It’s painful to watch someone be controlled by “fear!” It can eat them alive, destroy their life, or worse, their faith. The Bible says the things you fear the most will come upon you. I witnessed that verse play out. A mother once shared what her worst fear was, and it actually came to pass almost with the exact details she shared.
But what if one’s “fear” affects others? What if their acting in “fear” caused a divide, a riff, in another family? That is what happened last week in our home. One of April’s friend’s “fears” affected me, and I displayed my anger concerning the matter. I thought it was silly, and I, in turn, decided I did not want to be around that person. Then April got mad. Fear is like a shark attack. Many times, sharks don’t just take one bite and then leave!
It took a couple of days, but we worked our way through it. And the thing is, God controlled things so their “fear” wouldn’t come to pass anyway. They forgot about God. They forgot to give their “fear” to Him. Some allow their fears to get to megalodon proportions!
F orgetting E verything A bout R edemption
Redemption means: the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
Fear can rise in anyone at any time. Some fear is healthy. For instance, having a fear or respect for a poisonous snake can keep you alive. But when you allow your “fears” to control your behavior or, perhaps worse, control others, then it is wrong! People get hurt, including the one who manifested the “fear” in the first place.
Remember to give any and all “fear” to God. Be honest with Him and tell Him what is bothering you. Then trust Him by remembering that you have been redeemed and that He can protect you from evil coming upon you.
The worst of my fears has come true, what I’ve dreaded most has happened. Job 3:25 (MSG)
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isa. 41:10 (MSG)
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. 1 John 4:18 (NIV)
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Ps. 34:4 (NIV)
The game of chess came about in 1475. Chess is a board game for two players, called White and Black, each controlling an army of chess pieces, with the objective to checkmate the opponent’s king.
If you have never played, know that the different pieces can only move in specific ways and a number of spaces at a time. There is a hierarchy of pieces from the pawns to the king. There is only one King who becomes the final victor.
The battle between two sides has always been a key part of a good story. Good vs. evil. Light vs. darkness. And, of course, The Rebel Alliance vs. The Evil Empire. I have often thought of God vs. Satan as a chess game, and humans are the pieces that do battle for either side.
Satan wanted to be a god unto himself, but there can only be one at the top. When he and one-third of the angels rose up against God, He had no choice but to banish them from heaven forever. Ever since that time, Satan has been waring against God to get revenge, take over, and destroy His kingdom.
Chess is only a game, but life isn’t! When life ends, there is only heaven or hell. One may say they don’t believe in God. Heaven isn’t real. They may refuse of their own will not to accept God’s gift of salvation to be saved from hell. They may say, “I don’t believe in hell,” but hell believes in them. Satan is not playing a game. Out of hate, he is trying to win. He doesn’t care about humans. He will use them to get back at God and then destroy them. His biggest lie is that there is no God and that there is no punishment for not accepting Him.
I am definitely on God’s side. I am not the King, and I am certainly NOT the queen (LOL), but I have thought of myself as a mere pawn. My moves are limited; therefore, I need to follow the instructions of the King. Who is the King? That is Jesus Christ. The King of Kings. I hope you will choose to be on God’s side. Willing to be led by Him and live according to His ways, which are pure, right, and out of love. For when God says, “Checkmate,” it will all be over once and for all.
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they [a]did not prevail, nor was a place found for [b]them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Rev. 12:7-9 (NKJV)
14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Rev. 17:14 (NKJV)
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[b] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Rev. 20:7-10 (NKJV)
15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:15 (NKJV)
“Life would be easy if it wasn’t for all of the freaken people!” Anonymous
True confession: The older I get, the less I enjoy getting out. Not sure if that’s common or not. I enjoy getting to stay home. The main reason is because of self-serving, distracted drivers these days. And sometimes those same drivers are standing in line in front of me.
This last week, I encountered two such individuals. The first one was while I was in line at a discount store. I looked, and the lady in front of me had “two” carts full. I had “four” items. She even turned, looked at me, and I was holding my “four” items up high to make sure she could see them. I was expecting her to say, “Oh, go in front of me.” But she didn’t. So I proceeded to count my items out loud. “1, 2, 3, 4, items,” I said. Again she looked at me. Even the cashier seemed bewildered by the woman’s self-serving action. The woman proceeded to check out. “87 items,” the cashier noted. I was mad, but I held my tongue and then even helped the lady by putting her two carts up where they went. The woman seemed to be angry, evil, and perhaps oppressed by a demon.
The second was, of all places, the post office. The mother seemed decent, at first, at least until her exhausted little girl started acting out. There were a lot of others there as well, and getting annoyed quickly! The man behind me left. I tried my best to ignore her behavior and the mother’s obnoxious parenting. You’ve witnessed this scene, I’m sure. “Now, (name of child), stop it. You’re going to get spanked. Stop hurting my face. It’s not nice. Yes, everyone is looking at you and your bad behavior. I’m going to leave you here.” The line was long and moving slowly. I was hoping the woman would leave and take her child home and put her to bed. Everybody was hoping!
Then I decided to pray over the child and the atmosphere. As I was praying, the little girl looked right at me, and with her dark eyes, she seemed to snarl at me. It was scary. I then whispered for the evil spirit to leave the little girl. He didn’t. I prayed for the environment to be flipped. From a place of distress to one of peace. It didn’t work. There were thoughts of going “postal.” Just kidding.
I realize now why my prayers didn’t work. I should have thought of it earlier because I am writing a book on the subject. I didn’t try to cast out the demon from the little girl out loud. Neither did I speak to the environment to change out loud. In my book, I write about how spiritual warfare has to be done out loud. Whenever Jesus encountered “people” who needed to be set free from anything, He spoke out loud. Yes, I know the others in the post office would have heard me, but shouldn’t they witness that we can have dominion over this world and the evil spirits that try to rule it?
10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. Eph. 6:12-17 (MSG)
The more familiar version says:
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 13 For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. Eph. 6:12-13 (NET)
I can’t avoid going out, and I can’t avoid people. I shouldn’t want to because it is people that need to hear the truth about God and how much He loves them. It’s people, and their daughters, that need to be set free from sin, bondage, and demonic influences. Love people as Jesus did. Have compassion on them and take your authority in the name of Jesus and do what Jesus would do. Just do it out loud!
Below is part of the story where Jesus cast out demons from a possed man. The whole story can be read in Mark 5:1-20.
5 1-5 They arrived on the other side of the sea in the country of the Gerasenes. As Jesus got out of the boat, a madman from the cemetery came up to him. He lived there among the tombs and graves. No one could restrain him—he couldn’t be chained, couldn’t be tied down. He had been tied up many times with chains and ropes, but he broke the chains, snapped the ropes. No one was strong enough to tame him. Night and day he roamed through the graves and the hills, screaming out and slashing himself with sharp stones.
6-8 When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—then howled in protest, “What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!” (Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, “Out! Get out of the man!”) (MSG)
My mother claims she started watching the above “soap opera” when it debuted when she was only 16 years old. As my sister and I grew up, we knew not to interrupt mom’s “program”! In fact, the story goes that when I was only 4, I would hear the theme song play and start heading to my bedroom saying, “Time to go to bed!”
The program was about people and their lives, the drama they experienced. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I have never heard, or understood why they called these types of programs, “soaps”. Well the other day, I was talking to an old friend after a few years of losing contact with them. As they shared with me their family’s “drama” I started feeling dirty, if you will. When I began to figure out why I felt that way I realized it was because “God” was not involved in their lives!
Now there is no way I would say that I have lived a perfect, or spotless life, but it has all been washed by the blood of Jesus and my sins are gone. Plus, life is good these days. Yes, things still breakdown occasionally and we have some struggles and challenges with finances, but knowing that God is right here with me makes me feel better about the things of life. I feel clean. Also, I know He protects us from the evil one, who wants to kill steal, and destroy!
Many people know how they should be living, and some were even raised up in the church, but for one reason or another, they choose not to live according to God’s words. He gave us those very words, not to make our lives boring, or a drudgery, but on the contrary to give us real life. Abundant life! When He made man and woman, He placed them in a garden. That’s the kind of life He wants us to have, but out of freewill, many choose to live in the city dump. It breaks my heart that they are missing out now, and will miss out for eternity unless they accept Jesus and ask him to be Lord of their life. To cleanse them by washing their sins away through his death on the cross and making them white as snow.
I try my very best to be a careful, cautious, and courteous driver. Because of that I have expectations that others will be as well… but the reality is, some are not! The other day, April and I left the house and a block from home I had an ambulance pull out in front of me with their emergency lights and or siren NOT on. Gees! Then about a mile later I had a driver cut me off and I had to slam on the brakes to keep from hitting them. As it turned out, they pulled into the same drive-thru we did.
That restaurant provides two lanes to place your order. I was finished placing ours and proceeded to pull forward. That same driver, who had already cut me off once, gave it the gas and cut me off again! I had to hit the brakes hard and then I laid on the horn to show my disapproval. I begin complaining to April about this person’s attitude. I don’t think she wanted to hear it!
On my way back home, after dropping April off at work, I felt bad for allowing this particular person to affect my attitude! I begin praying about it. I felt better. Then I started praying for the individual. I stopped mid prayer and thought, “What kind of a day is this person going to have?” I assumed a very bad one.
I imagine this type of person is the one in the office you cringe every time you have to encounter them. Whether for their time sheet, office supplies, or for information you need to include on the report your boss asked you to write. You know the type. You have met one, or two in your career, I’m sure.
Here is how I know they were going to have a bad day; that driver sowed “evil”! Therefore, they will reap “evil” That is a universal law that God put in place; you reap what you sow. I still prayed for them, but I refocused the words. I prayed they would come to know God, and that his love would fill them as they become like him.
If you are experiencing a lot of bad things and bad people with bad attitudes, perhaps you should consider what you are sowing? It’s not always the case but you can never escape this one universal law.
Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. Gal. 6:7-8 (MSG)
Her parents just immigrated to America from India. She was three years old, and didn’t know any English. Now, a few months later, and being enrolled in a preschool she is learning a few words at a time. But when one of her co-students said to her, “I don’t like you and I don’t want to play with you” the toddler simply smiled and used body language to invite her to swing with her on the tire.
When I heard this true story I realized the beauty of not being able to speak or understand the language of hate, or of racism. To have the capacity to smile in the face of evil is a special gift. I could learn from the little precious girl from India.
I think, no, I know Jesus had this special gift. For when He was falsely accused, hated, spit upon, and betrayed He still managed to say, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
A worthy goal that will take lots of practice to perfect, but think of the message it sends to the one spouting toxic words. A message of love. In any language!
A lot is changing in the world, and fast too. I don’t like what I am seeing either. I know there has always been evil in the world, but it seems like it is taking a predominate place in our society. Some other people see it too, and have shared their observations via social media. We are entering, if not there already, in the end times.
It amazes me how people can believe a lie and go to their grave proclaiming it. It astonishes me how a group of people can have a hold of the media, and only their words are heard over the airwaves. It bewilders me how individuals can hear or read something and blindly believe it, just because it was on TV, radio, or social media.
Think for yourselves people!
Is ignoring a lie easier than standing up for truth?
I understand the pressure of being the minority in a group that has a difference of opinion from the others. Jesus understood this kind of pressure as well. His life example and teaching went against the power figures of his day. Yes, it is true, they killed him, but the truth he gave lived on, and empowered by the Holy Spirit was spread by a very small band of believers. What is also true, is they stayed on point and eventually changed a large portion of the world.
Although we hear words coming from people, most of the time we are battling a spirit, an evil spirit. Here is what God says on this subject:
10 Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.
11 Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! 12 Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. 13 Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.
14 Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. 15 Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.
16 In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One! 17–18 Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God. Eph. 6:10-18 (TPT)
So take heart, and stand for what is true no matter what. Your solid stance for what is true may convince others to listen to the life giving words coming from your mouth. They might believe in Jesus and find salvation that will put them on the right side of the battle, and even if they die on earth they will live forever in heaven.
One doesn’t have to look around very far, or watch the news very long to see there is a lack of peace in our world. And social media, these days, should come with a pain scale.
When I try to watch the news I find myself yelling at the so called “leaders” of our country. You know, just because they control the media doesn’t mean they are speaking truth. I don’t like how I feel when that happens, or when I witness unrest.
I don’t think I am alone when I say, what I desire most, right now, is peace. Last year, 2020, kept us on edge. “What’s going to happen?” “What do I need to do?” “How can I stay safe?” “Where can I find toilet paper?” “How do I keep those I love healthy?”
When Jesus found himself in a storm, he simply said, “Peace be still.” Is that all it takes? Well, sort of. It’s a start. It’s declaring, I’m not going to get caught up in all of the unrest. I don’t have to state my position or opinions on social media. I can turn on the TV in time to get my weather update and then turn it off again, and make an effort to stay away from world news.
Jesus offered us peace by trusting in him.
“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” John 14:27 (TPT)
Instead, I can commit to fill my mind, my time, my world with things I enjoy. With things that build up, instead of teardown. With activities, words, relationships that inspire, or bring peace. It’s my world after all. I do have a say so, and so do you. Take control of your own life, when and where you can. You will find more peace that way, and feel better too.
The truth about the bottom line of your life is this:
Whether you choose of your own will, to accept God now, or after you die, is up to you. God has given you that freewill! When you die:
You will stand before Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10
You will confess, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Philippians 2:11
Then God will open a book. This one will be a “Life Ledger” giving an account of how you spent your time on earth. Revelation 20:12
Did you reject God, and only live for yourself? Or did you live for God, and help others? Possibly you accepted God, but never learned to love. You thought, “I don’t sin too much!” Then there will be those who do well for others, but never accepted God. The level of punishment in hell will be based on the bottom line of your “Life Ledger”. Or, the amount of reward in heaven will be based on the bottom line of your “Life Ledger”. If your wrong doing (sin) here on earth has been paid for, by Jesus’ death on the cross, then the only thing left to your account is good.
Then God will look in the Lambs Book of Life to see if your name is indeed recorded in it, or if it has been blotted out. Revelation 20:15
Think about “blotted out”. That indicates your name was in the book to begin with! Then who took it out? YOU! If your name has not been blotted out, you will be allowed to enter heaven. Otherwise, you will be sent to hell. You will be in either place for eternity. As my cousin once said, “Eternity? That’s like, a very long time!” In fact, “time” will cease because wherever we are, we won’t need it.
So take an account of your life now. Today, before it is too late. What’s your bottom line?
The truth about the bottom line of your life is this:
brady, mark a. 