Category: fear

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #4

Friday, April 28, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

In addition to losing their wealth, people fear losing their health—injuries sustained in an accident, a debilitating disease, the increasing limitations that come with the aging process, and so on. As it has been stated long ago, “All the ‘healing’ claims aside, the death rate is still one apiece!” “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Due to genetics, lifestyle habits, environment, and other factors, we all suffer a variety of physical infirmities.

Outlining this curse of sin on creation, the Apostle Paul wrote the following observations in Romans chapter 8: “[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

Let us now think about another tragedy, the inescapable reality of losing our loved ones….

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #3

Thursday, April 27, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

Another informative passage of Scripture to correct our thinking is in 1 Timothy chapter 6: “[3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

“[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will [wish to] be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.… [17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; [19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

Having much in this world is not necessarily indicative of worship of God. What is more “profitable” is to worship God and be thankful for what we have. If we have “food and raiment [clothing],” we should be grateful for that. After all, “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” With this in mind, fear does not have to control us….

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #2

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

What most concerns people today is what has worried them for thousands of years—the loss of their health, the loss of their money, and the loss of their loved ones. Although none of us seek to be debilitated, destitute, or deserted, we are bound to this sin-cursed world and, thus, have not been granted immunity from any of these tragedies. In a literal instant, our life can be changed forever.

For example, read the Parable of the Rich Fool as recorded in Luke chapter 12: “[13] And one of the company said unto him [Jesus Christ], Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. [14] And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? [15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: [17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. [20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? [21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

In a single night, the rich fool lost all three—health (he died), money (he died), and loved ones (he died). Furthermore, most importantly, he also lost his soul in hell’s fires….

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #1

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

A well-known newspaper columnist/counselor once stated that, out of the roughly 10,000 letters she received each month, the theme of the majority of them was a single word: FEAR. These people writing to her and seeking her advice were terrified of losing their health, their money, and their loved ones. Of course, she was “the blind lead[ing] the blind” (Matthew 15:14), for no unsaved person is qualified to provide any lasting, meaningful answers to such intimate questions. Human opinions are of no worth in light of eternal matters.

Sin complicates life, and a simple example of this is documented in the Book of Genesis. Take this excerpt from chapter 3: “[8] And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. [9] And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? [10] And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. [11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? [12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”

Once Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, their marital relationship was never the same, and their relationship with their Creator was never the same either. Adam and Eve hid from the LORD (verse 8), and, when confronted, Adam blamed Eve and God for his sin (verse 12). On that day, sin was introduced, three enemies were produced, and life became complicated and uncertain….