“Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1 KJV). 62 times in the KJV, we are told to “fear not.” Fear is an emotion capable of causing great harm in humans. Our physical body can be so greatly impacted by fear, it can cause death, as witnessed by Nabal, when he found that David was coming to slay him but was intercepted and prevented by Abigail’s wise actions. Nabal’s “heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died” (1Samuel 25:37-38). Fear of God, by comparison, is a right relationship with Him, who is the source of life and the only means of escaping death. “Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread” (Isaiah 8:13). Fear of God is the positive emotion of trusting Him who is worthy of our trust. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).
Author: Ken
How to Accomplish Something Good
“A Wasted Life” is not what any of us want memorializing us once we’ve departed this life, but our desire for recognition needs to be squarely placed at the feet of our Master. “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21,23 KJV). Do you have a pet whose chief desire is your attention and approbation? A wagging tail and a doggie smile when they have been acknowledged? We’re more like that than we realize. Atta boy! Good girl! Not condescending for our pets, but we’re loved better by our Master than we treat our favored, time absorbing balls of fur. May we elevate our understanding of our relationship to the LORD, when He holds communion with us and explains to us what he is trying to accomplish with our existence. Who wouldn’t love such a Master! LORD, may we give back to You the love You have shown to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Satan Benefits From Our Ignorance
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10 KJV). Though our adversary the devil desires the glory of the Almighty, he does some of his best work because of our lack of understanding of his diabolical plan of action. Our failure to comprehend his scheme of opposition to God’s design for our life is necessary so we will not fully embrace our true victory in Jesus — that the “power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Corinthians 12:9). The benefits of our ignorance are his, while he delays his final judgment, for he knows limited power can never defeat Omnipotence. He must satisfy himself with putting off as long as possible his final demise. Our goal then is to more fully investigate, understand, and put into action the “power of Christ” (12:9) that rests upon us. That power brings us into complete union with God. LORD, teach us the meaning of the “power of Christ” (12:9) that Your kingdom would come and Your will would be done on earth as it is in Heaven, in Jesus’ name we request it. Amen and amen.
Not for You to Know the Times or the Seasons
Jesus clearly wants His Church focused upon the power of the Holy Spirit working in His people witnessing of Him to the world, not the times and dates of His return. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:6-8 KJV). Then, why study Bible prophecy? Because the Church needs a clear idea of the Father’s strategic plan for the ages. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). We cannot and should not dictate the times and dates under the Father’s “own authority“ (Acts 1:7 NIV), but for us to “look for Him” (Hebrews 9:28 KJV) assuages our fears that everything is out of control, and it doesn’t look good for the Church. Prophecy gives us hope for the future, stability to keep doing what the Spirit directed us, and comfort in our Father’s foreknowledge. Worry not, but be encouraged, for Jesus said, “Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12). Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Accentuate the Positive
Traffic slows on the freeway when there is an accident on the opposite side of the median strip — going the other direction! Why? Lookie-Lous [“Hey, look at that accident, Lou!”] even momentarily paying attention to someone else’s problem, cause snarled freeway traffic for a mile. Hard not to do it! News agencies say, “If it bleeds, it leads,” not just the tabloids next to the checkout aisles at the grocery store. The public views stories about sensationalism, and viewers attract advertising dollars readily. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2 KJV). Lofty sentiment, but it takes a True Believer to make it work. Our job is to set the example for the world to follow, not simply to follow the world. If no one listens, then that’s the Holy Spirit’s problem. Only God can work that in anyone. LORD, make us the “light of the world. A city that is set on an hill” (Matthew 5:14) to give Your Spirit the opportunity needed to bring people into a right relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, work that in us and them, we pray. Amen.
Jesus Said It Would Be This Way
When the world is making it hard to ignore all the calamities and tragedies all around us, then we are experiencing more than the everyday difficulties usually befalling us. Jesus did not come to bring a message of doom and destruction to the world, but to bring us the hope of forgiveness, restoration, and a new life in fellowship with Him. He only warned us about the tribulation we’d experience because we can’t escape this world without it. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV). Jesus overcame, so we, too, would continually be overcoming. ‘Jesus said it would be this way’ is the theme of prophecy, so we should not become distracted by the calamities and quit living the supernatural, overcoming life of disciples of Jesus Christ. Then, God is glorified, and we will do the good we should. In the meantime, Lord Jesus come quickly, and help me to do all the good I can before the Father declares, Time is up, and we go Home. Amen.
Earthquake Rattles Northeast Cities (US)
Not the San Andreas fault of California, but New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC were hit with a 4.7-4.8 earthquake on Friday morning April 5, 2024 at 10:30 AM. Little damage or injuries, but the shallowness of the quake (5 km depth) made it easier for everyone to feel the shaking. The epicenter was just NE of Lebanon, NJ. As if the LORD is trying to get the attention of Americans to the grave crisis playing out in Lebanon of the Middle East, where the Israelis just assassinated senior Iranian commanders in Syria, threatening further enlargement of the proxy war Iran is conducting against Israel and the United States in Gaza and US military bases in the Middle East. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Matthew 24:7 KJV). Remember, fulfillment of prophetic events, such as earthquakes, should calm us that the Father has everything under control. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Asymmetric Warfare
History is full of warring parties whose relative military powers differ significantly. This is asymmetric warfare. David versus Goliath. American colonists versus the British regular forces. The Viet Cong versus the American military. Hamas versus the Israelis. Do the weak actors, rebels, or insurgents always win? No. The underdog Americans won against the British in the American Revolution, but the more industrial Union defeated the more agrarian Confederacy in the American Civil War. Nations rise and fall because of the Unseen Hand of God. “6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in Mine hand, O house of Israel. 7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; 8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. 9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 10 If it do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them” (Jeremiah 18:6-10 KJV).
Exposing Antisemitism
Disagreeing with Israeli conduct in Gaza is not necessarily antisemitism. Differing with a Two State Solution does not necessarily oppose or support the Jews. Antisemitism is hatred of the Jews because they are Jews. Jews are racially traced back to the biblical Hebrews, are religiously adherents of Judaism, or both. Antisemitism is sin because it hates the Jews for being Jews, whom God loves. “Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 10:15 KJV). Even in the NT, God continues His love for the Jews. “I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin” (Romans 11:1). “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). Not only will you find peace, but Gaza will, too.
Understanding Anger and Hate
“God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11 KJV). “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil” (97:10). For the godly, anger is an emotional displeasure aroused by wrong, while hate is an intense dislike or hostility toward evil. It is right to be angry with wickedness attempting to control your conduct, and proper to hate evil finding its place in your heart. Bigotry and injustice can only occur when God is ignored. “Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9 NET). LORD, establish within us a holy hatred of sin, a fervent anger against wickedness, and a zealous love of righteousness that we may be as You are. Amen and amen.
We Need A Miracle 
You must be logged in to post a comment.