Category Archives: Fearfulness

Fear NOT!!! But How??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #668

15 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Fear, Fearfulness, Fearlessness, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #668  Fear NOT!!! But How???

 

I know we are inundated with crises all around us, and many are engulfed in fear.  I’d like to share some encouragement today that will lift our hearts and our eyes heavenward!

“What time I am afraid,

I will trust in thee.

4 In God

I will praise his word,

in God

I have put my trust;

I will not fear

what flesh can do unto me.”  Psalm 56:3-4

The answer to fear is to either act or readjust what frightens you.  Some say that fear is sin, but I’ll have to disagree; fear is simply an emotion, like our other emotions, given to mankind by our creator.  The issue is who’s in control, the emotion or the person?  Fear can be of great benefit—if I see a snake, my fear causes me to ‘act’ and get away from the danger.  But when I let fear control me, I can do very unreasonable things, and let fear drive me rather than trusting God to lead me!  The Psalmist reminds us that when those baseless fears come (or even those that may be based in fact, but which we have allowed to haunt our heart and mind) we must simply remember to “trust in” my God who holds me in HIS hand.  And HE has promised not to let go!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father,

which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able

to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

Jesus holds us in HIS hands, and we are safe in His care, so we need not fear, as the Psalmist reminds us, what ‘man’ can do to us!  Our God reigns, and is working all things for our good, even when we may not realize it!  We don’t have to fear but to have faith/trust in our God’s work all around us.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”   Romans 8:26-31

Think on these things, and dwell in the presence of The One who gave Himself for you/me!  That’s why the author of Hebrews tells us clearly that we need not fear what “man” can do to us!

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”   Hebrews 13:5-6

May God’s blessing rest on you today, and may you find comfort and joy in His presence, His Word, and His sovereign rule!  You can trust Him in all things—without fear!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

When I Can’t See The Way??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #653

20 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fear, Fearfulness, Fearlessness, Filled With His Spirit, For Such A Time As This

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #653   When I Can’t See The Way???

 

“What time I am afraid,

I will trust in thee.

4 In God

I will praise his word,

in God

I have put my trust;

I will not fear

what flesh can do unto me.”  Psalm 56:3-4

Just a few words today to encourage our hearts in difficult times.  We must remember and rehearse what we KNOW about our God—yet how do we KNOW about God?  We can only come to KNOW God through Jesus Christ, HIS Son, and once we are born again by faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary, we are born into God’s family and kingdom.  Then we need to avail ourselves of the love letter that God has given us in HIS Word!

It is in The Word of God that we find the revelation of God to our hearts, all that HE wants us to know about Him and our walk of faith with Him.  Yet so many are floundering for lack of knowledge about their God.  When we don’t have the wisdom, insight and vision of God’s perspective we will lack the ability to press on in confidence—for God IS our confidence; and HE has given us The Word to direct our steps!

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”   Psalm 119:133

Paul directed the young preacher, Timothy to be “in The Word”…it is our source of truth and equips us to accomplish God’s purpose for us each and every day!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

 for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:14-16

How do we acquire this ‘knowledge’—by the commitment of our time to ‘study’ the whole counsel of God!

“Study to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

Oh, how grateful I am for The Word of God, for even when I am afraid, I continually return to what I KNOW, and that is that God keeps His Word, He’s still God, He’s still good, and I will trust HIM!  I have walked with HIM for forty-plus years and HE has never failed me.  I have failed him again and again, but He has always worked in my life to restore me to fellowship with Him, and I thank Him for His love for me—because of HIS character not mine!  And the judge will always be the plumb-line of HIS Word!  What are you setting as your standard?

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”   Hebrews 4:12-13

Where is your heart and mind?  Fixed on Jesus, or on your own abilities to run your life?  God has given us His precious Holy Spirit to guide, direct and convict us; we have but to yield to His voice, study to know God through His Word, then we can choose wisely, trusting to His care without fear. As the Psalm we started with reminds us, we all have times of fear (and remember that ‘fear’ is simply an emotion, but by God’s power we can rule it, rather than let it ‘rule’ us!), but God has given us the ability to deal with our fears!

“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

The “sound mind” here, means right thinking—thinking with the “mind of Christ Jesus” (See Philippians 2:5-11) which we need to think on!  So, walk forward, look up, love God, think right by dwelling on The Word—not the world!  God’s Son IS truth, and HIS Word IS truth recorded for us to grow by!  Think ON the things of God, not the fears of the world around you!

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.”   Philippians 4:6-8

Blessings on your day!

Amen and Amen!

His Love Instead Of Fear??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #458

02 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by in Fearfulness, Fearlessness, Holy Spirit

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #458     His Love Instead Of Fear???

 

“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

God doesn’t give us “the spirit of fear”; but rather He gives us His Holy Spirit when we are born again, who imparts God’s peace, power and presence to us. Even as Paul told the Colossians:

“To whom God would make known

what is the riches

of the glory

of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:”   Colossians 1:27

Christ comes to dwell in those who come to Him in repentance and faith in the person of the Holy Spirit—God’s promise of the New Covenant which Christ’s blood provides–not just salvation from our sin, but new birth and the indwelling Holy Spirit. He, who gives us new birth, will also lead, teach and help us follow the ways of God and the Word of God (See John 1:12-14). The Holy Spirit imparts the “power… love, and ….sound mind” to us, and “sound mind” means ‘right thinking’; God gives us the ability to “let this mind be in you” by His Holy Spirit (See Philippians 2:5-11)– HIS presence in us—enabling us to live in His “power…love and…sound mind”. All because we “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God…….

       5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.”    Portions of Romans 5:1-8

What amazing love and grace—a Lord who loves us and died for our salvation “while we were yet sinners”, and gives His Spirit to those who will believe in Him.

“For what man knoweth the things of a man,

save the spirit of man

which is in him?

even so the things of God

knoweth no man,

but the Spirit

of God.

12 Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the spirit which is of God;

that we might know the things

that are freely given to us

of God.

13 Which things also we speak,

not in the words which man’s wisdom

teacheth,

but which the Holy Ghost

teacheth;

comparing spiritual things

with spiritual.

14 But the natural man

receiveth not the things

of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto him:

neither can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.”   1 Corinthians 2:11-14

Are you living in fear of the things that surround you? Or are you willing to believe the things that God says are true of His children? Don’t let fear steal your joy in the things of God, or distract you from His purposes. Even when we misstep, God is there to lift us up, and show us the way to overcome our circumstances—not in pride but in humble gratitude!

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth

take heed

lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you

but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful,

who will not suffer you to be tempted

above that ye are able;

but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape,

that ye may be able to bear it.”    1 Corinthians 10:12-13

May we each determine to live in light of the truth of God’s love for us and give it all to Jesus, walking in His “power… love, and ….sound mind”, remembering:

“And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

And if you don’t know Him, listen for His call to YOU!

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

His perfect love can overcome your fears!

“There is no fear in love;

but perfect love

casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment.

He that feareth

is not made perfect

in love.

19 We love him,

because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:18

Don’t be afraid, He loves you today!

I WILL Trust In YOU, LORD!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #451

06 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fearfulness, Fearlessness, Growing in Jesus!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Look UP, Made like Jesus!, Sanctuary, The Word, Trials, Troubles, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #451 I WILL Trust In YOU, LORD!!!

 

We all have trials and difficulties—it’s common to all of us—but what’s not common is the ability to trust our past, present and future to The Lord God Almighty through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, I want to take a few minutes this morning to remind us all to just look up!

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption

draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28

I know the immediate context of this verse is the “latter days”, yet we can take heart today because this is true whenever or whatever the difficulty, or how hard of a trial we are encountering. Our hope is in our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and HE will see us through. It hasn’t caught Him by surprise, and as one of my favorite evangelists says, “God never says, ‘oops’!” And I’m sure glad that’s true. God is ever at work molding His own and making us more and more like The Son.

“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.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image

of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn                            among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29

God’s purpose for you and for me is that we will become more and more like Jesus!!! And my dear friends, when we get a hold on that reality, it will transform how we view the difficulties that come upon us! God isn’t wasting one iota of our circumstances—HE is orchestrating them to lead us closer to Himself, and more like Jesus!!! I can’t balk at that!

So whatever your situation or circumstance today, step back and take another look up, and remember that God has YOU in HIS hand, and He’s not letting go! You can trust Him and overcome your fears and frustrations when we just remember to “lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh”! And I believer He is more “nigh” than we believe! Take heart my friend—don’t be afraid—don’t give up—press on—for we win!

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.“     Psalm 56:3

And our old standby reminder:

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”    Hebrews 13:5-6

Blessings on your day, and remember—Look UP! Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

Without Fearfulness??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #404

20 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fearfulness, Fearlessness, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Made like Jesus!, The Word, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #404       Without Fearfulness???

 

It’s so easy to let circumstances, situations or the sheer violence of our culture cause us to be fearful, but like we talked about last time God is our “help” in all times!

“God is our refuge

and strength,

a very present help

in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

And in this same Psalm God reminds us of what to do when we do become fearful—and we all have times of fearfulness (granted, some of us have more issues with fearfulness than others)!

“Be still,

and know

that I am God:

I will be exalted

among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”    Psalm 46:10-11

“Be still” isn’t an easy assignment—because we are a people on the “move”! But God calls us to settle down, stop the fretting, just “Be still” and He will calm our souls to “know that I am God”!! To know that HE will be “exalted” before the heathen, before the whole world! There is a day coming when our God Almighty will make Himself known before the world and when that time comes we can rest assured:

“That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”    Philippians 2:10-11

What a glorious day for those who “know” Jesus, those who have believed in His saving, atoning, substitutionary sacrifice for sin—my sin and yours; but a day of reckoning for those who have refused to believe or bow before Him! That day is coming and we can live in confident fearlessness, because He has called us to trust Him in all things! It is HIS work being done in and through us—“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works”! God is ever at work in and through us—fearlessly!  (See Ephesians 2:10)

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”    Philippians 1:6

It is God who is at work in us and Paul rehearses that thought throughout the book of Philippians, and I’m so glad that he did!

“For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

Knowing that it is God who is at work in His own children, refocuses us on Him and His will for us without fear, but rather with confidence in HIS continual work in our lives as we “walk in the Spirit” and “live in the Spirit” –to God’s glory and our maturity in HIM! (Gal. 5:16 & 25) We can continually gain confidence in our God who calls us to stand fast without fear.

“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

It is HIS love working in us continually through His Spirit! (See Ro.5:1-8)

“There is no fear in love;

but perfect love

casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment.

He that feareth

is not made perfect

in love.

19 We love him,

because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:18-19

When we exercise our trust in God, in all our ways, we can experience His “perfect love”, remembering that HE is working in all things, and that we are being “conformed to the image of his Son”! Oh that today we might remember that trusting God in all things, will help us live without fearfulness from the world or from our own circumstances! And we can do this because:

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he

that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”    1 John 4:4

Have a blessed and fearless day in HIM!!! Amen and Amen!