage that shows no mercy and keeps us from walking in the life of His great love towards us.

" There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment . He that feareth is not made perfect in love." I John 4:18

By the annointing of His Holy Spirit, God has given us the power to be free from tormenting spirits of fear. As we break our agreement with the power of fear, and receive instead the power of God to deliver us and make us free, God releases faith ... which is opposite of fear... to go in and possess our promise.

"And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. " Hebrews 2:15

I believe that God has a people of courage who are ready to venture into uncharted territory to explore and discover qualities of that area. They have to face a world of uncertain dangers in order to settle and establish their new land and make it fruitful. They are a people who have a spirit of adventure, who are willing to risk safety and security in order to obtain a better way of life. Much like the pioneers of old.

I believe these people will walk in courage and release an impartation of courage, both to those they directly effected, as well as throughout the land. Many settlements in America's far west were birthed with only a couple of families who forged ahead through many trials, oppositions, hardships and adversities to settle the land. Later, others followed in the path that had been laid down, and they shared in the blessings of the land.

I think we can agree that there is land here that needs "settled". There are things that the people of God need to take back and possess. There is a "settling of the land" that is about to happen. You see, courage, born out of faith and trust in God, can accomplish His purposes in this land.

God is looking for a people of courage. God is looking for those who are willing to pray as the prophet Isaiah prayed when he said:

"Here I am; send me." Isaiah 6:8