Why Be Fearful Of What Happens In This World?

"These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace.  In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." -John 16:33 (ESV) These are Jesus' own words here. He is speaking to our frail human side, to strengthen us and to teach us how and what to focus on while we walk out this life.

To many times we are distracted by what is going on in the world.  However Jesus reminds us we need to keep our eye on Him and His ultimate example.  He faced many trials and tribulations in this world.  He had a people who rejected Him, disciples who were confused about where He was going, and they were more concerned about who was going to sit on His right side and His left.  He had a priesthood who were plotting to kill Him.  He had an empire, which was becoming increasingly more unsettled by His following.  He had a man on his board of advisors who was stealing money and secretly planning to betray Him.  And He was on the assassination list of hell.  No one else faced as much tribulation as Jesus while working on earth.

Yet His story doesn’t end there.  He was crucified and buried, but He arose on the third day with all power in His hand.  So not only did He tell us, but He should us by example what we should expect.

We will always face tribulations in this world during this life.  However, we will overcome the things of this world.  If we remain focused on Him and His Word, and not this world, then we will have peace, for as He said; the words He spoke to us were so we can have peace.  Today, read His word, so you too can have peace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld1cXry5nyM 

What's In Your Crack?

Years ago I used to love candy.  Still do in a way, however I have found if I don’t buy it I won’t eat it.  I remember a time I had some Jolly Ranchers on the counter by the TV set.  I started to notice ants and so I took the Jolly Ranchers and through them away.  You see the candy was attracting the ants, an unwanted pest, into my home.

After a week or so I noticed the ants were still coming.  I thought, that’s odd, seeing how I have rid myself of the thing which was attracting the ants.  I figured they were still following their old trails looking for something to devour.  However a few days later they were still coming.  I began looking around and found a piece of candy I had overlooked.  It was hidden in the crack between the counter and the TV.  I had not searched it out hard enough.  The ants were still coming because I had not completely rid my counter of the very thing they were attracted towards.

Made me think about us as Christians.  We often come and get saved.  We will even go to throwing away all of our “worldly” music and pour our alcohol down the drain.  I know I am not the only one here!  But do we take the time to take the Word of God to our heart, and really search out the hidden sins in our life: strife, jealousy, envy, deception, gossip, backbiting, murder by words, the pornographic images no one sees, the continued relationship you know is wrong for you, and you think no one knows about…..? 

What is the LORD needing you to “get out of the cracks” today?  Have you searched His Word and applied it to your heart? (not pointing the finger elsewhere)  Or do you still have ants coming, and wondering why they keep coming into your life?

Not Really Working Out

I was helping a friend move recently.  They told me their friend worked out regularly and would be more than able to handle the items to be moved.

During the move, I heard the LORD say, “Pace yourself”.  As we proceeded on it became clear two loads were not going to get this move done.  The other person helping us, who claimed he worked out on a regular basis, began to wane fast.  It was obvious his conditioning was not where he had claimed it to be.

Then the LORD spoke and said, “How many of My people say they love Me, say they read their bible and attend church, give to the poor, say they want a closer walk with Me, and the like, only to find themselves quickly fading away when the task requires a bit more effort?” 

Today I ask, “Are you a believer in word only, or do you have the conditioning to take it all the way.”

What Do You Hear?

With Pentecost quickly approaching, my Pastor has been preaching about the Holy Spirit, and our ability to hear Him when needed. 

While driving, I was listening to Pastor’s message again, I heard him talking about how David was told to listen for the sound in the top of the Mulberry trees, before he went out to battle the second time.  God had taught David’s fingers to war, but now He was training his ear to hear.  Right then I could hear the voice of the LORD saying, “I am speaking always.  How closely will you tune your ear?  How important is hearing Me clearly to you and your life?” 

I immediately shut off the CD and drove in silence.  Calmly listening to the voice of the LORD.  He told reminded me of Elijah being in the cave and how a great wind which broke mountains came, an earthquake and a fire, however the LORD was not in any of these commotions.  How He clearly defines in His Word, “He is not the author of chaos” and how “He gives us peace love and a sound mind”.

We don’t hear the LORD because we our ears are clogged with the chaos of this world.  When is the last time you sat quietly in the middle of the night, reading your bible, praying or just listening to God?  When is the last time you simply took a walk or a drive, with no agenda but to get away and get closer to the LORD? Or do we spend more time with the hustle and bustle of life, worrying about what each day shall hold?

Today, I challenge you to tune your ear to the Almighty.  After all He is speaking all the time.  The question is, “Can you hear Him?”

Who Are You Fearful About?

The only time to be fearful of someone is when he or she hold power and have seemingly no restraint on him or herself to regulate power for the overall good of people.

Today in the world, we have rulers, kings, presidents, monarchies, dictators and the like to govern people.   All of these have different agenda’s, and various ways and means of carrying those agendas out.  When we don’t agree with their agenda and method, we realize they have power over us and we begin to rebel against those set in authority over us, for we are fearful of what they may, or be capable of doing to us.

However we missed something.  The Bible says in Daniel 2:21, “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding”.  Then right before Jesus ascended into heaven, His words are recorded by Matthew 28:18, “ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

Knowing this we must learn not to be fearful of man. He does not hold all power.  Jesus holds all power.  As His representatives here on earth, we are instructed to “Pray for our rulers”.  This system was set up so we could further learn and understand who is truly in control.  Jesus.

Today instead of rebelling in fear, against a leader you may not like or understand, I wonder what would happen if we all came together on One accord and prayed for our various leaders, and laid before God desiring His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven?