Be Skillful in your Counsel/Friendship
Not every friend is a good counselor, so we must choose wisely. "the purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. (Proverbs 20:5 NIV) It takes a counselor/friend with loving patience and a discerning spirit to help us what lies deep within our hearts.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Prov 18: 24 NIV) It is not enough to have a friends, we must have a friend who will "speak the truth in love" (Eph 4:15)
Often in my ministry, people will approach me or my husband, Terry, or both of us, with personal problems and ask for advice. I , Terry or we try to avoid giving counsel for several reasons:
1. I don't know the people/person
2. I'm not going to be there long enough to continue a counseling relationship
3. A quick chat after a meeting or service isn't counseling
4. I don't want to take the place of a faithful local pastor
Often these are the questions we asked... "Have you discussed this matter with your pastor?" and answers are as common as this as following: "I talked with my Pastor but it didn't do any good." or " I have talked to Pastor but he/she doesn't understand or care about my problems!" "Oh! he/she never listen to me!" (It is then we know it is the person with this problem is the one who isn't taking in heart to listening the counseling of the Lord.) We, both also know that whatever we say will probably do little good! We set out to be a friend, while one might have spiritual sludge will slowly dissipate (vanish) from your heart's harbor(shelter), we do the best we can to show our action like David's prayer "Set a watch, Oh Lord, before my mouth; and keep the door of my lips" (Ps. 141:3). Yielding our hearts to the Lord, what comes out of the mouth originates the heart. We hold on to Proverbs 10:32 the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable. A friend who hold these values is indeed a very rich friend to have, holding and speaking words of encouragement and hope.
Our friends can often see dangers and detours that are hidden from us. With lovely kindness and much prayer and quick moving in a gentle way, have spoken what needed to be said... Has avoid rages and isolates that could have happen if we had not listen to wise counsel....is a true friend. It is a privilege to have them. They become at times "ointment and perfume delight to the heart and the sweetness of a man's friend given delight by hearty counsel. (Proverb 27:9 NKJV)
We in the Christian World.... Must be careful and be wise in our counsel/friendship. Friendly suggestions are as pleasant as perfume, but sometimes a friend's counsel may not be perfume! It may be acid! Even then, we have nothing to lose! For "as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance(calm control) of his friend" (Proverb 27:17 NKJV) The sparks may fly, but GOD will give us the light that we need. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" ( Proverb 27:6) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverb 18:21) How we accept and apply rebuke is a test of how devoted we are to the truth and wisdom and how sincere we are in wanting to know God's Will.
Friends who flatter us and avoid telling us the truth are only doing us harm. Not every friend is a good counselor, so we must choose wisely. In all your ways acknowledge Him (Proverb 3:6) means allow Him to be your friends and God will give you HIMSELF and provide you wonderful friends that will stick with you closer than a brother. Only a true friend will speak wisely, say the right thing at the right time in the right way, are people who store God's truth in their hearts. What a wonderful friend that person is who have God's Goodness in hearts!
Some friends live only for entertainment and try to escape the burden of life. Others live for enjoyment and try to make the most of life. God's dedicated people live for enrichment and discover fulfillment in life as they do the will of God from the heart.
The Question?! Which one are you?
Be a Godly Friend!
Karen Batts
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Song: Face to Face
I Corinthians 13:12 KJV For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Moses prophesied about Christ and it was fulfilled after 1,400 years. When Jesus was born, Mary and Joesph looked at Jesus, "Face to face." During His growing years on the earth, people saw Jesus "face to face." Now after 2,000 years we know Christ is coming soon and it will be an exciting time when Jesus comes, we shall behold Him, "Face to Face." The song, "Face to Face" is an encouraging theme that could revive our inner spirit during our worship time to the Lord. Or you could cite it to your inner spirit for a moment of your time. Let the Holy Spirit richly bless you.
Song: Face to Face
1. Face to face with Christ my Savior,
Face to Face what will it be--
When with rapture (joy)I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?
Chorus:
Face to Face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!
2. Only faintly now I see Him,
With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming
When His glory shall be seen. [Chorus]
3. Face to face! O blissful moment!
Face to face--to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so. [Chorus]
[Lyrics: Carrie E. Breck; 1Cor.13:12]
May the Lord bless you today!
Dorothy
Moses prophesied about Christ and it was fulfilled after 1,400 years. When Jesus was born, Mary and Joesph looked at Jesus, "Face to face." During His growing years on the earth, people saw Jesus "face to face." Now after 2,000 years we know Christ is coming soon and it will be an exciting time when Jesus comes, we shall behold Him, "Face to Face." The song, "Face to Face" is an encouraging theme that could revive our inner spirit during our worship time to the Lord. Or you could cite it to your inner spirit for a moment of your time. Let the Holy Spirit richly bless you.
Song: Face to Face
1. Face to face with Christ my Savior,
Face to Face what will it be--
When with rapture (joy)I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?
Chorus:
Face to Face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!
2. Only faintly now I see Him,
With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming
When His glory shall be seen. [Chorus]
3. Face to face! O blissful moment!
Face to face--to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so. [Chorus]
[Lyrics: Carrie E. Breck; 1Cor.13:12]
May the Lord bless you today!
Dorothy
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Let's Not Be Weary
Galatians 6:9 "... Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Two things I would like to share with you.
First thing, what kind of work should we continue to be doing? The answer is found in Galatians 6:10 NIRV: So when we can do good to everyone, let us do it. Let us make a special point of doing good to those who belong to the family of believers.
One of the jobs to do is to "speak kind words toward others" and that is "sorely" (greatly) needed among the Christian brothers and sisters in the Lord.
And the second thing and listen to this: "Some people plant to please their sinful nature. From that nature they will harvest death. Others plant to please the Holy Spirit. From the Spirit they will harvest eternal life. Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don't give up" (NIRV Gal.6:8-9).
To me this is the word of encouragement because it reminds me that studying God's Scripture, ponder them and share them with you from the Spirit, I will harvest eternal life. And you who listen to God's Word and do them, will also harvest eternal life. Because if I do what my flesh want, it will lead me to feeling "dead in spirit."
I confess that sometimes, I became weary and tired. Blessed Holy Spirit who brought that verse of Galatians 6:9 to me: Let us not become weary ... Ohhh sweet Holy Spirit! Kind words of encouragement! Thank you, Holy Spirit for deliver me from temptation of "lazy flesh." If you have that temptation, quote Lord's Prayer. It helps!
So today, let's say kind words of encouragement to others and the Lord will bless you!
Dorothy
Two things I would like to share with you.
First thing, what kind of work should we continue to be doing? The answer is found in Galatians 6:10 NIRV: So when we can do good to everyone, let us do it. Let us make a special point of doing good to those who belong to the family of believers.
One of the jobs to do is to "speak kind words toward others" and that is "sorely" (greatly) needed among the Christian brothers and sisters in the Lord.
And the second thing and listen to this: "Some people plant to please their sinful nature. From that nature they will harvest death. Others plant to please the Holy Spirit. From the Spirit they will harvest eternal life. Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don't give up" (NIRV Gal.6:8-9).
To me this is the word of encouragement because it reminds me that studying God's Scripture, ponder them and share them with you from the Spirit, I will harvest eternal life. And you who listen to God's Word and do them, will also harvest eternal life. Because if I do what my flesh want, it will lead me to feeling "dead in spirit."
I confess that sometimes, I became weary and tired. Blessed Holy Spirit who brought that verse of Galatians 6:9 to me: Let us not become weary ... Ohhh sweet Holy Spirit! Kind words of encouragement! Thank you, Holy Spirit for deliver me from temptation of "lazy flesh." If you have that temptation, quote Lord's Prayer. It helps!
So today, let's say kind words of encouragement to others and the Lord will bless you!
Dorothy
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Faithfulness Rewards! Guest
Guest from Karen Batts!
Revelation 14:13
I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Just because our works don't precede us as our passport into heaven doesn't mean they have no relevancy (no bear) to our future entrance into heaven.
Remember that John is writing to a church under heavy spiritual artillery fire. The church was driven underground. Leaders and laypeople alike were being murdered. John, himself, miraculously survived being boiled alive in oil and was now sentenced to life on Patmos.
The purpose of the Revelation is to communicate HOPE. The early Christians are repeatedly told to NOT GIVE UP. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES were they to compromise or give up. Their faith in and labor for the Lord were not in vain! Their sacrifice counted! Vigilance (watchfulness) would someday lead to victory, faithfulness would be rewarded, and in this context John says that their "works do follow them."
In Malachi, the people asked the prophet if it was really worth serving God? He answered saying that someday God would right all wrongs and justify all inequities (unfairness). Indeed, there is a reward for serving God. DON'T GIVE UP- YOUR GOOD WORKS WILL BE REMEMBERED (Malachi 3:14-4:2 )
In Hebrews 11, God displays His "HALL OF FAME" containing those who were faithful, each of whom He would always remember and never be ashamed of. Faithfulness is rewarded!
In First Thessalonians, there is the Crown of Rejoicing. ( 2:19-20).
In First Peter, there is the Crown of Glory. (5:4)
In James, there is the Crown of Life. (1:12)
Finally in Second Timothy, there is the Crown of Righteousness. (4:8)
If you ever get tired of doing the right thing and feel like giving up - DON'T! No matter what the pressure, never surrender! Hold tight! Hang onto HOPE. Someday your works shall follow you. God will remember your faithfulness!
It's worth it!
Karen Batts
Revelation 14:13
I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Just because our works don't precede us as our passport into heaven doesn't mean they have no relevancy (no bear) to our future entrance into heaven.
Remember that John is writing to a church under heavy spiritual artillery fire. The church was driven underground. Leaders and laypeople alike were being murdered. John, himself, miraculously survived being boiled alive in oil and was now sentenced to life on Patmos.
The purpose of the Revelation is to communicate HOPE. The early Christians are repeatedly told to NOT GIVE UP. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES were they to compromise or give up. Their faith in and labor for the Lord were not in vain! Their sacrifice counted! Vigilance (watchfulness) would someday lead to victory, faithfulness would be rewarded, and in this context John says that their "works do follow them."
In Malachi, the people asked the prophet if it was really worth serving God? He answered saying that someday God would right all wrongs and justify all inequities (unfairness). Indeed, there is a reward for serving God. DON'T GIVE UP- YOUR GOOD WORKS WILL BE REMEMBERED (Malachi 3:14-4:2 )
In Hebrews 11, God displays His "HALL OF FAME" containing those who were faithful, each of whom He would always remember and never be ashamed of. Faithfulness is rewarded!
In First Thessalonians, there is the Crown of Rejoicing. ( 2:19-20).
In First Peter, there is the Crown of Glory. (5:4)
In James, there is the Crown of Life. (1:12)
Finally in Second Timothy, there is the Crown of Righteousness. (4:8)
If you ever get tired of doing the right thing and feel like giving up - DON'T! No matter what the pressure, never surrender! Hold tight! Hang onto HOPE. Someday your works shall follow you. God will remember your faithfulness!
It's worth it!
Karen Batts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Fear Not, Thou Shall Not Be Ashamed
Isaiah 54:4-5
KJV: Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. V5 For thy Maker is thine husband; and the Lord of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall be called.
NCV: Don’t be afraid, because you will not be ashamed. Don’t be embarrassed, because you will not be disgraced. You will forget the shame you felt earlier; you will not remember the shame you felt when you lost your husband. V5 The God who made you is like your husband. His name is the Lord All-Powerful. The Holy One of Israel is the one who saves you. He is called the God of all the earth.
Dorothy: God was speaking to Israel who was going through some troubled time. They had done evil and worship other gods that God wasn’t happy about. God punished Israel for their sins and allowed the enemies to capture Jerusalem and many people were captive and taken to different countries. They came back home to rebuild Jerusalem. In 70 A.D. Jerusalem was destroyed again. The people of Israel were scattered all over the world. Years later, the Jews from all over the world started coming back to their homeland. It was a time Israel felt ashamed what they had done. God promised a future Messiah and through Him, there would be hope for Jerusalem. Messiah would rule the whole earth some day. Israel will forget their shame. They will realize that all things were meant for good like Romans 8:28 says, ‘We know that all things work together for good to them that love God…’ Is it hard to imagine that someday, Israel would not even remember what they had done? God wants to give a new beginning, a new start, a future new heaven and new earth. What more could Israel ask for? They will rejoice forever.
Have you ever felt ashamed and wonder if you would ever forget what you have done in the past? We might say: I wish I had known about this mistake and I would not have to do this at all. Now I feel ‘doomed’ because it isn’t the same as before. I wish I was a better person so I would always do things right. What would God say to us about this?
“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed. Don’t feel confused why things happened to you recently. Don’t be afraid because you are ashamed of what was happening to you. Don’t be embarrassed about your past and you will not be ashamed. I am working inside of you to be like My Son, Jesus. Like Romans 8:28 says, ‘We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ Behold, I made all things new. You will not remember all of the past. All things are under the blood of the Lamb who gave Himself for you. You are forgiven. You are washed. You are cleaned. You are in the right standing with Me because the Lamb has given you a robe of righteousness. You need to trust Me in all the word that I have spoken to you. Be at peace with Me. Love Me and Trust Me with all your heart. I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
Song: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest name I know,
Fill my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go.
Verse:
There’s within my heart a melody (song)
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life’s ebb (troubles) and flow.
[Lyrics & Music: Luther B. Bridgers]
KJV: Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. V5 For thy Maker is thine husband; and the Lord of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall be called.
NCV: Don’t be afraid, because you will not be ashamed. Don’t be embarrassed, because you will not be disgraced. You will forget the shame you felt earlier; you will not remember the shame you felt when you lost your husband. V5 The God who made you is like your husband. His name is the Lord All-Powerful. The Holy One of Israel is the one who saves you. He is called the God of all the earth.
Dorothy: God was speaking to Israel who was going through some troubled time. They had done evil and worship other gods that God wasn’t happy about. God punished Israel for their sins and allowed the enemies to capture Jerusalem and many people were captive and taken to different countries. They came back home to rebuild Jerusalem. In 70 A.D. Jerusalem was destroyed again. The people of Israel were scattered all over the world. Years later, the Jews from all over the world started coming back to their homeland. It was a time Israel felt ashamed what they had done. God promised a future Messiah and through Him, there would be hope for Jerusalem. Messiah would rule the whole earth some day. Israel will forget their shame. They will realize that all things were meant for good like Romans 8:28 says, ‘We know that all things work together for good to them that love God…’ Is it hard to imagine that someday, Israel would not even remember what they had done? God wants to give a new beginning, a new start, a future new heaven and new earth. What more could Israel ask for? They will rejoice forever.
Have you ever felt ashamed and wonder if you would ever forget what you have done in the past? We might say: I wish I had known about this mistake and I would not have to do this at all. Now I feel ‘doomed’ because it isn’t the same as before. I wish I was a better person so I would always do things right. What would God say to us about this?
“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed. Don’t feel confused why things happened to you recently. Don’t be afraid because you are ashamed of what was happening to you. Don’t be embarrassed about your past and you will not be ashamed. I am working inside of you to be like My Son, Jesus. Like Romans 8:28 says, ‘We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ Behold, I made all things new. You will not remember all of the past. All things are under the blood of the Lamb who gave Himself for you. You are forgiven. You are washed. You are cleaned. You are in the right standing with Me because the Lamb has given you a robe of righteousness. You need to trust Me in all the word that I have spoken to you. Be at peace with Me. Love Me and Trust Me with all your heart. I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
Song: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest name I know,
Fill my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go.
Verse:
There’s within my heart a melody (song)
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life’s ebb (troubles) and flow.
[Lyrics & Music: Luther B. Bridgers]
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Wrestling Prayers for You
Colossians 4:12, 13a
NIV: “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you …” NCV: “Epaphras, a servant of Jesus Christ, from your group, also greets you. He always prays for you that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything God wants for you. I know he has worked hard for you …”
I like the KJV quote: “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you…”
“Labouring fervently (Greek, agonize, from which we derive the English word “agonize”) denotes an intense desire, an agonizing, a wrestling, or striving in prayer. Faithful N.T. believers not only continued steadfast in prayer (v.2), but agonized with strong pleading in their prayers. The needs of our families, churches, and the world are no less significant today. We ought to pray fervently, knowing that in our struggles Christ’s power is working mightily in us (1:29). Note: The FULL LIFE Study Bible, D. Stamps.
“Laboring fervently” is the translation of a Greek word from which we get our word AGONY. It was used of wrestlers who in the Greek gymnastic games strained to overcome an opponent. The Merriam-Webster dictionary state: the word, agony means intense pain of mind and body 2: a strong sudden display of emotion: outburst (an agony of delight). WORD HISTORY In ancient Greece a public gathering was called agon. Since the Greeks placed a high value on sports and athletic competition, there were almost always athletic events at gatherings on festival days. The STRUGGLE to win the prize in such contests came to be called ‘agonia.’ This term came also to be used for any difficult physical struggle and then for the PAIN that went with it, physical or mental. Our English word agony, meaning “INTENSE PAIN OF MIND OR BODY,” thus comes from a word that originally meant a happy celebration. Etymology: Middle English agonie “agony,” from Latin agonia (same meaning), from Greek agonia “struggle,” from agon “gathering contest for a prize.”
This is a “cure” for the “lukewarm Christian” who needs to get into wrestling spirit of prayers. I am going through this sense of “lukewarm spirit” or “lazy spirit” atmosphere and I don’t like it. My friend is struggling. She cries a lot and is in a great pain. I didn’t understand why God hasn’t healed her until I read this verse “laboring fervently.” Then I understood that her intercessory prayer was like wrestling in prayer, striving in prayer, agony in prayers, cry a lot in prayers and speaking in tongues prayers for all the Deaf saints. Her agony prayers, “Lord, don’t let the Deaf go to hell without You, Jesus!” That is a true spirit of ‘a Greek wrestler.’ Be of good comfort! If you are going through the similar experience, just know that God is working mightily in you, needing this wrestling prayer’s breakthrough for all of us.
So trust God today.
NIV: “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you …” NCV: “Epaphras, a servant of Jesus Christ, from your group, also greets you. He always prays for you that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything God wants for you. I know he has worked hard for you …”
I like the KJV quote: “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you…”
“Labouring fervently (Greek, agonize, from which we derive the English word “agonize”) denotes an intense desire, an agonizing, a wrestling, or striving in prayer. Faithful N.T. believers not only continued steadfast in prayer (v.2), but agonized with strong pleading in their prayers. The needs of our families, churches, and the world are no less significant today. We ought to pray fervently, knowing that in our struggles Christ’s power is working mightily in us (1:29). Note: The FULL LIFE Study Bible, D. Stamps.
“Laboring fervently” is the translation of a Greek word from which we get our word AGONY. It was used of wrestlers who in the Greek gymnastic games strained to overcome an opponent. The Merriam-Webster dictionary state: the word, agony means intense pain of mind and body 2: a strong sudden display of emotion: outburst (an agony of delight). WORD HISTORY In ancient Greece a public gathering was called agon. Since the Greeks placed a high value on sports and athletic competition, there were almost always athletic events at gatherings on festival days. The STRUGGLE to win the prize in such contests came to be called ‘agonia.’ This term came also to be used for any difficult physical struggle and then for the PAIN that went with it, physical or mental. Our English word agony, meaning “INTENSE PAIN OF MIND OR BODY,” thus comes from a word that originally meant a happy celebration. Etymology: Middle English agonie “agony,” from Latin agonia (same meaning), from Greek agonia “struggle,” from agon “gathering contest for a prize.”
This is a “cure” for the “lukewarm Christian” who needs to get into wrestling spirit of prayers. I am going through this sense of “lukewarm spirit” or “lazy spirit” atmosphere and I don’t like it. My friend is struggling. She cries a lot and is in a great pain. I didn’t understand why God hasn’t healed her until I read this verse “laboring fervently.” Then I understood that her intercessory prayer was like wrestling in prayer, striving in prayer, agony in prayers, cry a lot in prayers and speaking in tongues prayers for all the Deaf saints. Her agony prayers, “Lord, don’t let the Deaf go to hell without You, Jesus!” That is a true spirit of ‘a Greek wrestler.’ Be of good comfort! If you are going through the similar experience, just know that God is working mightily in you, needing this wrestling prayer’s breakthrough for all of us.
So trust God today.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Fear Not, To Take Mary, Thy Wife
Matthew 1:20b-21 “Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying Joseph, thou son of David, FEAR NOT TO TAKE UNTO THEE MARY THY WIFE: for which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Story of Joseph from Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7
After Mary came home from visiting Elizabeth, Joseph learned about her pregnancy. Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, but he felt he had to divorce her secretly. Joseph was a good man and he did not want to disgrace her in public. There was a law that if a woman is caught having a child before marriage; by law the public has the right to stone a woman to death. This troubled Joseph greatly. He had fear in his heart. He didn’t know what to do. Joseph went to sleep and an angel came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” An angel went on to explain about the fulfillment from the prophet who spoke about the virgin shall bring forth a son. The Lord’s angel wants Joseph to realize who this child was. It must have surprise Joseph that it was the Holy Spirit that came upon Mary to have a child be called, Immanuel, which means “God is with us.”
The Lord’s angel helped Joseph to know about the prophecy and help him to remove his “fear.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord’s angel had told him to do. Joseph took Mary as his wife. Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary until she gave birth to the son. And Joseph named him Jesus. God wanted Jesus to have a family to grow up with. Joseph and Mary had more children so Jesus had brothers and sisters [Matthew 12:46-47; Mark 3:31-32; Luke 8:19,20].
Story about the angels and the shepherds from Luke 2:8-20
Luke 2:20 “And the angel said unto them, FEAR NOT, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Dorothy: Have you noticed that God encouraged people from time to time, “Fear not”? Why is that? I watched a program, TBN and Rev. Hagee was preaching about the “Wild Horse of Fear”. He talked a lot about what fear can do. God had begin ‘Fear not’ with Abraham, and all through with Isaac, Moses, David, Daniel, Zachariah, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, disciples, and Peter from Genesis to Revelation. There are many "Fear Not." Fear can paralyze us and not be able to do anything. God does not want to paralyze us so He comforts us not to be afraid. What was the reason we all would fear? Fear of new things and we get scared of new plan that we might not know about. God often does that and God knows it is important to tell us, “Fear not.” He is with us. He will hold us up. He will take care of us. Praise the Lord.
Story of Joseph from Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7
After Mary came home from visiting Elizabeth, Joseph learned about her pregnancy. Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, but he felt he had to divorce her secretly. Joseph was a good man and he did not want to disgrace her in public. There was a law that if a woman is caught having a child before marriage; by law the public has the right to stone a woman to death. This troubled Joseph greatly. He had fear in his heart. He didn’t know what to do. Joseph went to sleep and an angel came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” An angel went on to explain about the fulfillment from the prophet who spoke about the virgin shall bring forth a son. The Lord’s angel wants Joseph to realize who this child was. It must have surprise Joseph that it was the Holy Spirit that came upon Mary to have a child be called, Immanuel, which means “God is with us.”
The Lord’s angel helped Joseph to know about the prophecy and help him to remove his “fear.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord’s angel had told him to do. Joseph took Mary as his wife. Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary until she gave birth to the son. And Joseph named him Jesus. God wanted Jesus to have a family to grow up with. Joseph and Mary had more children so Jesus had brothers and sisters [Matthew 12:46-47; Mark 3:31-32; Luke 8:19,20].
Story about the angels and the shepherds from Luke 2:8-20
Luke 2:20 “And the angel said unto them, FEAR NOT, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Dorothy: Have you noticed that God encouraged people from time to time, “Fear not”? Why is that? I watched a program, TBN and Rev. Hagee was preaching about the “Wild Horse of Fear”. He talked a lot about what fear can do. God had begin ‘Fear not’ with Abraham, and all through with Isaac, Moses, David, Daniel, Zachariah, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, disciples, and Peter from Genesis to Revelation. There are many "Fear Not." Fear can paralyze us and not be able to do anything. God does not want to paralyze us so He comforts us not to be afraid. What was the reason we all would fear? Fear of new things and we get scared of new plan that we might not know about. God often does that and God knows it is important to tell us, “Fear not.” He is with us. He will hold us up. He will take care of us. Praise the Lord.
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