YOU WILL CONQUER FEAR OR FEAR WILL CONQUER YOU… THE LAST DAYS’ FEAR?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
We are in a series on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We have been addressing 60 Biblical reasons why we believe JESUS IS COMING SOON. This lesson will address FEAR and HOW FEAR WILL DEEPEN ITS ROOTS IN THE LAST DAYS. It is very possible that FEAR will grow and manipulate individuals in the last days. We must identify the satanic tool of FEAR and DOUBT and how FEAR FEEDS OFF FEAR. Our text verse comes from LUKE’S writings.
Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:26 (NIV) Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
Luke 21:26 (NLT) People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Luke 21:26 (MSG) in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.
FEAR BECOMES A GROWING TRAIT IN THE LAST DAYS OF TIME.
COME LET US REASON AND IDENTIFY AND DEFINE FEAR?
FEAR: the belief something bad is going to happen, sense of danger or pressure, implies anxiety, no courage, dread, an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to bring harm, hurt or pain, IRRITABILITY, irrational fears are called phobias, SCREAMING--- raised voice, high blood pressure,
ANXIETY: WORRY, NERVOUSNESS, uncertain outcome, concern, uneasiness, panic attacks,
WORRY: allow one’s mind to dwell or linger on difficulty or troubles, fret, agonize, panic, focus on potential problems, negative in nature, mental agitation/distress,
DREAD: extreme worry, frightened something bad is going to happen,ANTICIPATE WITH GREAT FEAR, fear, apprehension,
TERROR.
TORMENT: severe physical or mental suffering, agony,suffer.
PANIC ATTACK CAN APPEAR AS HEART ATTACKS!
WARNING: THE SMOKE DETECTOR?
I read a story about a man that invested in a SMOKE DETECTOR, as a matter of fact, he purchased two. He followed the directions and hung them in his house. The family tested and practice a fire drill. One day his wife burnt the bacon. He was asleep in his chair. The smoke detector when off and the man panicked. He got angry at the false alarm. A week or two later the family was sleepy one night, THE SMOKE DETECTOR made the deafening loud sound and the whole family was awaken. He dialed 911 and told the dispatcher his house was burning down. Several fire trucks were dispatched and the man was so embossed, there was NO FIRE at all?
Several false alarms later the man took the batteries out of the SMOKE DETECTOR. It appears the smoke detector was his enemy. He left them hanging but there were no batteries in them. One night the neighbor heard something to look and see his neighbor’s house was fully involved in a fire. Fire trucks came and all was lost. The man and his wife and children died with smoke inhalation and fire. SO SAD. SO SAD. In the investigation the fire marshal found two new smoke detectors with no batteries.
DEATH CAME BECAUSE THE DEVICE TO WARN THE FAMILY HAD NO POWER, BUT FEAR. ARE WE REALLY READY FOR THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS, OR WILL WE SEEK OUR OWN PLEASURE AND OVER RIGHT THE SENSE OF DANGER… JESUS IS COMING…
WE NEED TO REASON THE TRUTH. THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF FEAR…
1. HEALTHY FEAR : Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
2. FEAR OF DESTRUCTION: Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Superstition and ignorance breed fear… WE DO ERR NOT KNOWING GOD’S TRUTH!
DO WE KNOW: FEAR BREEDS FEAR? WHERE DOES FEAR FIND BREEDING GROUND?
Not all storms come to disrupt your life. Some storms come to row your trust and dependence on the Lord. This trial, this problem, this pain, this suffering could be a great GROWTH OPPORTUNITY.
OBSTACLES ARE WHAT WE SEE WHEN YOUR VISION LOSES SIGHT OF THE GOALS.
THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF UNHAPPINESS IS NOT YOUR SITUATION, BUT YOUR THOUGHTS AND THINKING PATTERNS ABOUT YOUR SITUATIONS. We allow LONELINESS to breed fear and discouragement and our HOPE FLIES AWAY.
Humans are the only varmints that design, build and sets the trap in our own head for SELF-DESTRUCTION.
Gandhi said: Ignorance and weakness breeds fear, AND FEAR BREEDS DISTRUST.
Martin Luther King said: WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FEAR ITSELF…
FEAR DISTORTS FACTS OF FAITH. IN THE LAST DAYS THERE WILL GROW MORE AND MORE NEGATIVIITY AND LESS HOPE GIVING…
It is easy to take any verse out of context. We must stay balanced
Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
Job 3:25 (NLT) What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.
Job 3:25 (MSG) The worst of my fears has come true, what I've dreaded most has happened.
WHEN FEAR AND WORRY CRUSHES, WHY BE IN FEAR AND WORRY? I AM DRIVEN TO MY KNEES
Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12, 1809 to April 15, 1865) was the 16th president of the USA. He was assassinated in 1865. Lincoln’s presidency was a TIME OF FEAR and WORRY. It was the TIME OF THE BLOODIEST season for the USA. Every death was an American. This time of fear and worry is considered the greatest MORAL and CONSTITUTIONAL and POLITICAL CRISIS for our nation. The nation was divided, unity was destroyed, and the issue of SLAVE TRADE, an economy that was near failure…
TWICE ROBERT E. LEE was within 20 miles of Lincoln and the White House. Several asked Lincoln how he could not bow to WORRY and FEAR.
Lincoln stated: I HAVE BEEN DRIVEN MANY TIMES TO MY KNEES BY THE OVERWHELMING CONVICTION THAT I HAD NO WHERE ELSE TO GO. MY OWN WISDOM AND THAT OF ALL ABOUT ME SEEMED INSUFFICIENT FOR THAT DAY.
I HAVE BEEN DRIVEN TO MY KNEES MANY TIMES WITH THE OVERWHELMING CONVICTION I HAD NO PLACE ELSE TO GO.
Fear and worry should drive us to our knees… WHY WORRY WHEN WE CAN PRAY AND TRUST A MIGHTY GOD IS LEADING OUR STEPS?
ONE OF THE BEST TOOLS IN OUR ENEMY’S TOOL BOX IS FEAR! FEAR HAS TORMENT… FEAR TRIES TO CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS. FEAR TRIES TO MANIPULATE. There are two OPERATING SYSTEMS IN DAILY LIFE.
1. FAITH, TRUST GOD’S PLAN (the highway of deliverance)
2. FEAR-DOUBT… (maybe low-way) SPIRITUAL ROBBERY.
FEAR IS THE DARK ROOM WHERE NEGATIVES ARE DEVELOPED. FEAR BREEDS INSOMNIA. FEAR TAKES MANY FORMS:
1. WORRY, 2. DEPRESSION, 3. DYSFUNTIONAL BEHAVIOR, 4. RUN AWAY SPIRIT, 5. FIGHT OR FLIGHT, 6. FEAR OF FAILURE, 7. FEAR OF SUCCESS, 8. FEAR OF DEATH, 9. FEAR OOF COMMITMENT, … on and on: fear of spiders, snakes, flying, heights, darkness, rejection, peer pressure, disappointment by others (Who have you disappointed?), water,
FEAR HAS TORMENT! WHERE THERE IS LOVE FEAR IS CAST OUT… FEAR KILLS LOVE AND HOPE… GOD IS LOVE, LOVE BRINGS TRUST.
1 John 4:18 (KJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 (MSG) There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
FEAR DESTROYS AND GROWS, FEAR FEEDS FEAR. WE BECOME VICTIMS OF FEAR. VICTIMS?
FAITH DESTROYS FEAR… FAITH TRUSTS THE PLAN OF GOD AND WILL OVERCOME.
Matthew 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
HOW DO WE OVERCOME FEAR?
1. KNOW THE WORD OF GOD, TRUST GOD’S PLAN…
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 (MSG) "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything."
2. AVOID THE NEGATIVE CROWD, SPIRITUAL DEATH FOLLOWS THE NAYSAYERS…
MARK THOSE THAT CAUSE DIVISON. FIND FRIENDS THAT DO NOT TALK NEGATIVE.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
When negative people talk about others? Who do they talk about when you are not with them?
FEAR IS CONTAGIOUS! Nnegative words reap negative words…
3. READ, STUDY AND MEDIATE ON GOD’S WORD…
Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
4. TRUST FULLY AND BE TOTALLY COMMITED…
Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (MSG) Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
5. GOOD EXERCISE, CONTROL YOUR STRESS LEVELS. AVOID CAFFINE, ENERGY DRINKS ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR, AND NEGATIVE PEER PRESSURE.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
6. WRITE YOUR GOALS AND YOUR VISIONS WILL HELP DESTROY FEAR.
Habakkuk 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
7. FREE FROM FEAR AND WORRY…
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
8. DIG A GRAVE AND BURY FEAR VS. PLANT A SEED AND STANDING ON THE PROMISES.
John 14:1-2 (KJV) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
9. WORRY AND FEAR FADE WHERE THERE IS PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING… PAY IT FORWARD…
Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
CONCLUSION: A baby has two fears at birth, the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. The baby completely loves and trust the care givers. FEAR NOTHING BUT FEAR. FEAR IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR… Children know love. LIFE teaches FEAR, hatred, PREJUDICE, anger, BITTERNESS, cruel tongues. WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING?
GOD DESIRES US TO LEARN TO FACE OUR FEARS… Pretend there is a terrible storm and the thunder and the lightning is so bad it awakes the child? The child wakes up in fear. In fear the child crawls out of bed. Then the child runs down the hallway into Mom and Dad’s bedroom. The child crawls up in the bed. Peace comes? Has the storm stopped? Is the thunder still roaring? What changed? The change is the comfort of mom and dad’s hug? All they needed was the touch of assurance this too shall pass. I love you and we will make it. TRUST? FEAR? We have someone who cares, someone who shares… OUR FEARS MUST YIELD TO FAITH. Faith will get us through the LAST DAYS! Your story will go ONCE UPON A TIME … TWO OPTIONS….1. FEAR VS. 2. FAITH
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Help me? Pass this to others?
