Wars, global unrest, nuclear threats, looming economic disaster, earthquakes, solar storms, political upheavals, out-of-control inflation, famines, weird diseases… on and on it goes.
Who wouldn’t be afraid in today’s world?
Now I know that we should all walk by faith in these Last Days, and we should all know how to answer our fears with scriptures in the Bible. There’s a lot of teaching on this topic, but I want to speak to the human side of this before I tell you how to be strong in the ways of spiritual warfare.
In our humanity, we all need comfort and reassurance that God is not cold or indifferent to us when the Times of Trouble come. I think most of us know that, but it helps to recall that fact as the writer of Hebrews did in Chapter 11, the great ‘faith’ chapter. Go read this chapter again for your own encouragement.
Sometimes, it is good to recall all the times of your life when God has done amazing things for you. Recall the moment you were born again and how the love of God flooded your heart and soul. There is no greater miracle than that! One old-time spiritual song says, “makes me love everybody!” Now there’s a message in that for sure! But, be sure to recall all the other times you have felt God’s presence and remember His tenderness and His loving care.
For me, there are too many special times to count that God has spoken to me or answered a prayer breathed in earnest. But, I remember incomparable times like when He encouraged me when I was in a prison cell with an inspired song. Or, when He told me the prayers of the saints were flooding my cell with love and hope.
Remember, God will never, never, never leave us or forsake us!
World events may cause us to have a healthy fear of what is happening to our world, but we should never forget that all of it means that JESUS IS COMING SOON! When Jesus steps out on that cloud and we see His shining face, all of the troubles of this world will be over, and we will be with Him forever!
But, until then, we are told to “occupy” so we must live with a supernatural knowledge that we are indeed a chosen generation… one that will usher in the coming of Jesus. While this can be a time of great fear, it shouldn’t be for those who are working, watching, and waiting for His return.
There is a healthy fear and an unhealthy fear. A healthy fear reads the whole Bible, including the Revelation, and heeds its warnings. A healthy fear helps you to know that God’s Word is true, all of it, and we will have some Times of Trouble in the Last Days. And make no mistake, we are in the Last Days.
A healthy fear prepares both the spirit and the body to meet each and every situation we are faced with – with the maximum amount of faith. I am reminded of the three Hebrew children: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We can recall how they refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s demands to worship him, and were thrown into the fiery furnace as a result.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s story is an example of great faith because they told Nebuchadnezzar that their God was not only able to deliver them from the fiery furnace, but that He would deliver them!
How many of us have enough faith to say “God, I know you can deliver us out of our troubles and I know that you will!”
In the natural, we are all afraid to some extent. But in the supernatural, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to give us strength and courage.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7, KJV)
With everything that’s happening in our world right now, it sometimes challenges our level of courage to live through it all without fear. But, that is exactly what Jesus said that we should do. In fact, He says it very clearly right in the middle of the scriptures that tell of these frightful events.
“When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened.” (Luke 21:9)
And just a few verses later, He repeats the admonition to be careful not to fear.
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.” (Luke 21:34)
Many say they are just not that strong – and they wonder how they can have faith in the face of fearful events. The answer is humility and a heart that reaches out to God in spite of a weakness.
Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Have you ever heard the scripture “Lord, I believe. Help me now my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) Perhaps we should understand this as “Lord, I have faith. Help me now with my fear.” A humble heart is something the Lord will not refuse. (Psalm 51:17)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah” (Ps 46:1-3)
No matter what catastrophes may come on the earth in Times of Trouble, we should not fear!
Why is fear so hazardous to our spiritual life, especially in the Last Days? Why does the Lord caution us about fear? Fear is not just a distressing emotion; it is the spiritual force of Satan’s kingdom. Faith is the force of God’s kingdom. We are saved by faith, we are healed by faith, and we move mountains by faith. Fear is the opposite of faith. “And whatever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). It’s impossible to please God without faith. So, fear is a sin.
According to Revelation 21:8, the fearful will be cast into the lake of fire! Fear is that serious! Fear is called a spirit, and the Spirit of God within us should overcome the spirit of fear.
Whenever you notice fear in your life, you can overcome it by answering it with the Word of God.
Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
So in the Times of Trouble ahead of us, do what you can to be ready. Do all that you know to prepare for any calamity. Then, cast the rest of your care upon the Lord and watch how he delivers His own people.
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Love,
WORDS ARE OUR WAY TO COMMUNICATE..SO MUCH BEING SAID,SO LITTLE BEING HEARD,ALL THE LIVING, REAPING FROM THE WORDS FROM THOSE ONCE ALIVE,BUT NOW ARE DEAD.HISTORY IS OUR BEST VIEW OF GOD’S PRINCIPALS AND THE RESULTS THEY BRING,THEY NEVER CHANGE…ONLY REPEAT THEMSELVES THROUGH DIFFERENT TIMES,DIFFERENT LIVES,AND DIFFERENT INVENTIONS.WE ENTERTAIN ANGELS UNAWARE.IN HEAVEN,WE ARE THEIR ENTERTAINMENT,IT’S AN ON GOING SPIRITUAL BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD VERSES EVIL ON EARTH.IT WAS GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION THAT SENT JESUS TO THE CROSS.IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER WANTED TO SHARE POWER TOGETHER…IN HISTORY,GOD HAS BEEN AN ENEMY TO BOTH,,, MOST OF THE TIME.—-AS WE NEAR THE RETURN OF JESUS,WE WILL WITNESS MORE AND MORE WARS BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS AND RELIGIONS.WHY?.____.THEY THOUGHT THEY SILENCED HIM ON THE CROSS…LEAVING THEMSELVES CONTROLLING THE HUMAN RACE.____JESUS,SAID WHOM THE SON SETS FREE,IS FREE INDEED__..STRANGE THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION HAVE BEEN MAKING FREEDOM AN ISSUE EVERY SINCE JESUS MADE HIS STATEMENT…WE ARE SERVANTS TO THE LENDER,,,JESUS SAID TO OWE NO ONE,EXCEPT TO LOVE THEM..DEBT IS BONDAGE….THAT IS WHY THE JEWS HAVE JUBILEE[TO FORGIVE DEBTS]WE ARE A PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT AN ECONOMY WOULD BE WITHOUT DEBT…YET IN HEAVEN THERE WILL BE NO DEBT…A WISE MAN[OR NATION] LEAVES MORE THAN DEBT TO INHERIT.OUR LEADERSHIP ARE MORE THE SPIRIT OF ANTI-CHRIST THAN CHRIST….WHY ELSE THE MOVEMENT AGAINST THE GODLY???I DON’T FEAR THE FUTURE,YET, I DO NOT LIKE THE RESULTS FOR OUR ACTIONS.WE HAVE BEEN MORE LOVERS OF PLEASURE,THAN LOVERS OF GOD..JESUS IS COMING WITH HIS REWARD IN HIS HAND…WHAT CAN AMERICA EXPECT?..I AM GUILTY OF LIVING IN DEBTS,GUILTY OF NOT TITHING,AND GUILTY OF HAVING MATERIAL THINGS THAT REALLY I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT,SO I WILL REAP MY PART OF AMERICA’S REWARD WHEN JESUS RETURNS,SO WILL MY FAMILY.I WANDER IF THE 15 TRILLION NATIONAL DEBT IS AMERICA’S TITHE THAT THE NATION KEPT FROM GIVING GOD BECAUSE OF GREED?…JUDGMENT CAN BE A GOOD THING,IF WE OBEY GOD….
Jim,
You mentioned “coincidences” regarding Rabbi Cahn’s Harbingers, and football player Tim Tebow’s supernatural achievements, but God says that there is no word for coincidence. When He taught the Israelites the Hebrew language, He commanded that there be no word created to describe the word “coincidence”. Rabbi Cahn should be able to substantiate this for you. Thank you.
I have dreamed three things are going to happen:
1. California Earthquake
2. Food Shortages
3. United States will declare War (officially)
These things are going to happen “After the Presidental Election 2012..QUICKLY”
The Lord is giving his Children until November 2012 to “Prepare”.
Let us stay prayed up.
Pastor Jim Bakker: February 5th, 2012
Fear. Such a powerful word; such a controlling emotion.
This Sunday morning, well before the sun arose or the darkness was displaced by the morning light, I was lying in bed communing with God. I had set my alarm clock for an earlier time so to get up & study His Word, yet I was very tired and just laid in bed discussing His Word with Him. About 40 minutes went by & my alarm clock went off -again. It was not set to go off nor was it set to go off at this time! All throughout the past 40 minutes I had been prompted by the Holy Ghost to get up, yet I continued to lie in bed because I-was-too-tired. OK, it is obvious that You want me up now, remembering I had not set the alarm to go off. So I got out of bed, closed the window & went downstairs to heat up my morning wake-up drink. I could hear it hissing as I reached to turn the burner on. Immediately, both my right hand & my left hand were thrown out to the sides of me as I did reach to touch the dial. Then I felt pushed back a step. Quickly, I collected my focus as if I had just been challenged & realized that the gas (propane) for the front burner had been left on all night. Yes, the air was very thick in propane. And yes I did smell it. Yet I had brushed it off while going down the stairs, seeing that I live with 3 others who are not clean, one stinks. And I was going downstairs so to wake-up & then to hang out with God before the world awoke here where I live.
So to be brief, I awoke my best friend for a witness, opened the windows, turned off the stove, & turned off the heater that is located in the attic. It went & felt as if I had done this a hundred times before. My friend was literally shaking & so we talked for the hour as the house aired out. My friend told me about the spirit of death that was noticed in the kitchen at the stove earlier that afternoon.
The morning light was now showing on the horizon as my friend went back to bed. I locked the house up, made my hot morning wake-up drink (as if I needed it), & went back upstairs so to be alone with God. Entering my study, I smelt propane & had a flash of a vision. An EXPLOSION that began in the attic @ the heater & went down the stairs which created such an EXPLOSION that the exterior walls blew out & the 2nd story COLLAPSED onto the ground floor all in a big ball of fire.
This was when I began to shake & realize.
Later this day, I watched the DVR recording of last weeks Jim Bakker Show & the introduction of 2012 word #5 –“collapse”.
{Happy 2,000th and very many more, brother Jim.)
Meant for evil, yet I believe God is using it here for good.
Fear. Such a powerful word; such a controlling emotion.
I honestly believe that unless one has been tested in this arena of fear, one truly is incapable of comprehending said word/emotion. Unless one has trained up oneself, trained up oneself as if a spec-op warrior (a warrior takes no prisoners –nor tolerates time wasters), when a situation does present itself, unless said oneself has previously gone through the motions / the drill, then how is one to truly know. And unless one has actually gone through the “fear-generating, fear-full” situation, then one can only hope & say what they will do.
Unless one has invested years and hands-on-practice in the martial arts so to recognize a situation & avoid or redirect the attack(s), then when suddenly a situation is in one’s face, how does one do it?
Unless one has invested years and hands-on-practice in the medical doctoring arena so to recognize a situation & to stabilize or resuscitate an individual or individuals, be it trauma or simple cpr, then how does one do it when a situation comes to one’s face?
What if one is seated next to a dead or incapacitated pilot in a 2 seat aircraft @ 7,ooo feet agl?
How about a federal prison, what would one do if facing being locked up for a lifetime?
Would said one run or would said one hand their life & all they’ve ever loved & owned over to complete strangers?
Would we let fear determine the outcome or are we under control of our own souls?
How about being inside a burning airliner that has become stationary on the ground, yet the fire inside is so intense that numerous people around are yelling & screaming & flailing about & even cursing God with their last breaths. Others are melting like wax figures before you. What would one do?
Do we allow God & His written Word perform soul surgery on us?
Or do we find such too uncomfortable, rocks our boats, we’ve no time for, whatever and we just allow the television or music to form & mold our souls?
How about just hearing God? Does the church hear God?
Are we the church being taught how to hear God? And do we practice hearing God?
Have we actually invested the years and the hands-on-practice with the things of God?
Have we ALLOWED God to guide us & ALLOWED God to teach us & train us, or have we invested our life hours (time) into other arenas that offer zero return relative to life.
Have we invested our lives into other people’s visions (“television”), be it movies, sports, soaps, games, NEWS (North, East, West & South), whatever that is not of God & His Word???
The three men of faith you, Pastor Jim, mentioned, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego all had grown up within the studies of & fellowship with God. They disciplined their hearts & kept them clean to the point of eating only kosher. They knew the word of God & followed it, loving not their lives even unto the death (Rev 12:11). Yet, can we say such a thing about ourselves? I mean today an islamist is willing to die for their faith; are we ours? Or do we call said islamist a “terrorist” because of fear / terror? And we “Christians” are to be equated with sheep, a very stupid animal as has been pointed out on Jim Bakker’s Show.
I honestly am not able to say I’d go quietly if I were to be thrown into a fire-y furnace.
Yet this I do know. I talk with God each morning when I first awake & before I leave the bedroom, let alone the house & out into the world. And when I write ‘talk with God’, this means that I listen more than I move my mouth or toss thoughts around. Quiet is the key. And for me, this relationship I have with the LORD has taken me years to become trained in. And each day I seek to go deeper still.
I do know it has become a lot more dangerous & deceptive out there. I do know that the enemy has a whole slew of new tactics it comes at us with; some of us more & some of us way more than others. I do know that God will tell me whatever I need to know well before it is to happen. I do know that I am able to discern people & the intentions of most. I do know that when I do not invest my daily time with God, my energy level & spiritual insight & such goes way down. And that the environment of the world around me begins to form & mold me into its’ image & I respond accordingly. I do know because it is all a part of me. Like Adam knew Eve and “know that I Am the LORD thy God” and . . .
The Bible is my toolbox & I am willing to “know” the tools within.
I am flesh being made into the Word.
Overall point:
Pastor Jim, I sense that many are contacting you with questions. Questions about the here and now and the soon to be. I do not envy you and would love to snap my fingers with everyone coming to the saving knowledge (to know) of the Lord & the future events / culture(s). Yet praise be to the only true God that you do have the platform so to literally shake the mindsets of the church & wake us up.
And you know that to wake someone from a deep sleep, initially they will not know where they are. They will quickly try to collect themselves & will perhaps say things that really do not make any sense. Yet once awake, they will have the capacity to sit up & get out of bed on their own.
It only took someone –you, brother Jim- to wake us so we will not over sleep.
Yes, some will roll over & go back to sleep. And some will just lie there. Yet I believe most will get up, get cleaned up as best we can & get dressed.
Via you, brother Jim, we have been given talents. Whether we burry them or invest them wisely is not up to you. And it is not up to God. It is up to us as individuals.
Soon people will want your oil when there will be only enough for you & your immediate area that requires light. I pray that we fill our lamps to overflowing & have more than enough put away. And I pray we practice such now, not waiting for the situation whereby one needs it.
Brother Jim. God & I are blessed because of you. You glorify Him & personally I want to thank you for your faith & endurance.
I know that to know God intimately costs. And to preach as you preach costs. Just going through the trials (type of fire-y furnace) costs. And to clean one’s soul from whatever environment / culture that had been programmed into us costs. And to keep that soul clean costs.
To count such costs prior to has not been possible. So we grow & learn to trust God. And through such, we grow even closer to Him. And we are instantly in-love with those of a kindred spirit. I know.
Time is short.
Therefore here is a suggestion to all out there who have yet to catch-up. To all who desire to start running because I do hear the hoof-beats of the horses. (Not the 4 horsemen of Revelation. I believe they are already here. And perhaps even the 5th seal has been opened & is just begining.) Today, the foot-soldiers are being outpaced & even left behind. NOW is the time to gird up & run as Elijah.
Why not purchase the entire Bible on CD?
The best I have found is by Alexander Scourby. Why? –Because his diction & reading is excellent. And I have yet to find Mr. Scourby altering the scripture by leaving out or adding to or using a different word. Alexander Scourby is excellent. Yet his readings are out of the King James. Therefore, if you’ve a problem with that, your on your own. Yet hear me out. Use this King James material for a Word cram session this year. Follow along with headphones & an actual New James Bible when you can. Otherwise just listen to one CD over & over & over again. Unplug the TV & unplug the music till the weekend. 46 CDs for the Old Testament & 16 for the New. How long would it take you to listen to 62 CDs? If you watch the average TV/week, you could hear the entire word of God in less than 2 weeks. And faith comes by hearing & hearing & hearing & . . . Then you could go to your Bible of choice & study out what peaked your interests. Any more easy & God would have to have us in a high chair & spoon feed us! Anyhow, your choice. With the time left, I’d go for it.
Perhaps Brother Jim Bakker could get a deal & offer something like to his entire audience & the world.
Perhaps even pre-recorded in a cheep MP3 player with different translations inserted/removable.
Think the devil would like?
Because of Jesus,
Jim
P.S. Rick Joyner’s Prophetic Bulletin #49
P.S.S. Louise D. -Keep @ it.
You are implementing the Word of God correctly!
It takes time & effort, yet the results do come if we faint not.
Congrats. U B on my prayer list.
If no want 2 b, tell me.
I agree with you on Alexander Scourby. The Word, the sound effects are amazing. I have spent many sleepless nights listening to the cd’s. Often when I am cleaning house I put them on my cd player, which plays 3 cd’s. Thank you for putting me on your prayer list.
Good message on whether we choose faith or fear. Especially the part where you said, “I am reminded of the three Hebrew children: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We can recall how they refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s demands to worship him, and were thrown into the fiery furnace as a result”. It reminded me of one other thing about these three from Daniel 3:16-18 (NCV): Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, saying, “Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves to you. If you throw us into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from the furnace. He will save us from your power, O king. But even if God does not save us, we want you, O king, to know this: We will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” It’s a challenge enough to know you are about to get thrown into the fire, but even more, they were willing to show their commitment to the Lord God regardless of the outcome.
Bob Yeoman
Robert your post reminded me of one other thing. The fire was heated 7 times over. The men who threw them in perished. Yet when the King looked in he was astonished. He threw 3 men in, yet there was a 4th man walking with them. Did not we put 3 into the fiery furnace, but who is this 4th man. When the 3 Hebrew children were brought out, not one hair was singed. No smell of smoke on their garments. The fire had no power over them, because another walked with them through the fire. Whatever we face in the future, we know we have one who goes with us. The Holy Spirit abides, the Son of God has promised, I will go with you til the end of the age. I believe we must be of the persuasion that whether God delivers us or not, still we will not bow to the world’s view. We are told in scripture angels encamp round about those that love and fear God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. But fear, False Evidence Appearing Real is not the way of faith. As a young teenager, I battled fear. At night I would quietly say a scripture, perfect love cast out fear. Night after night I quoted that scripture. One day I woke up and with amazement realized I was no longer afraid. We can fight the good fight with the Word of God. What a timely message from Jim Baker.
THE WORDS FROM GOD ARE FOOD,FIRST TO THE ONE THAT RECEIVES IT,THEN TO THE FLOCK THAT HUNGERS FOR IT.WE LIVE NOT BY BREAD ALONE,BUT EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.IN TODAY’S WORLD,THE PEOPLE THAT OVERCOMES THE MOST,ARE THE SHEEP THAT HEARS AND OBEYS HIS VOICE.HIS WORDS AND HIS WILL NEVER CHANGES.HE WANTS US TO PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH,EVEN AS OUR SOUL PROSPERS.WE NEED OUR CONSCIENCE TO BE GUILT FREE AND SHOW GOD’S LOVE TO A WORLD THAT HAS BEEN ABUSED BY GREED,DRUGS,RACIAL HATRED,SPIRITUAL WOUNDS OF PEOPLE’S HEARTS,LOST DREAMS OF PURSUING HAPPINESS.THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST IS GREED.IT’S TAUGHT IN BUSINESS TO BE A SUCCESS.THE WORD BU[SIN]ES HAS SIN IN IT,EVEN FROM THE SPELLING.NO WANDER WHY OUR ECONOMY IS FAILING,GOD IS NOT A GOD OF GREED,HE IS A GOD OF GIVING.RELIGION HAS MADE GOD’S HOUSE,A DIN OF THIEVES.TOO MUCH MONEY SPENT ON THE BUILDING, WHEN THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE GO WITHOUT.WHAT PURPOSE IS MONEY WHEN THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR IS ZERO?..MONEY IS ONLY A TOOL TO MEASURE A NATION’S FAITH UNTO WHICH GOD IT SERVES….GREED OR JESUS.IF WE WANT TO STOP THE N.W.O.,,WE HAD BETTER REPLACE THE SPIRIT OF GREED WITH GOD’S LOVE,AND START GOING AFTER THAT ONE LOST SHEEP FROM THE FLOCK.AS AN INDIVIDUAL,A CHURCH,AND AS A NATION…
Don’t Fear What’s Ahead
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your nice words.
When we look at fear as that emotion that is linked with the devil and sin, the main title of your message is really excellent advise. I generally link anger and doubt with fear, and this is the side of the coin with the devil’s head on it. The flip side is love and Jesus, the total opposite of fear.
Sir, you have certainly covered many fear factors that mankind is subject to in this world, and as long as believers in Christianity keep on flipping that coin and with a little faith calling Jesus,and the coin lands on Jesus and not the devil, will help people not to fear what’s ahead. A believer is that much in love with Jesus that fear just doesn’t seem to get near.
When I search the scriptures about fear, with the devil also, I come up with verses like :-
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. KJV.
Jesus tells us not to fear the impending doom, what the devil throws at us. That shackle or yoke that the devil puts on us. We have to die like the seed has to die before it germanates and creates an abundance of fruit; being born again into that second life, that spiritual life complete with the above crown of life.
It just takes Jesus to fix all of those horrible feelings of fear we have inside us from time to time. Jesus our rock, that firm foundation that allows us to stand firm when the devil rocks us with that sickly fear feeling. The loving feelings we get from Jesus far outweighs the fear in the end.
Thank you again Sir for your blog,
God bless,
Stephen J
Stoke-on-Trent
UK
Thank you Pastor Jim, this message is a wonderful reminder , that the Lord never forsakes us or leaves us. Please continue to share with us what the Lord speaks to you, even it might be hard message as some might call hard words of warning . In these days there are so few pastors willing to preach what the Lord is really saying, so God bless you and may you continue you to be his watchman on the wall.
Wow! Thank you, Pastor Jim, for reminding us to be faithful and not fearful! These are great verses for us to memorize!