Brothers of Hope at GHMBC

04/27/2024

CHOOSE FAITH OVER FEAR

Have you ever had someone make a promise to do something for you? You begin to get excited because the one making the promise is someone that you can count on. In other words, they have a track record of being dependable. You have no reason to doubt, disbelieve, or discount what they are promising to do for you. They have never let you down! While I know we have had some good mamas and daddies, husbands and wives out there, however, God is the only one that fits into the “never let you down” category. If He promised it and you believe it, then you can bank on it coming to past. God promises salvation (John 3:16); forgiveness (1 John 1:9); strength and peace (Psalm 29:11); joy (Psalm 16:11); love (John 15:13); freedom (2 Cor. 3:17); His presence (Joshua 1:5); answered prayer (1 Pet. 3:12); blessing (Ezekiel 34:26); and Christ’s return (John 14:2-3).

The problem is not with God or His promises, it’s within you. It is the fear within you that comes from doubting God’s ability to fulfill His promise to you. When you doubt God, it can cause your faith to diminish! If you had any to begin with. Peter displayed great faith in Jesus’ word “come” when he left the boat, full of the other disciples, by himself to walk on the water toward Jesus. However, when he focused on his surroundings more than Jesus, he became fearful and begin to sink. He then cries out for Jesus to save him. After Jesus rescued him, he said to Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Thus, doubt breeds fear and fear diminish faith! James 1:5-8 helps us understand that doubting results in not receiving God’s answer in your prayer for wisdom which is the right application of knowledge for your situation.

We are commanded to “trust” God fully (Prov. 3:5-6) regardless of the circumstances you might find yourself in or facing. Three examples come to mind, Daniel 3 with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace; Daniel 6 with Daniel in the lions’ den; and best of all, our Lord Jesus as seen in the Garden to Gethsemane all the way to the place called Golgotha. They never doubted God! Thus, their faith never wavered or diminished!

What happens when you allow fear to be in the driver’s seat of your decision making? In Numbers 14:6-10, Joshua and Caleb pleads with the sons of Israel to not let their fear of the people in the land cause them to rebel against the LORD. Despite the mighty power God had already demonstrated in bringing them our of Egypt and across the Red Sea on dry land, they still allowed their fear to dominate their opportunity to receive God’s promise. All though they had experienced the miraculous works of God in delivering them from the hands of the Egyptians, they failed to put their faith in Him. Thus, God was planning to erase them all together and start over, but Moses took God to the court of appeals based on His name’s sake and won. But all those who chose FEAR over faith LOST. They did not get to enter the Promise Land! (Numbers 14:22-23)

FEAR PREVENTS YOU FROM RECEIVING THE PROMISES OF GOD.

CHOOSE FAITH!

… to be continued

12/26/2023

CHOOSE FAITH OVER FEAR

Paralysis is the loss or impairment of voluntary movement in a body part, generally caused by an injury or a disease of the nerves. We have come to understand and accept someone who has gone through a tragic accident or sickness and now lives with this disability which many of them are still full of life.

However, what about those who are perfectly well physically, but are paralyzed by FEAR. In Numbers 14:1-4, we find the children of Israel crying about their situation; grumbling against their leaders; focussing on letting their today be driven by their yesterday in lieu of God's future plan. Their fear was so great that they talk about going back to place of oppression, Egypt! How crazy is that! God was giving them the land as a promise He made way back in Genesis. But FEAR PARALYZES YOU FROM MOVING FORWARD! Sadly to say, even in the things God has promised. Reflect on your life and things that God has promised you. His presence (Heb. 13:5); His peace (Phil. 4:7 (through prayer); His joy (John 15:11); His love (Rom. 8:35); His provision (2 Cor. 9:8); His fullness of life (John 10:10b) and many, many more. How does this relate to you career, family, finances, marriage, singlehood, friendships, etc.

On the other hand, FAITH PROPELS YOU TO MOVE FORWARD. In Numbers 14:7-9 we see Joshua and Caleb showing their grief over the unbelief of the children of Israel in God. They spoke up and reminded them of the goodness of the land that God had promised. They reminded them that their fate is in God's hand and it would be driven by their faith in Him. Trust and obedience in God's word is always before the blessing of experiencing His promises. In Proverbs 3:5-6, You must "trust", "lean not", and "acknowledge," then God will do His part. Don't expect God to overlook your unbelief or lack of faith and disobedience because of fear to bless you. God always responds to FAITH and faith is demonstrated by your obedience to what He has said in His word!

Just like the children of Israel had to choose (Num. 14:9), so do you. FEAR PARALYZES TO HOLD BACK - FAITH PROPELS TO MOVE FORWARD! CHOOSE FAITH!!
.. to be continued

10/15/2022

04/17/2021

In Patrick M. Morley's book titled "The Seven Seasons of a Man's Life, he writes concerning the following about the first season:

THE SEASON OF REFLECTION

1. Serving Two Masters
Thought: Whatever controls your life is your god.

2. Wounded Warriors: Men Under Pressure
Thought: We have created a culture that requires more energy than we have to give. Sometimes we call this the rat race. All in all, men are under a lot of pressure.

3. The Search for Meaning and Purpose
Thought: We must be stung by our own unhappiness before we attain a knowledge of God. Reflecting on our blessings and our unhappiness will inexorably give us a hunger to know ourselves and a thirst to know God.

4. How Can We Know God Personally?
Thought: You cannot be a Christian on your own terms. That is Cultural Christianity. You must be a Christian on God's terms. That is Biblical Christianity. The former is counterfeit; the latter is authentic.

Take some time to reflect on and reflect back in these four areas, then share your comment or story.

02/11/2021

What are the characteristics or qualities that constitute a male becoming a man?