FEAR HAS TORMENTS

 

Monday, March 21, 2022

 

FEAR HAS TORMENTS

 

Job 3:25-26

25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; [I was not careless nor carefree] yet trouble came.

 

1 John 4:17-19

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 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.

 

          Job was a fearful man. He was afraid that his children might sin, so he offered sacrifices on their behalf. It seems that he lived cautiously and carefully so as not to invite God’s wrath. So fastidious was Job that he garnered the admiration of God and the anger of Satan. Job learned that fear has torments.

 

          John introduces two words that invites our deeper study, fear, and torment. Fear is the Greek word phobia, and we are familiar with that word because it has been borrowed from the Greeks and added to our English. Torment is the Greek word kolasis and refers, specifically, to the dread of punishment.

 

          John was encouraging believers to view the future day of judgment with “boldness” which does not mean brazenness but confidence. While I approach God with awe and respect, yet I can approach God without fear. (See Hebrews 10:18-22)

 

Isa 25:8-9

8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

 

Christ Receiveth Sinful Men

 

3 Now my heart condemns me not,

Pure before the law I stand;

He who cleansed me from all spot

Satisfied its last demand. [Chorus]

 

4 Christ receiveth sinful men,

Even me with all my sin;

Purged from ev’ry spot and stain,

Heav’n with Him I enter in. [Chorus]

 

Lord, your blood has purged my sin. Let me not be afraid. AMEN

JUST SHINE

 

Sunday, March 20, 2022

 

JUST SHINE

 

Phil 2:13-15

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

 

          Positive people produce a positive impact on the world around them. They are pleasant to be around, and others are attracted to them. Today is a fresh page for us and we have a choice. Here are a few suggestions from the Bible on how to have a bright outlook.

 

          Understand that God is working in you! If you are a child of God, a believer, then you have the Holy Spirit living in you. He will work non-stop to accomplish marvelous things for you and through you. You are stronger than you think you are.

 

          Stop whining! Grumbling only makes the task more miserable because of the focus of your thinking. “Do all things without murmuring and disputing.” This is a conscious choice to not cave-in to circumstances. You can’t stop the rain, but you don’t have to shake your fist at the sky.

 

          Be different! You live in the midst of a crooked and perverse world. It is a dark place. Christians live as if they know a secret and indeed, they do because they know God is involved in every aspect of their life. Shine on!

 

Dear Lord, let me work in your strength and not my own. Let me shine with your brightness. AMEN

HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR!

 

Saturday, March 19, 2022

 

HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR!

 

1 Sam 3:9-10

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel.

 

          If you will travel north in this third chapter to verse eight you will note that Samuel heard and misunderstood the voice of the lord three times! I wonder how many times every day that we hear His voice from someone else? I am reminded of an old Simon & Garfunkle song which contained these words: “the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls – heed them all.” If we are to hear the voice of God, we must listen carefully and sometimes pay attention to those whom the rest of the world ignores.

 

          Now our nation and our churches are stumbling in the darkness of extravagance and wastefulness, in the relaxation of disciplined morals, and in the widespread rebellion against God. At these times God calls not just for a servant but for a prophet. The call often comes during ordinary days and ordinary activities. He called Samuel while lying down to sleep. Peter, James, and John were called while washing their fishing nets.

 

          Chance encounters seldom are! We are encouraged in Hebrews 13:2 to pay close attention to strangers because they may be unsuspected angels. I think it would also be wise to listen to strangers and perhaps to children for the voice of God.

 

          Paul’s classic question, “who art thou Lord,” after being blinded by God’s glory was to verify what he suspected. Who are you? I suspect you may be the Lord! His next question changed his life. He asked: “What wilt thou have me to do?”

 

Dear Lord, in the midst of the noise of this day, please speak to me the words I need to hear. Let me listen carefully that I might hear your voice from unsuspected places. AMEN