Fear is natural!  The problem can be: does it control us or do we control fear?  If it controls us it can be damaging and very destructive.  Fear or worry can cause unhappiness or ill health.  Fear can cause a lack of self-esteem and self-respect.

Fear can be so devastating that the Bible addresses it a number of times.  1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”  Fear many times keeps us from taking risks because we may be afraid of failing.

Fear is real and it can be debilitating. Though fear is real, we need not give in to it or allow it to misdirect our decisions.  Fear can inhibit us from not only using our talents and abilities, but also from reaching our full-potential.  And worse, we will be robbed of our peace and joy.  Once we identify fear in our lives, we can relegate it to its proper place: under the control of the Holy Spirit.  God does not want us to unreasonably fear: rather, He wants us to trust Him for everything we need.  Then we are free to pursue and fulfill our God-ordained purpose in life.

As I was writing: “What will it be like to live under Christ’s 1000 year reign”?  I wonder if we would no longer have fear or worry?  We would be given a new body able to live as many years as Methuselah and what life would be like.  I realized fear is a necessity but it must and can be controlled.  We all realize that positive fear keeps us alive.  We cannot jump off a 200 foot cliff and live.  It’s the negative fear and worrying that must be controlled.     Worrying for no apparent reason!

Luke 12:24 – 26 – “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!   Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?   Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

Romans 8:15 – “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.”  Is it too difficult to accept the promises that Christ made when telling us not to worry or be enslaved by fear?

Every year I must take a series of tests in order to keep my license to be an investment advisor.  Every three years I must take a three-hour test at the testing center, which I will be doing this December.  Fear of failing causes me to spend hours preparing.  If there was no concern or positive fear, what would the world be like?  Fear of punishment or shame, in I John above, motivates most people to do their best.  That fear can be a positive.  The fear that the Bible talks about is uncontrollable worry and fear.  Am I so worried about failing the test that I refuse to take it?  This kind of fear keeps us from reaching our full potential.  What kind of dreams have you had?  Is there a particular career that you would like to have pursued but never did because of the fear of failing or some other reason?  How many reasons did you come up with in order to not allow your dream to come true?  It isn’t too late if God is in it.

Let me share an experience that I was able to witness.  First, Scripture taught me that we can overcome fear and worry by listening to the Holy Spirit with spiritual ears, keeping everything in perspective and doing our best to remain coolheaded in the midst of madness.  It takes time.  It takes determination.  It takes practice.  But it works.  If we only knew what God had planned for us, because we failed to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.  Anytime fear causes you to not try, because of fear of failing, seek the Holy Spirit’s council and see if this is something God wants you to do.

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I previously wrote that my cousin’s daughter’s grandmother visited her after her grandmother had died. After passing away how did she know where her granddaughter was, who was asleep in bed? She woke here and told her that she was going to be with the Lord and to be a good girl—and she was gone. I have heard of others having similar incidences.  It wasn’t too long after that when Dr Moody in 1976 published his book entitled “Life after Life”.  After reading his book it gave me a different perspective in what happens when a person dies. 

I read an interview that Dr. Moody gave describing what people who have had a near death experience shared when they came back to life.

“They say they become aware of what’s described as a tunnel, a passageway, a portal, and they go into this tunnel, and when they come out, they come out into a very brilliant, warm, loving and accepting light. People at this point describe such amazing feelings of peace and comfort. In this light they say that relatives or friends of theirs who have already died seem to be there to meet them and to greet them and to help them through this transition. Another thing they’ll often tell us is that at this point they are met by some religious figure — Christians say Christ, Jews say God or an angel. They say in this setting that this being, in effect, asks them a question, and they all say that words can’t convey it — that communication in this position does not take place through words as you and I are now using, but rather in the form of an immediate awareness. The way they summarize this question, or try to put it into words, is they say that he asks, in effect, “What have you done with your life? How have you learned to love?” At this point, they say, they undergo a detailed review of everything they have ever done in their lives. This is displayed around them, they tell us, in the form of a full-color, three-dimensional panorama, and it involves every detail of their life, they say, from the point of their birth right up to the point of this close call with death.”

I wrote when I was in my teens a neighbor lady would describe things to my folks that were going to happen and they did.  One example: she told me I was going to be invited to go out of town to a party and I shouldn’t go.  Two weeks later I was invited to go to a skating party out of town.  I couldn’t this time.  On the way they were involved in a serious car accident.  She was continually seeing into the future and in most cases they happened as described. 

In the past few years more and more information has been given on paranormal experiences.  Ghost stories and haunted buildings are on TV and there are a number of movies describing paranormal situations. 

So what do we know happens after death?  Prior to the resurrection of Christ, when a person died under the Old Covenant, both believers and non-believers went to Sheol (Hell or Hades).  It was a temporary dwelling place for the soul.  Luke describes a story that Jesus told in Luke 16:19 -26.  The story concerned a rich man and Lazarus a beggar.  They both died and went to Sheol.  However, one went to Abraham’s bosom or Paradise and the other went to a “place of torment”.  The rich man who was in agony saw Lazarus standing beside Abraham.  He called out to Abraham and asked that he have pity on him and have Lazarus dip the tip of his finger in water and cool the rich man’s tongue.  Abraham stated there was a great chasm between them and that he could not get to the place of torment from Paradise.  Meaning once you are in the place of torment you could not cross over.  Many believe the chasm between them was the Abyss or the Bottomless Pit where the most evil spirits are housed until the Antichrist will come.

The Bible is very clear about our ability to communicate once we die regardless whether we are a child of God or a non-believer.  Those who have had a near death experience all say that they were asked:  “What have you done with your life?”  I have read where some having a near-death-experience believe they had gone into hell and it changed their lives forever once they recovered.  Others tell of an experience that was so beautiful that it was indescribable. 

The Bible has described to me a place so exhilarating and exotic, where a number of relatives and friends are waiting to greet me and that it will be like a reunion.  My mother was one of ten children and we use to have a reunion with more than fifty relatives showing up.  That will be one of the many benefits of heaven. 

You cannot help but morn when a relative or friend passes on. It is human and normal.  However, should we not be grateful and pleased when a Christian dies that they are going to a far greater place than any of us could ever imagine?  More funerals should be times of celebration for the rewards that a believer will receive for having lived a holy life, putting God first in all things and loving others as ourselves.

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Thanks to Darryl & Bryan who help me post each week.  A Merry Christmas to all who read these Christian blogs.

The greatest gift anyone can receive is Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Having been in retail 29 years it is a time when most people are wanting special gifts.  However, Christmas is not about getting what we don’t have and want but about thanking God for what we do have and what He has given us.

Having spent four years in the service and being in foreign countries most Americans do not realize how blessed we are.  Too often our thoughts are on big homes, larger cars and more exotic vacations.  While some people are wondering what they might eat today.  We may be concerned about not spilling anything on the carpet and others have dirt floors.  My joy comes from my relationship with Christ and it is not about stuff!  We must get our eyes off of material items and focus on worshipping God.

Let’s all take a few minutes thanking God for what we have and not about what we would like to have.  Thinking positively is healthy and thinking negatively can be physically harmful.  Let’s keep Christmas about Jesus and not “overly” about gifts or gift giving!

As I write this my prayer is that God will show me how I can better worship Him.  John tells us that if we do not do what God commands we are a liar and the truth is not in us.  Can we truly worship Him if we do not know what His commands are and keep them?

1 John 2:3 – 4 – “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.  Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.’”

Matthew 22:36 – 37 –“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?  Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.”

A religious leader asked Jesus, out of the 613 laws, which one is the most important?  Jesus told him it was to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind and the second was to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We know that we cannot hate our neighbor and still love God.  So let’s concentrate on how we are to love God.  We were given Ten Commandments and in the first four were given in order for us to know how to love and worship God.  We must have no other God; do not make, bow down to or worship idols; do not take the Lord’s name in vain and remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.  The other six were how we were to treat others.

God commands that there is only one way to Him and that is through Jesus Christ.  What about those who say there are many ways to God?  What about other religions who believe they are worshiping God but not through Christ?

We are commanded not to worship idols.  What about those who have religious or sacred idols in their homes?  Have some made money or material things their idols.  What about those who worship or idolize celebrities?

You cannot live in our society and not hear people use the Lord’s name in vain.  Something unexpected happens and it isn’t unusual for a moral person to say: “O my God”.   Some of the things that come out of the mouth of some professing Christians are unbelievable.

Keep the Sabbath Day holy!  God gives us six days and asks that we give Him one day to worship Him.  He gives us 90% of what we receive materially and asks for ten percent in return.  Do we make everyday ours and keep everything we get?  How well do we keep this Commandment?

I like what Dr. Stanley teaches about worship.  We can read our Bible, sing songs, pray and yet not really be worshipping God.  Worship is about perception, our attitude; it is our love of God.  Do we have a pure heart?  How do we deal with sin?  Do we repent? Do we have a spirit of humility or a submission to God’s Will?  Do we have a spirit of obedience to God and do we give Him our total commitment?  Are we aware of His Spirit living in us each day?  Worship is how we live.  Are we living a holy and righteous life and are we living to please God or ourselves?  Worship is about how we think.  Worship is not necessarily about what we do.  It is great to attend church, sing religious songs, read our Bibles and become knowledgeable.  But is it truly worshipping God if we are not keeping His Commandments?  Or, is it just going through the motions?  How much we love God will be seen in our daily lives!  You cannot camouflage your love for Him.

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More than fifty years of being a Christian I have found it has many advantages.  However, a crucial step toward securing the Christian advantage is to understand that it is not a side-benefit of salvation; rather, it is a side-benefit of spiritual maturity.  The gift of salvation that one receives by accepting Christ is a solid beginning but solid beginnings don’t necessarily translate into solid endings.  Entering a race is not the same as finishing a race!  The Christian advantage is secured by getting past the starting gate and racing toward maturity.  The first lap in the race consists of asking a number of important questions.  What is spiritual maturity?  What are the consequences of a person’ state of maturity?  How spiritually mature am I?  How can I become spiritually mature?  Am I willing to make an all-out commitment to serve Christ?

Paul describes maturity as a progression that reaches to eternity rather than a specific plateau one can reach and settle into retirement.  Of course the definition of maturity is subjective.  It means different things to different people.  My definition is growing towards a goal rather than actually reaching a goal.  It is a process similar to sanctification being a process.  Maturity encompasses many stages of growth in a Christian’s life but for all practical purposes the person who has left the elementary teachings about Christ and is growing to maturity falls within the range of what I consider mature.

The question of the consequences of a Christian’s state of maturity depends on whether or not he is moving or standing still.  It is not uncommon for men and women who have been Christians for some years to find themselves frozen in place.  They have made a solid beginning and then stopped.  They are not running, walking or even crawling.  They are the embodiment of the Christians Paul criticized in his letter to the Corinthians.  1 Corinthians 3:1 – “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.”

As I sat on the board of a local business we were told that the business had become profitable again.  After a couple of hours of assessing the problems the business had encountered over the past 2½ years it occurred to me that this is sometimes how God works.  I reminded the owner that he had been given a definite call to consult and witness to other Christian business people.  I asked, how might you help others unless every problem that is possible happened to your business and you found a way to correct it?  Most Christians don’t believe they need your help when everything is going well.  It is when they are struggling that they need Christian guidance.  Then they may be more likely to listen.

It has been my experience that God will continually stretch us.  He will allow us to go through the most difficult problems in order to prepare us for what His next plan is for our lives.  No greater example is the life of the Apostle Paul.  Some of the wealthiest Christian business people have had to go through bankruptcy before obtaining their riches.  Sometimes the more spiritually mature we become and the more capable we are the greater our struggles become.  So how do we handle them?  Do we work more hours as the world does or do we trust that God is in it and the Holy Spirit is there to help us?  Paul’s example is that we must maintain contentment, peace, joy and love regardless.  To Paul, problems were challenges and opportunities and not really obstacles.

Now we come to the question of how to become spiritually mature which is easy to answer but not so easy to implement.  We have all known a number of Christians who tried to become spiritually mature and failed so miserably and completely that after a time they simply gave up and returned to the influence of their worldly natures.  It might be encouraging to these folks to know that the Apostle Paul experienced the same struggles, the same failures and after a time, he too gave up.  Romans 7:15 – 18 – “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”  Paul describes his struggles and underscores the hopelessness of trying to win by using one’s own strength or power.  It simply cannot be done.  Those Christians who have gone through the struggle and given up are often astonished when they discover that giving up is the first step toward winning the struggle.

The most important lesson to learn about the conflict between one’s worldly nature and one’s spiritual nature is to stop struggling!  This is precisely what Paul did and it is precisely what all Christians must do.  Unfortunately, the matter doesn’t end there.  Christians who are aggressive and goal oriented are certain to face a daily onslaught of events that will tempt them to take matters into their own hands and “do battle” with their antagonists.  The fact is that Christians in the workplace can be assured that no matter how successful they might be at turning the matter over to the Holy Spirit; “thereby putting to death whatever belongs to their world natures” they do not have the faith and trust in God to do so.

Keep in mind that those who do nothing never experience failure.  Only those who try to accomplish something experience it.  Then there is the matter of satanic influence.  The fact is that Satan hates God and those who love and worship Him.  Satan concentrates on those who are growing spiritually.  He doesn’t waste time trying to tempt or interfere with people who are spiritually sick or dying.

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A number of times I have been asked why America does not appear in the Book of Revelation.  There doesn’t appear to be any nation coming to the Jews rescue.  However, some believe the U.S. will not have the will or the ability to assist Israel in its defense.

As an investment advisor I spend much time reading or listening to financial news.  I am normally optimistic and generally listen to those who are positive vs. those who preach gloom and doom.  We elect leaders who promise that they will bring positive change and a growing economy.  In most part, we believe that no matter which party is in power there will always be opportunity.

I have gone through a number of recessions and my hope that better times would arrive shortly kept me thinking positive.  During those recessions there were always those who would tell us: but these times are different.  When it was all over there was nothing different.  The fact was, because of fear, many failed to take advantage of some tremendously low values in real estate, the stock market and other areas.  Many of those who invested at the bottom and took large risks have done very well.

As Americans we just believe in ourselves and as a country we can manage through, no matter with what we are faced.  But this one time it appears to be different.  Within a few short years our debt could equal 90% of our gross domestic product (GDP).  The scary part is, most of our political leaders do not seem to have the will to do anything about it.   Those who do I am not sure have the answer in correcting the debt and deficit situation.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost dearly.  Medicare, with the prescription drug benefit, social security and Medicaid’s future costs.  The union’s demands for high wages and benefits that cannot be paid for in the future will cause many retirement dreams to be burst.  We have states that are facing bankruptcy with economies greater than Greece, Ireland or Spain.  We are faced with the problems European nations are creating worldwide.

Never before in my lifetime have there been those within, hoping that the United States would go into bankruptcy and that the world would be better off without us.  When America is no longer able to help defend other nations around the globe they believe this would be a better world.  As a bankrupt country we would not have the means to really defend ourselves.  That would make all nations more equal. Starvation and pain must be shared equally.

I read the above information all the time.  Most of it I do not agree with and here is the reason why.  God’s plan for the end times is that He alone will save Israel and the world so that no one will have any doubt.

II Thessalonians 2:9 – 12 – “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”

Are we as Americans living through a time when God has sent a powerful delusion that we will believe all of the lies that we are being told; lies that make us reject the truth?”

Revelation 19:13 – 15 – “He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.  The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.  From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.” NLT

God will not need any nation in the end times to do what He plans to do.  I believe this is why America is not found in the Book of Revelation.  I do not think the end of time is just around the corner but I believe it is getting much closer.  I do not believe the U.S. is going into bankruptcy.  I believe these past few months have been an excellent time to invest.  I believe the American people will demand that our government take the necessary steps to get people back to work and our economy continuing to grow.  I don’t believe God is pleased with us but I still feel there is a chance for a spiritual revival in America.  All it takes is prayer!

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Once Christ was placed on the cross many of His disciples and particularly the apostles fled and hid themselves.  They were afraid that what was happening to Christ would happen to them.

In a recent discussion some young people asked, would God forgive a Christian if they took the “mark of the beast”?  As we get closer to the end-time I am sure this is a question many are asking themselves.  Who among us would be willing to accept death rather than have the mark placed on our forehead or right hand?  What about our children?  What would happen to them if we were killed?  Maybe I should take the mark so that I could feed my family and supply them with their needs.  No mark, no food!  We are told that refusing to take the mark or worshipping the idol one would starve to death or be beheaded.  Refusing will require a Christian truly committed and faithful to God.

Revelation 13:16 – 17 – “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,  so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.”

If you have watched any sport you may have noticed the number of tattoos that are becoming so popular. Go to the mall during the summer and notice how many ladies are sporting a tattoo.  Are they becoming so popular that taking another mark will be just adding another tattoo?

Revelation 14:9 -11 – “A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: ‘If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.’”

I believe it is very clear what happens to those who follow the Antichrist.  You shall be eternally punished with fire and brimstone in the presence of holy angels and Christ.  That means God will give a person eternal punishment without His mercy or grace.  The unbeliever will have no relief day or night from being tormented.  Their days will be a time of anguish and their nights will be nightmares of torment.

The Bible tells us there will be no second chances and no forgiveness once a person accepts the “mark of the beast”.  We may choose to have pleasure for a short time while we are on this earth but eternity is a long-time to be separated from God.

Here is what I see as a positive.  Prior to Pentecost the apostles were afraid of death.  Scripture tells us they were in a home behind locked doors not really willing to answer a person knocking at the door.  After they received the Holy Spirit they were bold and began witnessing in public everywhere someone would listen.  Why were they later willing to die for spreading the gospel? After each apostle was martyred the others continued to preach the gospel.  I believe there will be a time when the Holy Spirit will remove all fear and we will be able to accept death as a privilege to die for our Savior.  So keep the faith.

Revelation 20:4 – 6 – I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.   Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”

What are your plans for the thousand years, to be with Christ or Satan?  Which will you choose the “mark” or death?   Death brings eternal life and the “mark” brings eternal death!

It’s 1:35 a.m. and I woke up from a dream.  Rarely do I dream and normally by morning I have forgotten what the dream was about.  It took place at church.  It concerned a person who, it seemed, I knew very well but awake I could not place him.  He was an usher at church and during the service he just was not his normal self.  It was very evident that he had lost his sparkle, that positive demeanor and his passion for helping others find a seat.  I am now fearful that if I don’t get up I will have forgotten what happens when I awake in the morning.  Hurriedly I make a few notes and head back to bed.

The alarm goes off in my head at 4:00 a.m. and it’s time to start another day.  I decide that it is important that I make a few more notes and I cut short my normal routine.  So I get back to the dream. Do dreams sometimes come from the Holy Spirit?  My son had a dream that he was driving in one of the worse parts of Los Angeles.  In his dream he became aware of where he was and had the inclination to get out of that area quickly.  Two weeks later he was driving in one of the worse parts of Las Vegas and that dream came to him.  He considered the dream could be a premonition and that he had better get out of that area immediately.  What do you think about dreams?  Can they be Holy Spirit inspired?

Back to my dream!  After the service I met him and asked if he was having some problems.  He stated that he was having trouble living a Christian life.  I told him that one of the greatest problems many Christians have is knowing what the Bible teaches and then being able to trust what God promises.  He can be trusted.

A few years back I was stopped at a red light. As the light turned green I started to pull out and felt led to look to my left.  A pick up came through the intersection at about 45 mph.  Had I pulled out I would have been broadsided.  There is no doubt in my mind that I was prompted by the Holy Spirit.  Since then I never pull out without looking both ways and proceeding carefully.

If you have read my blogs you realize I believe that one of the greatest problems many have is believing that Christ lives in us and through us in the form of the Holy Spirit.  It is so hard for most to accept that we have a counselor and protector willing to help us.  Yet, many Christians live life in their own strength, ignoring the Holy Spirit’s help.   I believe that God allows all kinds of situations to occur until we finally accept and become dependent upon Him.  How often have we learned through Scripture that tells us to surrender our spirit to God?

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  How long should it take for new Christian’s to learn that we are to allow Christ, who is in us, to no longer live with our sin nature?  Are we not to die to our old life and live as the Holy Spirit guides us?

No matter how frustrating and difficult life seems we must realize that God will see us through it.  I Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  Do we expect life to be free of all difficulties?  If we never faced serious problems who would we depend upon: God or ourselves?  That I believe is our major problem.  We depend on ourselves too often and God is allowing problems to exist in order to teach us to rely upon Him.

I woke up before I found out what the individual’s (in my dream) problems really were and whether he accepted my advice or not.  At least we tried!