When I Feel Afraid

September 15, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

Can we take just a couple of minutes to talk about fear? This isn’t on the list of anyone’s favorite topics, but it is something we all have to confront. 

The Scriptures I reference in this episode are from John 8:12, 9:5; Revelation 1:8; and Psalm 56:3-4, 10-11. 

I also mentioned how many times the Bible shows us God saying, “Do not be afraid.” Here are several of those instances. 

I shared a whole series of messages called “Do Not Be Afraid” which you can check out here. Some other related posts are: 

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? … I praise God for what He has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4, 10-11 NLT)

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

The Freedom In Fear

August 4, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

Our Royal Psalms take us from King David to King Jesus. David went from the anointed king on the run from King Saul, to being king over Judah (2 Samuel 2:4), to being king over “all the tribes” (2 Samuel 5:1-3; 8:15). 

(Check out all of the Scriptures in this post by clicking here.) 

David’s kingdom stretched far and wide (1 Chronicles 22:14-16; 29:10-13). This absolute control King David now wields over every nation surrounding Israel puts fear into the hearts of Israel’s enemies. Fear of David brings freedom for the people of his kingdom.

As the Sons of Korah think about this fear that brings them freedom, they look beyond their earthly king to the King of Heaven and compose this Royal Psalm recorded in Psalm 47. This psalm has majestic terminology for God in almost every verse; including, Lord Most High, great King over all the earth (vv. 2, 7, 9), God reigns over the nations; and God is seated on His holy throne. 

I’m especially intrigued by the word awesome in verse 2. The KJV says “the Lord Most High is terrible” because it does take two Hebrew words to give us the full definition of awesome. First, “Most High” is best thought of with the suffix -est: greatest, highest, noblest. In other words, there is nothing above Him. Then “terrible” is to be held in awe, to be honored, to be reverenced. 

Just as the Israelites had no fear of enemies because David was on the throne, God says the same thing to us: Because the Most High is on the throne, His people have no fear of their enemies. 

When we fear God we need not fear anything else. 

When we fear God: 

…we hate our own sin (Psalm 36:1-3) 

…we love His mercy that forgives our sin (Psalm 103:2-3, 10-12) 

…we hate sin in the world (2 Timothy 2:26) 

…we love sinners (2 Timothy 2:24-26; Acts 10:38; Jude 20-23) 

…we hate the darkness that traps people (2 Corinthians 4:4) 

…we love shining the light of King Jesus (Philippians 2:15-16) 

…we hate this life (John 12:25) 

…we love eternal life (Romans 3:23-24, 8:18)

When the people of Israel reverenced David as their king, they would be able to know his blessings. When we fear our awesome God, we will also receive His blessings. Take a look at the amazing blessings Jesus Himself—the King of kings—lists for those who reverence His awesome Kingship (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 11-12, 21)! 

God is awesome and asks us to reverence Him and then enjoy life in His freedom. 

If you have missed any of the other royal psalms we have covered, you can find the full list by clicking here. 

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment »

The “If” Of Prospering God’s Way

August 1, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Then you will prosper IF you are careful to keep and fulfill the statutes and ordinances with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage. Dread not and fear not; be not dismayed. (1 Chronicles 22:13 AMPC)

True prospering can only come through carefully doing things God’s way. “I will obey God no matter what,” is easier said than lived. This is why David tells Solomon both the virtues to cultivate and the emotions to guard against:

✅ Strong character 

✅ Steadfast courage 

🚫 Fear of man 

🚫 Fear of failure

You may also be interested in my posts How Godly Leaders Prosper and True Prosperity.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Leaders Are The First To Step Into The Unknown

May 7, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

The Jordan River was a powerful border guard. For years it had served the Canaanites well, protecting their eastern border from large-scale attacks from their enemies. Now the Jordan was all that stood between the Israelites on the east side of the river and their promised land on the west side. 

Joshua gave some unusual instructions to the priests that carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He told them to carry the ark while they walked into the middle of the flood-level river. He said they should trust that God would stop the flow of the river while they stood there (see Joshua 3:1—4:11). 

I can imagine the two priests carrying the ark at the front stepping into the water, feeling the current rush around their ankles, and holding their breath as they took their next steps deeper into the river. 

Step after step the two priests in front waded into the Jordan. Until finally they walked far enough that the priests carrying the ark from the back stepped into the Jordan. 

And all of a sudden, the water levels begin to go down! Lower and lower until the priests were standing on a damp riverbed that had been completely covered by water just a few minutes earlier. To their left, as they looked downstream, no water was to be seen. To their right, as they looked upstream, they might have glimpsed the wall of water piled up as the invisible Hand of God held it back. 

Only then did the Israelites began crossing the previously uncrossable river. Family after family, tribe after tribe began to march at long last into their promised land. 

   And while all Israel passed over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan. … For the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to tell the people…. (Joshua 3:17, 4:10)

It was only after every Israelite had crossed the Jordan, and memorial stones had been gathered from the riverbed and carried to the shore, that the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord came across themselves. It was immediately after this that the mighty Jordan River began flowing again at full strength. 

There are two important lessons here. First, godly leaders go first. They don’t want to be first, but they want to go first in obeying God so that the way is opened for everyone else to enjoy God’s blessings. 

Second, godly leaders stand their ground until all the people enter into God’s blessing. Remember that God is patient, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). 

So leaders, let me encourage you—

Keep going first in obeying God, keep standing firm in His promises, keep showing others the path they need to follow to step into God’s blessings, and keep encouraging people to walk into that blessing. 

Don’t be slow in obeying. Don’t fear going first into the unknown. And don’t become weary or frustrated or nervous and walk away too soon. 

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

The Fullness Of God’s Glory

June 21, 2024 — Craig T. Owens

And one [angel] called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of armies. The whole earth is full of His glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. Then I said, “Woe to me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of armies.” (Isaiah 6:3-5) 

The literal translation of the phrase “the whole part is full of His glory” is, “The fullness of the whole earth IS His glory.” 

Paul says it this way, “All things have been created through Him [Jesus] and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). God spoke all things into existence—we literally live today in His breath, we breathe His breath, we eat His breath. All that exists is the fullness of His glory. 

Isaiah got a small glimpse of this glory, and the weightiness of God’s awesome glory brought him to his knees (Isaiah 6:4-5). 

How many trivial things would fall to the side when we realize how unimportant they are in comparison to the eternal importance of God’s glory! 

How differently we would live each day if we were aware of God’s presence in and around us! 

How fearful we would be to even contemplate sinning in His presence! 

How quick we would be to repent of sin when we are aware of just how present He is! 

How unafraid we would be to boldly stand for God and proclaim His love and power if we were aware of His ever-present Spirit equipping and supporting us! 

Oh, that “the Father of glory may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17)! 

You may also want to check out:

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Fearless Stewards

March 25, 2024 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

I’ve noticed over the years that some people get quite nervous—even fearful—with the thought of God coming close to then. Some people have told me, “I can’t go to church—the roof will fall in on me!” 

If I’m honest, I had a time in my life when I feared God’s approach. I didn’t want to pray, “God, use me however You want to” because I just knew He was going to send me somewhere I didn’t want to go, or ask me to give up something that was special to me. 

But from the the birth of Jesus until His ascension, the consistent message is: Fear not! and Rejoice! 

Today we celebrate what is now called Palm Sunday. This is the triumphal arrival of Jesus in the Holy City of Jerusalem, just a few days before His earthly ministry will reach its climax at His crucifixion. This is a story recounted by all four Gospel writers.

Matthew 21:4 says that Christ’s arrival on a donkey was “to fulfill” another one of the jots and tittles. And John adds, “Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, ‘Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt’” (John 12:14-15).  

Typically, conquerors came with a show of overwhelming force, not a show of humility. But Jesus came to Jerusalem with the same message repeated at His birth, “Fear not.” 

This is elaborated on in the original prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9-14, where the opening word is, “Rejoice!” We rejoice because He is coming to take away the instruments of war that the occupying forces used to keep the citizens in bondage. He is coming to bring freedom He is coming to announce hope and restoration. 

With all of these jot-and-tittle prophecies, we have been asking three questions. 

(1) What did it mean then? Quite simply, on that first Palm Sunday it meant that this was not the time for judgment. 

(2) What does it mean now? Since the final judgment has not taken place, it must mean it still is not a time of judgment, but a time of favor. God is still drawing people to Himself by His kindness (Romans 2:4). 

Zechariah 9:14 makes it clear that there will be a day of judgment. And Peter says that God’s not being slow about this, but He is demonstrating His patience so that none will have to perish without Him (2 Peter 3:9-10). 

(3) What does it mean for me? It means that I don’t have to fear the approach of God. 

First, there is no fear when God calls me to stand before Him because my sins have been forgiven (Romans 8:1). 

Second, there is no fear when God asks me to give something to Him because God has equipped me ahead of time to respond obediently. When Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him to bring back the donkey that He would ride into Jerusalem, Jesus must have already informed the donkey’s owners that this would be coming. The disciples were simply to say, “The Master needs the donkey now.” 

God has already prepared me to say, “Yes” to whatever He calls me to do (Psalm 139:16). 

Finally, there is no fear when God asks me to give something to Him because I’m only giving back to Him what is already His. You and I are just stewards of what God has given us. When the disciples talked to the steward of the donkey, they assured him, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly” (Mark 3:11). And the prophecy in Zechariah, God says, “Now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you” (Zechariah 9:12). Maybe not here on earth, but the rewards in Heaven will be incalculable for His faithful servants! 

Those who know Jesus as their Master can live as fearless stewards. 

We don’t fear the requests of our King, but we rejoice to allow Him access. We don’t fear the approach of our Judge, but we rejoice to stand before Him forgiven and rejoicing! 

If you’ve missed any of the other messages in this series, you can find them all here. 

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment »

Links & Quotes

March 16, 2024 — Craig T. Owens

Don’t let fear keep you standing still. Take a swing and give yourself or your coach something to tweak. Check out this full conversation here. I have lots of new content every week, which you can check out on my YouTube channel.

“Our human minds cannot comprehend the immensity of [Christ’s] task and His sacrifice. We simply know that it was to save us, and that Jesus’ suffering is the most blessed influence the world has ever known.” —Dr. Henry Halley, Halley’s Study Bible 

The Hill, though high, I covet to ascend,
The Difficulty will not me offend;
For I perceive the Way to life lies here.
Come, pluck up Heart, let’s neither faint nor fear;
Better, though difficult, the Right Way to go,
Than wrong, though easy, where the End is Woe. —Christian in John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress 




“Nearly half the Law of God is devoted to directing God’s people in how to worship Him. And while the specific practices of that portion of God’s Law have been replaced (Hebrews 7:11-18), the emphasis on worship and the idea that worship and life are related remains. The more faithful we are in worshiping the Lord the more we will love our neighbors with the justice His Law prescribes.” —T.M. Moore








The deaths of Nadab and Abihu is a tragic story, but I think there are some important leadership insights to be gleaned from it. I shared an exclusive video with my Patreon supporters. Will you prayerfully consider joining?










Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »



	



God’s Word Always Prevails

October 11, 2023 — Craig T. Owens 




Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 



I love the simple but utterly profound statement the angel Gabriel leaves with Mary. Listen to it from different biblical translations:


    

  • For no word from God will ever fail (Luke 1:37 NIV) 
    • 

  • For nothing will be impossible with God (NASB)
    • 

  • For the word of God will never fail (NLT) 
    • 

  • For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment (AMPC)
    • 



“No word”—not the single dot of an “i” or the cross of a “t” will be missing. 


The God who never slumbers—the Omnipotent One, the Omniscient One—superintends every single word He has spoken. 


It is His word: “No word from God will ever fail.” It is not the way I desire it to be, or the way culture wants it to be, but it is the way the All-Loving, All-Powerful One has already determined it is going to be. 


The plans God has for me are for His glory. He is working all things out to bring to completion what He has declared. 


God’s words never fail, but they always prevail. It doesn’t matter how dark, hopeless, or even impossible it may seem, His plan always triumphs! 


When I have God’s word on it, I can confidently say, “Worry, be gone! Striving, cease! Doubt, you are a liar! I belong to the One who has spoken His word. I will rest assured in Him until His word prevails. I say as Mary replied to Gabriel, ‘May it be to me as you have said’” (Luke 1:38). 


►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials, like a map and an app I just shared to help with your personal Bible study time. ◀︎◀︎






Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment »



	



Unafraid Of End Times Events

June 26, 2023 — Craig T. Owens 




Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.



When people ask me about end times events, it is usually from a posture of hand-wringing worry. But when Jesus told His followers about what is to come, He repeatedly told them not to be afraid.




Some resources from this video:



►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎






Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment »



	



Poetry Saturday—For Fear Of Feeble Man

May 21, 2022 — Craig T. Owens 




Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.



Shall I, for fear of feeble man,


The Spirit’s course in me restrain?


Or, undismayed, in deed and word


Be a true witness for my Lord?




Awed by a mortal’s frown, shall I


Conceal the Word of God Most High?


How then before Thee shall I dare


To stand, or how Thine anger bear?




Shall I, to soothe the unholy throng,


Soften Thy truths, and smooth my tongue,


To gain earth’s gilded toys, or flee


The Cross, endured, my God, by Thee?




What then is he whose scorn I dread,


Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid?


A man! an heir of death! a slave


To sin! a bubble on the wave!




Yea, let men rage, since Thou wilt spread


Thy shadowing wings around my head;


Since in all pain Thy tender love


Will still my sure refreshment prove.




Savior of men, Thy searching eye


Doth all my inmost thoughts descry;


Doth aught on earth my wishes raise,


Or the world’s pleasures, or its praise?




The love of Christ doth me constrain


To seek the wandering souls of men;


With cries, entreaties, tears, to save,


To snatch them from the gaping grave.




For this let men revile my name.


No cross I shun, I fear no shame,


All hail, reproach, and welcome, pain!


Only Thy terrors, Lord, restrain.




My life, my blood, I here present,


If for Thy truth they may be spent,


Fulfill Thy sovereign counsel, Lord!


Thy will be done, Thy Name adored!




Give me Thy strength, O God of power;


Then let winds blow, or thunders roar,


Thy faithful witness will I be:


’Tis fixed; I can do all through Thee! —Johann Joseph Winckler (translated by John Wesley)




►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎






Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »








« Older posts