Andrew Golden's Blog, page 21

Confidence In Fear

Proverbs 14:26

26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

If someone says that you should not fear God because he is a God of love, they need to read the Bible. God is a God of love but he is also a God of justice. It is okay to fear God, who created everything and his power is beyond our imagination. When you fear God your respect him, you follow his law, and you stay away from the things that make God angry. When you stay in his way, he gives you refuge from the storm of life. He blesses you and tends to you and your family. So, go ahead and fear God.

Just Believe

Mark 5:36

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Short and to the point, do not be afraid, only believe. Believe that in your worst times, he will see you through.

Free From Chains

Exodus 1:13-14

13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:

14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

Exodus 12:37

37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

I used to hear that six hundred thousand Israelites left Egypt and thought that was a massive number. I always wondered why that many let themselves be forced into slavery. Then I realized that it was just the number of the men, and it made it me question more of why they let themselves be forced under the Egyptian rule. The answer is simple. They let the chains be put on.  Even though they served God, they thought the Egyptians were greater and stronger. Finally, God sent Moses to bring his children out of bondage just like he sent Jesus to do the same for us. Just like the Israelites, Christians are choosing to be bond down. They forget that our Saviour has already conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave. He broke the chains that we let ourselves be put in. Pharoah was scared of the number of Israelites, so he put them in chains. The enemy is afraid of Christ in you, so he wants to do the same as Pharoah and convince you that you have to be in bondage. The devil fears you because of Christ. It is not the number of Christians he fears but the fact that Jesus Christ has already won. So, you don’t need your chains broken and you don’t need someone to come and save you from servitude. All you need to do is stand up and let Jesus take control and lead you back to the promise land.

He Will Still Tear Down The Walls

Joshua 6:20

20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Malachi 3:6

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

God doesn’t change. We all agree on that. We also agree that He still gives salvation to the sinner. However, when it comes to miracles and overcoming our struggles, we tend to think that he does not care anymore. We are wrong. If God can give Joshua and his army a city that was impossible to conquer, he will do more for you. He will bring down the walls that the enemy has put up before you in your life. No matter what it is, God is still the same God who brought down the walls of Jericho.

Return To Him And He Will Return To You

Malachi 3:7

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

If you talk to most Christians about what the world needs they all have the same answer, people need to turn back to God. It is the right answer. People don’t pray anymore. Most will say a dried up prayer. Because they don’t pray they don’t believe God can perform miracles. Then because they don’t see miracles people stop believing. Well if Christians would go back to the beginning and begin to pray again we would start seeing the miracle again. The miracles where the sick is healed, the addict cured of their addictions, and the broken in heart smile again. This would make people see us and realize that we have something they need, Jesus Christ.

Joy

Psalms 51:12

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

One thing that Christians have forgotten is their joy. Many walk around like we don’t have something to be happy about when we have the greatest thing to bring a smile to our faces. We can smile because we are children of God. We can smile because we have accepted our salvation through Christ. It does not matter how bad of a day you have. Knowing Jesus is enough to make you jump for joy. If you remember that, nothing nor no one can take your joy.

Jesus Arrived

Mark 5:3-4

3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

People had given up on him. No one could contain his strength. The evil inside of him overcame any man that tried to bind him. One day Jesus showed up and the man who could not be bound bowed at Jesus’s feet and the evil within was cast out. Remember that when you claim that no one can overcome the problems in your life. Remember that Jesus never laid a hand on this man. All he had to do is show up. Now that he has hung on the cross and ascended to the Father he is always present. No matter what the enemy has put on you when Jesus speaks it has to leave.

Daily Repentance

1 Corinthians 15:30-31

30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

No one is perfect, only Jesus is. No one gets saved and goes the rest of their life without sin. You will mess up and you will fall short. Everyday you have to hit your knees and ask God to forgive you for your sins. You have to admit everyday that you need Jesus. It does not give you an excuse to sin, but if and when you do know that you are not alone. Every Christian should humble enough to admit that.

Judge Not

Luke 6:37

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven

Every one messes up, everyone makes mistakes, and everyone falls short of God. Do not be the person that condemns them. Do not be the person who says they are worthless. They are a soul that needs prayer. It does not matter what someone has done. Pray that they can find peace in Jesus. Pray that they can seek forgiveness from him. No matter what happens they are a soul. One of God’s creations and Jesus died for them the same as he did for you.

Magnify His Name

Philippians 1:20

20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

With every word and action a Christian does in life should magnify Christ. When they pass on it should be known that even until the end that they walked the walk and talked the talk as a Christian. It should not just be said that they went to this church on Sunday or that they believed in God. People should be speaking of how they could see and feel Christ in you. Christians should have a boldness that people know that we stand in our faith. I am not saying that people should praise you. It is okay if someone never even knows your name, because if Christ is magnified through your actions you have done what a Christian is supposed to do. Our job is to magnify Jesus Christ and his teachings through our day to day lives. Then when we pass on and people are sharing memories about us, it leads back to Christ.