Fear and the Fear of GOD in Making Decisions

Fearing punishment for killing an Egyptian, Moses fled from Egypt.

 Then he said, 

"Who made you a prince and a judge over us? 

Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" 

So Moses feared and said, 

"Surely this thing is known!" 

When Pharaoh heard of this matter, 

he sought to kill Moses. 

But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh 

and dwelt in the land of Midian; 

and he sat down by a well.

Exodus 2:14-15

Noah believed GOD'S warning of the flood. The fear of GOD moved him to build the ark in obedience to GOD'S instruction.

By faith Noah, 

being divinely warned of things not yet seen,

 moved with godly fear, 

prepared an ark for the saving of his household, 

by which he condemned the world 

and became heir of the righteousness 

which is according to faith.

Hebrews 11:7

King Saul feared the people and listened to them, thus displeasing and disobeying GOD.

 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, 

for I have transgressed 

the commandment of the Lord and your words, 

because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
1 Samuel 15:24

When there is ingrained fear in us, all the decisions that involve that aspect of life will be influenced by that fear. For example, if a person is fearful of needles, all decisions that involve a prick will be tainted by that fear! The decision making processes and arguments against vaccinations, blood tests and anything that involves needle pricks would be biased, exaggerated and could even be irrational! All our visual field will be painted the color of the glasses of the spectacles we have on our eyes!

Are you looking through fear spectacles or faith spectacles?

Fright makes one take to flight. If not possible to flee, he will fight. If unable to fight, he will surrender, submit and obey - through fear.

Let us not allow fright to cause us to flee from people or a situation.

Let us not fight with people through fright of any kind.

It is necessary for us to check our hearts and deal with every fear so that we may be able to think rationally and make the right decision while at a cross road. Fear will hinder our connection with GOD and will make it difficult to hear His voice of guidance.

Let us surrender to GOD, submit to Him and obey Him because He has all authority, and all power.

 And do not fear those who kill the body 

but cannot kill the soul. 

But rather fear Him 

who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28

 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man 

for the Lord's sake, 

whether to the king as supreme, 

or to governors, 

as to those who are sent by him 

for the punishment of evildoers 

and for the praise of those who do good. 

For this is the will of God, 

that by doing good you may put to silence 

the ignorance of foolish men-

- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, 

but as bondservants of God. 

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. 

Fear God. Honor the king. 

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, 

not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
1 Peter 2:13-18

 And who is he who will harm you 

if you become followers of what is good? 

But even if you should suffer 

for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "

And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." 

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, 

and always be ready to give a defense to everyone

 who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, 

with meekness and fear;
1 Peter 3:13-15

In the Scriptures, we are instructed to live by faith and walk by faith.

The fear of GOD should undergird all our decisions. Then we will submit to the authority placed over us, even if we don't agree with their decisions. Even if we need to suffer for righteousness sake, we will be blessed!

Let us therefore live and walk in the fear of GOD, overcoming the fear of man.

The fear of GOD is the beginning of wisdom. This wisdom that comes from GOD will enable us to discern the will of GOD. The LORD will then give us the grace and strength to make the right decision, even if it is to choose the narrow and difficult path!

May the LORD'S blessing of peace 

rest upon you !

 I.C.U.

I See You!

Whether you know or not, GOD has been watching you and He has been watching over you with His tender love and care! He saw you even before you were born into this world because he created you! He is the One Who breathed life into you and quickened you. 

GOD is waiting for you to seek Him so that He might reveal Himself to you. When you seek Him you will find Him and you will see Him.

Unfortunately, most people don't seek GOD their Creator, until they are on a bed in the I.C.U. While your body is being cared for intensively, GOD takes the opportunity in your weak and helpless state, to reveal His intimate care of you! You are brought to a place to lay down all your earthly cares and focus on GOD!

Then, you will have time to seek GOD and you will say to GOD, "Now, I See You!"

Still all the suffering and pain is worth it, if through it all like Hagar, we come to that place to be able to 'See the One Who Sees Me'!

 I will praise You, 

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

Marvelous are Your works,

 And that my soul knows very well. 

My frame was not hidden from You, 

When I was made in secret, 

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. 

And in Your book they all were written, 

The days fashioned for me, 

When as yet there were none of them.
Psalm 139:14-16

 Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, 

You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, 

"Have I also here seen Him who sees me?" 

Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; 

observe, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

Genesis 16:13-14

In the year that King Uzziah died, 

I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, 

and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:1

"Oh, that my words were written! 

Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! 

  That they were engraved on a rock 

With an iron pen and lead, forever! 

  For I know that my Redeemer lives, 

And He shall stand at last on the earth; 

  And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, 

That in my flesh I shall see God, 

  Whom I shall see for myself, 

And my eyes shall behold, and not another. 

How my heart yearns within me!

Job 19:23-27

"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, 

But now my eye sees You.

Job 42:5

Let us seek GOD until we see Him.

 "Ask, and it will be given to you; 

seek, and you will find; 

knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7

Blessed are the pure in heart, 

For they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8

Your Heavenly Father permits you to be put into the ICU 

so that He can call you by name and gently and lovingly tell you,

"My precious child, "I See You!"

I pray that GOD will open your spiritual eyes

so that you can respond to Him humbly and gratefully,

"Father, now I See You!"

https://youtu.be/wutmEjdbedE

Get Ready!

 Get Ready!

Stop!

Take Stock of your life!

Consider your ways!

Let Go!

Prioritize!

Realign!

Rearrange!

Because the day of reckoning is near!

 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, 

and keep those things which are written in it; 

for the time is near.
Revelation 1:3

 He who testifies to these things says, 

"Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Revelation 22:20-21

COVID test and Psalm 32

COVID test and Psalm 32

Recently we needed to get the COVID test done. We were somewhat nervous, but the swab-taking wasn't a problem. We had to wait about 24 hours to get the result. When we saw the negative result, we had great relief and joy! Have you experienced that joy? The declaration from the health authorities, 'COVID-19 virus was NOT DETECTED' is what we desire to hear! We were then free to move around without any restrictions!

In Psalm 32 David is speaking about the experience of a similar, much greater joy when we confess our sin and let the LORD take away our guilt and fear! Our soul is set free to live the life GOD has purposed for us and we experience joy and fulfilment.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. 

Selah I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. 

During this period of grace before GOD'S wrath is poured on this earth, let us come before Him humbly. Let us allow the LORD to search our hearts. Let us respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Let us confess our sins to Him and turn away from all wickedness. Then we will experience His protection, peace, guidance and joy in the midst of the turmoil around us!

Let us not become preoccupied in our minds researching the origin of the corona virus. Let us beware not to allow the enemy to lead us into arguments about the controversies regarding the vaccine, the levels of restrictions imposed, or even authorities like President Joe Biden or Trump, causing rifts between us, spoiling our relationships! Let us not try to figure out whether we should have the vaccine and if so which one to go for. Let us focus on the LORD. Keep our hearts right with Him. Strengthen our faith by studying the word of GOD. Build our relationship with each other.

Selah For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.

He will then clearly direct our path. We will rejoice in the LORD. We will bring joy to His heart and glory to the name of the LORD JESUS. We will be a blessing to others. 

 Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalm 32:1-11

Oil in their vessels..

OIL IN YOUR VESSEL

 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Matthew 25:1-13


The only difference between the wise and the foolish virgins was the oil in the vessel. The wise had it and the foolish did not have it! That 'Extra Oil' made all the difference!

Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. When a lamp is lit, it keeps burning as long as there is oil in it. The oil in the vessel symbolizes the active presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

Does the Holy Spirit have authority over my soul? Do I submit to His promptings? Do I yield my thoughts and ideas to Him? Does my body submit to Him by promptly doing what He instructs me to do?

Overcome

 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." '
Revelation 2:7

We must overcome every obstacle that is from within ourselves and without. Overcome means come over all obstacles. Diligently seek the 'Way of escape' the LORD shows you in difficult situations. Don't go out the easy way but go in the right way. The word of GOD shows you that right path and the Spirit of GOD will guide your next step. The LORD will lift you high on eagle's wings and enable you to come over the obstacle victoriously!

 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Let us learn how to overcome the systems of the world to live a victorious life.

 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Colossians 2:6-10

Like the wise virgins:

Let us trade our worldliness for Godliness.

Let us trade the world for JESUS.

By the time the foolish virgins learnt this, it was too late!

 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
Proverbs 23:23

 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24

Overtake

 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

In a race, the one who overtakes everyone else wins. In our spiritual race, we don't verse each other. We verse our self. The spiritual verses the carnal. The body can rule our lives; the soul can rule by being in control; or the Spirit can be given control over the soul and body.

Let us learn how to give control of our lives to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to overtake our selfishness. Let us train like an athlete to overtake self constantly so we may live a victorious life.

 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, 

"Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" 

And He answered him, 

"Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all."
1 Samuel 30:8

 Arise, shine; 

For your light has come! 

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, 

And deep darkness the people; 

But the Lord will arise over you, 

And His glory will be seen upon you. 

The Gentiles shall come to your light, 

And kings to the brightness of your rising.

Isaiah 60:1-3

ARISE, SHINE!

 Arise, shine; 

For your light has come! 

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, 

And deep darkness the people; 

But the Lord will arise over you, 

And His glory will be seen upon you.

Isaiah 60:1-2

Imagine many people seated in a big hall.

The hall is well lit with ceiling lamps.

Every individual has a candle in his hand.

It is almost impossible to see which ones are lit 

and which ones are not.

Suddenly all the ceiling lights are put out.

Immediately those with candles lit shine forth!

They clearly stand out 

from those that have candles that are not lit!

Since covid 19 began, darkness has spread across the nations,

around the world.

The torment of sickness, the fear of sickness,

the insecurity and fear of the future, 

the fear of lack of provision

in the midst of shut-downs:

All these comprise the thick darkness over the world.

This darkness has blocked the light from GOD

reaching the world.

The darkness has separated man from GOD,

Who is the source of light!

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God. 

He was in the beginning with God. 

All things were made through Him, 

and without Him nothing was made that was made. 

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 

And the light shines in the darkness, 

and the darkness did not comprehend it. 

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 

This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, 

that all through him might believe. 

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 

That was the true Light 

which gives light to every man coming into the world. 

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, 

and the world did not know Him. 

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 

But as many as received Him, 

to them He gave the right to become children of God, 

to those who believe in His name: 

who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, 

nor of the will of man, but of God. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 

and we beheld His glory, 

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, 

full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-14

The LORD JESUS said,

 "  ...As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
John 9:5

 You are the light of the world. 

A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, 

but on a lampstand, 

and it gives light to all who are in the house. 

Let your light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works 

and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

 For it is the God 

who commanded light to shine out of darkness, 

who has shone in our hearts 

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God 

in the face of Jesus Christ. 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, 

that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7

During this period of darkness when the ceiling lights appear to be switched off, GOD'S call comes to His children loud and clear through the darkness,

"Arise and shine!"

Let not the copious information about the virus, vaccine and statistics of the pandemic cloud our minds.

Let not the ever flowing news of rules and instructions distract our minds from our focus on the LORD. Let us heed His instructions from His word. Let us be sensitive to hear the gentle voice of His Spirit.

 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 

I will guide you with My eye.
Psalm 32:8

Be diligent to protect your light.

Let not the darkness separate you from the LORD.

 Be sober, be vigilant; 

because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, 

seeking whom he may devour. 

Resist him, steadfast in the faith, 

knowing that the same sufferings 

are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9

Receive the truth of GOD'S word which is light.

Meditate on His word and listen to what the LORD is saying.

Reflect that word by speaking to others about it.

Resist the temptation of constantly filling your mind with worldly information,

and being preoccupied with it. Avoid constantly discussing this information with others. Take every opportunity to speak life-giving words of encouragement to brethren and to share the Good News of Salvation through JESUS to non-believers.

Thus you will surely 'Arise and Shine' in this darkness!

Then, the darkness will not overwhelm or comprehend you!

You will be an overcomer and you will help others to overcome this period of darkness!

Let us 'Arise and Shine'!

 

PLAGUES

PLAGUES

  Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
Exodus 12:13

On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the people of the Lord." Now it happened, when the congregation had gathered against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tabernacle of meeting; and suddenly the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. Then Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of meeting. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment." And they fell on their faces. So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the Lord. The plague has begun." Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped. Now those who died in the plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, besides those who died in the Korah incident. So Aaron returned to Moses at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, for the plague had stopped.
Numbers 16:41-50 

Aaron and Phinehas were a point of GOD'S Grace.

The man of Israel and the woman with whom he committed harlotry were the point of GOD'S wrath.

Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab.

Now when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel. And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel in My zeal. Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace; and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.' "
Numbers 25:1, 7-13 

 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.' Therefore her plagues will come in one day--death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.
Revelation 18:1-8