Thanks Jenise, a great start to this 'season' (sadly no longer just a day) - even though I'm a little late to the party! Over the years my wife and I have simply learned not to fear. Not by learning not to fear, but through learning to trust the Lord in everything. In Philippians 4 Paul encourages us to not be anxious about anything but instead take everything to God, and in doing so we receive His peace.
Our neighbourhood has become 'Spooksville' but I know the peace of Christ we carry trumps every ounce of fear, anxiety, 'innocent halloweening' and those with darker intent. When we truly believe that God is above all things, that Christ is seated with Him there, and that we too have been given that privilege, then peace rather than fear becomes the norm and our living reality.
What's good about Halloween (All Hallow's Eve) is that it is followed by All Saint's Day (Nov 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2). Just like Easter follows Good Friday, the good always follows evil and not vice versa.
I am so pleased that my church is having a special service on Halloween evening to pray against all that is going on that night. I hope other churches are also engaged in a night of spiritual warfare just like ours.
Absolute sovereignty: total control over everything, good or bad, meaning all things that happen are in subjection to GOD, having complete dominion over all things, events, and all creation, supreme without limitations, eternal, almighty, only the LORD alone is truly Sovereign.
Jesus asks us, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
Mark 4:35-41 NLT "As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So, they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?"
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"
"Why are we afraid? Do we still have no faith?"
Should we be afraid of anything that threatens us when the LORD has complete control over everything? Is He not still Sovereign? Are we not in His care even when disaster comes upon us? If it doesn't appear, the LORD is still in control. He is because His plans are always perfect.
We think everything in our lives must be problem-free for us to be in GOD's Loving care. We ask ourselves, aren't we those blessed by the LORD and living an abundant life? Haven't we been chosen to be a part of His Kingdom? Yes, this is why we are in this storm. To cause us to trust Him more when all seems lost. Do we truly have faith? Do we really believe that GOD Loves us?
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7 NLT
The storms are for our benefit, not to make us less but more, not weaker but stronger, to turn our sufferings into us being more steadfast, better able to persevere. Does the LORD still Love us? Yes, even more than we can understand, so where is our faith? Are we still afraid?
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 ESV
Don't be afraid because the LORD is still with us. Yes, He will never leave us!
Thank You, Jesus!
GOD bless you all!
Mark 4 - Why Are You Afraid? || Bible in Song || Project of Love
Brother James, quoting the book of James, wonderful!
"Count it all joy...."
LORD God, we know this world is affected by the fall, by humans' disobedience and rebellion long ago. One day, all will be made new by You. Therefore, help us to be steadfast in faith, firm in our belief in and loyalty to you. Amen.
Thanks Jenise, a great start to this 'season' (sadly no longer just a day) - even though I'm a little late to the party! Over the years my wife and I have simply learned not to fear. Not by learning not to fear, but through learning to trust the Lord in everything. In Philippians 4 Paul encourages us to not be anxious about anything but instead take everything to God, and in doing so we receive His peace.
Our neighbourhood has become 'Spooksville' but I know the peace of Christ we carry trumps every ounce of fear, anxiety, 'innocent halloweening' and those with darker intent. When we truly believe that God is above all things, that Christ is seated with Him there, and that we too have been given that privilege, then peace rather than fear becomes the norm and our living reality.
Amen, brother Steve!
He gives us His “shalom” that passes all understanding! He’s a good, good Father!
What's good about Halloween (All Hallow's Eve) is that it is followed by All Saint's Day (Nov 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2). Just like Easter follows Good Friday, the good always follows evil and not vice versa.
Absolutely, Napoleon, amen!
I am so pleased that my church is having a special service on Halloween evening to pray against all that is going on that night. I hope other churches are also engaged in a night of spiritual warfare just like ours.
Amen!
That’s my hope as well.
Maybe mine will do something similar next year. I’ll talk with the prayer team.
“Whom Shall I Fear?”, by Chris Tomlinson (on YouTube)
https://youtu.be/q24z4XcJxnM?si=wx3oeF7QjYJA1uJ7
GOD bless you, sister Jenise, and yours.
Absolute sovereignty: total control over everything, good or bad, meaning all things that happen are in subjection to GOD, having complete dominion over all things, events, and all creation, supreme without limitations, eternal, almighty, only the LORD alone is truly Sovereign.
Jesus asks us, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
Mark 4:35-41 NLT "As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So, they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?"
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"
"Why are we afraid? Do we still have no faith?"
Should we be afraid of anything that threatens us when the LORD has complete control over everything? Is He not still Sovereign? Are we not in His care even when disaster comes upon us? If it doesn't appear, the LORD is still in control. He is because His plans are always perfect.
We think everything in our lives must be problem-free for us to be in GOD's Loving care. We ask ourselves, aren't we those blessed by the LORD and living an abundant life? Haven't we been chosen to be a part of His Kingdom? Yes, this is why we are in this storm. To cause us to trust Him more when all seems lost. Do we truly have faith? Do we really believe that GOD Loves us?
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7 NLT
The storms are for our benefit, not to make us less but more, not weaker but stronger, to turn our sufferings into us being more steadfast, better able to persevere. Does the LORD still Love us? Yes, even more than we can understand, so where is our faith? Are we still afraid?
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 ESV
Don't be afraid because the LORD is still with us. Yes, He will never leave us!
Thank You, Jesus!
GOD bless you all!
Mark 4 - Why Are You Afraid? || Bible in Song || Project of Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S8PPO-HgxY
Brother James, quoting the book of James, wonderful!
"Count it all joy...."
LORD God, we know this world is affected by the fall, by humans' disobedience and rebellion long ago. One day, all will be made new by You. Therefore, help us to be steadfast in faith, firm in our belief in and loyalty to you. Amen.
Yes!
Psalm 23 -”yea tho i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil for thou art withme. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Awesome reminder, Kim!
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies."
No fear allowed at Jesus' feast. Just sit down and enjoy His presence!