Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

At any given moment during any day, there is always someone or something vying for power, authority, or control over our senses. This may sound extreme, but it is true nonetheless. When we belong to Christ, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us.  Jesus promises us that the Holy Spirit will help us always.  The Holy Spirit also comforts us.  The Holy Spirit reveals truth and provides wisdom.  With all of these gifts of the Spirit (and there are more), how is it that we still stray from God? Our emotions can lead us astray.  Our thoughts can lead us astray.  Both of these are gifts from God, too.  But left unchecked, or if we give into unrighteous ones, in that moment, they reign over us! When we see Jesus as Lord - over it all - we are free from being controlled by anyone or anything else.  If we are in the habit of giving in to negative emotions or thoughts, or if we have conquered them but they still rear their ugly heads occasionally, that...

What does it mean to be fearless?  Some think that it means that you boldly go forth not paying attention to any authority whatsoever, doing whatever you "feel" like with no regard for anyone else.  This is "doing your own thing."   This can look tempting.  But at its root is prideful rebellion and eventually leads to disgrace and downfall. Being fearless in Christ looks a whole lot different, to say the least. When we fear God - have a reverential awe of Him, His holiness, and see Him as Lord - then we fear (are afraid of) no one else. What can man do to me?  (Psalm 118:6) We go forth boldly knowing that the power of the universe resides inside us, is for us, wages war for us, when necessary (Exodus 14:14), and gives us all we need to obey Him and live for Him wholeheartedly in a world that hates and rejects Him (and therefore, hates and rejects us). We need this boldness in order to face the persecutions that we face as Christians.  Some of us face m...