FREED FROM FEAR

Hello dear readers.. As I said recently, I apologize for the formatting of these recent posts.. I copy/paste the SHEILA'S SHARING SHEETS which I distribute via email attachments and also in 'hard copy' to many individuals I cross paths with each week.. I love knowing there are some of you out there who do read this blog.. So.. Here is the current one! VERY TIMELY!

SHEILA’S SHARING SHEET   FREED FROM FEAR    Week of 4-18-16

(I am typing this the day after a terrorist bomb exploded in a bus in JERUSALEM.. Very near where I was just a few days ago!!)

Having just returned from our much-anticipated trip to Italy and Israel, I can now share how we were able to go ahead and actually take that trip in spite of Americans having been warned to avoid European airports and subways, etc in the wake of the Brussels, Belgium terrorists’ attacks a few weeks ago..

The ‘HOW,’ actually has 3 components which apply to anyone who learns to live in the LIGHT of Jesus who makes peace, hope, and joy everyday realities for us.

First off, I think of His understanding of our initial tendency to FEAR.. When it was time for the birth of JESUS to become known, the angels appeared, immediately telling the shepherds to ‘FEAR NOT!’ This year, I came to realize God’s compassion towards us (them) as HE addressed their natural reaction. So, welcoming His compassion towards me (us) is ONE way to deter FEAR..

Secondly, I fully trust in the truth of God’s numbering of my days.. PSALM 139:13-16 reminds, and assures me how the day I pass out of this body will not merely be matter of ‘chance,’ (unforeseen events, threats, etc!) but will be HIS perfect timing for my eternal reunion with HIM in GLORY!  What a joy it is to read, “13For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” In fact, the psalmist continues by recording, “17How precious to me are Your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you!” I am secure in HIS commitment to me.

Thirdly, I find refuge from FEAR in knowing how HE is my shield, fortress, protector, and SO MUCH MORE! PSALM 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.” II SAMUEL 22:31 reminds me, "God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.” 

There are many more references to how and why we are meant to be free from fear’s bondage, but I will close with ISAIAH 41:10. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Finally, in JOHN 14:27, JESUS told us believers, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Consider praying, "LORD JESUS, please help me to grow in my trust in YOU solely!!                           In Jesus' Name I pray! AMEN"

HOW CAN IT BE? POST-EASTER SHEILA'S SHARING SHEET..

SHEILA’S SHARING SHEET   TO YOU, FROM ME, BECAUSE OF HIM    Week of 3-28-16

Now that Easter Day, 2016 has passed by, let’s look at JOHN 10:11-15,17-18, a passage I don’t think I’ve ever heard presented at Easter time. “¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.¹² He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³ He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep…  ¹⁷ For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”                            As I re-read it, I realized the EASTER message..                                                     NOBODY TOOK HIS LIFE FROM JESUS! HE LAID IT DOWN WILLINGLY!                                        Yes, He still had authority to save his physical life, but at what cost? Our text lets us know WHY He yielded to death on the cross! He needed, and desired to, protect us. For, as His sheep, we are very vulnerable to the THIEF, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us eternally! He knew of the ‘JOY set before Him’, as the PERFECT SHEPHERD who was making permanent provision for our care possible! We can all delight in JESUS’ final words, “IT IS FINISHED!” He knew He’d rise again.. breaking the power of sin and death for all who will receive Him through His gracious, merciful, sacrificial act, resulting in our reconciliation with, and to, HOLY GOD ALMIGHTY! For, you see, HE was THE LAST SACRIFICE required by (acceptable to) the LORD for this restoration of relationship to HIM. Prior to JESUS’ death, the blood of animals was what it took in order for people to atone for their sins..

A beloved hymn, AMAZING LOVE, asks a couple of key questions which can help focus us here..The first one is, “And can it be that I should gain and interest in the Savior’s blood?.” Then, the chorus begins with,                                                                  ‘AMAZING LOVE, HOW CAN IT BE THAT THOU MY GOD SHOULDST DIE FOR ME?’

The HOW, is that HE KNEW HE’D be completing the necessary sacrifice so we, as humans could then answer the most important question of our lives..

Will we decide whether to REJECT, RESIST, and REFUSE HIM,                                         or to RECEIVE HIM in ALL HIS GLORIOUS, GRACIOUS, MERCIFUL, WONDROUS, and COMPASSIONATE ways and character?        

   Simply acknowledging, “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want..” is a great way to anticipate an abundant life for, as His sheep, we can GROW, GLOW, AND GO forth each day, knowing we are fully cared FOR, .. not simply, cared ABOUT!      

My  ‘LIFE’ verse is JOHN 10:10.. I have included it in its parts on this sheet, but here it is in full. “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come so you may have abundant LIFE!” (I am amazed at HIS ways!)