NO FEAR

 

No fear

 

    We have just two messages left in our summer in the Psalms series.  We have been looking at Psalms 111 which is an acrostic psalm talking about the characteristics of God and then Psalm 112, which is our response to the truth we learn from Psalm 111.  Ezra who is the author of these two psalms had an objective.  He was using the Hebrew alphabet in two forms.  One, to teach the people how to learn the Hebrew language, and secondly, to also learn about their God who they really did not know.  They had just returned from being in captivity for 70 years in Babylon.  They did not know their own language, religion, and culture.  Ezra chose this method to accomplish is aim and goals.  Today we will learn five truths from these two verses.

 

1.      They will have no fear of bad news.  When someone knows the Lord fear is no longer part of our vocabulary.  We are given a spirit of fear but love, power, and a sound mind.  From Paul, we learn that fear is a spirit and must be overcome with God’s love which as John puts in 1 John 4:18, casts it out.  Then fear is rendered powerless through God’s power and lastly, it is neutered by a sound mind.

 

a.      The reason the righteous do not fear bad news is because they know God is with them.  They trust him with all their heart, acknowledge Him and let Him direct their path.  They know will never leave or forsake them.  That all things work together for good even if the thing is not good.  Bad news does not shake them because they have the presence, power, peace, and promises of God.

b.      The righteous always anchor themselves in the love, faith, and hope of God.  Love never fails and so bad news causes no fear.  Their hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.  Angels are camping around the righteous.  We are the apple of God’s eyes and in the psalm of his hand.  God is directing our path.  No accusation, temptation or deception will work because we have the Bible, prayer, armor of God, anointing, power, authority, enablement, and divine help so we do not have to fear bad news.

 

2.       Their hearts are steadfast.  The righteous have a heart that is secure in God.  It has the rock, fortress, and refuge of the Lord.  Remember from the heart is where the issues of life come.  The heart is where the treasure is.  When you have a heart you have the will, intellect, and emotions.  You have the time, talents, and resources of a person.  When a heart belongs to God the past has been forgiven, the present is a gift and the future is eternal.

 

a.      The righteous heart is steadfast, loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, and dependable.

               The righteous have maturity, stability, resolve, firmness, and are unwavering.  They can sing in

               prison-like Paul and Silas, They trust like Abraham.  They fight like Gideon.  They worship like  

               David and are wise like Solomon.

 

3.       They trust in the Lord.  Ezra wants his audience to trust the Lord.  Trust means a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone in our case the Lord.  The most familiar verse is Prov 3:5-6.  Trust has so many benefits.  Delight, freedom, peace, joy, faith, love, grace, and blessing.  Faith and trust are interchangeable.  You know the world, the flesh, and the devil want to destroy you but you know God is working on your behalf and like a child you simply trust Him.  Like Noah, you take God at His word even though you don’t see the rain.

 

a.       You have a firm conviction that even when things are bad it will turn out good.  The psalmist said sorrow is for a night but joy comes in the morning.  He also said the mercies of God are new every morning great is the faithfulness of God.  A new day is a new start.  Moses trusted the Lord for 40 years.  There were times his faith was tested and stretched but in the end, God and he built a nation ready to take the land. 

b.      Trust says I trust you God and the process.  You know what you are doing and in the end, I win.  I came across this FB post this week, At this point, Jesus doesn’t need to take the wheel, He needs to pull over and spank some of you all with his Flip flops.

 

4.      Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear.   Mankind has three areas of basic needs.  Food shelter, clothing, and transportation are the first.  The second need is safety and security and the last is self-esteem and actualization.  When these three needs are met we feel fulfilled.  When a heart belongs to God these needs are not only met but exceeded.  Paul said in Eph 3:20, that God can do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what we can ask or imagine.  

 

a.      When we feel secure we have no fear.  Fear is caused by insecurity, the feeling of being unloved, loss of power and control.  The natural state of man when faced with uncertainly, danger or fear is to fight or flee.  When you feel secure, empowered and in control, you have no fear.

b.      David when he found Goliath he could beat him.  He had already beaten a lion and bear and this experience is a big factor.  Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.  He also knew he was fighting Goliath in the power of God.  With God for us who can be against us.

 

        3.   In the end they will look in triumph on their foes.  Ezra remind his audience and us that in the

              End we win.  At the end of the book, the people of God are victorious.  Ezra says don’t lose hope

              in the middle of the battle.  You have to run the whole race, fight the whole battle, do the whole        

              competition to win the tournament.  This last week a young phenom named Leylah Fernandez

              got the finals of the US Open.  Two years again Bianca Andresscu won it.   They had to play

              through a week of grueling tennis matches to get to the finals.  You cannot quit in the middle. 

              Life does give you a ribbon for trying.  There are two rules in life.  “Never give up and Remember

             rule number one.”

 

a.      Did you know there are crowns given for those who finish the race as believers and Christians.

 

1.      Crown of righteousness – Those love His coming.

2.      Incorruptible crown – Being saved

3.      Crown of life – Endured testing, persecution, and trials.

4.      Crown of glory – Those who carried the gospel.

5.       Crown of rejoicing – Given at the end for faithful service.

 

b.      There are of course the rewards given to the overcomer.  Some people asked what is in it for me.  Everything church.  You get eternal and abundant life, a declaration of being a good servant, and a reward of resting in the Lord.  On the other side of the veil, peace, beauty, love, friendship, and security.  That is what I got from my vision and dream of heaven. 

KEEO GOING

 

I would like to start with something kind of funny.  A pastor was completing a sermon on abstaining from drinking alcohol.  With great expression, he said, ‘If I had all of the beer in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river.’  With even greater emphasis, he said, ‘And if I had all of the wine in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river.’  And then finally, he thundered, ‘And if I had all of the whiskey in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river.’  The church was silent. Not a single congregant made a sound.  The music leader then stood up hesitantly and said, ‘For our closing song, let us sing the hymn “Shall We Gather at the River.”’

 

Jesus and John the Baptist

      18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”  20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”  21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”  24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.

What is doubt?  A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.  Doubt on an emotional level is indecision between belief and disbelief. It may involve uncertainty, distrust or lack of conviction on certain facts, actions, motives, or decisions. Doubt can result in delaying or rejecting relevant action out of concern for mistakes or missed opportunities.  Today the lessons we can learn from this.

 

Some thoughts about Doubt

 

“Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

When in doubt, throw doubt out have a little faith.” E. A. Bucchianeri

“Removing doubt is like removing a blindfold.” Tim Fargo

“Don’t waste life in doubts and fears.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

1.  Even the most powerful and spiritual of people can have doubts. 

 

a.  Sarah and Abraham had been waiting so long when God said it was going to happened they both laughed.  God went ahead with their promise.

b.  Gideon doubted that God could use him to do it. He tested God twice (challenging God to provide proof of his reliability through a series of miracles) before he would believe. God humored him—and through Gideon, God lead the Israelites to victory.

Doubt is the gap between our current faith and perfect faith. If this is the case, we all doubt.

c.  John doubted because of his prison and isolation.  He doubted.  Now notice how Jesus dealt with John's doubt.  He told him the facts.  “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. "

 

How to deal with doubt

 

1.  Jesus never condemned him.  Have mercy on those who doubt.

Jude 22 tells us to “have mercy on those who doubt.” It is easy to judge, condemn, and look down on doubters as if they are second-rate Christians. But to have mercy on those who doubt is to be there for them, comforting and building them up.

2.  Realize doubt is often the birth pangs of deepened faith. this is not a bad thing. We all need to consider that the truths we espouse might be wrong, in order to embrace our faith more deeply. Such doubt often results in stronger faith.

3.  Sometimes we want all the answers.   Peter says we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Life is a journey and step by step.  You learn to trust when you work through your doubt. 

4.  Make the main things the main things.

Paul told the Corinthians he delivered to them things “of first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3). He goes on to talk about the atoning death and vindicating resurrection of Christ as being most central to the faith.  Don't major on the minors.  Paul said his focus was on Christ crucified,  Remember seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  Keep your prayer life, study of God's word, going to church and telling others about Jesus your priority.  Your attitude and reaction makes or breaks what happens in these times of crisis.

5.  Live according to the faith you still have.

Doubt is not unbelief. Again, doubt is the bridge that connects current faith to perfect faith. And that bridge will stand until our death or Christ’s return. When we go through a faith crisis, though,  live as Christians, repenting and believing the gospel, even if you don’t always feel like Christians.

6.  Doubt your doubts.  For Christians, we can be sure that the central truths of our faith will never be outweighed by our doubt.   Jesus answered John's doubts with facts.  Jesus dealt with Thomas' doubt with reality.  Facts always dispel sincere doubt.

7.  Work through your issues.  If your doubt is because of personal sin repent.  If it caused by people then get the facts.  If you are dissatisfied go deeper into God.  Whatever is causing it deal with it with love, non jugdmentalness and facts. 

 

Be like David when he said.  Why am I so sad?

Why am I so troubled?

I will put my hope in God,

and once again I will praise him,

my savior and my God.

(Psalm 42:11)

 

The main thing is to go to God like John the Baptist. 

The last part here I love.  Jesus spoke highly of John and the Lord sees you as you become.  God welcomes doubt because He know what you will be like on the other side.  God lovingly dealt with Gideon because he saw what he became.  He kept his promise to Abraham because God sees the big picture.  In Thomas' case he saw Thomas in India establishing the church there.  Doubt is Ok for a while but do not let it become you king and country. 

LOVE SHOWN

 

One Sunday morning, a pastor announced to his congregation: ‘Friends, I have here in my hands three sermons: a $100 sermon that lasts five minutes, a $50 sermon that lasts fifteen minutes and a $10 sermon that lasts a full hour.  ‘Now, we’ll take the offering and see which one I’ll deliver.’

A Woman Caught in Adultery

8 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Seeking to entrap Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees burst into the women's court and threw a married (or betrothed) woman before Him. They "caught" her in the act of adultery and seized her. Consider the specific test they were putting forth: "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now the Law of Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?"

Who is this woman?  The answer may surprise you.  She's you. And she's us.  We have all been "caught" in our sins. By the same token James said that if you break one commandment, you've broken them all (James 2:10). That places all of us, men and women alike, on the same moral level. We have all sinned. If every Christian would have eyes to see this truth, we would humbly eliminate all self-righteousness from our hearts.

We all have the propensity to sin. With one devastating statement Jesus demonstrated that the Law wasn't wrong, but if everyone saw the Law for what it was, we would understand that we are all guilty. Including the self-anointed, puritanical, moral guardians known as the scribes and Pharisees ... and those who follow in their footsteps.

It's interesting that John 8 opens with a group of men wanting to stone a woman, and it ends with a group of men wanting to stone Jesus. When people's hypocrisy is exposed, the typical instinct is to kill the person who did the exposing. And that's exactly what Jesus did in this scene. Self-righteous men exposed an adulterous woman. A merciful prophet exposed the hypocrisy of religious leaders.   According to Jesus, only the guiltless could rightfully carry out such a righteous sentence of justice.

Unfortunately, this same judgmental attitude lives in the hearts of many self-righteous Christians today. These are those who clearly see the evil in others while being blind to the evil residing in their own hearts. In the mind of God, righteousness and justice are grounded in grace. Whenever grace is removed, we are left with the heartless hypocrisy of Pharisaism. In this story, Jesus Christ didn't overturn the Law. Instead, He re-established righteousness on the basis of grace

Don't misunderstand. Sin is heinous. Whether it takes the form of adultery, or slander, or abusive words in a fit of rage, or jealousy, or gossip, or lying (pick your sin), God doesn't ignore it because sin harms the people He created.  

Grace ushers in forgiveness, but it also empowers us to walk in a new way. Holiness, then, is built on the experience of grace, He's in the business of rescuing and releasing us, while at the same time calling our sin for what it is: self-centeredness.

So what can we learn here 

1. WE ALL SIN.   Rom 3:23

2. Our sin will be uncovered. But Scripture promises our sins will find us out (Num. 32:23). As Moses said in Psalm 90:8, speaking to God, “You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence” (NIV).

3. WE CAN’T TRICK GOD.  He sees—and wants—our hearts, open, honest, and laid bare before Him..

4. JESUS CAME TO SAVE, NOT CONDEMN.

Directly following perhaps the most oft quoted verse in Scripture, Jesus said, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17).  In this, we see our Father’s heart in sending His Son to earth and Jesus’ heart in taking our punishment upon Himself.  From the beginning of time, God consistently and persistently communicates a driving desire—to reconcile us, a bunch of stubborn and rebellious humans, to Himself., we see it in Jesus’ response to the adulterous woman in John chapter 8. Confronted with a choice to condemn or redeem, Jesus said to the woman, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin” (NIV).  He essentially said to the woman, "Don't sin like this again." Not because she might be stoned. But because grace had rescued her—and she now possessed a new identity as a beautifully loved child of God. Jesus is the Christ who is greater than Moses. While the Law demanded execution, Jesus re-established righteousness on the basis of grace.

5.  JESUS OFFERS NEW LIFE.   If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are set blessedly free from condemnation. Not only can you not be condemned, you can't even be indicted. Why? Because you are in Christ, and He's unindictable.

6. GOD’S GRACE DEMANDS LIFE CHANGE.

Not only does Christ enable us to live transformed, His grace demands this. Whereas previously self-love, characterized by rebellion, drove us, once under grace, His love motivates us to live in a way that pleases Him.  Because God has placed you in Christ, making you holy and blameless in His sight, Jesus has called you to a brand-new life. A life no longer marred by sin, but baptized by grace—just like the woman caught in the act of adultery. Thus He says to you ... and to us ... Go and sin no more. I have written a new identity and a new future for you

7. WHEN JESUS SPEAKS, OUR ACCUSERS FLEE.

Imagine having your worst sin paraded in front of a packed congregation. Imagine standing, condemned, by the supreme religious authority of your day. The morning when the scribes and Pharisees thrust the adulterous woman in front of Jesus and what one can reasonably presume was a sizeable crowd, she experienced both.  But one even greater than the scribes and Pharisees stood in her midst—Jesus. Nothing the religious leaders said could override His authority, and when He spoke, her accusers fled. When He speaks mercy over us, by His blood, our accuser, Satan, flees as well.  Let  me close with the greatest comversion story ever.  The apostle Paul.

 

 

TRUE LOVE

 

One Sunday morning, a pastor announced to his congregation: ‘Friends, I have here in my hands three sermons: a $100 sermon that lasts five minutes, a $50 sermon that lasts fifteen minutes and a $10 sermon that lasts a full hour.  ‘Now, we’ll take the offering and see which one I’ll deliver.’

A Woman Caught in Adultery

8 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Seeking to entrap Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees burst into the women's court and threw a married (or betrothed) woman before Him. They "caught" her in the act of adultery and seized her. Consider the specific test they were putting forth: "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now the Law of Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?"

Who is this woman?  The answer may surprise you.  She's you. And she's us.  We have all been "caught" in our sins. By the same token James said that if you break one commandment, you've broken them all (James 2:10). That places all of us, men and women alike, on the same moral level. We have all sinned. If every Christian would have eyes to see this truth, we would humbly eliminate all self-righteousness from our hearts.

We all have the propensity to sin. With one devastating statement Jesus demonstrated that the Law wasn't wrong, but if everyone saw the Law for what it was, we would understand that we are all guilty. Including the self-anointed, puritanical, moral guardians known as the scribes and Pharisees ... and those who follow in their footsteps.

It's interesting that John 8 opens with a group of men wanting to stone a woman, and it ends with a group of men wanting to stone Jesus. When people's hypocrisy is exposed, the typical instinct is to kill the person who did the exposing. And that's exactly what Jesus did in this scene. Self-righteous men exposed an adulterous woman. A merciful prophet exposed the hypocrisy of religious leaders.   According to Jesus, only the guiltless could rightfully carry out such a righteous sentence of justice.

Unfortunately, this same judgmental attitude lives in the hearts of many self-righteous Christians today. These are those who clearly see the evil in others while being blind to the evil residing in their own hearts. In the mind of God, righteousness and justice are grounded in grace. Whenever grace is removed, we are left with the heartless hypocrisy of Pharisaism. In this story, Jesus Christ didn't overturn the Law. Instead, He re-established righteousness on the basis of grace

Don't misunderstand. Sin is heinous. Whether it takes the form of adultery, or slander, or abusive words in a fit of rage, or jealousy, or gossip, or lying (pick your sin), God doesn't ignore it because sin harms the people He created.  

Grace ushers in forgiveness, but it also empowers us to walk in a new way. Holiness, then, is built on the experience of grace, He's in the business of rescuing and releasing us, while at the same time calling our sin for what it is: self-centeredness.

So what can we learn here 

1. WE ALL SIN.   Rom 3:23

2. Our sin will be uncovered. But Scripture promises our sins will find us out (Num. 32:23). As Moses said in Psalm 90:8, speaking to God, “You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence” (NIV).

3. WE CAN’T TRICK GOD.  He sees—and wants—our hearts, open, honest, and laid bare before Him..

4. JESUS CAME TO SAVE, NOT CONDEMN.

Directly following perhaps the most oft quoted verse in Scripture, Jesus said, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17).  In this, we see our Father’s heart in sending His Son to earth and Jesus’ heart in taking our punishment upon Himself.  From the beginning of time, God consistently and persistently communicates a driving desire—to reconcile us, a bunch of stubborn and rebellious humans, to Himself., we see it in Jesus’ response to the adulterous woman in John chapter 8. Confronted with a choice to condemn or redeem, Jesus said to the woman, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin” (NIV).  He essentially said to the woman, "Don't sin like this again." Not because she might be stoned. But because grace had rescued her—and she now possessed a new identity as a beautifully loved child of God. Jesus is the Christ who is greater than Moses. While the Law demanded execution, Jesus re-established righteousness on the basis of grace.

5.  JESUS OFFERS NEW LIFE.   If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are set blessedly free from condemnation. Not only can you not be condemned, you can't even be indicted. Why? Because you are in Christ, and He's unindictable.

6. GOD’S GRACE DEMANDS LIFE CHANGE.

Not only does Christ enable us to live transformed, His grace demands this. Whereas previously self-love, characterized by rebellion, drove us, once under grace, His love motivates us to live in a way that pleases Him.  Because God has placed you in Christ, making you holy and blameless in His sight, Jesus has called you to a brand-new life. A life no longer marred by sin, but baptized by grace—just like the woman caught in the act of adultery. Thus He says to you ... and to us ... Go and sin no more. I have written a new identity and a new future for you

7. WHEN JESUS SPEAKS, OUR ACCUSERS FLEE.

Imagine having your worst sin paraded in front of a packed congregation. Imagine standing, condemned, by the supreme religious authority of your day. The morning when the scribes and Pharisees thrust the adulterous woman in front of Jesus and what one can reasonably presume was a sizeable crowd, she experienced both.  But one even greater than the scribes and Pharisees stood in her midst—Jesus. Nothing the religious leaders said could override His authority, and when He spoke, her accusers fled. When He speaks mercy over us, by His blood, our accuser, Satan, flees as well.  Let  me close with the greatest comversion story ever.  The apostle Paul.

 

 

QUOTES FOR SEPT 5, 2026

 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OTHERS

 

The Significance of Others

 

Humility – “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

 

Paul tells us to never do anything from rivalry which means you do it because someone else is doing it.  Also don’t do something because you get recognition or a buzz.  Do not do something to get something from someone.  But in humility.  That means to do something when no one is watching.  Do not let your right hand know what your left hand s doing.  A good example was the widow woman who gave all she had to live on when others we giving from the excess.  Sacrificial giving is so important.  Humility is putting others ahead of yourself.  It breaks selfishness and greed.  Paul says that we should put others before ourselves.  Jesus did when it came to us.  In the garden He said not my will but yours be done.  Put then says we are to put the interests of others before our own.  This is what the early church did.  It change their world.  God has called us to be a blessing  Like the old song says,  “Make me a blessing.”

 

Random House Dictionary says a blessing is this.

 

The act or words of a person who blesses.

A special favor, mercy, or benefit

A favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.

The invoking of God's favor upon a person.

Approval or good wishes.

 

Giving obeys God’s command

As all of God’s commands are given to enhance our lives, obeying this command will increase our happiness.

 

2. Giving submits to God’s Lordship

Every act of obedience recognizes that there is a higher authority in our lives, that there is a Lord over us who is entitled to honor and respect.  If only we could remember that Divine Lordship is not a threat; rather it’s the place of greatest safety.

 

3. Giving exhibits God’s heart

God is THE giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).

 

4. Giving illustrates God’s salvation

At the heart of the Gospel is sacrificial self-giving (John 3:16). That’s why when the Apostle Paul wanted to encourage the Corinthians to give more, he pointed them to the person and work of Christ. “When we give sacrificially, painfully, for the benefit of others, we are faintly and on a small-scale preaching the Gospel message.

 

5. Giving trusts God’s provision

 

We are expressing our faith and trust in God to provide for us and our family. This is not an argument for folly, but for faith. Many Christians have discovered the joy of casting their crumbs of bread upon the waters and multiple loaves returning after many days (Ecclesiastes 11:1). It’s such a joy to see God fulfill His promise of provision when we obey Him.

 

6. Giving widens God’s smile

The Lord loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 2:7). It delights Him to see His people gladly opening their hearts and hands to provide for the needs of His Church and indeed of all His creatures  There’s nothing that makes a Christian happier than knowing that she’s made God happy, and happy giving means a happy God.

 

7. Giving advances God’s kingdom

 

We are paying salaries of ministers and missionaries. We are funding resources for outreach, evangelism, and discipleship. But above all we are investing in the spiritual and eternal welfare of people from every nation, tribe, kindred and tongue. Our dollars are changing homes, relationships, countries, and even the eternal destiny of many souls.

 

8. Giving promotes God’s sanctification

Giving not only promotes God’s work through us, but also God’s work in us, our sanctification. Giving money, especially when it pains us, requires much self-denial and self-crucifixion. However, as every act of giving weakens and even breaks our sinful and selfish nature

 

9. Giving testifies to God’s power

 

10. Giving praises God’s character

Giving in a right spirit is an act of worship. It is rendering Him a tribute of praise. It is saying. “You gave me everything and here is a small expression of my gratitude and praise for all your good gifts.

Giving better that getting?

 

 

1. Give A Listening Ear

 

Take the time to listen to a friend or family member in need.

 

2. Use Your Resources

 

You can bake some cookies or a delicious recipe and bring some to a co-worker.  You can give an amount of money to help raise money for a cause.  You can use your connections to get someone a discount to new tires or something else.

 

3. Give Away What You Don’t Need or Use

 

4. Volunteer Time

 

You can serve food at an orphanage, volunteer time to feed the homeless, help at your church, or help someone at work.  Start with family and move on from there and see who else you can help.  Take time to do special for something for some.

 

5. Write A Note

 

I think this has been my favorite thing to receive.  Every time my students left me a note on my desk, it brought a smile to me.  When people write me a note just because and tell me something special, I feel instant happiness.  Be a blessing to someone by thanking them for something they do.  Write a note telling them what good workers they are or how special they are.  You will sure make them happy.

 

6. Use Your Words

 

There are so many people we can motivate and lift up with just a sincere compliment.  Someone may have needed a simple “you’re great at this” to feel better about themselves.  Maybe someone is having a rough day, and a compliment can brighten their day up, one word can change someone’s day into a positive one.

 

7. Lend A Hand

 

Try to do favors with a cheerful heart.  Do it because you care for them and really want to help.  Maybe someone needs you to babysit or someone needs a ride.  Cook for your spouse when they are busy.  You can be a huge blessing when someone is in desperate need for help, even at the most inconvenient times.

 

In 2008, 9-year-old Katie Stagliano brought a tiny cabbage seedling home from school as part of the Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Program. As she cared for her cabbage, it grew to 40 pounds. Katie donated her cabbage to a soup kitchen where it helped to feed more than 275 people. Moved by the experience of seeing how many people could benefit from the donation of fresh produce to soup kitchens, Katie decided to start vegetable gardens and donate the harvest to help feed people in need. Today, Katie's Krops donates thousands of pounds of fresh produce from numerous gardens to organizations that help people in need. Katie, now around 19, continues her work with the charity.

 

Whatever you do will make a blessing.  So go and do it in your world today.

 

 

ONE FINE MOMENT

 

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

     We certainty have seen the reality of this scripture this week.  The Covid 19, Pandemic has caused panic, fear and a new reality.  No longer all the things we do to show love and kindness are now considered taboo.  Hugs, kisses, handshakes and formal greetings.  You now have to self isolate, social distance and avoid large gatherings.  Sports events, social events, funerals, weddings, church all things are now considered a health risk.  It has caused people to buy sanitizer, toilet paper runs and panic buying.  It has caused governments to imposed draconian measures and stock crashes, no travel out of the country and people are stranded in foreign countries.  So who do you trust?  Where can you go for stability?

 

Jesus warned us about this fine moment in Matt 24, so today who do you trust? 

The word trust means faith or putting your confidence in something or someone.

The Bible teaches us not to put our trust in. 

 

Weapons:  Ps 44:6 -  I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory.

Wealth:  Ps 49:6-7 - those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?  7 No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them.

Leaders:   Ps 146:3 - Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.

Man:   Jer 17:5 - This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man,

who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

Words:   Jer 48:7 – There is a lesson we can learn from Moab Jeremiah said to them,  “Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive, and Chemosh will go into exile, together with his priests and officials.”

Own righteousness:  Ezek 33:13 -  If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done.

 

Mankind will learn and should learn too placed their confidence and trust in the Lord and in Jesus Christ.  That is great thing about the Lord we can trust Him during these incredible times of turmoil.  You can trust.

 

God’s name:  Ps 33:21 - In him our hearts rejoice, or we trust in his holy name.

Mercy and love:  Ps 52:8 - But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.

Word:  Ps 119:42 - then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word

Christ:  Matt 12:18-21 - 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:  18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.

20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,

till he has brought justice through to victory.  21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”

 

Now here are the benefits of trusting in the Lord not only during this time but in all times. 

 

Joy:  Psalm 5:11 - But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Deliverance:  Ps 22:4-5 - In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.  5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Triumph:  Ps 25:2-3 - I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.  3 No one who hopes in you I will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

God’s goodness:  Ps 21:19 - How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

Mercy and love:  Ps 32:10 - Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Provision:  Ps 37:3-5 - Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:

Blessedness:  Ps 44:4:  You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob.

Safety:  Ps 56:4&11 -   In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?  in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can man do to me?

Usefulness:  Ps 73:28 - But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Guidance:  Prov 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Inheritance:  Is 57:13 - When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you!  The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away.

But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.

 

In these turbulent and uncertain times we can trust the Lord.  There is an anchor in this storm of Covid 19.  His name is the Lord and let us trust Him.  I am not saying we should not be wise cautious and discerning but trust him.  We have seen what happens when we trust in man.  Now put your trust in God and His benefits.  Close with prayer.