9 posts tagged “fear”

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Romans

Read Romans 8:1-27

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:9 NIV

     Recently I have had conversations with friends and family who have experienced disappointment this past year. We also have had some expectations that have not been realized in regard to our business and personal financial plans.

 As I meditate on this, I expect these upcoming years may bring financial disappointment for many people around us. Since we have already been experiencing some of that, I am praying that God will give insight as to how He will use it to encourage other people.

I did a search for the word disappoint in my PC Study Bible and this was what came up:

Romans 5:1-5 NIV
     Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 

     Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

     As I understand this passage, the experiences in our lives are for a purpose, and at the end of the day, we will not be disappointed but rather filled with the love of God for others. If indeed, God pours out His love into our hearts through His Holy Spirit, we can face what comes with joy, knowing that we have a better hope.

As I turned on the news late this morning the operative word was ANXIETY.  Two financial giants have declared bankrupcy, sending all their empoyees home to look for new jobs.  Even though the fundamentals of many companies are still strong, the panic sends traders to their computers clicking on "sell."

The presidential canidates are recognizing this as a dire financial crisis. Some characterize it as the worst crisis since the Great Depression of the 30's.  The truth is that no one really saw it coming and with all of the political rhetoric, no one really is in control.  Or at least it seems.  What should our response as believers be?

Jesus said,

"...which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? "

"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?"

"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you."  Luke 12:25-31 NKJV

The Apostle Paul wrote,

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:6-8 NKJV

[55]

LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED

Read John 14:1–31

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:1 NKJV

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[50]

PETER WALKS ON WATER

Read: Matthew 14:22–33

            But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  Matthew 14:30 NKJV

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            Peter was always quick to speak and quick to act; but sometimes he was slow to carry through on his actions. When the disciples realized that the shadowy figure walking on water was Jesus, Peter's first response was, "Lord, if it's you,…tell me to come to you on the water." (14:28 NIV)

           But as quickly as he jumped overboard and began to walk to Jesus, he realized how strong the wind was, and how large the waves, and he lost his courage. The Lord knew beforehand what Peter would do, and immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (14:31)

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            For some of us, it is easy to take on more than we can handle. Then when the difficulties come, we are overwhelmed by the "wind and waves."  But if the Lord is the One calling us to come, as He called Peter to Him on the water, then He is the One who is going to get us back in the boat. Lord, sometimes I deserve to hear the words you said to Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (14:31)

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            Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."  Matthew 14:33 NKJV

[47]

JESUS TRANSFIGURED

            I have been looking through my personal journal over the past few months, since I have entered the world of blogging.  Certainly it has been a blessing, far beyond anything I expected, and it has also been a challenge as I have interacted with those who oppose the message of God’s Word.

            I thought I would share some of my entries in the hope that it may encourage other Christians to step out and share their faith. Some of these entries are direct from Scripture on a day when I needed it, and some are from writings by Oswald Chambers.

·        Jeremiah 20:9 “His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones.  I was weary of holding it back and I could not.”

·        2 Timothy 1:2 “The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”

·        Jeremiah 10:23 “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

·        Oswald Chambers – “There is no responsibility on you for the work; the only responsibility you have is to keep in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him.”

·        Oswald Chambers – “God engineers everything; wherever He puts us our one great aim is to pour out our whole hearted devotion to Him in that particular work.”

·        Oswald Chambers – “Spiritually we cannot measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us; and we cannot measure that at all.”

·        Acts 18:10 – The Lord said to Paul, “Dismiss your fears; go on speaking and do not give up, I am with you and no one shall attack you or injure you; for I have many people in this city.”

·        Acts 11:23 – About Barnabas - “He encouraged them all to remain with fixed resolve, faithful to the Lord.”

·        Acts 4:20b Weymouth – “As for us, what we have seen and heard we cannot help speaking about.”

SECRET DISCIPLES

Read John 19:38-42

            After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus.  John 19:38 NKJV

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            Here are two Jewish men, one of them Nicodemus, a Pharisee and the other Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent wealthy council member; both of them secret disciples of Jesus.  On one occasion Nicodemus tried to speak up at a council meeting by saying, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" They ridiculed him by saying, "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee." (John 7:52)

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            After the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea gathered up his courage and asked Pilot for Jesus' body.  He and Nicodemus - no longer secret disciples - prepared the body for burial and laid it in Joseph's new tomb - fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy that Messiah would be buried in a rich man's grave.(Isaiah 53:9) 

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Lord, forgive me when I have been reluctant to speak up for You among unbelievers.  Give me courage and discernment to know when and where to share my faith.

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And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.  John 19:39 NKJV