Friday, February 28, 2014

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFRAID"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFRAID"
Here are six reasons to not be afraid, when you find yourself being afraid. And, six Scriptures to explain why you do not have to be afraid. Followed by a prayer:
1. Do not be afraid when you do not know what to do. God promises to guide you.
2nd Kings 1:5 And the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king.
2. Do not be afraid when you hear people talking contrary to what God has said in His Word. God's Word alone is true.
Isaiah 37:6 And Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me.
3. Do not be afraid when you have to face those in power or authority. God is the one who is above them, and He rules over the kings of the earth.
2nd Chronicles 32:7 “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him.
4. Do not be afraid when you are weak, and without strength. God will be your strength, He will strengthen you.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
5. Do not be afraid when you are following God's will which might end up in embarrassment or criticism. God's Wisdom is foolish in man's eyes, and vice versa.
Matthew 1:20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
6. Do not be afraid when God blesses you unexpectedly. Receive God's Blessings with innocence and gratitude, and enjoy them. He gave them to you.
Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
A prayer:
Lord, there is that hymn that says "count your blessings" Well, Lord, one blessing we can count up, are the hundreds and hundreds of times in Your Word that You address the subject of fear in Your people. And, You tell us not to fear, and You give us good reasons, and explanations to back it up. So, This day, we would like to say, "THANK YOU" You are so in love with us, and so caring, and so attentive, and so concerned, and You do not want us to be afraid of anything, or anyone. You have the bases covered, and You are the Lord God Almighty. There is no one greater then You. In Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.