Archive for the ‘ Fear ’ Category
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10, CSB
God is in control and cares for us, and He gives the Holy Spirit to those who seek Him diligently and believe in Christ to find understanding of His will.
Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6, CSB
God is in control and cares for us, and through the Holy Spirit we are reminded of this and find peace and abundant life in any circumstance.
Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34, CSB
God is in control and cares for us, and He will help us through each day as we seek Him and trust Him.
But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24, CSB
This world can be scary and sad, but we have been called and empowered by God to share the hope of Christ until His return and the world is made new.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 15:57, CSB
So much in this world can be scary and sad, but Christ moves in us to help us overcome this world and find joy and hope.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4, CSB
So much in this world can intimidate us and bring us fear, but God is in control and empowers us by the Holy Spirit to comfort others with the gospel as He has comforted us from our fears of death and struggle.
The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.
Proverbs 29:25, CSB
So much in this world can intimidate us and bring us fear, but God is in control and will carry us to His side when we pass from this life.
Howdy!
The world is crazy. (I know. I should warned about spoilers.)
The first week of June 2025 has proven to be interesting. Here are some thoughts:
In January, Michael Tait suddenly announced he was stepping down as front man of the band Newsboys. On June 4, Julie Roys released her investigations of his abusing cocaine and alcohol with various 22-year-old men whom he also inappropriately touched between the years of 2004-2014, possibly more being involved. On June 10, Tait put out a confession owning to the truth of the allegations.
The whole thing is horrible. His confession looks legitimate and repentant, but we still need time to know for sure.
Firstly, we need to keep Tait and the Newsboys band members in our prayers, as well as his victims and all of their families and friends.
Secondly, let us remember that “but for the grace of God, there go I.” In other words, let’s not cast major judgment and say so many “holier-than-thou” statements like “I always thought/knew …” or “this just goes to show …” This is an example of someone falling into temptation. There are several prominent Christians (in entertainment or otherwise) who remain faithful and humble. There are many fakes out there.
If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Romans 14:8-10, CSB
Instead of the I-knew-it’s and This-goes-to-show’s, let’s focus on proclaiming truth and loving the lost and hurting. To do otherwise is to engage in gossip and judgmentalism. If someone gets rid of all of their Newsboys stuff, that’s up to them. If they only listen to or keep pre-Tait Newsboys stuff, that’s up to them. If they choose to continue listening to all Newsboys stuff, that’s … also up to them.
Live for Christ and proclaim truth. Deal with this issue in a godly manner with those who ask, and then leave it at that.
This last week we saw several cities dealing with anti-ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) protests. People have been upset with how the Trump administration has been handling illegal immigration, and the protests began in major cities, resulting in Trump sending in the National Guard and Marines to LA. To no one’s surprise, this has caused controversy.
I do believe President Trump and his administration have been mishandling immigration. (I think every administration of the past 40 years at least have been mishandling immigration.) I do believe there is good reason for protests against how immigration is handled.
At the same time, damaging property, throwing molotov cocktails and stones/bricks, and attacking people is wrong. The mayor and governor not even trying to stop them is wrong. Complaining about the president stepping in when the city has become a war zone due to inaction is wrong.
Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.” For this is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Don’t let your prophets who are among you and your diviners deceive you, and don’t listen to the dreams you elicit from them, for they are prophesying falsely to you in my name. I have not sent them.” This is the Lord’s declaration.
Jeremiah 29:7-9, CSB
Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.
Romans 13:1-4, CSB
To be fair to immigrants, the US system is severely messed up, and the current administration is not helping matters. However, violence is not the answer, especially when people who had nothing to do with the issue get hurt either physically or financially. That is terrorism, not protest.
When another country’s flag is flown, especially with violence, that is not protesting; that is invasion, insurrection, and a statement of war.
This is a very complex issue, and both sides are currently over-simplifying and villifying. As Christians, we should not do either.
If all immigrants are the problem, you are a bigot.
If the president does nothing good, you are hateful.
If you see violence as a “mostly peaceful protest,” or you think the current administration is doing nothing wrong, you are deceived.
We are called to obey laws AND fight against injustice. Both sides have injustice at this time.
Talk about these matters, but be civil, be Christlike, and be willing to actually listen to each other.
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3, NLT
People may know we are Christians, but they will not understand why we can endure suffering and calamity. May we represent the peace of Christ in a chaotic world.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18, ESV
We are naturally under God’s wrath, but in Christ we are blessed with grace and freedom to love, knowing we are loved.
a simple man of God 