Category: Fear

Loving God

Today’s Scripture & Insight: 1 John 4:10–21

The professor ended his online class in one of two ways each time. He’d say, “See you next time” or “Have a good weekend.” Some students would respond with “Thank you. You too!” But one day a student responded, “I love you.” Surprised, he replied, “I love you too!” That evening the classmates agreed to create an “I love you chain” for the next class time in appreciation for their professor who had to teach to a screen on his computer, not in-person teaching as he preferred. A few days later when he finished teaching, the professor said, “See you next time,” and one by one the students replied, “I love you.” They continued this practice for months. The teacher said this created a strong bond with his students, and he now feels they’re “family.”

In 1 John 4:10–21, we, as part of God’s family, find several reasons to say “I love you” to Him: He sent His Son as a sacrifice for our sin (v. 10). He gave us His Spirit to live in us (vv. 13, 15). His love is always reliable (v. 16), and we never need to fear judgment (v. 17). He enables us to love Him and others “because he first loved us” (v. 19).

The next time you gather with God’s people, take time to share your reasons for loving Him. Making an “I love you” chain for God will bring Him praise and bring you closer together.

A Testimony

In God no feud is found

Past are my Brother’s fears

The Saviour’s Love and gratitude

Wipe painful bitter tears

Now the paths of tribes reflect

Right, Truth, Peace and Love

Abiding in our Master’s Light

With Angels from above

And oh the years of sadness

Of darkness and disdain

When we fought and killed each man

By the river´s grassy plains

And as for my forefathers

With covenants passed to keep

I testify of visions true

Sent to feed His Sheep

This lowly servant, that I am

Proclaims the Saviour’s Love

and weaves together unity

A mantle from above.

Joseph McTaggart

The Stoning of Stephen (Book of Acts)

Oh the years without a creed

With stone in hand to hurt and bleed

I thought no Saviour did I need

Twas the same thought aimed at Stephen

Each day began with crowds and fears

Conditioned hatred, screams and tears

With stones in hand I marched up near

Twas the same thought aimed at Stephen

And with fear, in thought and mind,

Other people did I bind

With rage and anger to mankind

Twas the same thought aimed at Stephen

I threw my stones with strength I found

And watched them tumbling to the ground

No power can hurt what God has crowned

Twas the same thought aimed at Stephen

And as I learnt to leave my woes

And trust in God oh sweet repose

Through the Saviour’s blood we know

The example of St Stephen

Joseph McTaggart

Precious Jewels

Malachi 3 New International Version 

Israel Speaks Arrogantly Against God

13 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord.

“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’

14 “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evil doers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”

The Faithful RemnantImage result for malachi 3 v17

16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honoured his name.

17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

A favourite children’s hymn to a tune some of you may not recognise played by David Daws on Euphonium and accompanied by Regent Hall Band of The Salvation Army.

  1. When He cometh, when He cometh,
    To make up His jewels,
    All His jewels, precious jewels,
    His loved and His own.

    • Refrain:
      Like the stars of the morning,
      His bright crown adorning,
      They shall shine in their beauty,
      Bright gems for His crown.
  2. He will gather, He will gather
    The gems for His kingdom,
    All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
    His loved and His own.
  3. Little children, little children,
    Who love their Redeemer,
    Are the jewels, precious jewels,
    His loved and His own.

The Penitent’s Plea

One of my favourite hymns is The Penitent’s Plea written by Herbert Booth and goes to the tune Savior, hear me, while before Thy feet.

If you are unfamiliar with the hymn or tune it’s a hymn of repentance and a hymn used to forgive sins

1 Saviour, hear me while before thy feet
I the record of my sins repeat.
Stained with guilt, myself abhorring,
Filled with grief, my soul outpouring;
Canst thou still in mercy think of me,
Stoop to set my shackled spirit free,
Raise my sinking heart and bid me be
Thy child once more?

Refrain:
Grace there is my every debt to pay,
Blood to wash my every sin away,
Power to keep me spotless day by day,
For me, for me!

2 All the memories of deeds gone by
Rise within me and thy power defy;
With a deathly chill ensnaring,
They would leave my soul despairing.
Saviour, take my hand, I cannot tell
How to stem the tides that round me swell,
How to ease my conscience, or to quell
My flaming heart.

3 Yet why should I fear? Hast thou not died
That no seeking soul should be denied?
To that heart, its sins confessing,
Canst thou fail to give a blessing?
By the love and pity thou hast shown,
By the blood that did for me atone,
Boldly will I kneel before thy throne,
A pleading soul.

4 All the rivers of thy grace I claim,
Over every promise write my name.
As I am I come, believing,
As thou art thou dost, receiving,
Bid me rise a free and pardoned slave,
Master o’er my sin, the world, the grave,
Charging me to preach thy power to save
To sin bound souls.

Please sit back and enjoy this cornet solo of The Penitent’s Plea

The Man of Galilee

Matthew 14 New International Version

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

The Rich and the Poor

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Proverbs 22 New Living Translation

22 Choose a good reputation over great riches;
    being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

2 The rich and poor have this in common:
    The Lord made them both.

3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
    The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

4 True humility and fear of the Lord
    lead to riches, honour, and long life.

5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
    whoever values life will avoid it.

6 Direct your children onto the right path,
    and when they are older, they will not leave it.

7 Just as the rich rule the poor,
    so the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
    and their reign of terror will come to an end.[a]

9 Blessed are those who are generous,
    because they feed the poor.

10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
    Quarrels and insults will disappear.

11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
    will have the king as a friend.

12 The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
    but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
    If I go outside, I might be killed!”

14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
    those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.

15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
    but physical discipline will drive it far away.

16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
    or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

The Reassurance from Fear

Philippians 4 V 6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I don’t mind telling you this but yesterday my wife and I went and bought a new double bed because the present one is done. After paying our deposit I started to worry where the rest of the payment was coming from.

After a little bit of prayer and thought that problem was answered. Just remember the next time your feeling anxious or worried about something bring it to God in prayer.

In God’s Hands

Isaiah 41:10-12 New International Version

10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 “All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all.

It’s probably a good job we don’t know what’s ahead of us for example we didn’t know Covid – 19 was going to raise it’s ugly head towards 2019. A couple of lockdowns on with vaccinations in September 2021 we’re still fighting the virus.

Meanwhile things have been happening else where.

Recently America has pulled their troops out of Afghanistan because of the troubles there, and on top of that New Orleans has been hit by a tornado

I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather round me;
The God I serve is one who cares and understands;
Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me,
Of this I am assured: I’m in His hands.

I’m in His hands, I’m in His hands;
Whate’er the future holds, I’m in His hands;
The days I cannot see have all been planned for me;
His way is best, you see; I’m in His hands.

What though I cannot know the way that lies before me,
I still can trust and freely follow His commands;
My faith is firm since He it is who watches o’er me;
Of this I’m confident: I’m in His hands.

In days gone by my Lord has always proved sufficient,
When I have yielded to the law of love’s demands;
Why should I doubt that He would evermore be present
To make His will my own? I’m in His hands!