STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

1/26/2020 ~ Frightened Rats or Bold as Lions?

🐭   RatsOrLionsAM1.mp3 (26m 15s)   RatsOrLions.pptx Darkness empties into the music of nowhere. Spiritual strength is only found in His love. The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. ~ Proverbs 28:1 Normally people are frightened of those things larger than themselves which they have no control over; A lawsuit, close family health issues, financial concerns, the future. The real question is your faith greater than your fear. The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. ~ Proverbs 29:25 When men or his institutions take on a larger precedence than God, traps are unavoidable. Often we put our trust or hope in the wrong people. ... Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; ... ~ Psalms 56:2-5 My enemies speak evil of me: "When will he die, and his name perish?" ... ~ Psalms 41:5-7 Fear is most personal and extremely real for those that it entraps. Fear exposes one to all that is vulnerable. There is no fear in heaven. My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come ... ~ Psalms 55:4-6 Unavoidable heartache is usually the main reason for depression, and piercing hopes for escape from living. ... under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, ... ~ Psalms 91:4-6 When riding on the wing of God there is nothing that can not be overcome. His Spirit lifts past all fears. Ride God’s wing of salvation. "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. ... ~ Deuteronomy 31:6 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is ..." ~ Joshua 1:9 ... the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. ~ Proverbs 3:25-26 ... He said to them, "Where is your faith?" ... ~ Luke 8:24-25 "... They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, ..." ~ Proverbs 1:27-29 To receive the blessing of His protection one must believe. Without faith there is no reward. Yet they say to God, 'Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways. ... ~ Job 21:14-15 The question is what is knowledge. Knowledge without spirituality is prejudice without regard, regard for God in His creation, which is a rejection of ultimate knowledge. Denying spirituality rejects the greater depths of why we are. The shallow see no profit in that which is larger than self. Concerning evolution, more a de-evolution is occurring as extinctions and mutations are on the rise, knowledge. Nothing greater than man is a poor premise in approaching all that is higher. Stubborn hearts fester bitterness and hold blindness to all these higher truths. Love is not so random that God had no hand in our hopeful awaking in Him. Infinite beauty surpasses all that can be known as we are. That is why it is called faith, a construct of God Himself to test souls of the gifts He gives, life itself. Wickedness by definition is no desire for God. ... When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. ~ Proverbs 10:24-25 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." ~ Revelation 21:8 Choices will define one’s destination          ● Cowardly          ● Unbelieving          ● Abominable          ● Murderers          ● Sexually Immoral                    ● Sorcerers          ● Idolaters          ● All Liars ... may speak boldly, as I ought speak. ~ Ephesians 6:19-20 ... most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. ~ Philippians 1:14 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ~ Hebrews 4:16 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" ~ Hebrews13:6 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech -- ~ 2nd Corinthians 3:12 ... preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, ... ~ Acts 28:31 ... Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. ~ Ephesians 3:11-12 God’s intent is to redeem souls in a spirit of truth  He accomplished eternal purpose             ⮡  In Christ Jesus our Lord                             ↓       → In whom we have boldness           and access with confidence                   ⮡  Through faith in Him   RatsOrLionsAM2.mp3 (25m 01s) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~ 2nd Timothy 1:7 In the strength of spirit mountains become hills   God has given us a spirit:                         → of love                       → of power                       → of a sound mind It is God’s own working that victory comes through faith in the power of love settling the mind. The root of power and a sound mind is love. Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." ~ Matthew 8:19 ... But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." ~ Luke 9:58-60 Many of us look back upon the ages of our lives and have regrets, it is hard not to. Only an arrogant liar could say life holds no regrets. Looking back is not necessarily as severe as going back. ... "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." ~ Luke 9:61-62 Priorities put what is best as our concern              Faith - Jesus                   Family              Business              Property                  Faith - Jesus         Family     Business     Property It is when one conquers a vice or bad habit, that desire to return to that defeating behavior can begin to entice a soul; Smoking, drinking, pornography. For the battle against sin to be won one must plow forward burying the past’s wicked desires. That is why He calls us to meditate on those things from above, not the lower desires of flesh. The flesh is a test to see if we are able to overcome and or control desire. Turning away from the sayings and instructions of Jesus is what will condemn a soul, this is simple truth. Concerning priorities, yes we have them. Family, jobs, investments. Without placing the highest priority on the spirit places that which is most valuable as often ignored or discarded. Desiring sin’s experiences more than God’s goodness in defined noble qualities looks back upon the evil that will devour a soul. ... However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews. ~ John 7:11-13 Religious institutions or leadership that hush the congregation often hide behind their sinful weapon of fear; “You’re bad for not believing us.” Faith is found through Jesus and not makings of men's own delusions. ... for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. ~ John 12:42-43 Many have shadow faith especially when fear of man causes a lack of trust in God. It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. ~ Psalms 118:8 ... "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, ... ~ Matthew 26:55-56 Many profess faith as long as it is convenient. As soon as faith demands sacrifice, no offering is made to please God, rather selfish whims set in pursuit of what is dreadful, and perhaps later, regretful. The trick is not following what makes one guilty, but commanding the flesh to rise in that higher sense of justice and decency. What would Jesus do always a consideration. ... Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. ~ Mark 14:53-54 ... "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed. ~ John 18:25-27 ... And when he thought about it, he wept. ~ Mark 14:72 ... Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. ~ Galatians 2:11-12 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? ~ Psalms 118:6 ... But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. ~ Acts 10:28 "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, ... ~ Isaiah 51:12 ... do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense ... ~ 1st Peter 3:14-15 ... For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ~ 1st Peter 3:16-17 The call is to do good works under and through those things Jesus brought to our attention. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. ~ 1st John 4:17 Depth of character comes by belief in God ● Fear of man is destructive but trust in God saves ● Heart sorrows cause the spirit to desire fleeing ● Be of good courage for the Lord will not forsake you ● No matter how horrific God’s lifting Spirit is there ● Faith is trust that God can calm all storms ● Without God terrors will be endured alone ● The righteous will inherit an everlasting foundation ● God gives us sound minds with the power of love ● People lack spiritual commitment when desires rule ● Fear often inhibits one’s strength to speak truthfully ● Desiring praise from men curtails praise for God ● Showing bias to impress men displeases God ● Sanctify God in your heart knowing faith’s reasons Faith has no question God cannot answer. Darkness seizes upon the heart of terror.