Tag Archives: fear

Religious Syncretism

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We are living a religious syncretism

Syncretism is the blending of two or more religious belief systems into a new system, or the incorporation into a religious tradition of beliefs from unrelated traditions.

“Ah”, we say. “We would never do that!”

Oh, my friends we do this every time we bend the Word of God to suit ourselves.

The Bible says:

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.”  “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:8-10, NIV)

But we say: “Sorry, God, I don’t believe in tithing. I am poor. I don’t have enough for myself,

And thus, we syncretize the Word of God.

Or we read that God says:

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? (From Matthew 5:43-48, NIV)

And we say, “I will love those who I want to, I will determine by other means who to love and not to love. I am smarter than God.”

Forget the world-wide syncretism of religions and faiths. It starts locally right in our own home.

To be a Christian means to know, love and obey Jesus. Otherwise we are liars. The truth is not in us.

Driving Advice

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EVERYDAY CHRISTIAN

We often hear the phrase that God is our co-pilot.

Seriously, I would rather God was driving and I was only a passenger.

Sidecar Living
I’m riding in God’s side car and the turns are pretty wild.
I scream when turning corners, but all He does is smile.
He sees where we are going and takes turns that we must,
But down here on this dirty road, all I can see is dust.

I’m riding in God’s side car and close my eyes in fright,
But I know that He is leading on the path that’s safe and right.
When I can’t see the road ahead, and the way ahead seems dim,
He says, “Commit the map to me and only follow Him.”

When I did not know Him and traveled on alone,
So many turns were blunders that led away from home.
But now that I am with Him, the path ahead is true.
His vantage point is higher and He knows what I should do.

I’m riding in God’s side car and the devil knows I’m there.
Escorted through all evil, I remain in Jesus’ care.
I’m riding in God’s side car and I’ve often felt alarmed,
But I’m safely in His keeping, in the everlasting arms.
by Linda Smith, used by permission

Prayer- Lord, give us the courage to let you drive. Amen.

Lost Licence

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The doctor asked me not to drive until after some tests were completed. The tests were expected to take anywhere from two weeks to two months. It wasn’t the doctor’s fault, really. It is a government guideline, but that didn’t help my head much. I gave myself the Peter disease.

UGH!! Not drive? What was she thinking? How would I get to where I needed to go? How would I get to the grocery store or a doctor appointment? I’d have to beg the kids for a ride. I’d have to sell my home and go live in my kids’ basement. What about my car? What would I do with it?

In minutes, I’d worked myself into hysteria. Then I called friends and family and shared the disease. Some of them refused to take it on. They offered calm; they offered rides; they offered compassion… BUT I DIDN’T WANT ANY OF IT! I WANTED TO DRIVE MY OWN SELF IN MY OWN CAR!!!

But I had no choice, or so I thought.

I forgot to remember Peter, who forgot to remember Jesus

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. (Matthew 11:28a, AMP)

Prayer – Father, forgive us for forgetting, rePETERly, again and again, what you tell us. Amen

 

 

 

 

 

Get Past Fear

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25 And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity [without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn] at the roaring (the echo) of the tossing of the sea,

34 But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose;

31 Even so, when you see these things taking place, understand and know that the kingdom of God is at hand.

 

Worry, Anxiety and Fear

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Anxiety used to constantly wrack my body. I worried over everything from kids, to jobs, finances, and  eating disorders. I bought a ‘worry bird.’  You were supposed to rub this purple glass bird thing and it took away your fear. I did but it didn’t.

When I asked Christ into my life, I purposely decided not to fear anything, but instead to fear and reverence only him.

I just found this  interesting verse.

Isaiah 24:18- And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit (KJ).   What on earth is the ‘noise of fear?’

Noise is defined as unpleasant sound, an outcry, a complaint, a rumour, or meaningless data.

Fear is described as a feeling of anxiety, a frightening thought, or worry.

Apparently, the noise of fear is nothing but worry over meaningless data. According to this verse, many of us run from it and then fall into a big hole, a pit. That’s pit-iful.

I’ve lived in lots of pits. New opportunities present themselves every day. Right now, it’s widowhood.

Some might even tell you that I did live in a pit ….…..for a little while.

But I didn’t stay there and you don’t have to stay there either. No matter what your pit, God offers a rescue plan. Just reach up and he will grab you, lift you out and put your feet on solid ground. How do I know that? God said so and I’ve experienced it.

Psalm 40:2- He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand (NIV).

Prayer- Father God, thank you that your plan for us is better than any we hatch up on our own. Give us the courage to grab onto what ever you give us, by grabbing onto you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

A Prayer in answer to Prayer

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I’ve been praying over a desperate sisutation and God sent this in answer to  my prayer.

Perhaps it is also the answer to yours… Brenda

Be at Peace
Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;
rather look to them with full hope as they arise.
God, whose very own you are,
will deliver you from out of them.
He has kept you hitherto,
and He will lead you safely through all things;
and when you cannot stand it,
God will bury you in his arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you then and everyday.
He will either shield you from suffering,
or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace,
and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.
The Prayer of St. Francis de Sales , St. Francis de Sales 1567-1622

For Fast-Acting Relief?

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Actress Lily Tomlin suggests that for fast-acting relief, that we just slow down..

Ouch. If I did that, my feelings would catch up with me. I’d feel the despair of my abusive past, the pain of rejection and the fear of the unknown. That is, unless I also slowed down into prayer, a Psalm or two and a quiet half hour or so with the Lord.

Are you going too fast? Give yourself a break. Let Jesus catch up with you and sooth the savage beast within..

Blessings, Brenda J. Wood

blog:   http://heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com