Christmas Perspectives :: No Fear; Only Faith

God breaks his silence by telling his handmaid (Mary) “Fear not, for thou hast found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30)
After, Jesus calmed the storm, he questioned his disciples, “Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40) According to this text, the opposite of fear is not courage but faith.
When we have faith and we believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Salvation is conceived in us  i.e., we accept the Lord Jesus, and there is nothing to fear, for we find favor with God.

Points to ponder:
Is there anything you are afraid of? Accept Christ Jesus within and fear not, says the Lord, for you are highly favored when the Lord is with you, and with God, by faith, nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:30-37 (KJV)
³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
³³ And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
³⁴ Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
³⁶ And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
³⁷ For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Psalm 121 :: Protecting God

Upon close introspection of the familiar Psalm 121, we can learn about some very distinct characteristics of God. Today, we will look at verses 5 and 6 which states, “The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.” (NKJV)

God is portrayed here in these verses as our PROTECTOR. In the midst of the heat that the world throws at us, God will be our shade, not allowing anything to strike us, day or night.

Points to ponder:
Question: Since God is our protector, whom shall we fear?
Answer: Nothing or Nobody, anytime (day or night).

Psalm 121:5-6 (NKJV)
⁵ The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

Independence Series :: True Freedom

Today on the 4th of July, the United States of America celebrates its independence day, but sadly while freedom from tyranny and subjugation is celebrated, there are other forces that seem to subjugate and bring under bondage the inhabitants of this blessed land. The LA times, just a couple of days ago (June 29, 2011), stated that “drug addictions amongst teens is the #1 health problem in America today”.  Addictions to media, pornography, nicotine (tobacco), alcohol, marijuana, food, gambling, and even prescription drugs are very common in our day and age. So the question that begs to be asked is “Are we truly free?”

But before we can answer that question, we must first know “What is true freedom?” True freedom is freedom that goes beyond the grave. It is freedom that can be experienced and enjoyed by those who have no fear of death; not just the first (physical) death, but the second (spiritual) death as well. The only one who is truly free, is the one who believes in the Son of God; in Jesus Christ. For him/her whom the Son (of God) makes free, is the one who is free indeed.

So this independence day, ask yourself, am I truly free? If you cannot answer that with an affirmative “yes”, then believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for when Jesus makes you free (from sin, its wages which is death), you are free indeed (from any of the forces of this world or the one to come).

John 8:36 (KJV)
³⁶ If the Son [Jesus Christ] therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

The Armor David Wore :: Helmet of Salvation

The Bible records that David, the shepherd boy chose not to wear the armor of a soldier, that King Saul armed him with, when he averred to fight the giant, Goliath (1 Samuel 17:38-39). But David did wear another kind of armor, an armor that was more effective than the physical armor that he chose not to wear, against an armored foe. It was a spiritual armor that He wore.

The helmet is part of an armor that protects the head literally and figuratively the mind. The Bible says that He [God] will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed [fixed] on Him [God] (Isaiah 26:3). The Psalmist (David) avers that the Lord is my light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1). Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, are assured of Salvation and they can be in perfect peace without any fear. They are assured of eternal life and even death cannot drive fear into their hearts and mind. David recognized that he had no reason to fear the giant Goliath, because he knew that the Lord was his Salvation. He in fact states that boldly to the giant that it will be the Lord who would deliver the giant into his hands; in other words, it will be the Lord who will save him.  He had armed himself with the helmet of Salvation and there was nothing for him to fear.

Do you/I have perfect peace as did David? Are you/I armed with the helmet of Salvation that drives out fear?

Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?