The following is taken from John Hagee's book "From Daniel to Doomsday":
" Upbraiding His frantic disciples in the midst of a storm, Jesus told them to "fear not." From genesis to Revelation, from Abraham to John the Revelator on the Isle of Patmos, God has told us over and over again "fear not!" That command was given to Abraham, Israel, Moses, David, Daniel, and the disciples, and to Mary the mother of Jesus. Jesus called those words to Peter when he was sinking in a stormy sea. He whispered those words to Paul as a rolling wave capsized the ship in which he was sailing. "Fear not!" He still speaks those words to us today.
You can fear the unknown. You can fear the past. You can fear many things!
Face this fact, friend: Either you will conquer fear, or fear will conquer you. We know what the future holds; that's why God gave us a wealth of prophecy in the Scripture...
Fear is a product of the Prince of Darkness. If you live in fear of a technological, economic, or military doomsday, the spirit of fear will break your spirit. Regardless of your profession of faith, if you live in the spirit of fear in these areas, you are living like an atheist. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear," wrote Paul, "but of power and of love and a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
Fear entered the world with sin, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Before that event, God had walked with Adam in the garden, talked to him, shared his thoughts and hopes. But when Adam sinned, he heard the voice of God and was afraid. Fear comes in by sin, is sustained by sin, and, like a virus, invades the soul.
But faith, that mighty weapon, can conquer fear. We are more than conquerors through Christ, and prophecy proves we have nothing to fear! If you are a child of God living before the Rapture, you do not have to fear the Tribulation, the Antichrist, or the judgment at the Great White Throne! Fear would have you cowering before the nightly news, worrying about the stock market, fretting about your retirement fund. Don’t be foolish; do be prepared, but do not fear!
Fear is contagious. Like a disease, it spreads panic among the population. Spreading on the wings of doubt, fear destroys peace like the plague. But faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Faith believes God will take care of His people.
Faith compelled Abraham to look for a city whose builder and architect was God. He will one day live in that city, the New Jerusalem.
Faith drove Moses into Pharaoh's court and gave him the courage to demand, "Let my people go!" Faith parted the waters of the Red Sea and crumbled the walls of Jericho.
Faith urged David to face Goliath while forty thousand cowards watched from the hillside. "You come at me with a sword and spear," David shouted, his faith like a rock of determination inside him. "I come to you in the name of the Lord!"
Faith enabled Paul and Silas to sing in prison at the dark midnight hour.
Faith can turn the desert into springs of living water. Faith can calm the troubled sea. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
Fear can rob you of your spiritual inheritance. Moses sent twelve spies into the Promised Land, and ten came back shaking their heads with disappointment. Only Joshua and Caleb said, "We can take the land!" and consequently, only Joshua and Caleb lived to enter the land flowing with milk and honey.
Some of you reading this book are afraid of what people will think if you surrender your life to Christ. You will allow fear to rob you of eternal salvation and happiness even as you make your own personal date with doomsday.
Some of you Christians reading this book are afraid of what people will think if you actually talk about Christ in the workplace or at secular social gatherings. You are allowing fear to rob your friends and family of heaven. By remaining silent, you are denying them an opportunity to trust Christ before the Rapture.
Fear not! Fear not, because the Father is with you. Fear not, because God will strengthen you to do the work He has called you to do...
God is looking for men and women who are not afraid to fulfill His purposes on the earth...
Where do you stand?
Jesus said, "He that is not for me is against me." "
By George Konig
July 17, 2005
www.georgekonig.org
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