FEAR NOT IN THE TIMES WE ARE IN, FOR GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US

The world is truly shaking as myriad upon myriad of difficult things seem to be swirling faster and faster around us. In times like these we see a multitude of division, confusion and simple unbridled FEAR. Fear….seems like we have had a lot of it pushed on us lately from a variety of sources. Governments, Media, organizations, even Churches. In times of uncertainty it seems to be our Go To Emotion sadly. Life on earth is not an easy Journey, and it has been that way since mankind was moved out of the Garden of Eden and a perfect life and relationship with God. Genesis spells out our fall from Grace, and it is clear that we will live a life of toil and struggle until our days are over and we finally die. As one takes a good hard look around, it is easy to see why Fear can flourish. From Natural Disasters, to Wars and Suffering; Famine and Drought effecting a large number of people; Values and Truth constantly challenged and replaced with Falsehood, Deception, and Evil. WHAT ARE WE TO DO ? Did you know that in the Word Of God, The Bible, the phrases “Fear Not and Do Not Be Afraid are used 365 times ? That’s right, one for EVERY DAY OF OUR MEASURED YEAR ! It seems like God was well aware of the pain and emotional stress that FEAR CAUSES. God addressed it through His Prophets, His Commandments, and His Son Jesus Christ ! at the Foundation of it all is the SIMPLE TRUTH THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL ULTIMATELY AND WE AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST CAN REST IN THAT….and that is GREAT NEWS:) Fear may be around, but it does not rule us or direct us. Jesus made that very clear. Can you imagine facing a terrible death on a cross, and yet, trusting in God The Father and His Plan and Grace. Amazing ! I have two specific verses that I build my Faith and Trust from, and number one is about FEAR.

FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU; BE NOT DISMAYED FOR I AMYOUR GOD. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU . I WILL HELP YOU. I WILL UPHOLD YOU WITH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MY RIGHT HAND. Isaiah 41:10

HAVE I NOT COMMANDED YOU ? BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. DO NOT BE FRIGHTENED, AND DO NOT BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. Joshua 19

FOR GOD GAVE US A SPIRIT NOT OF FEAR BUT OF POWER AND LOVE AND SELF CONTROL. 2 Timothy 1:7

Sounds good, but how do we get there ? Look around ! The world is on fire. So much delusion and deception. Arguments and divisiveness rule our culture and society and sadly most people see it Only Getting Worse ! In my country, Politics and Culture seem to be running “roughshod” over self control and honest discourse. The hatred is SO THICK you can feel it. WHY ? Two main reasons as I See It, and you are welcome to agree or disagree, and I won’t be angry :) Number One is the fact that Satan has a very strong grip on our world and seeks to lie, steal, and destroy who we are as God’s Creation. What better way than to sow discord among people and drive them into their own little tribe that hated everyone else. If you create “Enough” Tribes and Issues it is easy to separate people and destroy their Humanity and Core Morals and Conscience. It exists in every nation, every culture, every skin color, and every community….always becoming louder and nastier as it becomes SEEN in the light. Secondly, God has been shoved out of the hearts and conscience of a lot of people. Their belief systems are broken, wandering and chasing after meaning and truth where there is NONE. We see it in the infighting even in Christianity as denominations battle and shift GOD’S TRUTH into their own version of enlightenment. WE ARE MISSING THE LOVE< GRACE< AND MERCY THAT GOD OFFERS ALL HIS CREATION ! Can we possibly wake up ?

THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE, BUT PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR. FOR FEAR HAS TO DO WITH PUNISHMENT, AND WHOEVER FEARS HAS NOT BEEN PERFECTED IN LOVE. 1 John 4:18

PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU. NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES DO I GIVE TO YOU. LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET THEM BE AFRAID. John 14:27

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, 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 YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS. Philippians 4:6-7

Hallalujah ! Give me PEACE AND WISDOM. GIVE ME AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST. GIVE ME HOPE AND JOY. I can assure you that it will take effort and trust to bring oneself to this point, but it IS ATTAINABLE ! DO NOT BE AFRAID and DO NOT WAIT. The best days of your life begin when you have given your heart and life to Christ. The rewards are endless and eternal, and the best news is that IT IS FREE TO EVRYONE WHO WANTS IT ! Jesus came to give us a true path to relationship with Our Creatoer. WHAT A GIFT ! Get into God’s WOrd and See For Yourself the richness and abuFOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH. AND THIS IS NOT YOUR OWN DOING;IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT Adance that His Love and His Ways can bring to fruition in your life. YES YOU ! Strive for it; work for it; believe in it, for it is EVERYTHING YOU COULD EVER DESIRE. My Prayer is that some day our world will find it, and I believe that those who are His will find it….Because GOD PROMISES US THAT THIS WILL BE SO !

BE FREE IN CHRIST/JAA

FOR. BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH. AND THIS IS NOT OF YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, SO THAT NO ONE MAY BOAST. Ephesians 2:8-9