This is just an introductory letter, to say hi and thanks. At this time, I don’t feel compelled to discuss any teachings or issues.
I want to say “hi” to everyone at IWWB. I also want to thank all of you for making this website available. I’ll give you a little background on myself. I was born and raised as a Catholic. Then, in my mid to late 20’s I got led to read the Bible. I skipped around for a while, then read through the Bible from the beginning to end. After doing this I knew I had to leave the Catholic Church, since what they taught was not the same as what the Bible was saying. Then I got saved with the help of my youngest sister. I started going to one Pentecostal church, then we went to a different one for a while (I never did speak in tongues). Then I started going to other Protestant churches, more in line with the teachings similar to Joel Osteen. I am not going to any church at the present time.
I’ve been reading material from your website for quite a while now, well over a year. I personally don’t know of anyone that believes the Bible and Christianity the way you do. You can see with my background where I might have some trouble accepting what you are saying. What you teach is quite a bit different than what I’ve been taught over the years. While I have had a little trouble accepting everything I’ve read so far, I can’t prove you wrong on anything. In fact, your teachings seem to be more correct than any others I’ve read or heard.
I have two books that teach from Scripture that people will get what they say, whether it’s good or bad. And I believe that is true. You see, as I was growing up, a lot of people told me that I was shy. And I came to believe them. Yes, these words were manifested in my life. To this day I am still somewhat shy, although not as bad as when I was younger.
It’s even affecting my spiritual life. Get this! One day I was thinking about my shyness and about God. I thought if I’m shy with people, how can I pray or talk to God, my Creator. At that moment, I had a chill run down my back. Because of all of this, my prayer life is as limited as my social life. Maybe more. Shyness is a form of fear, and we all know you can’t have fear and faith together. I’m in quite a struggle with all of this. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I feel stressed out spiritually, which is affecting me emotionally and physically. With my shyness, I can’t even bring myself to ask my family for help.
I see a lot of outgoing, bold Christians, and I want to be like them. Not out of envy, but because I know that is the way I’m supposed to be. I’m not much good the way I am now. All this to say I have a prayer request. Will you pray that my shyness be removed? And that I be filled with Godly boldness? Just as many people helped to bring this on (through their words), I’m thinking it may take more than myself to overcome the problem.
Many thanks in advance.

Yours in Christ,
T____

Hi T____,

Thanks for realizing that this is a group effort, and thanks for sharing your story with me. Letters like yours make all we do here at iswasandwillbe. com seem worthwhile.
I am especially thankful that the IWWB web site has in some way helped you to better know God and His son Jesus Christ. As you come to better know Christ, any and all of your problems in this life will be much easier to deal with, and you will become more qualified to be of help to others in the coming kingdom of God:

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

You say:

I have two books that teach from Scripture that people will get what they say, whether it’s good or bad. And I believe that is true.

If by the words, “get what they say,” you mean that our lives are a reflection of our faith, then yes, that is a Biblical concept:

Pro 23:7  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

This verse is speaking specifically of an evil man, but it reveals a principle, and principles are what a “two edged sword ” is all about. Principles are true whether they are applied positively or negatively. God’s Word is called “a two edged sword:

Heb 4:12  For the word of God [ is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [ is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Rev 1:16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [ was] as the sun shineth in his strength.

Here is how Christ makes this same point on the positive side of this “two edged sword” known as “the Word of God.”

Mat 9:29  Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

So if you are convinced that you are shy, then you will be shy. But if, on the other hand, you are convinced that you, in Christ, are a son of God, you will be bold and confident that your all powerful Father God will give you the strength of character to stand up for Him and for His Truth before any and all men.
You do at least see the problem, and you say:

Shyness is a form of fear, and we all know you can’t have fear and faith together.

That is true, shyness is a form of fear, and you cannot have fear and faith together. But what is the cure for fear? What is the cure for shyness? Here is what we are told is the cure for fear:

1Jn 4:18  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.

We will come back and define what is “perfect love” in a moment, but we first need to realize that there is another negative facet of shyness which needs to be dealt with and eradicated. Shyness is the result of both fear and vanity.
There is indeed “torment in fear”, and there is torment in vanity. Vanity concerns itself with what others think of us instead of what God thinks of us. But when we come to “know God and Jesus Christ”, we become aware that even our vanity and shyness, are His Work in us, to bring us to see our need for Him in our lives. When we come to “know God and His Son”, we come to understand that it was He who has first made us naked, so that we would be shy, before we can even begin to see that we really do need Him to cover our nakedness. So being shy is really nothing more than a recognition of sin which must be covered and overcome through “Christ in you”.
The cure for that fear is said to be “perfect love.” Here now is a subject which is a mystery to orthodox Christianity whose mantra is “Unity in the essentials of Christian doctrine, and tolerance in the nonessentials of Christian doctrine.” This verse will remain a mystery as long as orthodox Christians cling to that unbiblical doctrine. Here are the verses which defines perfect love.

1Jn 5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

There it is. Now you tell me which one of God’s commandments is “nonessential.” When you answer that question, keep this verse in mind:

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

You say:

While I have had a little trouble accepting everything I’ve read so far, I can’t prove you wrong on anything. In fact, your teachings seem to be more correct than any others I’ve read or heard.”

Thank you for your kind words, but the truth is that I have been wrong, and have had to confess and adjust what I teach to conform to the image of Christ and His Words. But being willing to admit to making a mistake does not equate to being unable to recognize and to know the Truth. Being able to admit to making a mistake is actually conforming to the Truth which requires that we “die daily.”
So never fail to “try the spirits to see whether they are of God,” and that includes the teaching of IWWB.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

There are no nonessentials in the Words of God. So if you want to love the children of God, and if you want to love God, you must keep all of His commandments, “and His commandments are not grievous.”
That is what is perfect love which casts out fear and shyness. “Love God and keep his commandments”, and speak only what the Bible speaks. When you come to God’s Word with the doctrines of your church coming before the doctrines of Christ, then you will not know what is perfect love. Love is not doing good works for your fellow man. Good works are a result of “the love of God.” But “many good works” must never be confused with the love of God. Nevertheless, that is exactly what has happened to the masses of mankind, and to the masses of those who do all they do “in Jesus name.”

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Good works, done while ignoring the commandments of God, amount to “works of iniquity.” So if you spend your whole life ministering to the needs of the poor in the United States and abroad, and yet you teach that there is nothing wrong with fighting for your God and country, while Christ is commanding those who love Him to “love thine enemies,” all of your ‘good works’ become nothing but “works of iniquity.”
Continue to try the spirits. Come to ‘know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent’. The more you familiarize yourself with the mind of God and Christ, the more you “obey God and keep His commandments”, then the more you will know that you “love the children of God”.
Believe it or not, that is the solution to your shyness. As you come to know Christ better, the bolder you will become, until you become as “bold as a lion:”

Pro 28:1  The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike