"If you don't face down your fears, fear will face you down!"

Billy Joe Daugherty

Contents

1    Continuing Education 101—"Fear Not"

2    "I Will Never Forsake You"

3    "I Will Help You"

4    "Fear Not.. Gideon"

5    Fear of Death: The Root of All Fear

6    God Will Make a Way for You!

7    Delivered From Fear and Mental Torment

8    Personalized Confession of Psalm 91

9    Scripture Promises for Overcoming Fear

PERSONAL PRAYER OF COMMITMENT

Chapter 1

Continuing Education 101—"Fear Not"

The battle to stand unwavering, strong and victorious in the face of fear is won or lost in the arena of the mind.

Fear faces a challenge and calls it a "mountain." Faith faces the same challenge and calls it "an opportunity for the manifestation of the power of God." You can stand against fear with God's Word and overcome it.

Let's assume we are in Continuing Education 101—"Fear Not." The course objectives are: 1) To gain knowledge on how to be totally free from fear; and 2) To learn how to stand against fear in every area of your life. For some people this will be a refresher course; for others it will be knowledge not previously attained.

In the secular world, people often take refresher courses in executive management, secretarial skills, or sales skills to update themselves on certain procedures. These courses are called "continuing education," and we never think anything about it. "Continuing education" needs to be pursued in the spiritual realm as well.

Some people say, "I don't have any fear," but there are certain areas where fear takes hold on their lives. They don't see lack of witnessing as a fear. They just think, "I haven't chosen to witness." The command to witness is to every believer. Part of being a Christian is telling the good news of Jesus Christ to others.

Then there is the simple thing of worrying about how you are going to make it through next week. Some people have lost marriages and homes as a result of a spirit of fear that has gripped their lives. Worry, anxiety and undue stress are all forms of fear.

In this hour, I have heard the term "panic attack" more than I've ever heard it in my life. A "panic attack" is nothing more than the devil's attack, but it is a real thing and there is an answer to it.

There are two primary ways through which fear is able to work in a person's life and become a stronghold:

1. Lack of knowledge. When people do not have proper knowledge, fear can gain an entrance.

Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...." For the person who receives a bad doctor's report, if he or she doesn't know the healing Scriptures, fear will grip him or her like a strangler grabs hold of the throat. They will literally feel fear all through their being because of another person's words.

The same is true with a bad financial report. A few years ago when there was a gigantic drop in the Dow Jones, people were gripped with terrible fear. Some people lost thousands and others millions of dollars in a matter of hours. The people who did not have a knowledge of God's provision were gripped with fear. When their natural provision was taken away, they were bombarded with the thought, "What am I going to do?"

2. People forget what they do know. Some people know the truth of God's Word, but they forget about it in the midst of a crisis or mounting problems.

In the chapters that follow, we will examine portions of God's Word and give examples of standing against fear, overcoming it and walking free of it.

Chapter 2

"I Will Never Forsake You"

Let your conversation [lifestyle] be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Hebrews 13:5,6 KJV

Covetousness is a continual desire for "things" in an attempt to meet the inner needs of our lives. Covetousness and idolatry are linked together.

Some people think we don't have idols today. They look at the Egyptians and say, "Boy, they really were dumb to be so idolatrous! How could they worship a piece of wood, metal, or stone?" The truth is, Americans worship wood, rocks and metal. It comes in different forms. Some of it glides on water, some sits on lots, some rolls on wheels and some sings and entertains.

The Spirit of God through the writer of Hebrews said that covetousness isn't to be a part of our lives. God didn't say we're not to have things, but He was saying, "Don't set your heart on things, because they won't fulfill your life." He was saying, "Set your heart on the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you."

When covetousness comes into a person's life, then comes an opportunity for fear, because people begin to trust in "things" to meet their needs. They believe the "things" will satisfy or render the help, encouragement, or strength they need. "Things" will never fulfill your inner needs.

Psalm 94:14 TLB says, "The Lord will not forsake his people, for they are his prize." God is saying to you and me, "I will never abandon you over to the will or to the wicked desires of the devil. I am with you to help you."

Chapter 3

"I Will Help You"

So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?

Hebrews 13:6 AMP

What if someone rejects you because you testify of Christ? Are you afraid of being rejected? What if they don't speak to you anymore? What if they think you are a nut? If the Lord is your helper and He never leaves, forsakes, or abandons you, then you do not have to be afraid of what men say or do not say or what they do or do not do. Your primary responsibility is to do what God tells you to do.

God is not only with us, but He will help us. Fear has to have an answer. It has been said, "Fear knocked on the door, faith answered and no one was there." You must answer fear with faith. Fear paralyzes but faith activates. The way to deal with fear is not to ignore it, but to come right at it with the Word of God.

What is it that you are afraid of? Is it fear of the dark? Fear of being alone? Fear of being abandoned? Go after the fear that is tormenting you by speaking the promises of God's Word aloud. Boldly declare, "Lord, You are with me. Thank You for helping me."

It's time to break out of fear. Let the Spirit of God minister to you as you meditate upon Isaiah 41:10-13 AMP:

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

Behold, all they who are enraged and inflamed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; they who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.

You shall seek those who contend with you but shall not find them; they who war against you shall be as nothing, as nothing at all.

For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!

When people have come against us through the years, it has bothered me because you cannot come against the righteous people of God and not experience God's hand against you. God is saying, "I will deal with your enemies." You don't have to worry about them. The people who are incensed and ticked off at you will be ashamed. They will be confounded. They will be as nothing, so why are you worrying about them?

When we were getting a loan to purchase the facilities at 4400 South Sheridan in Tulsa to begin our own ministry (this was before we realized the importance of being out of debt), we encountered a seemingly impossible situation with the bank officer with whom we were working out of

Oklahoma City. We had already moved our schools and ministry offices into this facility and had done some major remodeling.

The day before all paperwork was to be signed, this banker said, "We're not going to complete the deal." We had 700 students in the Christian school, and the banker refused to close. It was a mess, so we prayed, "God, You've got to do something. Change his heart or move him."

The next morning we called to talk to this man. When we called, the secretary in his department said, "I'm sorry, he doesn't work here anymore. He resigned at 5:00 p.m. yesterday."

We were given a new loan officer, and the loan went flying through! When you are hooked up with Jesus Christ, you have nothing to fear regardless of what you are facing, because He will help you!

Chapter 4

"Fear Not, Gideon"

Scripture says the Israelites were "...greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and [they] cried out to the Lord" (Judges 6:6). As a result of their cry, though they had been disobedient, God sent an angel to speak to Gideon, the man chosen of God to deliver the Israelites.

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him [Gideon], and said to him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!"

Gideon said to Him, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ’Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites."

Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?"

So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house."

And the Lord said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man."

Then the Lord said to him, "Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die."

Judges 6:12-16,23

Though Gideon saw himself as inadequate to lead the Israelites into victory, that is not how God saw him. God saw him victorious.

We need to have a face-lift to get a glimpse of how the Father sees us! He sees us victorious, regardless of the circumstances we face, because the Greater One resides in us. (1 John 4:4.)

Remember Paul's word to Timothy which is just as relevant for you and me today:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

Chapter 5

Fear of Death: The Root of All Fear

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

And release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Hebrews 2:14,15

People who are afraid to die are not free to live. The greatest fear behind all fear is "the fear of death," so we are going to attack it at the root.

Fear puts people in bondage and enslaves them to a lifestyle that is contrary to how God has called us to live. Living in fear is the opposite of abundant life.

Jesus Christ defeated death. He said:

I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?

John 11:25,26

What happens then when a Christian dies and is laid in the grave? Jesus said they go to sleep. He didn't even call it death. Your spirit goes to be with God the Father the moment you die. One day your body will be raised incorruptible.

Years ago when Tommy Barnett was a pastor in Davenport, Iowa, he and his congregation rallied to remove pornography from their town. Tommy was threatened by the Mafia, his wife was chased by the Mafia and all types of negative things happened to their home.

Because the issue was so publicized, Tommy was interviewed on a news program that aired across the nation. He was asked, "Aren't you afraid of the threats to kill you?" He laughed right in the camera and said, "You can't scare a Christian with heaven!"

When you lay the axe at the root of the fear of death, you can deal with all the other fears. The worst thing that could ever happen to a person is to die and go to hell. Once that is dealt with, you can deal with the other petty fears.

It's time for you to declare, "I am not going to let fear and torment harass me any longer."

Chapter 6

God Will Make a Way for You!

In this hour, we are hearing a lot about the struggling economy, but I have great news for you. God's economy is not affected by natural circumstances.

In 1974, fear got a grip on Sharon and me as we read about how to prepare for the economic crash that was predicted. One suggestion was to store up nuts that could be picked up off the ground for food.

One day I said to Sharon, "We've got to get ready, because we don't know when this is going to hit." We took paper sacks and went to Woodward Park to pick up nuts.

Fear will drive you to do strange things! I didn't know a lot about nuts, so unknowingly we picked up a sack full of acorns. When we got home, I thought, "I am going to roast a few to see how they taste." I took one bite out of an acorn, and I got an immediate revelation! There had to be something better!

At that time, Sharon and I were both students at Oral Roberts University, and we lived on $13.61 a week for groceries and miscellaneous household supplies. I needed a car for my work at the church. God supernaturally spoke to my brother who, at that time, was leaving to go to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. He called me and asked, "Could you keep my car for a year and a half? I need someone who will take care of it." I said, "I can do that." Then he gave me his Master Card to pay for all the gas and oil!

Some people say, "That was your brother!" I say, "When was the last time your brother gave you a car to use and paid for the gas, oil and upkeep?"

God is the God of provision. Many people believe they will do something for God "when they get the money." God wants you to act. As you take the first step, He will provide.

One person said, "If I go to school, I will be fifty years old when I get out." Another person said to this individual, "How old will you be in that many years if you don't go to school?" Obviously, the person would be the same age either way! You might as well go ahead and do what God has told you to do and believe Him for the money and the strength to accomplish it.

Sometimes I ask people, "Are you going to Victory Bible Institute this year?" They respond, "No, I would really like to, but I don't have the money." They don't understand God as the God of provision. It's like they believe God ran out of money!

Some people, challenged with sickness or disease, resign themselves to stay that way, because they are paralyzed with fear. Fear will cause you to frame yourself with a condition that exists in the natural, leaving no room for hope of a change.

God will make a way for you, regardless of your need, even when there seems to be no way!

Chapter 7

Delivered From Fear and Mental Torment

Shirley Morton, along with her husband Bob, have been involved in the Care Pastor Ministry at Victory Christian Center for several years. Shirley was plagued with agoraphobia until she was fifty years old, but the Holy Spirit brought supernatural deliverance. The primary symptoms of agoraphobia are unnatural fear and torment. I want you to hear Shirley's testimony in her own words.

"When I was fifty years old, I truly experienced my year of Jubilee when I was delivered from the torment of agoraphobia at Victory Christian Center's first service on April 19, 1981, held at Tulsa's Convention Center. Pastor Billy Joe preached and Sharon sang on the theme, The Year of Jubilee—A Time of New Beginnings.

"Everything that was said and done that morning was just for me! Although I didn't know I was healed, I walked out of that service and began to function normally for the first time in my life.

"I had been afraid of everything. I didn't know if I was losing my mind, dying, or what, but there was never an hour in the day or night when I was ever at ease.

"My prayer was, 'Oh, God, if I could just fix dinner without being in such terror.' I was in such darkness, I couldn't drive a car. On rare occasions, I went to the store, but if I had to stand in line, I would leave. I rarely went to church, and when I did, I sat in the back on the end of the row.

"I got to the point where I was sleeping nearly twenty-four hours a day in an effort to get away from the panic. I felt trapped. My biggest fear was to let anyone know what was wrong with me, because people would look at me and ask, 'What are you afraid of?' I didn't know!

"God dealt with me in the area of unforgiveness, for someone had hurt me very deeply. Although I had been treated unjustly, I decided to let go of it because I wanted to serve God and please Him."

When asked how she felt after she received her deliverance, Shirley said, "If I was a canary, I would have sat on the tip of my roof and sung! It's the most marvelous thing to wake up and have purpose and a brand new life!"

Today can be your day of new beginnings—a day to be set free from fear and torment, to get out of your cage, go up on your roof and sing to your heart's content!

Chapter 8

Personalized Confession of Psalm 91

Psalm 91 is the Old Testament counterpart to Hebrews 13:5,6. I have personalized it for you from The Amplified Bible. If you have been plagued with fear, you will be set free as you meditate upon these promises.

Because I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, I shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, whose power no foe can withstand.

I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently trust.

He delivers me from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

He covers me with His pinions, and under His wings I trust and find refuge. His truth and faithfulness are a shield and a buckler to me.

I will not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that fly by day.

Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it shall not come near me.

Only a spectator shall I be, inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High, as I witness the reward of the wicked.

Because I have made the Lord my refuge and the Most High my dwelling place, there shall no evil befall me, nor any plague or calamity come near my dwelling.

For God has given His angels special charge over me to accompany, defend and preserve me in all my ways of obedience and service.

They shall bear me up in their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone. I shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall

I trample underfoot.

Because I have set my love upon the Lord, He will deliver me. He will set me on high, because I know and understand Jesus' name, I have a personal knowledge of His mercy, love and kindness, and I trust and rely on Him, knowing He will never forsake me, no, never.

When I call upon the Lord, He answers me. He is with me in trouble, and He will deliver me and honor me.

With long life will He satisfy me and show me His salvation.

Chapter 9

Scripture Promises for Overcoming Fear

Here are a few Scripture promises for you to read and meditate upon to completely annihilate the torment of fear in your life.

Exodus 14:13,14

Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.

Joshua 1:5-9

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you g°.

Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 46:1,2

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.

Psalm 56:4

In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Psalm 118:6

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Proverbs 3:25,26

Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.

Isaiah 35:4

Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.

Isaiah 43:1-3

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you,

O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

"For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

Isaiah 54:14

In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

Daniel 10:19

O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!

Luke 12:32

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's

good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

PERSONAL PRAYER OF COMMITMENT

Father, I want to be totally free of fear, and I now recognize the first step to my liberty is to accept Your Son, Jesus Christ, as my personal Lord and Savior.

I believe that Jesus was crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended, paying the price in full for my sins, sickness, poverty and spiritual death. I renounce every work of darkness, and I receive You now, Jesus, as my personal Lord and Savior.

Thank You for empowering me with the Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus, so I will be strengthened and more fully equipped to resist all the works of the devil, including fear, and to be a bold witness for You.

New life is mine now in You, Lord Jesus! Thank You for new hope and purpose!

Signature ________

Date ________

About the Author

Billy Joe Daugherty is the pastor of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Present ministry outreaches include a daily radio and television ministry; monthly crusades in government-subsidized housing projects in the Tulsa area; and crusades held in other nations.

Victory Christian Center, established in 1981, operates Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute, and the World Missions Training Center. Other Victory Bible Institutes have been established in Russia, Mexico, Albania, France, Scotland, Haiti, Germany and Czech Republic.

Billy Joe has authored several books including Faith Power, Absolute Victory, This New Life, The Demonstration of the Gospel, and most recently, Led By the Spirit, the testimony of God’s divine direction for his life and ministry.

Billy Joe and his wife, Sharon, were married in 1973, and have four children: Sarah, Ruth, John and Paul.

Table of Contents

1 Continuing Education 101—"Fear Not"

2 "I Will Never Forsake You"

3 "I Will Help You"

4 "Fear Not.. Gideon"

5 Fear of Death: The Root of All Fear

6 God Will Make a Way for You!

7 Delivered From Fear and Mental Torment

8 Personalized Confession of Psalm 91

9 Scripture Promises for Overcoming Fear

PERSONAL PRAYER OF COMMITMENT