I John 3:17 ” If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? “

We can become very jaded and indifferent towards all the appeals for money that bombard us daily.  Everyone seems to have a valid cause and concern that needs our contribution.  So what are we to do?  Ask the Lord to show you very plainly the things He wants you to give to…whether that be monetarily, materially, or of your time.  And if we all listen carefully to the Holy Spirit and heed His voice, no need will ever go unmet.

Proverbs 15:16 ” Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. “

With great riches, can come great drama.  But  the fear of the Lord offers none of that turmoil.  The world can chase after great fortunes…I’d much rather live a happy, content life in the Lord… minus the chaos.

Galatians 1: 3-5 ” Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the Will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The present evil age continues even today.  The world is teeming with wickedness, sorrow and pain, but despite everything,  the Lord’s good pleasure in carrying out His divine purpose is still moving forward.  This present evil age will continue…”But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

Zephaniah 2:3 ” Seek the Lord all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility…”

All Believers should be challenged by this verse to seek the Lord even more sincerely…even more seriously.  Do not waiver in the Lord…do not  become lukewarm in your zeal.  Don’t allow the brokenness of the world today  to cause you to become apathetic and indifferent in your pursuit of the Lord.  Instead, seek Him with all your heart, mind, and soul.

Romans 8:31 ” If God is for us, who can be against us? “

Allow this verse to sink into your soul…pondering the words and meaning.  If the Almighty God is defending, protecting, and caring for you…what do you have to fear?  If the Maker of the Universe is ever watching over you…what could possibly make you afraid?  The enemy may want you to think that you’re alone and defenseless…but you have an all powerful Heavenly Father whispering, ” Fear not! “

I John 4:18 ” There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.”

There is no fear in perfect love…and God is love…thus fear is not of God.  There are at least 70 times in the Bible when  the Lord states,  “Fear not!”  But taking the head knowledge of not fearing and transferring it into heart knowledge is a continuous journey of building our relationship with God…of learning to trust and not fear.

Psalm 53:5 ” There they were in great fear, where there was nothing to fear.”

Fear will wrap up our minds, making it play tricks on us.  Our mind will immediately race to worst case scenario anytime the phone rings in the middle of the night.  A fearful mind won’t allow us to sleep at night as the “what ifs” swirl around in our brain like bats.  Fear wraps up our mind, causing us to behave irrationally  and paranoiac.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 “…A time to be silent and a time to speak…”

When fear wraps around our mouth we are unable to speak.  We are helpless to defend the afflicted, the weak, the poor and needy.  We instead watch in silence as people are bullied, ridiculed, and oppressed.  Fear mutes us, making us  frightened of the  possibility of  retribution or embarrassment.  Fear will wrap around our mouth, and take away our voice.

Isaiah 35: 3 ” Strengthen your feeble hands…”

Fear will wrap up our arms, making them hang limp at our sides.  We then become unable to help ourselves or others.  When we are unable to work with our hands, we  become unproductive and paltry.  Thus fear keeps us from completing the all important work of the Lord  that He’s planned for us.

Acts 4:29 ” Lord, enable Your servants to speak Your Word with great boldness.”

What stops us from witnessing to others?  What hinders us from courageously, confidently, fearlessly sharing the Gospel?  Most times it’s fear…fear of stepping on people’s toes and offending…fear of ridicule and rejection…fear of being called crazy.  But in this verse, the Disciples are specifically  asking for boldness in all those situations.  So our prayers needs to be the  same… for as it says in Psalm 138:3, ” When I called You answered me; You made me bold and stout-hearted.”