Ecclesiastes 12:10

  dis·cour·age·ment   dəˈskərəjm(ə)nt   a loss of confidence or enthusiasm; dispiritedness. an attempt to prevent something by showing disapproval or creating difficulties; deterrent.     Where does discouragement come from? Let’s consider an interesting comment in the book of Ezra.   The book of Ezra tells the story of the rebuilding of the temple. Though the act is brought about by God and authorized by King Cyrus, it does not come about easily. In Chapter 4 we see those that being to thwart the efforts. In Ezra 4:4 we read, “ Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build ”   Notice how they discouraged them? They made them afraid. Where does discouragement come from? It’s right there in the etymology: DIS =not  COURAGE = overcome fear  MENT = the state of  Discouragement comes when we fear. Fear is a powerful motivator but more often than not it’s one...

    Between 1875 to 1883, a professional thief known as Black Bart held a reign of terror for stagecoaches from northern California to Oregon.  He was responsible for at least 29 different robberies.  In all his robberies, Black Bart never had to fire a shot; he was only assaulted once beside when he was finally caught.  Most everyone was too afraid to dare to fight back against the notorious crook.  The fear of this notorious bandit was enough for most folks to hand over their valuables. The myth of Black Bart was in the end just that, a myth.  The man that all the people feared was a failed miner from Decatur, Illinois.  He arrived at his robberies on foot because he was terrified of horses.  In the end, He never fired his gun because he never had ammunition.  He was too afraid to load his gun.     Fear causes people to do strange things.  It can cause some to give over their valuables to a man with a ...

There is an old joke about a man driving down the road. As he reached the top of a hill, he saw two ministers standing by the road with a sign that read, “Turn Back Now! Danger & Death Lie Ahead.” The man rolled down his window and yelled at the pair, “ Why don’t you two give it up. No one listens to that fire and brimstone talk anymore .” The two ministers looked at each other puzzled as the sound of screeching tires and crashing could be heard. The younger minister turn to the older one and said, " Maybe he's right, lets just change the sign to “Bridge Out ”    Sometimes when I am trying to share the gospel with others, I am tempted to think,” Why will they listen to me? They will think I am just some crazy religious fanatic". The problem with that thinking is it keeps us from giving the warning to those in need. The gospel is a vital message for all people. Paul said it best in Romans 1:16,” For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of Go...

You may have heard about the story of two Colorado teen-age girls that had to pay 900 dollars for the distress a neighbor said they caused by giving her home-made cookies adorned with paper hearts. The women claimed that the late night deliver of the cookies had scared her so much she felt she had a heart attack and required a hospital visit.    My first instinct when I read this news was that it shows how no good deed goes unpunished. But as I thought about it, I began to feel sympathetic for this neighbor.  Now I don’t believe the girls did anything wrong or that the case was justified, but rather how sad of a life a women must have to be put into fear by a knock on her door. How truly pitiful it is to be caged by fear.    In 1 Peter 3:13-15 we read, “ Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanct...

We live in uncertain times. Threats of war, economic collapse, high energy prices, and worries about the future leadership of our country all cause us tension. It seems every news report contains stories of some threat, from cell phones causing cancer, to toxins in our water supply or terrorist in our midst. So what should the Christian do? Well Philippians 4:4-7 tells us this, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus ." No matter what calamities man may create, God is still here and in control. We may not see the solution but He does. That peace from knowing God is in control is the best solution to our fears.