Tag: Fear

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Fear Not! Believe, And Experience The Glory Of God Each Day As You Trust/Rest In His Love For You.

As many of you have come to know, this stuff’s real, precious ones.  Let’s follow Christ.  Let’s make every attempt to live in the faith He died to give us.  Let’s enter His sweet rest…

39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone.  Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh:  for he hath been dead four days.

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.  And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always:  but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes:  and his face was bound about with a napkin.  Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
John 11:39-45

God knew I needed to come to the point where I was so sick of fear that I would do whatever it took to be freed from it.

Mark, why do you talk about the same things over and over again?  Well, it’s because I know we need to get the basics of our faith down if we’re (and our children) going to live in the victory Jesus can give us.  To consistently experience His peace and joy, we need to get these types of truths deep in our souls where the Holy Spirit can help us to be overcomers, day in and day out.

In the following, please understand it’s not my purpose to judge anyone or to make fun of them.  I’m just trying to get us to see that religion (and the “fear of man” religion can contain and perpetuate), in itself, will not make us truly free in Jesus.

Lately, I’ve had a number of people try to share their fear with me.  I could tell they didn’t really want to be set free from their fear.  They merely wanted to get me to enter into their fear.  These are folks who don’t know Jesus and what His love could do for them.  They’re reacting to the fear in their own lives the way they’ve seen others react to fear – the herd mentality.  They make fearful comments, they play fearful thoughts over and over again in their minds – I was like that at one time.  They look at you as if they expect you to join in with the fear they’re  experiencing and trying to pass onto you.  They look stressed, worried and weighed down with responsibility (after all, that’s what being an adult is all about, right?).  Fear was actually telling them what actions to take and how to live their lives which is never a good thing.

How do I know this “fear” look?  Because my parents and relatives (and most of their church friends), who were merely acting out what they saw other worldly and religious people doing, reacted to situations this way.  Being around them as much as I was, I learned to deal with potentially intimidating circumstances in the same, fearful manner.  Doing so nearly wiped me out physically and emotionally, especially when a lot of fearful situations began to gang up on me.  In fact, letting fear control my life this way came close to causing me to give up on having any kind of a meaningful relationship with Jesus.  These people didn’t know Christ and neither did I even though we all called ourselves Christians.  Isn’t that strange?

The really sad thing is that when I (and my precious wife) made any attempt to come away from the fear we were all letting control us, to take a stand and start believing in and living the Word, I was beginning to be labeled as “holier than thou” and “self-righteous.”  I didn’t feel like I was either.  I just desperately needed to find out if the Bible was true because I was drowning in fear, anxiety and panic.  I wanted so much to find out if Jesus could really put an end to the turmoil in me, that He could actually bring trusting peace and rest to my life.

Dejectedly, I (and my family) finally had to cut ties with folks who were holding us back from taking a leap of faith to find out if Christ really was trustworthy, if His peace really could take control of my troubled soul, if He really could work all things for my good, even my very scary past. (Reminds me, again, of the powerful little book, “Hinds Feet On High Places” by Hannah Hurnard)

Precious people, Jesus is the way to deal with all of the fearful thoughts (whether they come from religious people or others) around us that attempt to rob us of our right to our faith in the Prince of Peace.

The thief (satan and his band of fearful demons) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  I (Jesus, on the other hand) am come that they (anyone who will truly get to know Jesus) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (living with the kind of peace and joy only Christ can impart).
John 10:10 My Edits

When you get hit with doubts, and we all do, don’t panic.  Instead, take action against those thoughts even if it means doing so in your mind or speaking it to yourself under your breath.  Take fear-inducing thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.  Others may drown in fear.  Jesus has called us to faith, to rely on and relax in Him, in His care.

Quote scriptures that remind you to not give into fear, scriptures that tell you that God can be trusted to take care of you no matter what – tape them up in your home.  Play Christian music all day long in your home.  Memorize verses that remind you to cast all your cares on Christ, and that you don’t ever have to be frightened by sudden fear, the type of fear that catches you off-guard.  Remember, Christ is guarding your heart.  Please, let Him be your Prince of Peace.

Call Jesus’ Presence into the situation…His dear Presence makes us whole.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
1 John 4:18a

When fear comes, remember to let the peace of God rule in your heart.  And, maybe most importantly, remember that God’s really working all things for your good.  Knowing that will let God’s perfect love build a wall of protection around your heart, and knowing that will cast any fear where it belongs, out of your life.

I love you all.  It’s my joy and strong desire to see each one of us set free so we can fully rest in Jesus.

“Said I (Jesus) not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l41rZOt9Ck

God bless,

Mark

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Fear To Peace, and My Precious Jesus Who is Romans 8:28

 

 

 

 

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.
1 Timothy 1:15

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:10

I know a lot about worry.  I was lost in it.  It’s my number one sin.

My inability to stop worry is why I can’t ever boast about my close walk with Jesus.  I had to be close to Him to keep from experiencing horrible consequences.

Thank goodness, Jesus will not stop operating in our hearts until He sets us free from whatever sin seeks to control and destroy our lives.

In my life, “care” is like an addiction.  I come from a pretty good familial background of worry.

I can overdose (O.D.) on it in a hurry.  If I entertain any care, my body and mind go to work and create more and more worry and fear.  It can be suffocating, and really snowball making it nearly impossible to stop.

Care can cause other problems like eating disorders and other nervous habits.

I now know that God had a plan for my life that included learning how to trust Him with all my heart.  That’s one reason He had my family attend church.  He knew I’d need to learn scriptures – to know Jesus – that would become my salvation from fear.

What are we going to do about so and so?  We’re going to turn it over to Jesus and trust Him with it.

Silverwind – “My prayer is that you’ll stay with Jesus long enough for Him to remove all your fears.”

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 4:6-7

Boy, this is really something, and reminds me, once again, that all things work together for good. I’m telling you, folks, stay with Jesus.  We don’t ever have to take on care, worry, fear, frustration and the resulting anger, and bitterness.  Allow Him the time it takes to show you that He makes all things beautiful in His time.

I woke up this morning with some things on my mind.  I had shallow breathing indicating that I was taking on worry and “care.”  I was having an anxiety attack.  I caught myself trying to figure out how some things were going to play out and what their impact might be.  I’m not saying we can’t think things through.  This was worry, pure and simple, and God wants to rescue us from all worry.

Ann and I prayed and asked Jesus to take control of all of the thoughts and items I had on my mind.  We got up and left those things with Him.  We’d cast our cares on Him.

About 15 minutes later, the Lord spoke to my heart in a way that reminded me that He’s in control and that I must cast all my cares on Him.

As many of you know, for nearly 54 years now, I’ve been dealing with anxiety disease and panic disorder – we’re now pretty certain that the root of these disorders is due to my body’s inability to deal with toxins.

Years ago, we were given a book by a Harvard doctor (he was a pioneer in the study of anxiety disease and panic disorder) that said a person with anxiety disease peaks out at about 100 times the normal person when it comes to things in life that cause fear, and the fight or flight syndrome.  It went on to say that an anxiety disease person would have 100 times the fear that the soldiers at Normandy had when they landed.  By the way, fear short-circuits most everything in the body and especially our thinking processes.  Fear can be awful for me.

Well, this morning when the Lord reminded me about casting all my cares (no matter the source) on Him, He shared with me that my panic disorder has really been a blessing in disguise and that He’s known about it all along.  He knew I was going to have to learn to turn everything, and I mean everything, over to Him so I could learn to trust Him, every minute of the day.  If not, I was going to be miserable.  And, my fear would have an impact on those around me.

God told me He’s allowed whatever is causing my anxiety so that I could learn to trust Him with all my heart and then tell others they could as well.  He wanted me to drive home the point that He really wants us to cast (and to do it a thousand times a day if that’s what it takes) all our cares on Him so He can bring His mighty, delivering peace to our souls.

Wow, that really ministered His joy to my spirit and I could feel His deep peace replacing the fear as it left me.  It was kind of like taking off cold, wet clothing and stepping into a hot shower.

Jesus is so merciful.  Even when we’re tempted to think He’s disinterested in our cares, He’s caring for us and watching over our hearts.  What a Deliverer He is.

It’s just so amazing how He works and how wonderful He is.  He allowed fear to teach me to exercise my faith.

The supernatural power in the Word is real, and I’m so thankful for my precious Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Shepherd is leading us to green pastures and still waters.  As we cast our cares upon Him, He’s restoring our souls.  ☺

For thou (Jesus) art with me…

God bless,

Mark

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Child Abuse?

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103: 1-5

I had a spiritual attack in bed last night. It was related to a “sudden fear” item I got hit with yesterday afternoon. Such attacks almost always boil down to worry and then self-pity, a behavior pattern I picked up from past generations.

Even though many of my relatives were Christians, they allowed too many sins in their lives and worry and self-pity were two of the biggies – In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible says “without faith, it’s impossible to please God” to protect us from allowing fear in our lives. My relatives should have been doers of the Word and not hearers only no matter what their other Christian peers thought – The fear of man (always) brings a snare (Proverbs 29:25).

Now I’m not saying that I don’t sin in the areas of worry and self-pity from time to time. But with the Holy Spirit’s help, I’m having more and more victory in those areas and I’m asking my family’s forgiveness whenever I slip up to keep strongholds from taking root in their lives – Gordon, one of our Oregon pastors, taught us the valuable insight of asking forgiveness whenever we miss the mark.

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

A few months ago, I read an online news article that said that teaching children about Christianity and Jesus ought to be outlawed stating it should be considered child abuse.

I can’t imagine much that would be worse than children (or anyone else) not being able to learn how they can take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ; to be thankful in everything; to know that our loving Heavenly Father is able to work all things for our good. I know I’d be a major wreck if I’d never had the opportunity to learn how to replace fear and dismay with God’s truths.

I wonder how much substance abuse and other issues could be done away with if we could learn to cast all our cares on Christ.

And, the above three tremendous Biblical truths are just the beginning of the infinite benefits of Christianity, the Bible and Jesus, The Prince Of Peace.

Perhaps had the person who wrote the Christian child abuse article been around more Christians doing the Word, their perspective would have been different.

Let’s be doers of the Word, especially for the sake of our children and future generations. Memorize scripture that teaches us that we can trust God, that we cast all our care on Him and that He’s working all things for our good. (Keeping these wonderful truths close in our memories is so vital.) Please, for their sake, have your children memorize them.

Like me and others have done, please ask for God’s help in doing these things. He’s faithful. He’ll change us and others will be drawn to Him and His incredible salvation.

 

 

 

 

 

Mark