OFFENSES

When you are offended, you are going ‘Off the End’ and are in danger of falling off the end of the path.

When you offend another, you are causing him to go ‘Off the End’ of the path, causing him to fall.

Causing offense to another is an offense. 

 Then He said to the disciples,

 "It is impossible that no offenses should come,

 but woe to him through whom they do come!

 It would be better for him

 if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea,

 than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Luke 17:1-2

It would be better for such a person to be completely off the path forever!!

 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine

 nor do anything by which your brother stumbles 

or is offended or is made weak.

 Romans 14:21 

Give no offense,

 either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,

 1 Corinthians 10:32 

It is a narrow path that we are asked to walk, not causing offense to anyone.

If you get offended by one who desires to purposefully offend you, you have given into your enemy’s desire and he has won over you.

When someone offends you, the natural reaction is to offend him or hit back at him in some way. Imagine a person coming alongside you on a narrow path and trying to push you off the edge. Your immediate reaction would be to push him off the edge so that you do not fall. But when such an offence is caused against you, humble yourself and willingly get on the lower pathway which is the highway of holiness. Thus you overcome offenses.

The way up goes down!

 Do not be overcome by evil,

 but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

That is what JESUS did. Although He did not need to pay the temple tax,

He got Peter to pay it, so that He did not cause an offense. Not fighting for our rights, but giving up our rights in order to not offend another is GOD’S rule!

 Nevertheless, lest we offend them,

 go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. 

And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money;

 take that and give it to them for Me and you." 

Matthew 17:27

The LORD JESUS, was destined to take up all the offences of the world upon Himself.

He paid the price for all our offenses and symbolically paid the temple tax which He did not owe!

who was delivered up because of our offenses,

 and was raised because of our justification.

 Romans 4:25

that you may approve the things that are excellent,

 that you may be sincere and without offense 

till the day of Christ,

 Philippians 1:10

Matthew 5:21-48

Don’t offend others. 

Don’t get offended by others.

Let us learn to live our lives without offense.

May the LORD give us grace to overcome all offenses!

You cannot help offending those who are against the Truth.

JESUS was an offense to the religious leaders of His day.

 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" 

And they were offended at Him.

 But Jesus said to them,

 "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country,

 among his own relatives,

 and in his own house."

Mark 6:3-4

 Jesus answered and said to them,

 "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

 The blind see and the lame walk;

 the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear;

 the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

Matthew 11:4-6

The message of CHRIST constantly made the religious leaders become offended.

The message of the cross causes offense to some.

And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision,

 why do I still suffer persecution?

 Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

 Galatians 5:11

But He turned and said to Peter,

 "Get behind Me, Satan!

 You are an offense to Me,

 for you are not mindful of the things of God,

 but the things of men." 

Matthew 16:23 

JESUS’ talk about going to the cross was an offense to Peter. When he tried to rebuke JESUS, Peter became an offense to the LORD by being an agent of Satan.

The blood of JESUS offends many.

 When Jesus knew in Himself

 that His disciples complained about this,

 He said to them,

 "Does this offend you? 

John 6:61

JESUS is the Truth.

Does He offend you?

Do His teachings offend you?

Does the message of the cross offend you?

Does the preaching about the blood of JESUS offend you?

JESUS is the Way!

JESUS is the Life!!

He paid for all your offenses on the cross.

Now He offers you forgiveness and salvation.

He calls you to take up your cross and follow Him.

He is the way to Father GOD!

He is the way to Heaven!!

 DECEPTION 

 JESUS is the Truth

 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6

 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
John 8:12

 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
2 Corinthians 3:13-16

GOD'S Kingdom is built with truth, love and light.

GOD gives revelation to His people.

The devil's kingdom is built on lies, hatred and darkness.

The devil deceives people.

How do we know what is truth and what is a lie?

If you are searching for the truth in a certain specific matter, you will find it in the written word of GOD. If not, you will find it in your heart, if the Spirit of Truth is in you.

 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Psalm 51:6

Everything GOD says is truth. Every word that came out of the mouth of the LORD JESUS was truth. whatever the Holy Spirit speaks and reveals to us is truth because He is the Spirit of Truth. GOD'S word is the plumb line and anything that does not align with the word of GOD is a lie. JESUS is the Truth manifested in the flesh.

And they made His grave with the wicked-- But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
Isaiah 53:9

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"
John 1:47

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 32:2

The devil is the father of lies

 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
John 8:44

Lies and deception originate from the devil.

The twisted serpent twists even the word of GOD with his lying ability to deceive people.

And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Genesis 3:13

Since that day, every human being on earth is born in sin.

 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23

Falling short of GOD'S glory is sin and sin is deceitful because it keeps us in darkness. While living in this world, all of us have various areas of darkness. This darkness leaves as we have revelation of the word of GOD and walk in His light.

 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Do not deceive yourself

  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

James 1:12-16

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
James 1:26

Outward religious rituals and repetitive words recited meaninglessly, will deceive one's heart.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22

 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.
Galatians 6:1-5

The fact is that my goodness is nothing apart from the LORD.

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You."
Psalm 16:1-2

speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

1 Timothy 4:2

When we lie, our conscience is disturbed but if we choose to ignore that conviction and keep lying, it becomes a habit. Then it becomes easy to lie with a straight face and an unmoved conscience!

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8

 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
John 16:13

 Do not deceive others 

Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
Psalm 34:13

 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
Colossians 3:9

Do not be deceived

Sin is deceitful

but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:13

 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."
Acts 8:9-24

Bitterness and iniquity are poison to the soul. It may be hidden deep within and seem harmless. You could justify yourself for holding bitterness, hurt, anger and unforgiveness against GOD and or others. The longer you hold it, the greater the effects of the poison. You might be hiding your guilt, shame and fear not knowing how to be rid of it. You may not even be aware that it is these effects of sin that are tormenting you! 

The LORD JESUS suffered and died on that cruel cross two thousand years ago, to make a way for all of mankind to be relieved of the burden of sin. You can come to the cross and pour out your heart and be rid of all your burden, for the blood of JESUS covers all sin, never to be remembered anymore!

 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:5-9

It is for this very purpose that GOD sent His only Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST into this world, to bring conviction of sin and to  release us from the bondage and power of sin.

 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

Carnality is deceitful

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Galatians 6:7-8

 Riches are deceitful 

 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22

Principles of the World, Traditions of Men and Philosophy; any of these that are not according to CHRIST, are deceitful

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.
Colossians 2:8

 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4

 Deceived People deceive others

And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
Matthew 24:4

 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Acts 13:6-11

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth exposes every lie and fraud.

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Matthew 24:24

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2 John 1:7

By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
2 Peter 2:3

We must arise beyond the darkness and deception of this world, if we are to see Heaven!

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
1 John 5:19

 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

But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Revelation 21:27

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HOLY COMMUNION

As humans, we have a spirit and a soul and we live in a physical body.

The food we eat benefits our physical body by nourishing it. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual life and the word of GOD nourishes our soul.

At the LORD’S table as we call it, or the Eucharist or the Holy Communion, we eat a tiny piece of bread and a tiny cup of wine. This feeds our body a little, but more importantly, it is food to our soul, because we do it in remembrance of the new covenant in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 10:14-17

The Jews ate the passover meal as families. The LORD shared the meal with His disciples, His spiritual family. So today we acknowledge that we are one family in CHRIST under the new covenant. If we are taking part in this meal, we should be willing to obey the LORD’S command to “Love one another as I have loved you.” Therefore let us make sure we have put right our relationships before we partake of this, because, together we represent CHRIST in this world. As He is, so are we in this world. So it is very important to release and receive forgiveness and have clean hearts towards each other if we are to participate in this meal. Then, it will be a blessing to our soul. He poured out His soul unto death in grief and sorrow so that our souls may be saved and healed. The well being of our soul is a reflection of healthy relationships. Let us be blessed with good mental health - healthy emotions and a sound mind.

We must also understand that there is a spiritual aspect to this institution and that is our connection with the Almighty GOD through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. We are made alive spiritually through the death and resurrection of Him. He took the punishment of our sin on His body.

 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 10:38-39

Therefore those who partake of this should be those who have decided to follow JESUS, willing to die to self and to live for Him.

Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:53-54

This speaks of our life in CHRIST. This further shows us the seriousness of this commitment. It is a life and death matter. When we do this with such a heart, it is a blessing and brings healing and wholeness to us. On the other hand when we do this carelessly, it will bring GOD’S judgment upon us.

 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

1 Corinthians 11:27-31

I had this impression of a father working with an electric saw. When his disobedient rebellious son wanted to use it, he hastened to put the switch off and unplug the saw. On this Fathers’ day, it is even more pertinent to remember our Heavenly Father Who deals so wisely with us. No obedience, no power so that there is no judgment , but sadly, there is no blessing as well!

So let us examine our own hearts. Let parents take the responsibility to decide whether their children understand and have the fear of the LORD to partake in this.

 

Pour Out Your Heart To GOD!

My soul, wait silently for God alone, 

For my expectation is from Him. 

He only is my rock and my salvation; 

He is my defense; 

I shall not be moved. 

In God is my salvation and my glory; 

The rock of my strength, 

And my refuge, is in God. 

Trust in Him at all times, you people; 

Pour out your heart before Him; 

God is a refuge for us. Selah

Psalm 62:5-8

GOD is love. 

His love for your is pure and unconditional.

He has no selfish motives.

He is compassionate and 

His understanding is infinite!

He is the GOD of all wisdom.

He is all powerful.

He has the best solution to every problem of yours.

So pour out your heart to GOD,

to GOD alone.

It is better to pour out your heart to GOD 

than to people.

Don't pour your heart into the media - 

Whatsapp, Messenger, Zoom, texts,

calls, You tube and so on.

Doing this will only scatter and 

multiply your problems!

You will not find a solution.

Pour out your heart to GOD alone,

and find peace today.

Coloring of the Big Picture

 Coloring The Big Picture

I am a yellow painting stick, you are blue and she is pink!

to fill-in my God-given role, I have sufficient ink.

A small area here and a big area there

circle, oval, triangle and square.

Well done when you fill in your spaces

stepping out of the lines will be trespasses.

Fulfilment is in playing my role:

Everything else is heavy yoke.

If we use our strength and times:

To be painting outside our lines,

Our special paint we will lack,

and leave our spaces painted black! 

GOD in His grace fills in where I miss out:

All my transgressions His blood wipes out!

JESUS CHRIST, my Savior, His ink is red;

that turns my blacks into pure white instead.

He has graciously given me life today,

let me joyously fulfil my role, I pray.

I yield myself into Your hand:

To brightly paint the lives, You've planned.

Then when I stand before you one day,

"My faithful servant, well done," You'll say!

.. For we are His workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:9-10

And say to Archippus, 

"Take heed to the ministry 

which you have received in the Lord, 

that you may fulfill it."

Colossians 4:17

"Come now, and let us reason together," 

Says the Lord, 

"Though your sins are like scarlet, 

They shall be as white as snow; 

Though they are red like crimson, 

They shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

 You are our epistle written in our hearts, 

known and read by all men; 

clearly you are an epistle of Christ, 

ministered by us, 

written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, 

not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, 

that is, of the heart.

2 Corinthians 3:2-3

 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; 

and may your whole spirit, soul, and body 

be preserved blameless 

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He who calls you is faithful, 

who also will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

 GOD is Faithful

 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:8-9

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 
Hebrews 10:23

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"
Lamentations 3:22-24

 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:6

Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin." Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Romans 4:4-13

Hebrews 11 is a reflection of the Faithfulness of GOD displayed in and through the faith in man!

Faith is believing in the GOD Who is faithful.

Now we can understand the seeming discrepancies in the Scriptures.

 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

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:24-27

In Hebrews, Moses is portrayed as one who was bold and did not fear the wrath of the king of Egypt. In exodus we read that when he realized that his murder of the Egyptian was known, Moses feared and fled from Phroah. The faithful GOD graciously covered Moses' weakness!

 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
John 17:6

The 12 disciples of our LORD were far from perfect, but He who is Faithful, speaks to His Father about them so graciously!

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
Revelation 3:14

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
Revelation 19:11

Fear - Allaying, Interceding, Trustworthy, Holy, Forever -  Unchanging, LORD of lords!

FAITHFUL!

https://youtu.be/dH8_SKkieJg

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 !