Faith vs. Fear

This is a time in our world when many people have a lot of fear – fear of the coronavirus, fear our finances won’t hold out, fear of losing our job, fear we will lose our business.  This virus makes us have a fear of helplessness.  Not only do we fear the coronavirus and how it affects us and our family, but all kinds of fears invade our minds.  Maybe it’s fear of public speaking, fear of heights, fear of rejection, fear of flying, fear of crossing bridges, fear of elevators, fear of water, etc. 

Fear is very common to us all from time to time, but we want the world to think that we have our lives under control and fear isn’t an issue.  It’s something we really don’t discuss not even with our friends.  If you let it, it can dig down deep in your life and then dominate you.  It shows up in all kinds of ways.  It can show in your behavior.  It can show up by you lying, making excuses, and even in denial.  It shows up as anxiety, nervousness, worry, stress, tension, bad attitude, and even in our health.  It impacts your thinking and decision making.  We all have or have had some kind of fear.

Fear is opposite from faith.  Hebrews 11:1 describes faith.  “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hope can’t be separated from faith, because without hope, there can be no faith.  Fear is lacking faith and denying the hope God’s gives you.  When you grow in faith, fear leaves you.

Jesus knew we would be afraid and we would doubt.  He said “Fear not” over and over again.  But sometime fear is a good thing.  Courage is not the absence of fear; it’s the will to persevere in the face of fear.  It is a feeling and it will pass if we realized what it is.  We need to remember that Jesus is with us and is on our side protecting us always.  We can’t run from fear.  We must deal with it.  “If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31.  We must trust in what He said.  We can use the weapons He has given us – His Word, talking with Him in prayer, our church, Christian friends who are there for us and who encourage us along the way.

God doesn’t want us to walk in fear.  He tells us in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything…”  He goes on to say, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellence or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:8-9. 

Isaiah 41:10 – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  “Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

God doesn’t condemn us for our fear, but He wants to free us from it.  He gives us the power to overcome fear.  We can arm ourselves with God’s armor found in Ephesians 6:10-18.

Faith and fear cannot exist together.  Faith can deliver us from fear and worry because it’s the opposite of unbelief.  Faith is a gift from God.  It is an absolute belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in all areas of our lives no matter our circumstances. 

What can you do to rid yourself of fear?  You need to have faith and trust in God, because He is sovereign and in control.  So take your eyes off yourself and answer fear with the truth of God’s Word.  Let faith take the place of your fear.  Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.”  Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  When you are not in constant intimacy with God, that’s when fear and panic can take hold.  If you give God only crumbs of your time and attention, your faith can weaken.  When you walk close with God and trust Him daily in all situations, your fears will be conquered.  So stay in His Word and stay in communication with God through prayer.  Then trust Him and your fears will disappear.  God’s got this!

What fears do you have in your life?

Do your fears cause you shame?

Do your fears lead you to doubt your faith?

What do you do at the first sign of fear?

Do you turn to God in prayer?

                                    Faith vs. Fear

                        While fear cowers, faith stands.

                        While fear frets, faith prays.

                        While fear looks within, faith looks to Jesus.

                        While fear despairs, faith hopes.

Principle:  Fear cripples, but faith sets us free.

Prayer to Fight Fear with Faith

Dear Father,

We live in a chaotic time right now.  You know my struggles and that my mind is limited and weak.  I confess that I sometime look at my situation with fear.  Help me to fight back against this fear with faith in your Word and your truth.  Calm my thoughts and my emotions.  Help me stay focused on you and not on my fear.  Help me not to be anxious about anything.  Give me strength to be thankful for my blessings and not grumble.  Thank you, Lord, for who you are and that you are in control and I am not.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.                                                                            

Join me here next time. -- I encourage you to trust in and have faith in Jesus.

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Jesus’ Return

Do you know what lies ahead in your future or the future of your nation or world?  Can anyone know the future for sure?  We aren’t living in ordinary times.  The way the world is going one can be sure the end is nearing.  Are you ready to meet Jesus?

We’ve all heard that Jesus will be coming back whether we are Christians or not.  In fact Jesus Himself referred to His return many times.   About ½ of the Bible is prophecy and much of it is about the end times.  These prophecies are throughout the Bible so it must be important.  Therefore, it should be important to us.  Actually it should be the most important thing to us.

The first time Jesus came in somewhat of an obscurity, but the 2^nd time He comes every eye will see Him and the entire world will witness this event.  We don’t know how this will happen, but we know we have a mighty and powerful God and nothing is impossible for Him.  By His coming everything will be made right again.  

In Matthew 24 Jesus was asked by His disciples what were the signs of the end of the age.  He told them there would be birth pains and gave some examples.  There are many current events we could call birth pains:

Rise of false prophets and teachings

Wars and rumors of wars

Famines and earthquakes

Love of many believers growing cold

Morals becoming less accepted

People abandoning their Christian faith

People exchanging the truth for lies

Disunity of fellow believers

Political oppositions

Every kind of evil and wickedness

Suppression of truth

Worldwide anti-Semitism toward Jewish people

Shameful lust – women with women and men with men

More people full of envy, murder, deceit, hate

God haters, slanders, gossips

Disobedient children

People who know right from wrong but continue doing wrong

When will He return?  Jesus said no one knows the day and hour.  He said He Himself didn’t know - at least while he was here on earth.  He said not even the angels know.  Only the Father in Heaven knows.  “No one knows about that day or hour not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Matthew 24:36.  People keep trying to predict the time.  Think of it this way – Romans 13:11 says “… our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”   We aren’t supposed to try to determine the time, but we are supposed to be ready at all times.

Would you say you are ready by the hatred you have in your heart for those who oppose you?

How about the gossip and lies that come out of your mouth?

Are you using your tongue to build others up or tear them down?

What about all your selfish behaviors?

The Second Coming is predicted in all 4 gospels, Acts, Paul’s epistles, James, Peter and John.  If He is returning, shouldn’t you be ready?  You should know the signs that precede His return and not be ignorant.  “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21:36.

After we see all these types of signs, the Rapture will occur.  The Rapture is when Jesus calls all believers to Himself.  Jesus has gone to heaven and prepared a place for all believers (John 14:1-6).   So this could happen anytime without warning and as fast as the blink of an eye.  There will be no sign or announcement.  When the Rapture occurs, He will raise all dead and with the living believers He will call them up to Him in heaven.  He will bring them before the judgment seat of Christ and reward them on the works they have accomplished.  This is not a judgment of salvation, but a reward.

Many scholars say the timing of the Rapture will begin a seven-year period known as the Tribulation.  The Tribulation will be divided into 2 halves with each lasting 42 months (see Daniel 9; Revelation 13).  During the 1^st half the Antichrist will arise and deceive the world.  The 2^nd half is called the Great Tribulation when many will not survive.  “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again.  If those days had no been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” – Matthew 24:21-22.  Revelation 4-16 describes visions of these end days.

After the Great Tribulation:

“Immediately after the Great Tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” – Matthew 24:29.

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will mourn.  They will see the son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” – Matthew 29-31.

What is Jesus waiting for?  Jesus is waiting patiently to return, because He is giving everyone as much time as possible to choose to follow Him.  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9. 

When Jesus returns, it won’t be a secret.  He will come in glory with His angels.  Revelation 5:11 says there are thousands of angels and ten thousand times ten thousand angels.  “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16.  “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the people of the earth will mourn because of him.” – Revelation 1:7.  So there won’t be anyone missing it.

Then comes God’s wrath.  He will send seven angels with seven plagues of horrible destruction. (Revelation 15-16).  Then all people left on earth will understand just who God is.  There is only one real God in charge.  The disagreements of who should or should not be president will not matter.  He created everything and everyone.  He rules over all people and all nations.  He is in charge of governments, sets up outcome of elections, and the rise of kings and dictators throughout the earth.

Are you a believer?  If not, what are you waiting for?  Tomorrow may be too late.

Join me here next time -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Iraq in the Bible

 Israel is the nation most often mentioned in The Bible.  Do you know which nation is second?  It is Iraq!  However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible.  The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia.  It is mostly referred to as Babylon throughout Scripture.  The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.  The name Iraq means country with deep roots.  Iraq is indeed a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.  No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated with it than Iraq.

Iraq is a country in Western Asia and is bordered by Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria.  It is about the size of California.  Its capital is Baghdad.  Its population is close to 38.5 million.   Iraq is mostly rocky desert or mountains.  The north gets very cold in winter and the southern regions are very hot in the summer.  Most people live along the plains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.  Its language is mostly Arabic and its religion is mainly Muslim.  It started out a primarily Christian, but now Christianity is only 3%.

 

The Bible describes it as being the fountain of rebellion against God and God’s Word.  It represents the world system today that despises, rejects, and mocks God’s Word.  God warns of the coming judgment on Babylon.  The Bible says it will rise again as a global economic and religious center, but then will be utterly destroyed.

Prophecies against Iraq –

Iraq or Babylon will be invaded and conquered by many nations.

Iraq will rise to become a great economic and religious center of the world, filled with evil and wickedness.  (Revelation 17; Zechariah 5).  It will become a global political power under the leadership of the coming Antichrist.

Iraq will be utterly destroyed and uninhabitable forever.  “And the land trembles and withers, for the Lord’s purposes against Babylon stand – to lay waste the land of Babylon so that no one will live there.” – Jeremiah 51:29.

The Bible has a lot to say about Babylon and on world events in the last days, especially in the book of Revelation.  In Revelation Iraq will be under the rule of Antichrist, be filled with blasphemy, will hate Christians and will kill them when possible.  Bible prophecy is that Babylon is destroyed just before Christ’s return.

A few facts about Iraq (Babylon) from the Bible

Adam, Eve and the Garden of Eden were in Iraq.

Satan made his first recorded appearance in Iraq.

Mesopotamia is now Iraq.

Noah built the ark in Iraq.

The Tower of Babel was in Iraq.

Abraham’s home town was Ur, which is southern Iraq.

Isaac’s wife Rebekah is from Nabor, which is in Iraq.

Jacob spent 20 years in Iraq.

Jonah preached in Nineveh, which is in Iraq.

Assyria is in Iraq.

Daniel was in the lion’s den in Iraq.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in the fiery furnace in Iraq.

Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the writing on the wall in Iraq.

The wise men were from Iraq.

Peter preached in Iraq.

Babylon is in Iraq.

Revelation calls Babylon the great mother of prostitutes and the abomination of the earth.

Saddam Hussein took power of Iraq and became a ruthless dictator in 1979.  He invaded Iran and Kuwait.  The United States went to war against him.  Hussein should have read the Koran 9:11 – “for it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle.  The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the land of Allah; and there was peace.”  America is typically represented by an eagle.

Join me for I next study -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Flat Jesus

My Flat Jesus arrived today!  I’m so excited!  I plan to give Flat Jesus figures to my grandkids and friends.  I first found out about Flat Jesus from FB and thought it was a great idea.  So I ordered a package of bendable Flat Jesus figures from Amazon.  

You can use flat Jesus as a book mark, take him in the car, take him to the grocery store, take him on vacation, take him on a walk, take him on a bicycle ride – take him wherever you go.  Be sure to take pictures of Him and His adventures, and then share your pictures with friends.  Post your pictures on FB, twitter, etc. 

 

I plan to take him everywhere.  Seeing Flat Jesus will remind me that Jesus loves me and is always with me.  Right now he is propped up by my computer.  That way I see him often.  By taking Flat Jesus with me, I will be able to start a conversation about Jesus and share my testimony.  What better way to open the door to talking about your faith?

You can also make your own Flat Jesus with pen and crayons.  If you do, it’s a good idea to laminate him if possible.   There are many templates online.  Kids will love coloring their own Flat Jesus.  This is a great project for the kids stuck at home during this pandemic.

Flat Jesus was inspired by a national school project called Flat Stanley which was created from the children’s book called “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown.  A boy named Stanly was accidentally flattened when a bulletin board fell on him.  Then he was able to be mailed to different places and had all kinds of adventures.  Flat Jesus has become fun for all ages.

We know that Flat Jesus is only a toy or a paper cutout, but anything that gets people talking about Jesus is a good thing.  This is just one creative fun way to share the gospel.   It gets people’s attention on the Real Jesus.

Seeing Flat Jesus can remind us to keep Jesus Christ at the center of our life and that He is always with us.

“Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20b

“For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never will leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6b, Hebrews 13:5b.

Join me here next time. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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