"The Power That Banishes Fear" (With Video by Dr. David Jeremiah) - Inspirational Weekend

The title of this article above - "The power that banishes fear" - is from what Dr. David Jeremiah tells us in the following 13 minute sermon clip:

Dr. Jeremiah tells us that we can "either pray or worry", and that "our minds should be totally on God."  Watch the video for the solution that banishes fear.

Many people the world over are now experiencing fear because of the pandemic.  This post will focus on ways to help us to cope instead of focusing on the virus itself.  

"With the power of God within us, we need never fear the powers around us."  -  Woodrow Kroll

"You and I cannot change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us." - Warren Wiersbe

"Fear cannot get a stronghold in the heart of someone who's full of  the vision and the Majesty of God."  -  David Wilkerson

"Life makes many an attempt to take away our faith.  Things happen to us and and to others which baffle our understanding: Life has its problems to which there seems no solution and its questions to which there seems no answer; life has it's dark places where there seems to be nothing to do but hold on.  Faith is always a victory, the victory of the soul which tenaciously maintains its clutch on God." - William Barclay

Christians have a hope that strengthens them and helps them to endure:

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."  -  Titus 2:13

Concentrate on what is the true center of Christian Life.

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on the things on the earth."  -   Colossians 3:1-2

A wonderful verse to apply here is found at Nehemiah 8:10 b ".... For the joy of the Lord is your strength."

It is true that Christians can feel fear and worry and anxiety, but we should not let it take control of us.  Those feelings should be temporary as we should place our hope and trust in the good Lord.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."       -  2 Timothy 1:7

Psalm 62:5-8 assures us, (5) "My soul, wait thou only upon God; For my expectation is from Him.   (6) He only is my rock and my defense: I shall not be moved.  (7) In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  (8) Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us."

 "Wherefore hast Thou afflicted Thy servant?" -   Numbers 11:11

The above verse was used in a devotion by Charles Spurgeon, and following is a partial quote from a portion that devotional.

"Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith.  If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test......   A faith which can say "though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him",    (Job 13:15)    is heaven-born faith.  

"Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope"    (Romans 5:3).  The Lord is honored by these growing virtues" says Spurgeon. "The wisdom and power of the Great Workman are discovered by the trials through which His vessels of mercy are permitted to pass.  Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy.  ...... Will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified?"

When we are in heaven, there will be peace and harmony and much love.  We need to endure to the end.  The best way to endure is to have a close, intimate, loving, personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, His Son.  How do we do this?  Many of you know it is by prayer without ceasing and much time spent in the Bible, the Holy Word of God.  By doing those two things, you will learn more about God and Jesus, and your love for them will grow and blossom and develop into something beautiful and eternal.

Remember that song, "This world is not my home?"  We need to remind ourselves of that when we get caught up in day to day living and cares and worries.  And now, we have much chaos and evil in this old world, and all that is on everyone's mind now is the recent pandemic.   Just remember, this world is passing away but he who does the will of God will remain forever  (1 John 2:17).

Here is a version of the song mentioned above, sung by Jim Reeves. 

Bible prophecy is being fulfilled right now at warp speed.  Not only on a daily basis, but even minute by minute some new conflict or development proves that we are living in the end times and that Jesus will soon return to Rapture true believers to heaven before the 7 year Tribulation begins.  Friends, many things happening today were prophesied concerning the Tribulation period.... they are right now precursors to the Trib.  .... we are not in the Tribulation now, but we are ever so close to it according to the Bible.  It is like God is shaking and stirring up things in an endeavor to wake up as many people as He can and thereby have them turn in faith to Jesus as the Savior before it is too late.   If you are not saved by faith in Jesus as the Savior, Who is the only way to the Father and to heaven, following are some Scriptures to encourage you to surrender to the redeeming power of Jesus :

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believeth in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.   (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -  John 3:36

"Jesus saith unto him,  I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?"   -  John 11:25, 26

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."     -   John 3:16



Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !!

"Life - What's It All About, Anyway?" - Inspirational Weekend

You could say that life is all about relationships,or all about love.  Some people make their career and success their goal in life; while others move from boyfriend to boyfriend.  I could go on and on with a list of what gives people so-called  satisfaction in life.   Many people make family their main concern in life.    

Life is about relationships and love follows in its stead .The Bible itself is all about relationships when you think about it.  And God's Word tells us to put Him first in our life.  Our relationship with our Creator is more important than anything else in the world, or in our life.

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."  - Mark 12:30 .

Putting God and Jesus first in our lives is the only way to go to have peace and joy and a clear conscience .  Do not let your earthly relationships take priority over your relationship with God.  People will let you down; but God will always uplift you and encourage you and He will never forsake you.               ( Hebrews 13:5)

Of course we should love and take care of our families, as well as to love our neighbor.  But the Almighty God who created you should always come first in your life. Jesus said the second commandment is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, there is none other commandment greater than these."  -  Mark 12:31.

This reminds me of a poem by C. T. Studd that many of you may be familiar with.  Part of it goes,
"Only one life, will soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last."  Once this truth gets deep within your soul, you will be on fire to do the Lord's work .. telling others about Jesus as Savior.  The entire poem by C.T. Studd may be found here .

But more important than the above mentioned poem,  read your Bible for guidance and instruction and to "hear" God speak by His Holy Spirit as you read.   Ask God to help you understand and to apply what His Word says.  Keep your mind on things above, things eternal,  and not on things that will soon pass away.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."  -  1 John 2:15-17.

Included in loving our neighbor, is to love other believers and to love the lost enough to tell them about Jesus.  Jesus wants us to love others, but to love Him more than anyone else.   

"I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to Him."  -  Charles H. Spurgeon

Following is a short 5 minute clip by Dr. Charles Stanley on how you can have a personal, intimate relationship with God:

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."         -  Matthew 6:20-21

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  -  Matthew 6:33