March 1, 2010

“The angel of the Lord keeps guard around those that fear him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:7

What do you fear? Certain people in my house fear spiders. Others fear the dark. The list of phobias is long and complicated. We all have things that cause us to become apprehensive. Some are totally incapacitated by them. Some fear is natural and good. In police work we talk about the adrenalin rush we get when facing a dangerous task as the “fight or flight syndrome.” That burst of energy is built into our system by God to enable us to respond to danger with extra energy to either run or fight for survival. All of us have it. But what about those who never come down from it and live in a constant state of dread and fear? That is not good. If left unchecked, it will eventually drain that person of all life and health and leads to an early death. When it comes to your safety, God is watching you very carefully. He knows the dangers, the traps, and the snares of life you face. God would never let Jesus die for you and then abandon you to the dangers and temptations of life. He has way too much invested in you to let you go. He gave His only Son for you! If you are troubled or frightened, ask God to help you relax. Meditate on his wonderful love and gift of his Son that he offers you. Memorize verses like Psalm 118:5-6 and say them out loud when fear stalks you. Claiming Gods promises in faith will help you stifle the feelings that control you and you can claim victory. But you have to choose, faith or feelings?


Thought for the week: When ideas fail, words come in very handy. -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (He must have been a congressman…tb)

Funny for the week: Bible Study Humor

LOT'S WIFE
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, 'My Mommy looked back once while she was driving,' he announced triumphantly, 'and she turned into a telephone pole!'

GOOD SAMARITAN
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, 'If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?' A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, 'I think I'd throw up.'

DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, 'Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ? ''No,' replied Johnny. 'How could he, with just two worms.'

HIGHER POWER
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, 'We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a Higher Power. Can anybody tell me what it is? One child blurted out, ' 'Aces!'

MOSES AND THE RED SEA
Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. 'Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt . When he got to the Red Sea , he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.'

'Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?' his Mother asked..

'Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!'

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know.'

UNANSWERED PRAYER
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
'Well, Honey,' he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. 'I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.'
'How come He doesn't answer it?' she asked.

UNTIMELY ANSWERED PRAYER
During the minister's prayer one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Tommy's mother was horrified. She pinched him into silence and, after church, asked, 'Tommy, whatever made you do such a thing?'
Tommy answered soberly, 'I asked God to teach me to whistle, and He did!'

ALL MEN / ALL GIRLS
When my daughter, Kelli, said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past). For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, 'And all girls.' This soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this closing. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, 'Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?'
Her response, 'Because everybody always finish their prayers by saying 'All Men'!'

SAY A PRAYER

Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away.
'Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer.' said his mother.
'I don't need to,' the boy replied.
'Of course, you do.' his mother insisted. 'We always say a prayer before eating at our house.' 'That's at our house.' Johnny explained. 'But this is Grandma's house and she knows how to cook!
Amen sister………..Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Which one of Christ’s ancestors was a harlot? Rahab (Matt. 1:1-16)
This week’s question: Complete the following verse from Psalm 136: “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good;