Fear and Faith

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

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It first took hold of my heart in 1994 while my father was undergoing heart by-pass surgery for the second time. I was afraid that he may not make it at that time. I remember picking up a Bible on the table in the waiting room and skimming through the pages while family members talked among themselves. It was very difficult to focus on any scripture with all the talking going on around me. But, God somehow allowed me to focus on this one scripture, 2 Timothy 1:7. Since that time, I continue to return to this scripture time after time. It has been a great help to me. It has given me great peace.

All through the scriptures I have noticed time after time phrases such as "fear not" and "do not fear". Each time I read a passage with these phrases, my mind comes back to 2 Timothy.

If fear didn't come from God, why did I have fear? This is a question that baffled me for a long time. It took a lot of searching through scripture for this verse to make sense to me.

I began to look at people in the Bible and saw that in many instances they had failures due to fear. I discovered that my fear came from my unbelief. An unbelief that God wasn't able to do all that He said He could do. I began to realize that fear is a tool that is used to diminish my faith. At this point I knew that they only was I could ease my fear was to deal with my unbelief. I still work daily at growing my faith through reading scripture, prayer, meditating on God's Word and trying to, with the abilities that God has given me, to tell others about Christ. I figured that if fear comes from unbelief, it would be very difficult - if not impossible for God to work within my fear. Now, I go to God in faith when I pray instead of fear.

There is a lot of fear today in world. News casts are filled with overwhelming reports on how bad the economy is and what it will mean for us in our own lives and families. It is good to know what is going on in the world around us. But, we need to realize that we who are saved are not of the world but rather are in the world. Instead, we should focus and have belief and trust on the promices that God gives us while we are still in the world. For most of us, if you are like me, our focus should be working on our fear by striving to rid our unbelief.

Thanks

Recently, as you know, we have gone through some difficult financial situations. We are still facing them somewhat. I know and believe with everything in me that God always provides whatever you need. I am thankful to God that He has provided all our needs and know that He will continue to do so in the future.

Saying that, I would also like to thank my mother. She has been extremely instrumental in God providing for us. She has gone above and beyond providing our needs. She has also made it possible for improvements in our yard making it more comfortable and pleasing to the eye. Eventhough at times, life can be difficult, God uses others and their unique circumstances to help in times of difficulties.

I also am thankful for the new roof and driveway the owner of the house we live in has provided as well. This also has made our yard more pleasing to the eye. His graciousness is greatly appreciated. We know that God also has used the owner's unique circumstances to provide these things as well.

I am thankful for the many prayers from family and friends regarding the lack of work we had during the winter months. The phone is ringing again and if it be God's will, we will once again be back on track with our business. I know that God is also using our customer's to provide our needs as well.

I know things look down at times especially in this economy and with all that is going on in our world. But, I also know if you look up and focus on things above that God is faithful. He never leaves or forsakes you. He is always with you and able to carry you through.

Praying

I have prayed constantly for my friend in the previous post. I have prayed when I rose in the morning, when I've been busy about my work, when I eat lunch, when I'm doing errands, when I cooking dinner for my family, before and after my study time and when I lie down at night. I have prayed with tears for this friend. I have been sorrowful for the friend but more than that my tears have been for the hurt I know God must have had for the position my friend was taking. It was hard to hear my friend say those harsh words but it was harder to know that if those words hurt me to the core, how much more they must have hurt God. After all God has done for me and my family, I couldn't bare to hear that someone would turn from him.

After all of my praying and crying, I was happy to know that my friend returned to Church on Sunday and is still planning to carry out their duties they had already planned. Though feeling wounded and let down somewhat in their circumstances it is good to see that they are continuing to run the race they began. I know they may not be walking on their own right now because God is carrying them through. This alone is comfort to me to know that when we fall, God still cares enough to not let go and keep us afloat.

I do know that my friend feels embarrased because of their earlier statement. But, if they are encouraged and feel loved and given just a little help they will be alright. We all get embarrassed by our lack of faith at times. My comfort in that is, God shows his strength in our weakness. We are not alone.

What To Do?

What do you do when someone you love and care about deeply stands up and says they are done with God because they have been wronged. Yes I can truly say they were wronged. My response would have to be:

I understand you have been wronged and I agree with you on that point. However, making such a bold statement doesn't end the matter. Just because you feel that God has hurt you because of circumstances doesn't mean he is done with you. He is still the one in control and the decision of whether or not things are done between you and God is in his control not yours. I believe that such a statement would mean you will probably be feeling his presence even more...and maybe not in such a favorable manner. If you are so weak in faith that you can't take what circumstances comes at you with God on your side, then I seriously doubt that you can take circumstances better without him on your side.

I still believe that all things work for the good for those who love him. People can make mistakes to hurt you personally, financially and in all manners of ways but we have to remember that God gave man free will to choose to do things the right way or the hurtful way. God can't interfer with free will. If someone hurt you in any manner it is not because of anything God did, it was simply because they exercised their free will and chose the wrong way. But we have to forgive them. Not blame God. If we don't forgive them and blame God, we are exercising our free will also in the wrong way as the one who hurt you did. That fact alone should give compassion and forgiveness for the one who hurt you.

Please let me know any comments you have about the matter of what to tell others in this circumstance.

Joy

I have to praise God for the joy, happiness, contentment and peace He has brought into my life. There are a lot of things going on in our life that we could worry about.. some major things. But, I am greatful that through reading scripture and studying and spending time with God, He brings all things into perspective. Staying focused on Him instead of the other things of life makes life so much happier. I am thankful also that I can go to God in prayer and speak to Him as my closest friend. Knowing that He will not only listen, but hear with an understanding far better than I can speak with words. I just wanted to voice my thankfulness for His faithfulness.

Spring Is Here

Spring is here. I love this time of the year. It's a time of awakening for the trees, flowers, grass. The birds sing outside my window, squirrels scamper about the yard, rabbits are playing in the early morning, and if you're fortunate you may catch a few deer playing tag in the field. All of these things seem to bring forth new energy and life from people as well. Neighbors working in their yards, cookouts, picnics, softball games, children playing in the yards. All creation seems to rejoice in the renewal of life this time of the year.

This is a quite a contract from the cold, dismal winter days when everyone stays inside and no one is visible to others except for their needed trips to the store and to work or school. But, now it is spring. Everywhere you go there will be others crowding to do as much as they can while the weather is so beautiful.

As I've already said, I love this time of the year. Not just for the reasons I listed above. There are other reasons as well. It reminds me that God gave me new life as well. Just as the birds and the squirrels I love watching so much this time of the year, it is the best opportunity I have as well to let the joy of salvation show for all who are out and about. It gives more opportunity for conversations to enable me to tell others what Christ has done for me.

Just as the rabbits, birds and squirrels that are so showing their joy for this time of renewal, we too as believers in Christ should show the joy he has given us. We should shine as bright as we can. Just as the trees and flowers show the difference the change in the season has made to them, we should be able to show the difference Christ has made in our lives evident to all at their first glance.

Christian Rights

I want to know your thoughts about the new amendment being introduced to congress this week on the Hate Crime law. If it is true that now you can be prosecuted for simply preaching the gospel, in a non-violent manner, and receive a charge of conspiracy to commit a hate crime, we are all in danger of the prosecution of up to 5 years. Any pastor, Sunday school teacher, Bible study teacher, or street preaching about sin could be targeted under this amendment. I urge everyone to contact your representatives and the White House concerning this amendment and let them know you do not want this amendment to pass. We only have a few days before the vote. Will you raise your voice or stay silent?

I have difficulty understanding why there is no amendment to declare hate crimes against Christians when we are targeted as a group as well. Maybe we should push congress for such an amendment for our protection.