Success

When the Angel Sat Down

Three Cross Painting

Hilarious glee filled the hearts of Jesus’ enemies.  They had succeeded in crucifying and burying this man who claimed to be the Son of God.  All who resisted the will of God rejoiced at their victory over the man they considered a great deceiver.

But one thing troubled Jesus’ foes.  They recalled that he predicted his resurrection.

The chief priests and Pharisees approached Pilate, the Roman governor over Israel.  “Sir…we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again,’” Matthew 27:63.

Soldiers At Jesus TombThey requested Pilate to station an armed guard at Jesus’ tomb so that his disciples would not steal the body and claim that He rose from the dead.  In addition to the guard, the religious leaders sealed the huge stone that lay over the tomb.  This seal was probably a cement-like substance spread over the edge of the stone that glued it to the tomb.  The weight of the stone plus the seal created a strong barrier to anyone who wished to remove Jesus’ body.

Everyone who resisted God’s plan for Jesus’ resurrection felt confident that they had thwarted his prediction.  The tomb was securely sealed, and soldiers guarded against intruders.

Angel Rolling The Stong Away From The TombGod always prevails over human resistance to his plan.  God never loses; sinners never win.  “An angel of the Lord came down from heaven and…rolled back the stone and sat on it,” Matthew 28:2.  The mighty soldiers fainted.  The seal that attached the stone to the tomb completely shattered as the angel touched it with a little finger.  Then the angel sat on the stone that was intended to prevent Jesus’ resurrection.

Dealing with Terrible Times

Through the apostle Paul, the Holy Spirit predicted terrible times in the last days preceding Jesus’ second coming.  Why terrible times?  Because humanity’s rejection of God exposes us to Satan’s hateful violence against all that God loves.

Although we live in terrible times, we can remain confident in the One who overcame all human resistance to Jesus’ resurrection.  The God who raised Jesus from the dead is the God whose Spirit lives in our hearts.  Don’t focus your attention on the terrible times; keep your attention on the heavenly Father who sent his angel to demolish human resistance to divine purposes.

Christians die in wars and natural disasters and are sometimes victims of crime.  However, death is like the stone that covered Jesus’ tomb.  It means nothing.  Physical death propels us into eternal life and eventual resurrection of our bodies.  Satan only wins hollow victories.

Do Not Be AlarmedWe can live without fear during the terrible times.  “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed,” Matthew 24:6.  Jesus predicted terrible times, but he also commanded us to reject panic, fear, and feelings of uncertainty.  Since God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, we choose to reject the fear, the panic, and the uncertainty that attempt to dominate our thoughts and feelings (2 Timothy 1:7).

What kind of people will God make us during terrible times?  People filled with divine energy to remain calm, “though briars and thorns are all around” us and we “live among scorpions” (Ezekiel 2:6).

Assured Indestructibility

Satanic creatures and human sinners sought Jesus’ destruction.  What’s new?  Sinners of both the spirit world and the natural world harbor intense resentment against God’s will and plan, but they can never win!

God enfolds his plans and purposes in assured indestructibility.  He mocked mankind’s effort to thwart divine purposes.  He sent an angel to sit on the stone sinners trusted to keep Jesus in the tomb.

You are God’s will.  His will brought you into existence and sustains your every breath, your every heartbeat, and your future.  God’s Spirit wraps you in assured indestructibility.  Get on with your life; pursue your plans.  Seek more intimate fellowship with the Spirit of Jesus.  Don’t worry about anything.  Don’t panic when things around you crumble.  God purposefully sees to it that his indestructible will for your life is fulfilled.  Often quote Job 42:2, “I know that you can do all things and that no plan of yours can be thwarted.”

If a mere angel can defeat Satan, how much more can our Almighty God crush him!

Be greatly encouraged,

Pastor James Fields

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The Power to Overcome Fear of Bad News

Beach Scene By Mark Campbell      Ability to defeat fear of bad news does not originate in us, but in the Jesus who defeated Satan, sin and the world.

      The first part of Matthew chapter four records Satan’s attempt to destroy Jesus by causing him to sin.  Jesus never yielded to Satan’s attempts.  Jesus held to his righteous nature, rejected all Satan’s suggestions and completely defeated the Satan who led Adam and Eve astray.  Jesus faced many other temptations which are not recorded in the gospels, but in every case he proved victorious.  Jesus even felt forsaken by his heavenly Father as he hung on the cross and was drawing near death.  He cried aloud, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)  Nevertheless, Jesus held to his faith in heavenly Father’s provision.  Truly, Jesus’ “heart [was] steadfast, trusting in the Lord,” his heavenly Father (Psalm 112:8).

     The Spirit of heavenly Father dwelt in Jesus and empowered him to overcome fear.  Consequently, Jesus’ heart was steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  Jesus remained faithful to heavenly Father and to you and me during those grueling hours hanging on the cross.  He ended his earthly life by crying out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.  When he had said this, he breathed his last,” Luke 23:46. Jesus was so strong that he never blamed Father for anything, but committed himself to heavenly Father’s care!  Truly, Jesus’ heart was secure in his faith in Father’s love.  Consequently, fear couldn’t conquer Jesus.

     It works the same for you and me.  With the Spirit of Jesus dwelling in our human spirits, we can overcome the fear of the massive amount of bad news in our world.

     The Spirit of the same Jesus who endured persecution, beating, crucifixion and ridicule, dwells in you.  The presence of Jesus in your spirit empowers you to live above fear in this fear-filled world.  We chose to yield to the Lord’s promises that are recorded in his written Word.  We chose to yield to the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and enables us to overcome the fear of the rampant bad news that permeates society.  We can win against fear of bad news!  In these last days, fear attempts to fill us with lack of faith in God.  Remember that Jesus “began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’” Matthew 26:36-38.  Nevertheless, the Spirit of heavenly Father in Jesus enabled him to deny fear’s control of his life.  Truly, Jesus’ heart was secure and overcame all fear.

Following Jesus’ Example 

     The Spirit of the resurrected Jesus dwells in all of his followers.  Although we don’t always feel his presence, his Spirit continually dwells in us.  We must follow Jesus’ example and say “no” to the fears we feel and the uncertainties we experience.  Give yourself to the Word of God and to the Spirit of Jesus who lives in you.  Then, God will empower you to completely defeat fear of bad news in these last days.  He will empower you with divine ability to not be alarmed by this world’s horrible plight.  The Spirit of God in you will keep you focused on the Jesus who died and was raised from the dead so he could make you more than a conqueror.  Scripture declares, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us,” Romans 8:37.

     So keep your eyes on Jesus and your spirit built up by God’s Holy Word.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” Romans 15:13.

Be greatly encouraged,

Pastor James Fields

(Blog from the article entitled Overcoming Fear of Bad News)

 

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Do Not Be Alarmed

     Easter     Jesus and his apostles visited the impressive temple built by King Herod in Jerusalem.  As our Lord and his apostles left the temple “his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings,” Matthew 24:1.  Truly, the buildings erected by King Herod were very magnificent and impressive.  They were large and ornate, expensive and awesome.  But Jesus surprised his followers by saying, “Do you see all these things?… Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down,” Matthew 24:2.

     His apostles came in privately and asked about his prediction of the destruction of the Jewish temple.  He answered, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come,” Matthew 24:6.Do Not Be Alarmed

     Then Jesus continued, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me,” Matthew 24:7-9.

      Sounds very severe.  But remember, Jesus told us to “see to it that you are not alarmed,” Matthew 24:6.

 The Benefit of Striving to Please the Lord

     “The righteous…will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord,” Psalm 112:6-7.  There it is!  People who strive to please the Lord are inwardly steadfast, unmovable and confident because they trust in the Lord’s protection and provision.  They stay full of God’s Word and, consequently, have no fear of the bad news that fills this world.  No, they don’t like the bad news, but they do not allow it to control their emotions and thoughts.  Their trust in the Lord keeps them focused on the God who protects his children and eventually takes them to the heavenly new Jerusalem.

     So, my brothers and sisters, let us strive to please the Lord.  First, spend private time with him by reading his Word consistently and spending time alone praising, loving and magnifying him.  His Word and Spirit will deliver you from the fears that are rampant in our world and make you steadfast as you trust the Lord’s control of what’s going on in you and around you.  Confidence in him will fill you with assurance that he can take care of your family and your friends!  We may be surrounded by a fearful world, but we need not allow fear to enter us since we trust in the almighty Creator of heaven and earth!

      We definitely live in the last days that Jesus predicted in Matthew chapter twenty-four.  However, please do not concentrate on the bad news, but concentrate on the Lord who is in you, with you and around you!

     Dear friends, we can overcome fear of bad news.  Bad news will fill our world, but we need not yield to fearing it.  God’s almighty power dwells in us and his Word strengthens us with divine ability to overcome fear of bad news.  Remind yourself of Psalm 112:8, “[Your heart is] secure, [you] will have no fear.”

      Remember Romans 8:37, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”  We don’t deny the reality of bad news, we just deny its ownership of our hearts and minds!

Be greatly encouraged,

Pastor James Fields

(Blog from the article entitled “Overcoming Fear of Bad News”)

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Where are you focusing?

EasterThe clouds were so dark and heavy with rain. Lightening was flashing across the sky and thunder was rumbling deep in the ground. As I was driving towards this storm, I noticed my feelings becoming downcast and gloomy. My mind started wondering to all the difficult things we were facing at that moment. However, the minute I turned the car away from the storm into the bright sunlight my mood changed. I felt hopeful. I remember thinking “Thank you Lord that you are my sunlight in the midst of the storm.”

As I pondered on this, I recalled the apostles in the boat in the middle of the storm so focused on everything going on around them instead of who was with them! The One who tells the seas how far they can go, the One who commands the winds and the waves, the One who is always by their sides, their Savior, Jesus Christ!

The thing I learned is to turn my focus away from what is going on around me and trust in the One who saved me, Jesus Christ, the truth, the light, the everlasting life!

Where is your focus today? Social media, politics, fearful news? Take time to turn off the negative things of this world. Read, and meditate on God’s Holy Word. Spend time in fellowship with your heavenly Father and thank him for all the good things he has done and will continue to do in your life. Talk to him about your cares and then offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving for the answers to come. His unfailing love and encouragement will fill you up with his peace that passes all your own understanding.

Blessings,

Bonita Burleson
Comfort and Encouragement Ministries, secretary

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Overcoming Fear of Precariousness

A nation of ex-slaves defiantly marched out of Egyptian control. The entire Hebrew nation looked forward to entering the land promised to their forefathers. But the Lord told the Israelites to turn back and encamp near the Red Sea.

This order appeared unreasonable. Why turn back toward Egypt? The Promised Land beckoned, so why not continue marching toward Palestine?

God continued speaking to Moses. “Pharoah will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering…in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’”  God baited Pharaoh; he wanted Pharaoh pursuing the Israelites!

God added, “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.”  Can you believe that? God purposefully and deliberately aroused Pharaoh’s desire to pursue the Israelites.

God led his people into precariousness; He placed them in harm’s way. The Lord arranged an unsettling, dangerous and frightening time for the people he loved.

Dear friends, God is love. Everything he does for us or to us springs from loving concern for our welfare. He only arranges precarious situations to help us overcome fear of precariousness. Overcoming fear of troubling, difficult times builds our faith in God and our confidence in his provision. Precarious times offer us an opportunity to find an enlivened relationship with our God and a stronger assurance in his promises.

When times were at their worst, God opened the Red Sea for his people. He used the same sea to destroy the pursuing enemy. Had he not promised Moses, “I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and his army?”  God leads us into precariousness so he can demonstrate his powerful provision for all our needs. Then, we enthusiastically glorify our Deliverer.

Overcoming fear of precariousness builds into us an expectation of victory. Without tests and tribulations, our expectations of victory remain dwarfed. The act of overcoming fear of precariousness enlarges our conviction that victory awaits us. As fear of precariousness dies, faith in victory rises.

Scripture referred to: Exodus 14

Be greatly encouraged,

Pastor James Fields 

“God leads us into precariousness so he can demonstrate his powerful provision for all our needs.”

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The Ever-Present Comforter and Encourager

The Bible serves as an inexhaustible source of comfort and encouragement.  But no one can constantly keep the Bible before their eyes.

Kind-hearted, loving people often speak words that wonderfully comfort and encourage us.  However, they cannot remain with us twenty-four hours a day. …

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Turning Liabilities into Assets

God commanded a young man named Gideon to lead Israel in battle against their oppressors.  Gideon responded by listing his liabilities to God.  “God, I can’t lead Israel because….” Are you a modern-day Gideon?  Do you continually meditate on the disadvantages life hands you?  Some typical liabilities modern-day “Gideons” concentrate on are: an unsaved spouse, too little money, unpleasant childhood, insufficient education, personal appearance, and difficult or distasteful job.  The list of what we consider “liabilities” seems to have no end.  As long as you look for personal disadvantages, you’ll find them.  You see, human nature is turned toward concentrating on disadvantages.  Consequently, we create our own disadvantages by lack of confidence in God’s abilities. …

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Changed by Prayer

Many people believe prayer is an effort to cause God to do something.  Prayer, they believe, convinces God to act in the way we wish.  The statement, “prayer changes things,” flows from the lips of “both believers and unbelievers.”  Because we view prayer as an effort to cause God to do something, many only call upon the Lord during times of need. …

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Things Turn Out Best for Those Who Make the Best of the Way Things Turn Out

While Jesus and the apostles prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, a well-armed mob invaded their privacy.  After arresting Jesus, the throng led him to court.  Jesus faced interrogation, beating, ridicule, insult and humiliation.  After the final verdict, soldiers marched Jesus to the crucifixion site, nailing him to the cross. …

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The Favor I Did Not Want

Jesus healing blind man“God, what’s wrong with you?  Why don’t you heal me?”  I angrily shouted this that afternoon in 1968.  For years, I had believed, prayed, memorized Scripture, fasted, been anointed with oil and attended healing crusades.  My vision continued deteriorating and my eye muscles grew weaker.  Confused and disappointed, I blamed God for my condition.  On the other hand, I loved the Lord.  I recovered from the anger and continued loving and serving him. …

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