
God is Love
1 John 4:18 KJVS There is no fear (G5401 phobos – dread, terror) in love; but perfect love casteth out fear (G5401 phobos – dread, terror): because fear (G5401 phobos – dread, terror) hath torment. He that feareth (G5399 phobeo – to be alarmed, reverence) is not made perfect in love.
There is a direct correlation between faith, fear, and perversity.
When there is a lack of faith, there is no authority and no power to command the enemy.
The world hates God and has the ability to kill the body, but does not have the ability to cast into hell.
There is not a person in this world that is so unworthy that they cannot receive salvation. When we look at ourselves and see our utter lack, wherever that lack lies in our eyes, we need to know and understand that God, the Father, doesn’t see it as an issue. The only issue God sees is our fallen nature. He gave us Jesus, His one and only Son, as the remedy. Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have, as a gift, redemption and salvation. When we receive our salvation, it removes the impediment of our fallen nature from between us and God. We now receive full adoption as sons and daughters and we receive God as not only God, but as Father. When we look in the mirror, we need to see the refinements our Father is performing in our lives through Jesus Christ. Stop looking at the things in you and about you that you believe make you someone who is not wanted, someone who has little or no value, someone who is not worth loving. If you are to receive only one precious gift, receive this: The Godhead has placed great value upon you. God gave Jesus, His Son, to gain victory for you in every way through redemption. Jesus, when He went to be seated at the right hand of the Father, sent you the Holy Spirit to be your constant companion, your teacher, and counselor. They purchased it for you so that all that you would have to do is to receive it through salvation. So, you see, you are of great value and don’t let the world tell you differently.
Fear
Fear will convince you that you cannot overcome some “thing” in your life:
- sickness, disease
- death of a loved one
- appearance
- worth
- and so on
The Pool of Bethesda
John 5:1-9 MEV
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great crowd of invalids, blind, lame, and paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water. After the stirring of the water, whoever stepped in first was healed of whatever disease he had.
5 A certain man was there who had an illness for thirty-eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been in that condition now a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred. But while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”
9 Immediately the man was healed, took up his bed, and walked. That day was the Sabbath.
Great faith in God can overcome every obstacle, every fear in your life.
Peter, John & the Gate Beautiful
Acts 3:1-10 MEV
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.
2 A man lame from birth was being carried, whom people placed daily at the gate of the temple called Beautiful to ask alms from those who entered the temple.
3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.
4 Peter, gazing at him with John, said, “Look at us.”
5 So he paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
7 He took him by the right hand and raised him up. Immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened.
8 Jumping up, he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.
9 All the people saw him walking and praising God.
10 They knew that it was he who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him.
Jesus gave us authority through His name to do as He did.
The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
Acts 9:1-22 MEV
1 Saul, still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any there of the Way, either men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he went he drew near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”
5 He said, “Who are You, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 Trembling and astonished, he said, “Lord, what will You have me do?” The Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.
8 Saul rose up from the ground. And when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 A disciple named Ananias was in Damascus. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 The Lord said to him, “Rise and go to Straight Street, and inquire at Judas’ house for someone named Saul of Tarsus, for he is praying,
12 and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he may see again.”
13 Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how many evil things he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your way. For this man is a chosen vessel of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the sons of Israel.
16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 Then Ananias went his way and entered the house. Putting his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. And he rose up and was baptized.
19 When he had eaten, he was strengthened. For several days Saul was with the disciples in Damascus.
20 Immediately he preached in the synagogues that the Christ is the Son of God.
21 All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this he who killed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here with that intent, to bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22 Yet Saul increased all the more with power and confounded the Jews living in Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ.
Fear of the Lord is that unmistakable awe and reverence that we have for Him.
Jesus and the centurion
Matthew 8:5-10 NASB
5 And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him,
6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.”
7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.
Jesus and the Canaanite woman
Matthew 15:21-28 NASB
21 Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.”
23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.”
24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
26 And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
27 But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.
Jesus in Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-39 NASB
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”
39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Jesus walks on water
Matthew 14:22-25 NASB
22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.
23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.
24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.