Judges 6:23-24 "Death Cannot Hold Me Down"

"But the Lord said to him, 'Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.' So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites." ~Judges 6:23-24 NIV

I'm not exactly sure what the Israelites thought would happen to them after they died. I guess I've never really thought about it before. As I look back at each of the patriarchs' deaths there seems to be a finality to death. The most important part of their death was where their bones were buried.

And then Jesus came and everything changed. He gave us hope of eternity with Him in a place He is preparing for us. Yet we still fret for our safety. Of course there is a natural and understandable human desire to live a long life with people you love around you. We find no joy in suffering or pain. Again I say, of course. But there is so much more to not fear.

How much time do we spend fretting about our loved ones and our own safety? Look at how much time and money is spent on crash reports, helmets, five-point harness car seats. Now hear me, those things are all fine and good. I certainly don't have a death wish for myself or my loved ones. But I think we have become so bubble conscious that it has just put a greater fear of death into our psyche. We, as believers, do not have to fear death because a greater life than we have ever known is waiting for us. This life is like going away to college. We are living in temporary housing in a far away place. It's restrictive and in miniature. It has its joys and sorrows, ups and downs. We work; we increase our knowledge of people and the world, but it's not our real home. That is still on the horizon. And we should have no fear of it.

In this passage, God is reassuring Gideon that he is not going to die in the conflict with the Midianites. So Gideon builds an altar and calls it The Lord is Peace. We've also been assured that we are not going to "die" in the battle. We will just move on from this life to an eternal home. In the meantime, we continue to lift up praise to the Father and rest in His peace.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you afraid of death? Why?
2. How does your fear hinder you from accomplishing all that God has for you in this life?
3. Find a Scripture to hang on to when you have the most fear.

Father, I'm only passing through. Teach me how to be wise and safe, but not live in fear of death. I anticipate the end of the troubles of this world and look forward to eternity with You. In the meantime, use me up right here, Lord of Peace. Amen.

1 John 4:7-5:21 "The Recap"

Read 1 John 4:7-5:21.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." NIV

Yes, I am covering a long passage today, but most of the end of John's letter is a recap of all the beginning. Obey His commands and walk in the light; God loves us; we love God and one another. Jesus is God's Son, and His Spirit guides us in the Truth. If we love God and believe in Jesus Christ, we have confidence at the time of judgment. If we live in love with the Trinity, we have nothing to fear in the life to come. Our future is secure. We have hope.

With the uncertainties of today, so many people who were living for the moment or at least the gratifications of this life are floundering. They had placed such hopes in money, jobs, position, possessions and the permanency of it all. The philosophy reigned, "I work hard, I'll make more money. The more I make, the more I can invest in the money market or in land and possessions. The more I invest, the happier I will be in the here and now and secure for the future." That idea and false hope has fallen flat. Now, when you take these temporal pleasures away, what's left?

That's not to say that believers are not suffering with the economic crisis. We see people hurting every week from lost jobs and homes. But for those who believe, although disappointed, they can live in the hope of the Father's hand and a future not built on capital gains, but on a life walked in His light and an eternity in His presence. We will face troubles and discouragements here, but this is just a temporary home. We are made for so much more. 

Further Thoughts:

1. What do the Scriptures say about our security in our salvation? (Living without fear.)
   
2. Do you live in fear about judgement? If yes, why?
   
3. What does Jesus say about our responsibility in helping those who are in need?
   
4. So many people are hurting from the economy. What can you do this week to help relieve their pain?
   

1 Peter 3:13-22 "The Right Fear"

Read 1 Peter 3:13-22.

"Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." NIV

Peter has told us to live doing good, not evil. Show brotherly love. Here he cautions that we still may be harmed or persecuted for doing good. Then he says this line above from vs 14 -- do not fear what they fear. So what do they fear and why don't I need to have the same fears?

Fear is a very prevalent emotion in every generation. It may change from circumstance to circumstance, but always comes back around to the same reasons that someone at some time has been afraid. Today, I'd say we are afraid of financial ruin which could lead to joblessness, and homelessness. People have been at this same place before -- look at the depression. About a year ago, we were afraid that we would never be able to use our cars again because of gas prices. A few years ago, say in about 2004, we were afraid of the Iraqi's with the war and Iran and North Korea with nuclear weapons. In 2001, we were afraid of terrorists. And on and on it goes. There is always something to be afraid of. In the modern era, it's usually whatever the media tells us to fear. 

Everything people fear are things that could take away something we have -- possessions, power, security, family, their life.... All their fears are based on "me." But a believer, on the other hand, has surrendered all those things to the Lord to do with as He wills. We recognize where those blessings come from and allow Him to hold them in His capable hands. We don't need to fear losing our possessions; it's just stuff. We don't need to fear losing power; we serve the One with the ultimate power. We don't need to fear losing our security or our family; the Lord watches over His sheep. We don't even need to fear losing our life; this life we live here is not our final destination. It is merely a thin shadow of our true home. So if my life is taken, I'm going to a much better place. 

Now I say none of this to mean we don't use common sense or don't work hard to keep a roof over our heads. "Fools rush in where angels dare to tread." We must use the brains God gave us with the little wisdom we do possess. But none of it needs to be wrapped in fear. The only fear that the Bible encourages is a fear of God. He should be the One that we come crawling to on hands and knees with our faces to the ground seeking His mercy, grace, and guidance. It is in our hearts that we should "set apart Christ as Lord," not our fear. We don't have room for two lords.

Isaiah 8:13: "The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary...." NIV

Further Thoughts:

1. Compare and contrast fear and faith. Support with Scripture.
   
2. Is fear your lord? Why? Is that choice really working for you?
   
3. Saul lived in fear all the time. What was he afraid of? Is that a fear that lines up with the world or God?
   
4. Memorize some Scriptures on biblical fear.
   

1 Peter 1:17-21 "Reverent Fear"

Read 1 Peter 1:17-21.

"...live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." NIV

What an interesting imagery here in these few words. Because we are of the redeemed and no longer of this world, but citizens of heaven, we are strangers in this world. In other words, we are on temporary assignment in this time and place with an emphasis on the temporary. So we have a lot of work to do in a very short amount of time. And to do it effectively and wisely, our lives must be purified by the Spirit of Jesus Christ and our minds ready for action.

But how do I live in reverent fear? This is not the fear that a scary movie invokes. It's not the fear of something bad happening such as a car accident or a loved one dying. Those kinds of fears are not of God. That is the enemy tempting us to live in a way that God did not design. That type of fear is the opposite of trusting God.

The original word for "fear" is phobos which means
fear, dread, terror
that which strikes terror
reverence for one's husband

That is why the later translations added "reverent" before the word, fear. Reverent meaning submissive; humble; respectful. A respectful fear of the almighty, omniscient, omnipotent power that you are addressing and working for. That is Who you serve and Who lives within you. Therefore, do not set your mind on the things of this world, but as a stranger living in it, set your mind on God and His work for He has the power to save or to destroy and will judge what you have done with your time here.

The English Standard Version says:
"And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, "

The scattered believers were going to be judged by God according to their work, and since their freedom and future were bought at such a high price, the Father's expectations are high. We need to live in respect and yes, fear, of the wrath that we have been pardoned from. We can never forget that it is the Almighty Creator of the Universe that we serve and we must diligently pursue the things that God would have us pursue. We must do the work that He would have us do. If we lose our respectfulness for the power of the Almighty, we not only are toying with the wrath of the Almighty, but we are also missing out on tapping into the power. He is our source and sufficiency to do anything. Without Him, we become no longer strangers, but owners of this world. And I for one want to just visit for a while. I've been promised an upgrade.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do a word study on fear. What other Scripture do you find concerning it?
2. Do you live in fear? Of what? Why? What does Scripture say about living in fear of events or people?
3. In what ways did the Hebrew children lack reverent fear of the Almighty? What did that cost them?
4. Does your fear of God paralyze you or lead you to respect, honor, and trust His power? If it's the former, why? What hold does the enemy have on you to keep you stuck in that wasteland? Claim victory over a worldly fear and embrace a reverent fear of the Lord.
5. Look up passages on "strangers and aliens." I was amazed at how many times we are called that in the Word.

Matthew 26:69-75 "What is Your Resolve?"

Read Matthew 26:69-75.

"I don't know the man!" NIV

Five terrible little words that can change a life for eternity. I know thousands of my brothers and sisters around the world throughout centuries were faced with this dilemma - Do you know Christ? When said in a friendly conversation, it's a wonderful opportunity to share what Jesus means to you. But amidst persecution, your answer could mean death. And for too many, it has.

You really can't cast too much animosity toward Peter for denying Christ. How many of us would have done the same thing? Even though Jesus had warned His disciples that this would happen, when faced with reality, the human resolve can be very weak. Peter had been traveling for three years as a close confidante of Jesus. He had watched a gentle carpenter's son reach out to people all over the region to offer healing from their sicknesses and demons. He heard the parables Jesus told the people and the great wisdom He layed before them. So if these religious leaders would want to kill this gentle giant of a man, then what would happen to a simple fisherman that had followed Him? Peter probably thought he was a dead man walking and the fight for preservation kicked in big time. Notice how his denial escalated each time he was accused of being with Jesus. He was reaching panic mode.

Fortunately, that is not the end of the story. Peter's resolve later turned from self-preservation to complete surrender. Peter died for his beliefs because He would not deny his Lord again and is one of the great fathers of the Christian church for the leadership He gave after Christ's resurrection.

Not many in America have been faced with death for being a follower of Jesus Christ, but we do face a verbal persecution all the time. The same question, Do you know Jesus? when said in a hostile, hateful way takes on a whole new meaning. How many times have I been sitting in on a conversation that turned to a "those Christians" diatribe. A little part of me wants to run from the conflict. It's not easy being in the minority or having to defend what you believe when you are standing alone. What do we do with Jesus then? Deny or defend? Flee or stand?

When we are confronted with opposition to our beliefs, we don't have to prove anything. We do not have to have twenty Scriptures to rattle off, commentaries to whip out, or extensive debates to prepare. We need to know one thing - what Jesus did for me. I sat in church last week and watched video testimonies of fellow believers given right before they were baptized. Some were children that had the simple faith only a child-like heart can have. Others were older that had faced a lot of life. But all of them had one thing in common -- they'd met Jesus. There is nothing more powerful than hearing how Jesus transformed someone's life. That is why I believe what I believe - because Truth touched me and I was changed forever. That's what I can stand on. That is why when faced with opposition for being a Christian - physical, verbal or emotional - I can stand.

Further Thoughts:

1. Think of a situation where you were tempted to deny Christ. How did you handle it? Why? How would you do it differently next time?
2. Read further about Peter after Christ's resurrection? What was Peter's resolve? How did he reach that? How did he pay for that?
3. What Scriptures can we rely on when faced with opposition to Christ? Search for and memorize them so you are ready to face temptation.

Matthew 16:21-23 "His Way Only"

Read Matthew 16:21-23.

"You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." NIV

Peter cannot believe his ears when Jesus says that the religious leaders will have Him killed in Jerusalem. (Notice Peter doesn't seem to hear the part that Jesus will raise from the dead in three days.) Peter is always the one to jump into the middle of the fray, dukes up, ready to fight off anyone or anything that will hurt those he loves. It's an admirable quality really. He's very strong, very protective and extremely loyal. But he usually jumps before he thinks. His first thought is, "No way, we will protect the Lord. They are not going to take Him. They'll take us first."

But the clear evident ways our human minds want to work towards prosperity, health and preservation are not always the ways of God. He has a higher calling for all of our lives -- much higher than we can ever figure out in a logical or worldly way. Remember, we are born with a sinful nature that puts self first. In God's world, He is first. We desire wealth, health and long life; God desires full devotion at any cost. We serve a jealous God who will not tolerate anyone or anything in front of Him. If He speaks, no matter how "illogical" it appears to us, we must listen. Look at Moses. God tells him to throw his rod on the ground, and it became a hissing snake. Then God tells him to pick it up by the tail. We all know that if you pick up an angry snake by the tail, it will whip around and bite us. So why would God tell Moses to pick up the snake by the tail? Because we must learn to trust His higher ways over our own. And what does Moses do? He overcomes his fears and desires for self-preservation, picks up the snake, and it becomes a rod again.

Peter didn't want Jesus to die. None of us would. But God had a higher purpose, and no matter how illogical it sounded to man's ears and mind, it must happen as He ordained it to be. The eternal destiny of mankind depended on it and that rated so much higher than Peter's desire to preserve Christ's life. Peter had to learn that day to trust Jesus like never before. Well, he learned partially. There's still that whole denying knowing Jesus thing still to come. But he took a step in his training in being a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Compete trust in Him.

What do you hold in your hand? Is there a rod that God is asking you to lay down? Do you need to pick up a snake by the tail? Does His leading seem totally illogical? At times it can. As long as it doesn't go against the nature of God and you have spent a lot of time in prayer, you are probably hearing Him correctly and need to obey. Times are only going to get more difficult, not easier. So when God speaks, He expects us to trust and obey Him immediately. The consequences of disobedience are going to reach far beyond just our own comfort or safety. Let go of the rod.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read the story of Moses' calling in the desert in Exodus 4.
2. What is God asking you to lay down or pick up? Fear is not of Him -- that is the enemy using the human desire for self-preservation. Trust wholly and obey completely. Our God is faithful to accomplish His purposes, and He wants to use you to do it.

Matthew 10:40-42 "Ambassadors for Christ"

Read Matthew 10:40-42.

"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me." NIV

This passage had me thrown for a loop. I could understand verse 40 and 42, but throwing 41 into the mix confused me. Even looking at the passage as a whole invokes different takes from different commentators.

So here is what I see overall being said. Jesus has just told the disciples that He is throwing them to the wolves and to basically expect the worst. But to send them off, in this passage Jesus encourages them that there will be help and those who help them will be rewarded. The reverse of that is that those who don't help them -- such as all those that rejected them, will not be rewarded for they have rejected Christ.

My take away from this passage is two-fold:

• I must take care of Christ's disciples because by doing so I am taking care of Christ.
• When others reject my message of the gospel, they are not rejecting me, but the One who sent me.

First of all, by receiving Christ's ambassadors, I am receiving Him. I have an opportunity to minister to Christ Himself by caring for His ministers. What a privilege that is and a responsibility. Christ has chosen us as His own, and His Spirit lives within us. Therefore, a disciple of Christ, which each of us should be, should be cared for by other disciples and those that recognize the Spirit of Christ within us.

Secondly, as a believer, I am to be completely sold out as a servant of Christ. It is not about me anymore, but about Him. I don't strive to be in the limelight, but to headline Christ so that others will be drawn to Him. My surrender to His ways makes me a walking ambassador for Christ. Therefore, those who receive me receive Him. So the contrary must be true, that those who reject me are rejecting Him who sent me. It's not about me, it's about Him who sent me, and my ego should not be wrapped up in the acceptance or rejection for neither of them are about me. I am merely a conduit of His love and gifts.

Lord, guide me to care with love for those who are Your disciples. Help me to love with Your love. And use me Lord as Your disciple, Your ambassador, to reach a hurting world. Help me to show them the way to You.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you afraid to go out as Christ's disciple? Fear is not of God. That would be the enemy's device to stop you from sharing Christ's love with others. Take some time today to search the Scriptures for passages on fear and ask the Lord to remove that from you.
2. As disciples, what are we to do when our message is not accepted? Read Matthew 10:14, 19-20.
3. If you struggle with rejection as a disciple of Christ, you may be dealing with a surrender issue. It's really not about you, but about the One who sent you. Research Scripture on surrender and read associated posts. (See labels below for "surrender.") Ask the Lord to empty you of your ego and fill you more with Him. He's really what your life is all about, and you cannot do it without Him.

Ephesians 6:19-20 "Living Fearlessly"

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." NIV

I think two of the greatest enemies we battle against every day are fear and selfishness. They are the Siamese heads of a monster that want to stop us dead in our tracks as followers of Jesus Christ. They loom at every turn we take, and boy, are they good at what they do. They are waiting for us when we wake whispering thoughts of sloth. They follow us to work and to school, hovering with lies of doubt but at the same time pushing for more power and authority over others. Looking for praise and promotion, but living afraid to be who I really need to be. Will I be accepted? Will I be made a fool? They follow me home and push against the relationships in my own house -- battling for control and self-satisfaction. Then when I lock my doors at night and lay my head on the pillow in the dark, they want to rewind the day with doubt and second guessing. Fear that I over did it, and fear that I didn't do enough. Replayed conversations bounce around our heads robbing us of true rest.

In spite of all that Paul did, he was still human enough to have moments of fear and selfishness. And here we see him asking for prayer to live and share the gospel fearlessly. Pretty ironic for a man that couldn't be stopped from speaking. They threw him in prison, he shares with the prisoners and guards. They threaten to kill him, he welcomes the death that will allow him to go be with his Lord. They let him go, and he goes right out to preach again. Paul was unstoppable. But it was because he was sold out for Jesus Christ. He knew he'd face temptations of fear, but he also knew where the strength and power to overcome it came from. "The prayers of a righteous man availeth much." If we only ask, the power of the Holy Spirit can decapitate that two-headed monster that wants to defeat us and ruin our effectiveness for Christ.

Lord, I desire like Paul to stand firm in my faith, to walk boldly in the world. "Whenever I open my mouth..." -- fearless.

Further Thoughts:

1. David battled fear in his adult life. Read some of the Psalms. What did David do with that fear?
2. Compare and contrast "boldness" and "arrogance." Find Scripture on each one.
3. Did Jesus battle against fear or doubt? If so, how did he fight it? (Read Matthew 26:36-44.)
4. Using a concordance, find some supportive Scripture to claim against fear. Also look up the word, "afraid." (One online concordance is at crosswalk.com.
5. Is fear and doubt trying to overtake you? Pray for boldness through the power of the Holy Spirit. Then walk fearlessly.