Because there is so much to frighten us; how about we ponder this today?
Isaiah 41:10 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
10 Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not afraid, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, and help thee, and will sustain thee with the right hand of my justice. source
Fear. Someone has said fear is false evidence appearing real. I agree.
When fear grips it feels so real!
In that moment it cancels all else. Perhaps that is why The Father repeated over and over in His Word to us: Fear not.
Did you know that fear is addressed 501 times in the KJV of the Bible? So GOD knows we fear and that without Him we have reason to fear.
Today lets pick one. One passage to hold and roll over and over in our thoughts.
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? source Psalm 27
Warren Wiersbe. I rely on his commentaries just about every week as I prepare to serve in Sunday School. This week it is James 2. And Wiersbe wrote this:
Here are some questions we can ask ourselves as we examine our hearts:
1. Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and to God?
2. Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to come? Have I ever seriously been exercised over my sins?
3. Do I truly understand the Gospel, that Christ died for my sins and arose again? Do I understand and confess that I cannot save myself?
4. Did I sincerely repent of my sins and turn from them? Or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it?
5. Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvation? Do I enjoy a living relationship with Him through the Word and in the Spirit?
6. Has there been a change in my life? Do I maintain good works, or are my works occasional and weak? Do I seek to grow in the things of the Lord? Can others tell that I have been with Jesus?
7. Do I have a desire to share Christ with others? Or am I ashamed of Him?
8. Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people? Is worship a delight to me?
9. Am I ready for the Lord’s return? Or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?
To be sure, not every Christian has the same personal experience; and there are degrees of sanctification. But for the most part, the preceding spiritual inventory can assist a person in determining his true standing before God.
“Search me, O Lord, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139:23–24).
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 357). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Such important questions, the most important questions, we must ask ourselves. Just saying . . .
