The Joy of the Lord is our strength.

What is the Joy of the Lord

Ne. 8: 10 "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

(Notes from sermon, typos add to its authenticity. :))

The word joy in its self brings a good feeling to all of us.  The Bible mentions it some 218 times in the NIV version.

I am so glad we have the Joy of the Lord!

Noah why are you building that ark after all these years of mockery?

"Because the Joy of the Lord is my strength"

Abraham how can you even consider sacrificing your only son?

"Because the Joy of the Lord is my strength"

Ester how can you face the King during this time?  You know that our people are being persicuted!

"Because the Joy of the Lord is my strength"

Mosees!  Don't you realize how powerful Pharoh is?  He will destroy you!

"Because the Joy of the Lord is my strength"

Peter, how can you stand up and preach truth when you denied you even knew HIM?

"Because the Joy of the Lord is my strength"

Saint of God how are you going to make it through this trial you are in?

"Because the Joy of the Lord is my strength"

How are you going to live a victorious life?

"Because the Joy of the Lord is my strength"

Scripture is full of references to the Joy of the Lord:

Lev   9: 24they shouted for j and fell facedown.

1Ch  16: 27strength and j in his dwelling place.

1Ch  16: 33they will sing for j before the LORD,

Ezr   3: 12while many others shouted for j.

Ezr   3: 13sound of the shouts of j from the sound of weeping,

Ezr   6: 22because the LORD had filled them with j by

1Ch  12: 40for there was j in IsraelPs  

20:  5We will shout for j when you are victorious and

Ps   21:  1How great is his j in the victories you give!

Ps   21:  6made him glad with the j of your presence.

Ps   27:  6at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of j;

Ps   28:  7My heart leaps for j and I will give thanks to

Ps   20:  5We will shout for j when you are victorious and

Ps   65: 13they shout for j and sing.

Ps   66:  1Shout with j to God, all the earth!

Ps   67:  4May the nations be glad and sing for j, for you

Ps   71: 23My lips will shout for j when I sing praise to

Ps   81:  1Sing for j to God our strength; shout aloud to

We are told by His word to express our joy to him and those around us.

I don't think a negative spirit is expressing joy.

I don't think talking against the pastor is expressing joy.

I don't believe that closing the bars or night club is expressing our joy in HIM!

I also don't believe that being so spiritual that your no earthly good is expressing our joy in Him either!

the Bible says the joy of the Lord is our strength,

As I looked into this issue of JOY, I only found three things that are refferred to as causing God Joy or to rejoice!

There are a lot of passages that refer to reasons for us to rejoice but what about Him.

Isn't that why we were created?  To serve Him, To worship Hime?

The first:     Deut 28:63  "And it shall come to pass, that as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.

 The Lord rejoices over the performce of his Word, to bless and to curse!

Why can these dry bones live Jerimiah? The Lord rejoices over the performce of his Word

Why did the storm stop? The Lord rejoices over the performce of his Word

Why was it that Jesus took just a little to long to get to Lazurus? The Lord rejoices over the performce of His Word.

Why was it that the Children of Israel were trapped between the sea and the great Egyptian Army? The Lord rejoices over the performce of his Word

His word is Powerful!

His word is Mighty!

His word is Annointed!

The Joy of the Lord is our strength!

It brings Him joy to see the performance of His word!  And His JOY IS OUR STRENGTH!

the second one is the return of one lost sheep

Matt 18:11-13 "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost . 12.How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13. And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

If you are having a lack of joy in your life and you are a blood bought saint of God, here's your answer:  FIND A LOST SHEEP AND BRING THEM TO THE FLOCK!

It will bring Joy to the Lord!  And His Joy is Our STRENGTH!

The third one is the revealing of His Glory (His bride)

I Peter 4:13 "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

It says that ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

If we're going to be glad "also" then someone else has to be glad first.

I suppose you could say that is a little evangelistic license but it's pretty
safe to say He'll be glad at the sighting of His bride

He is looking for His bride.

To be a partaker of His joy through out eternity you need to deside if you are His bride.

The Bible teaches only one way to get to heaven

You have two choices.

1.     Realize that you can be a partaker of His joy.  And repent, be Baptized and experience the Gift of the Holy Ghost, (joy unspeakable and full of glory) see Acts 2:38 or Bible study on first page @ http://www.havenofhope.us

2.     Or you can refuse Him and spend the better part of your life in misery and dispare which will eventually lead you to a place of eternal death.

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!  For the Joy of the Lord is our Strength!

The Blessing of a Repented Spirit

(notes from sermon preached in 2010 @ Haven of Hope)

Hebrews 12:17

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Lincoln Proclaims National Fast Day

 Abraham Lincoln wrote an address to the nation during the Civil War that was at least as important as the Gettysburg Address.

 It was his proclamation for a national fast-day, by which he did designate and set apart Thursday the 30th day of April 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer.

 Lincoln wrote: “It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.

 “The awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people.

 “Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

 “It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

—The Bible Friend

^[1]

There is a blessing to be had when we are living a life of repentance. 

A life that says I choose Christ over my flesh,

Christ over desire,

Christ over indulganece,

Christ over self-sufficiency,

Christ over Annalytical thinking,

Christ over social significance,

Christ over…..

I want us to consider something the Apostle Peter had to say on the subject of blessing.

1 Peter 3:9-17

9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness 'sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

In verse 9 Peters is saying, “Do not impair your blessing by fearing man's terror in your times of adversity.”

We cannot always be exactly of the same mind, yet we should have compassion for one another, love as brothers and sisters in Chrsit.

Peter is saying that if we want to live comfortably on earth, or to possess eternal life in heaven, we must bridle our tounge from wicked, abusive, or deceitful words.  Leave eveil actions and do all the good we can.  To seek peace with all men!

Why?  It is His desire to bless us. 

He is a blessing God!

But we must not forget our text this morning.  He desires to bless, he desires all these things for us but Cain would not inherit the blessing of God because he found no place of repentance.

Notice “he sought it carefully with tears.”   Just because you shed some tear, just because you come to an alter area in a church setting or at home on your couch you have a break down and start talking to your creator with tears in your eyes, does not mean you have a repented spirit!

God help us to have a spirit of repentance come over us that says,

I want the real deal Lord.

I don’t want to live after my flesh Lord.

I don’t want to pursue my self interest but your Lord.

I no longer want to look for the reasons why I can serve you Lord,

Forgive me Jesus, I want my sacrifice to be pleasing in your eyes. 

Don't despaired in your dilemma!

Three Hebrew children, the fourth never came out of the fire.  He is still in the fire for you!

What was waiting for Cain had he simply repented?  There was a blessing waiting.

Don't rob yourself of blessing due to your stubbornness, He stands in the fire! He's waiting to bless you.

Repentance is an about face, a turning from sin to Christ!  It's not just words but a conscious decision.

Repent from what?  Sin, what is sin?  Sin is anything that is anti-God.  Sin is anything that inhibits our relationship with Christ.

That’s a strong statement.  The Word of God says, to know to do right and not to do it is a sin!

I would that each of us would do some soul searching this morning.  There is a blessing to be had in a repented spirit!  A blessing to totally submit and consecrate our life to Him!

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^[1]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations  : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.

Walls and the Manger

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible."[1]   Luke 1:26-37

Mary is visited by Gabriel, wow can you imagine.  Gabriel saying, “thou art highly favored…” continuing, “though shalt bring forth a son and shalt call His name Jesus, and He shall save His people from their sins.”  Abraham, Joshua, Ezekiel, non of them could accomplish what this child was to accomplish.

She goes and visits Elizabeth the soon to be mother of John the Baptist.  Elizabeth was having a child in her old age.  I wonder if she was simply wanting to see if this miracle thing really could happen?

Mary goes and spends 3 months with Elizabeth, saying I’m going to stay in the place of a miracle for a while.  Sometimes you have to live in the place of miracles, not just hear about them but live in a place that they are happening.

Break down the wall of unbelief and admit that this is a reality in my life!  This miracle will be born and I was there to be part of it for myself.  This thing, or this life that no one else seems to think you can live, you can have, you can obtain.  Surround yourself with people that have!

Just this week one of my hero’s made this statement to me that he heard from another preacher, “Go where your celebrated, not were your tolerated.”

Notice what Luke said because of Zacharius’ unbelief:

²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.^[1] Luke 1:20

God said this child will be born but if you refuse to believe then I will make you dumb so you can not speak.  Some people can’t speak the miracoulus because they don’t believe the miracoulous!

We go from this story to that of Mary and Joseph.  What obstacles they faced to get to that manger.

• ·      Herod is taxing the people. They must leave and go to the place that Joseph comes from.  A Wall Goes Up!
• His yet to be wife is expecting a child. A Wall Goes Up!
• They arrive in Bethlehem and cannot find a room. A Wall Goes Up!
• They end up in a stable, a barn, an unsanitary environment to birth a child. A Wall Goes Up!
• The wait of the world upon their shoulders and NOTHING is going their way. A Wall Goes Up!

Yet God says, this is all part of My plan and it’s up to you Mary, it’s up to you Joseph as to what happens with these walls, that seem to be popping up all around you.  Walls are going up all around a divine appointment.  The salvation of the world is nearing its birth yet  a battle is on to bust through the walls that are being established:

Walls of:

• Insecurity (What’s everyone thinking of us)
• Judgmentalism (Is this really a virgin birth?)
• Inadequacy (Who am I to cary such a precious gift)
• Trust Issues (Mary are you sure this was of the Holy Spirit)
• Exhaustion (How can we do this, we are tired.  This taxation has strained us)

These walls could not stop them from arriving at that manger that day.

What walls are stopping you from reaching your Christ, reaching your miracle?  What is holding you back from your salvation?  What is stopping you from living your life in the freedom and power of the Holy Ghost?  What walls are holding you back from pursuing the call of God on your?

Is it depression?

Doubt?

Fear?

Anger?

Abuse of the past or perhaps present?

Perhaps you need to take today and make up their mind that nothing is going to stop you from making it to that manger?  Making it to that Christ child. 

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^[1]The Holy Bible  : King James Version. 1995 (electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.) (Lk 1:20). Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Eccentric Christianity

I woke up this morning with Jesus on my mind while reminiscing of all the “eccentric” people I have known over the years, many of which were Christians and many were not.  Some questions arose within me such as what does it really mean to be a Christian?  There must be a standard, and point of reference.  A Christian is one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ according to Webster, yet I come across many who profess this yet do not live this.  They deviate from the Biblical norm of Christianity. 

Merriam-Webster dictionary states that eccentric means

a : deviating from an established or usual pattern or style
b : deviating from conventional or accepted usage or conduct especially in odd    whimsical ways

I’m ever amazed at peoples proud approach to living an eccentric lifestyle.  While there is nothing necessarily wrong with living in such a manner, and I may have some eccentric ways about myself, it certainly can be off putting to those we rub shoulders with.  

Christianity is a result of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.  Somehow we have a world of “Christians” that are living an eccentric Christianity lifestyle.  They “deviate” from the established or usual patter or style.  While in life this can be a adventuress and well excepted means of living I’m challenged as I write this by the Word of God:

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  Acts 2:42

I’m not convinced that eccentric Christianity is the accepted practice according to the scripture.  Modern day Christians need to go back to the Word of God, ask the relevant questions.  What did the apostles teach?  What was their message?  Are all these new fades in Christianity acceptable?

There may be different forms of worship, different structure of a church service; some churches have a casual atmosphere (i.e. Jeans and t-shirts) others are more formal (i.e. Suit and tie).  This is not what disturbs me, what disturbs me is the deviation from what the Apostles taught and preached.  They were the original Christians!  They were monotheistic in their views, they were more interested in people than temples, they were more concerned with spreading the Gospel (the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection). 

I leave you with this question, are you an Eccentric Christian or are you following the original, established patterns and conduct of the early church?

If this short thought challenges you to reinvestigate were you are at in your relationship with Christ, or you want to solidify your beliefs from the Word of God rather than from acceptance of what you have heard over a pulpit rather than seeing for yourself in the Bible, your welcome to follow this link and encouraged to complete the Bible study you’ll find on this page. (use Microsoft explorer or Google chrome)

http://havenofhope.us/InteractiveBibleStudy.html

Bring it on!

Bring it On!

Deut 30:12-14

12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?  13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?  14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.  KJV

When I was a bit younger I can remember students in school getting all tough and macho and picking fights with one another.  One of the famous lines used was, “ok…man…bring it on….show me what you got!”

As I sat tonight knowing it had been some time since my last blog, my spirit is declaring to the enemy in a very LOUD voice - "I will not hide, I will not turn away!"   “Bring it on!”

The Word of God tells me it isn’t when I get to heaven that I should say bring it unto us, it’s not beyond the sea that I should say it…for His word is very nigh unto thee! Speak the Word!

He may think that he can tempt us but as v14 says, “the Word” is very close.

Jesus when he was on the mount declared that “it is written”.   Friend we have nothing to fear!  We have nothing to be ashamed of!   When we feel an attack of the enemy we need to stand tall and proud and say, “BRING IT ON!”

I can hear the following say, “Bring it on!” when:

Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal.

Moses when he faced Pharaoh ….

Stephen when he was stoned to death…

David when he faced Goliath!

Gideon when he faced an army of thousands with only a few men.

John the baptist when he came out of the wilderness

Peter when he preached on the day of Pentecost!

We need to stand tall!  We need to stand on the street corner, union halls, school grounds were ever we are and shout to the enemy, “Bring it on!”

We are going to win this nation for Jesus Christ!

It's been on my mind...

I can’t help myself but to choose this topic to write about.  It is something that is on my mind every day that God chooses to allow me to be part of what He is doing.  Do we truly realize the value of a soul?  We know the scripture, Mark 8:36-38, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”  How often do we stop there and not read on.  “Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

This word ashamed is of interest to me.  I for one do not want to be ashamed when He standing in judgment.  Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words has this to say about the word ashamed in this portion of scripture:

ASHAMED (TO BE), SHAME

To have a feeling of fear or shame which prevents a person from doing a thing

(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

I am convinced that we as children of God are not lacking in our understanding of the value of a soul from the point of view of eternity and all that stands with that, yet we haven’t personally won someone to the Lord.  Could it be that what we don’t understand is that we are proving to be “ashamed”?    We could easily replace this word with the word “afraid”.  An American preacher, Jeff Arnold, once said, “Fear is faith in the devil.”  What a powerful thought provoking statement.

Fear is an amazing creature.  Fear is something that we don’t want to admit we have hidden in our heart, in our home, in our life, in our marriage.  It’s often like the pit pull dog that bites down and won’t let go.  We don’t teach a Bible Study, why?  Not because of lack of time, rather more often it is because of fear.  We don’t pay our tithes, why?  Fear!  We are afraid that the bills won’t be paid or that our savings plan won’t go as scheduled.  We don’t admit when we are wrong.  Why? Try these for answers: fear, guilt, shame, doubt!

The apostle said in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

That which you fear is exactly what you will serve.  Christ is looking for the unashamed in Botswana.  Are you one of them?  Does your life show the world that you understand the value of a soul, starting with yours first?

It was when God was quiet (Moses had not returned) that the people made their selves a golden calf.  It is in the desert when God is not displaying His power that our true nature comes out!  The children of Israel made an idol out of God’s blessings!  Do we do the same?  (“Bless me and I’ll serve You!”)

God seeks for men like Joshua, who wanted to be as close to God’s presence as possible.  He stayed by the mountain for forty days while Moses was with God.

God’s question to you:

Isaiah 57:11  And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

NKJV  “Is it not because I have held My peace from of old that you do not fear Me?”

You will serve who you fear!  Does God have to continually impress you so you will fear Him, or can you simply return the love He gives to you?  Do you value His desires above your own?

Let the words of Joshua stay with you as you prayerfully consider your understanding of what is important to God.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Josh 24:15

Fear

The following are notes from a recent sermon at Haven of Hope.  Hope it is a blessing to those who read it and I hope that you can make sense of my notes. :)

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.   Ex 14:13

2 Tim 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear ; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

KJV

It was about 1:30 am and I was around 8 years old.  It was summer time and the fan was running.  It was a loud fan that was in the shape of a square and sate on the floor.  I had too much soda the night before and had to take a trip to another room to take care of some business.  As I returned to my bed, I walked inosently past the fan when the loud scream and a hand reached out from the fan and grabed my leg.

It was my brother Jim.  Jim always like to scare people.  We shared the same room our whole life and he would always try to scare me.  He would say things like, “Rick, don’t look now…but there is a hand reaching out from beneath your bed.” Or “Do you see the man sitting in the closet.” Or “Do you see the head floating in the corner?”

He was something else.  It wasn’t until one day I made up my mind that I wasn’t’ going to allow fear to control my life that I was able to shake off the many years of him tormenting me with his “scary” stories.

Fear is something that can be very healthy.  It is something that is very scriptural. A healthy fear is reverence or respect. The Bible teaches that children are to respect their parents (Lev 19:3), wives are to respect their husbands (Eph 5:33). The Scriptures also declare that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov 1:7) as well as "the beginning of wisdom" (Prov 16:16).

We fear what we have reverence for.  We fear what we respect.

Example:

• Burn yourself one time and you will have a respect for fire.
• Be taken to the Police station and be treated like a criminal, you may earn respect for the law.
• Have a near drowning experience in a large body of water, and you will have greater respect (or fear) of the water.

We need to avoid harmful fear, a sense of terror or dread. Believers are instructed not to fear human beings (Matt 10:28; Phil 1:28), because they cannot ultimately harm us. Wicked men, however, are constantly fearing other people, especially the righteous (Prov 28:1; Matt 14:5; Rom 13:3-4). Such fear causes them to act deceitfully in an attempt to hide their sins (2 Sam 11; Matt 28:4-15).

Be leery of those amongst us who want to cause you fear, who bring in confusion!  It is not of God!  Scripture declares that it is an attempt for them to hide their sins!!!

1 Cor 14:33

For God is not the author of confusion , but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

KJV

This kind of fear is not from God!  This kind of fear is not of GOD!!!!!

Our problem is that oh too often our respect (fear) is for Satan himself!  We allow him to implant fear in our hearts, in our minds, in our souls!  The big question he wants us to ask is:  What if…this what if that….

What if my friends don’t except me…

What if my family disowns me…

What if I can’t live this life of Holiness…

What if I take that step of faith and fall down…

What if I listen to the voice of God but times get rough?

What if!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We fear the future for our selves, families, and yes even the church!

A family was awakened by their smoke detector in the middle of the night to discover that their house was on fire. The father ran into the upstairs bedroom of his children and carried his eighteen-month-old baby in his arms while dragging his four-year-old son by the hand.

They were halfway down the stairs when the little boy remembered that he had left his teddy bear in the bedroom, so he broke free from his father’s hand and ran back to the bedroom to retrieve it. In the furor and confusion, the father didn’t notice that his son wasn’t with him until he got outside. By now the little boy was trapped by the flames and smoke in his second-story bedroom. Smoke swirled around him and he coughed and cried out from the upstairs window, “Daddy, Daddy! Help me!”

His father yelled from below, “Jump out of the window, Andy! I’ll catch you!”

In the darkness and smoke, the little boy yelled back, “But Daddy! I can’t see you!”

Daddy shouted back, “That’s okay, son. I can see you! Jump!”

There is a true saying that goes, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future.” Do you worry about the future? Are you afraid of what you can’t see? Does it seem dark and smoky? None of us can see what lies ahead, but God tells us to trust him and “jump!”

Fear caused:

• Adam to attempt to shift responsibility for his sin on Eve.
• Abraham to call his wife his sister.
• Isaac to call his wife his sister.
• Jacob in flying from Laban.
• Aaron in giving in to the Isralites when they demanded him to make an idol.
• The ten spies who only saw the giants.
•  The Isralites in Failing to fight Goliath.
• 20,000 of Gideons army.
• Samuel, fearing to obey God’s command to anoint a king in Sauls place.
• David in fleeing from Absalom.
• During the storm at sea….saw Jesus walking on water.
• Pilot condemning Jesus for fear of the people.
• The Philipian Jailer…

The list could go on and on!  

I feel like Moses this moring, God wants you to hear this message!  Stop worrying about what you can not control!  Your worry is nothing more than FEAR!

I’ve got news for you Devil!

• David did kill Goliath!
• Gideon was not defeated!
• Jesus calmed the waters!
• The philipian jailer did not kill himself!
• The Egyptian army was killed in that great sea!
• The dry bones did live!
• Lazurus did come forth!
• The lame man was healed!
• Peter did make things right and preached on the day of Pentecost!
• There is only ONE GOD and His Name is Jesus!
• He is not dead but He is Alive!
• WE ARE NOT AFRAID!

STAND STILL and SEE the Salvation of the Lord!!!!!!