I know we have all heard a few really great sermons, and maybe a few that weren’t so great concerning Easter.

However, it seems my focus on Christ is what He did for us, the depths of the sacrifice, thinking the better we understand His love for us, His sacrifice for us, the more we will love Him, the greater the passion we will have for knowing Him, and the more resolution we will have for obeying His commands.

It is on this day the Christian world celebrates as the anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the first to be resurrected among many, along with many here this evening.

Just think about it, we will know each other for all eternity, for all time, never an ending.

We all owe our eternal life to this one man. We owe the forgiveness of our sins to this one man. We owe the elimination of the void in our lives here on earth to this One Man.

He is the Greatest man in history, had no servants, yet they called him Master. Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

We often think of the three or four days preceding this Sunday we all celebrate, and hold in awe, yet it was 33 years in the making, it wasn’t 6 hours of suffering on a cross, it was 33 years of suffering, it was 33 years of being tempted as all men, yet He didn’t sin.

He was born in a place of no repute, no respect, to a family of no high esteem, born as a mamzer in the Jewish culture of that time, which means he was born too soon, and it was declared that any child born too soon, was at fault, not the parents, but the child, and that child was not supposed to live past childhood, and if he did he was not to receive respect from any man, and we see in Psalm 69 which is a dual prophecy for both King David and King Jesus Christ that He didn’t even receive respect from His own family.

We see in Isaiah 53 He was of no appearance, in fact men would only look at him sideways,

Isaiah 53:3

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

 We see in Luke 9:58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

 Again in

 Isaiah 53:

4  Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

 5   But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

 6  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 Listen to the cries of our Lord, and I would suspect it may have been in that garden of prayer the night before the greatest evil, and the greatest glory have ever been on earth.

 Psalm 69:

1  Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.

2  I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

3  I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

4 Those who hate me without reason Out number the hairs of my head;many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.

5 You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.

6  Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.

7  For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

8  I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children;

9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

10   When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;

11 when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.

12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

13 But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

14 Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

15  Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

16  Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

17  Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

18  Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes.

19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.

20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

21  They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

So who was/ or is this man, this Jesus Christ that came, suffered as a child, as a young person, and as a man, among the lowest of humanity, without appearance, without wealth, family status, who not only took our sins, but our pain, our suffering, our grief all upon himself.

John 1:1

 1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2  He was with God in the beginning.

3  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

4  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

5  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

 This is the most beautiful person, the most beautiful life ever lived. A life lived in suffering for our sins. A life given to its own creation. A father who took the responsibility of His own children’s , His creation’s fall.

It was He who created all, it was He who suffered in the Garden when Mankind fell from grace.

It was Him, who came in the form of a man to offer to heal the broken relationship between the creator and the created, if we only will accept it… a free gift.. life without end.

Yet we live in a world that once again crucifies Him, and we stand by and watch. A country founded as a place of worship for Him, a country that was formed as a living temple for our savior, and we stand by and watch evil men attempt to destroy it. What fools they are, and their only hope is salvation through Christ if only someone will show them the way.

 He was on that Cross for six hours, preceding that they whipped Him with a cat o nine tales. A whip made of strips of leather that had pieces of glass and metal in them, designed to literally tear the skin off the recipient of this hideous punishment, and most didn’t survive.

They had beat Him so badly he was not recognizable as a human being, In Psalm 22 we find He could look down and see His bones, they had stripped the flesh and muscle from them.  They had pulled his beard out, beat him with their fists, and spit upon the creator of the world. 

Psalm 22

1  My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?

 2  O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent.

 3  But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

 4  Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them.

 5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

 6  But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.

 7  All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

 8 “He trusted[b] in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

9  But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.

 10  I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.

 11  Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help.

 12 Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.

 13 They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion.

 14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.

 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.

 16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced[c] My hands and My feet;

 17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me.

 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.

 19  But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me!

 20  Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog.

 21  Save Me from the lion’s mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! And they murdered Him, hung Him on a cross.

And He did it all for me, and for You.

1 Corinthians 11:

24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.…

And so now let’s take this bread and this juice, and Lets remember our Christ, our Savior, our Messiah,

Let’s remember how He came from a place of unimaginable glory, to a life filled with pain, dishonor, poverty, and death so that we might have life and have it abundantly.

Sermon delivered to Dick Conner’s Correctional Center MSU Easter Sunday March 27 2016 by  Jim Carmichael

HOMINY PRISON MISSION

NEWLIFE BEHAVIOR MINISTRIES

PO BOX 326  HOMINY, OK 74035

 MARCH 22, 2016

The Unity of the SPIRIT

“…be filled with the knowledge of HIS will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding… “—Colossians 1:9

Saturdays have become spiritually special, a time of true Christian blessings. A dozen or so of us meet for about 90 minutes and discuss “The True Gospel of CHRIST versus the False Gospel of Carnal Christianity,” a book by J.R. Shelton. The text and its accompanying Study Guide are published by Mount Zion Bible Institute.

While we’re pleased that Chaplain Johnson provided such a pertinent study about this timely topic, what has been gained by the participants far exceeds topical knowledge. We have been drawn together by the HOLY SPIRIT in “one body, and one SPIRIT” to study and carry with unity the proclamation of “One LORD, one faith, one baptism, one GOD and FATHER of all…” (Ephesians 4:4, 5-6). As Paul put it, we are “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the SPIRIT in the bond of peace” (v.3).

As CHRISTIANS, followers of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, we are commanded to adhere to the teachings of Scripture. They hold the power to lead us from sin to obedience as the authority of GOD’S WORD cleanses us from ALL sin and iniquity.

JESUS spoke these words in John 15:3: “Now ye are clean through the WORD which I have spoken unto you.”

Purification, the process of the “perfection of the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12), includes more than CHRISTIAN living. Purification demands that CHRISTIANS “come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the SON of GOD” (v.13) as the HOLY SPIRIT’s power grows in us.

This “unity” is what Shelton calls “the true Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, ” the truth that lies in the revealed verac­ity of CHRISTIAN teaching. Harmony among believers is the product of the HOLY SPIRIT’s leading into sound BIBLICAL doctrine. As Paul directed the elders of the CHRISTIAN church at Ephesus (Acts 20:32):

“I commend you to GOD, and to the WORD of HIS grace,
which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

Why these directives are imperative to “the unity of the faith” lies in the fact that GOD’s HOLY WORD directs us securely to the “Knowledge of the SON of GOD,” a profound understanding of CHRIST through continual, “fervent” prayer, committed study of HIS WORD, and living in obedience to HIS commands.

Paul wrote (II Corinthians 3:18) that we “are changed into the same image,” which is manifest in CHRISTLIKENESS. Through the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT, CHRISTIANS are progressively transformed, being perfected through CHRIST, as we grow in knowl­edge of HIM and in commitment to HIM.

GOD is pleased when HE observes in us the attributes of JESUS, “the fullness of CHRIST” (Ephesians 4:13). We are called to “Let this mind be in you that was also in CHRIST JESUS” (Philippians 2:5). The bench work for us is the spiritual integrity of JESUS which CHRIS­TIANS strive to obtain as we “study to shew (ourselves) approved unto GOD” (II Timothy 2:15). The Unity of the SPIRIT

As we study to be used in “the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12), we become, through the working of the HOLY SPIRIT in us, “one body, and one SPIRIT “

Paul prays (Ephesians 3:16) that we will be “strengthened with might by HIS SPIRIT in the inner man; that CHRIST may dwell in your hearts by faith” (Ephesians 3:16).

CHRIST is present with us at each study. HE blesses us with a nearness, a fellowship, and a joy beyond com­prehension.

HE is our great LORD, our loving SAVIOR, and HE spends time with us every Saturday morning as we are

“renewed in the SPIRIT of our minds,” and we “put on the new man, which after GOD is created in righteousness and true holi­ness” (Ephesians 4:23, 24).

We have added to the prison apologetics website the newsletter created by the inmates who are members of the Genesis One program, a program dedicated to breaking  the cycle of the repeat offenders

Prayer Request For:

Terrie & Davy D, for healing; Linda for healing (cancer); Charlene M (healing); Thomas W & Terry K (healing); offenders in the medical ward; Cleotis  R and his family; offenders seeking relief through the courts; the lost and broken-hearted. Pray for the peace and prosperity of this yard, for our families, children, and for each other. Pray that we all walk in wisdom to them who are without CHRIST, to be peacemakers, men of character, and that our joy will be full and JESUS CHRIST glorified in each and every one of us. AMEN!!!

You cannot read that prayer by the inmates and turn your back on these men who are desperately trying to turn their lives to Christ, and to help others do the same. Their goal is to leave this prison, and be good, God fearing, Evangelistic Christian citizens of our communities.

It is our goal to help them reach their goal, through teaching the scripture, teaching how to live by the scripture, and teaching them how to defend the scripture through Christian Apologetics.

Join us, and let’s take God’s word to these men and women, but let’s go beyond that, let’s find a way to start teaching school children the truth of our faith again, as we did in years past so they don’t have learn it in a penitentiary.

Join a prison ministry or start one in your congregation.

We share so many things on facebook, wouldn’t this be a great post to go “viral” ?  It’s up to you, such a simple thing, and who knows, you just might reach that one person who will become who will join in this ministry, and what a blessing that will be to you.

Thank You Jim Carmichael

Please visit our site at http://prisonapologetics.org

To break the cycle of the repeat offender.

With the G-I Program, G-1 members are encouraged to begin positive growth by organized involvement within the existing programs and opportunities offered from the DOC, the faith based community, and other support groups.

The very nature of the G-1 Chapter compels the G-1 members to take full advantage of the resources available while they are incarcerated and prepare themselves to become productive members of society when released.

Completion of the LITE PLAN as a G-1 member entitles them to the G-1 network of aftercare providers and all related resources available upon release.

Genesis One is a Christian, faith-based organization

whose Chapter membership is open to anyone regardless of race, age, gender, or religious preference. However, one must accept GOD into their life before they may continue with the Genesis One Program. We believe that without GOD, this program will be of no value to G-1 members.
Dick Conner Correctional Center

GENESIS-ONE Newsletter

Gary J. Doby, Editor-in-Chief
Fred Durbin, Graphics & Design / Editor
NOTE: All Scripture cited in these newsletters are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Leadership

John Wood, Sponsor
Thomas Ward, Chapter Coordinator Bruce Walker, Asst. Chapter Coordinator Juan Caballero, Chapter Prayer Warrior Fred Durbin, Interim Chapter Secretary

“G-1 Newsletter”

is published monthly at ! the Dick Conner Correctional Center. The i
i newsletter is intended to be a forum for : : Christian fellowship by providing a medium to share testimonies, artwork, poetry, and/or Bible exegesis submitted by
offenders, volunteers, and staff
Members of the Faith-based community on the yard are invited to submit their work. We prefer written work to be between 100-500 words. Artwork should be created in black pen or pencil. Please share your gifts: “Every good gift is from above, and cometh down from the FATHER…” —James I :17

The Day I Was Filled

On January 15, 2016, I laid on my bunk reading a copy of “The Baptist Mes­senger”  which I acquired from chapel the previous night. Three-quarters of the way through, I noticed a trend: acts of goodwill and people helping others. I continued to read.

A few minutes later, I noticed I was silently weeping. I then noticed a slight tugging feeling in my chest, a “pulling at my heart strings,” if you will. I put the “Messenger” on my chest. I spoke out loud, “Ok! I’m listening, GOD!” The next instant it was as if a dam broke and the flood gates were opened to full! I began to weep uncontrollably! This was the point at which I said, “Alright LORD, I’ll do it your way!”

I got on my knees at the side of my bed. I opened my heart. “GOD,” I said, “I give up! No more me, me, me, or I, I, I. From here on, it’s all YOU, YOU YOU! I give my life to YOU. Make me YOUR tool, please! Use me!” In that moment, I felt like Atlas having the world removed from his shoulders.

I felt all of my life’s “garbage” taken from me! Since that day, I have felt such joy and happiness!

Each time I let myself slip into an old “fleshly” act, the SPIRIT of GOD convicts me into correction. It’s won­derful being born again and filled with the HOLY SPIRIT!

I urge you brothers, give your life to GOD through JESUS CHRIST!

Surrender your all, and HE will show you HIS glory daily. I love you all. GOD bless!

Breaking Bread

(NOTICE: AS REQUESTED BY THE AUTHOR,
THIS ARTICLE WAS NOT EDITED.)Approximately one month ago, I had the privilege of attending the evening service and listen to the instruc­tions of Don Coleman, pastor of Highland Baptist as­sembly, give a sermon over 2 Timothy chapter 1. Re­garding our responsibility as believers to “stir up, speak up, and stand up.” in accordance with our gifts. He taught us the Greek word for gift. Which is trans­lated charisma in the Strong’s concordance #5486. It means a spiritual endowment.
Sha’ul was admonishing Timothy his spiritual son, to exhibit his gift with character as the leader of the Ephesians assembly, during the reign of the roman emperor Nero, approximately 54 to 68 A.D. Consider­ing the inflictions that Sha’ul, and Timothy would have undergone as the fathers of this congregations in this period of time. I pondered as Don Coleman elaborated on the future Oppression, we as believers may have to encounter for the sake of the gospel.

I began to envision, and ponder in my heart, beginning with Yahshua himself being crucified, Stephen being stoned approximately 35 A.D. (Acts7:1-60). Ya’acob (Jacob) the son of Zebedee was beheaded by Herod Agrippa the 2nd. Kepha (Peter) was crucified A.D. 67, Sha’ul beging beheaded in A.D. 68, Ya’acob brother of Yahshua was slain near the temple in Jerusalem, and Yohanan (John) was exiled to the islands of Patmos in A.D. 100, as well as all of the old testament Nebi’im (prophets) that were martyred before them. Then my thoughts began to drift to all the people, around the world today being persecuted, because of their faith, in the messiah. Considering this, I reflected on it, and briefly cringed at the thought of having to endure such pain; but the Holy Spirit within me shouted with every fiber of my being. “I will not deny my Messiah”! I will be steadfast in heart with the character needed to overcome pressure, to represent his kingdom in adver­sity. While walking back from the unit from service, these thoughts consumed my mind. “I will not deny the gospel”! In connection with this I asked someone what he thought about Don Coleman’s exhortation. I stated sincerely to him that I was sold out for the edifi‑

cation of the Good News. To support this, I began paraphrasing John 6:48-69, but I couldn’t remember it word for word, and I didn’t have time to look it up before lock down to share it. When I entered into my cell and turned on my television to channel 26, the Church station; at that exact moment at 9:02 pm Rabbi Schneider was speaking on the exact passage and verses, I couldn’t locate while outside. Was it coincidental? Perhaps?! However, as he conveyed the scriptures, I listened intently. I’m not sure if it was due to the recent incidents in Paris, but I had never heard him preach the word with such ardor. I was attentive to his every remark as he spoke to the desires of my heart. After the program ended, I reread chapter 6 of Yohanan’s gospel.

Neither Yahshua nor any of his twelve Talmudim (disciples) was Levites or descendants of the Aaronic priesthood, but they all were familiar with that liturgy. hi the Holy Place towards the left stood a golden menorah weighing 107 Ibs, with seven branches on it. On the right across from it was a 3 ft long, 2Y2 ft high, and 1Y2 wide table of showbread with twelve loaves upon it; accompanied with a vessel of wine. The twelve loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and the wine, the blood, and life of the persons being offered to Yahweh, which in this case was the twelve tribes of Israel (Leviticus 17:11). When the Cohen (Priest) would perform this ceremony, by eating the loaves every Sabbath, and pour­ing out the wine (Leviticus 10:9) they were symbolically feeding on and receiving in themselves the life of Yahweh. Cohen were responsible for the holiness of the community, since the peoples offerings were only acceptable to Yahweh through them, but only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement first for himself, and then for the nation (Exodus 25-37).

According to the gospel of Mattithyahu 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20. When Yahshua took matstsah (unleavened bread) blessed, and broke it, then gave it to his Talmudim, he said “take eat, this is my body, then he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, drink from it, all of you, For this is my blood of the Brit Hadasha (new covenant) which is shed for the remission of sins”. To improve my interpretation of what he was saying to his taught ones that night, I borrowed a concordance, and per­formed a Greek word study on 7 themes of Yahshua ritual. 1). #740 Bread (Artos) (4), “metaphorically of Christ as the bread of life.” 2). #4165 Feed (Pioman) means “overseer” 3). #4983 Body, (soma) (11a) means “reference to the church.” 4). #2806 Break (klao)

(4) “of the lords act in giving evidence of his resurrection. 5). #4221 Cup (Poterion) (2b1), “of the sufferings of Christ.” 6). #4095 Drink (Pino) “of drinking of the blood of Christ, in the sense of receiving eternal life, through his death.” 7). #2222 Life (Zoe) (1a1), “which he gave to the incarnate son to have in himself.”

After the completion of this research, I compared, and contrasted the rites of Yahshua to that of the sacrificial system ordained by Yahweh in the Old Testament through the priesthood. How they had to offer themselves to make atone­ment on the behalf of the community to appease the wrath of Yahveh. Once I was able to translate it; this is the under­standing I gained concerning this custom. “I am life (Artos) and by this doctrine (Klao), pastor, oversee (Pioman), those who believe in me (Soma). By doing this, you will subject yourself to the sufferings I have now, and will inflict (Poterion) The father has given me life in myself, since the life is in the blood, by accepting it, in you by faith (Pino), you will inherit eternal grace, through me is the promise (Zoe). (Mk 10:38-39); (In 5:26).

This is what Yohanan meant in 6:48-69 of his gospel when Yahshua said they would have to eat of his flesh, and drink of his blood. This is why many of his Talmudim went back, and walked with him no more. When Yahshua explained to them that they would have to apply his apostolic doctrine to their lives, and suffer for his names sake “therefore they said who can understand this”? In other words who could enter into a blood covenant with this? They wanted the re­wards of being associated with his kingdom, but were unwilling to suffer persecution for it. This is the reason Yahshua states in verse 65. No man can come to him unless it is granted to him by his father, because their hearts have to be purified through faith.

After I received this revelation, I had to reexamine my own heart to see if I was ready to partake in the memorial meal, with the messiah, and the conclusion of this matter is; “brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold of it yet, but only this; forgetting what is behind, and reaching out for what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of Yahveh in Yahshua Messiah. (Philippians 3:14-15) Not only that, I also have come to believe, and know that he is the Messiah, the son of the living Yah! He has the words of eternal life.

(Bible verses in this article are from “The Scriptures Version.”)

The Fear Factor

The goal of evangelism is to lead a person to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The goal of apologetics should be the same. So what is the difference between the two? In summary, apologetics is a distinct but inseparable part of evangelism.

Evangelism is concerned with the presentation of the gospel, and the methods used to do so. Apologetics is concerned with answering objections to the gospel, clearing away obstacles, and commending the Christian faith as the only legitimate answer to man’s predicament.

Imagine an All Wheel Drive car. Usually the front tires do all the work, but when they begin to slip, the rear wheels kick into motion and stabilize the car. When you are sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, you are evangelizing. However, when someone raises objections against the Christian faith, apologetics kicks in and answers the objections so that you can return to evangelizing.

Now as you know I normally teach apologetics, proving the word of God to be infallible, the absolute truth, and the best way to prove anything is through our actions, and those actions come from faith, fearless faith.

Fear is the great stumbling block to evangelism, and apologetics.

FEAR

If I turn the lights off in here, so that it is entirely dark, can we have light at the same time?

It’s impossible isn’t it?

It is the same with fear, if we live in the darkness of fear the light of faith can’t exist.

Fear and faith cannot occupy the same mind, the same space, for they are opposing forces.

It is attributed to Einstein that total darkness is the absence of light and in that regard, that true faith is the absence of fear.

President Franklin Roosevelt famously asserted, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

I think he was right:

With fear we can’t have the courage we need to fight the good fight, or any fight for that matter.

A simple and useful definition of　fear　is:　An anxious feeling, caused by our anticipation of some imagined event or experience.

And there are only　five basic fears, out of which almost all of our other so-called fears are manufactured. These are:

Extinction—the fear of annihilation, of ceasing to exist.

Mutilation—the fear of losing any part of our precious bodily structure; the thought of having our body’s boundaries invaded, or of losing the integrity of any organ, body part, or natural function.　Anxiety　about animals, such as bugs, spiders, snakes, and other creepy things arises from fear of mutilation.

Loss of Autonomy—the fear of being immobilized, paralyzed, restricted, enveloped, overwhelmed, entrapped, imprisoned, smothered, or otherwise controlled by circumstances beyond our control

Separation—the fear of abandonment, rejection, and loss of connectedness; of becoming a non-person—not wanted,

Ego-death—the fear of humiliation, shame, or any other mechanism of profound self-disapproval giving us a since of worthlessness.

FEAR!!! Why must we resist it?

I have heard fear is our friend; it keeps us from being burned, or getting hit by a car, or some other catastrophe. But, really is that fear, or educated awareness of danger to be resisted?

As Gary Richardson titled his book, Fear is not our friend.

What does fear do to us?

The consequences of being fear-based or operating from fear are extremely varied and insidious.

One consequence is that we tend to become narcissistic. When we’re caught in fear of being negatively impacted physically, financially, or psychologically. We automatically divert our focus from others or the environment and bring it into ourselves.
However God tells us to practice agape love, this means we put others needs above our own, which is in direct opposition to being narcissistic, which means being self-serving to the exclusion of all others.

We can also be drawn into a victim-like stance where we see ourselves as being unfairly taken advantage of or impacted by other people or circumstances. If we have given our lives to God, and then we know it is God that has been offended, not us, besides, we are blessed beyond compare.

When we come from fear, anger, guilt sadness, etc. the result is that we become a source of negative energy. We will never draw people to the truth through negative energy.

When we come from fear we tend to be more judgmental and critical of those people and situations we fear. Love doesn’t judge, fear does. Being judgmental is against God’s will. Do not judge, that is God’s job.

Fear limits our world view and life’s infinite possibilities. When we find ourselves in a difficult situation, fear can blind us to all the possibilities except a few versions of the old fight or flight alternatives

Inevitably when we undo the fear, we find a different way of “being” with the situation and other alternatives arise.

Another way that fear limits us is by shutting us off from the opportunity to try new endeavors, and meet new people, which we need to do to follow the command to take the word to the world, and being ready to prove it.

Fear’s voice is not our own even though it operates in our head. The great thing is that we don’t have to listen to it or follow it any more than we have to listen to a person who constantly lies to us and tries to mislead us. We must learn to listen to the voice of Truth, the Holy Spirit.

There is another part of our mind that knows that fear is not needed or helpful in most situations. For instance when we are suddenly confronted with a situation, such as a potential car accident, we automatically deal with it to avoid it, the fear doesn’t set in until we think about it later. Fear is all in the mind.

Fear of death, which many have said is our greatest fear. However, when someone absolutely knows they are about to die and there’s no way out, the fear of death can disappear and be replaced with perfect peace, clarity and calm.

When Jody and I worked as chaplains, one of our initial fears was how we would deal with someone facing death, the emotional part of it, however, what we found was there was no fear, no sorrow, no judgment, and no sadness. There was nothing but an amazingly profound presence of Love which was felt by everyone.

So again, I believe that part of our mind knows that fear is an illusion and we can step out of it at critical moments.

Another aspect of fear is that it takes us out of the present. We start dealing with a future potential problem, when in truth all we have is this moment in time. And, personally I have found the perceived problem isn’t nearly as bad as I expected.

What does the Bible say?

I have heard it said, and have repeated it that the bible says do not fear in one form or another, 365 times one time for each day. A book I recently read claimed 366 times, so there would be one extra for leap years..

There are two things to point out here:

* The Bible does tell us – lots of times – not be afraid. This message is not in doubt. God tells us to fear nothing and no one except for him and when we are told to fear God that is to respect Him, to respect His power. We are not to live in fear.

* Is it important how many times the bible tells us not to fear? No – it is not important to salvation, but not fearing is important to our salvation.

Prayer without faith is not heard

How do we learn to resist fear?

So, is there a formula for dealing with fear, to turn the fear in our hearts and minds into faith in God?

First, have we really bought into who Christ is?

Have we really accepted God’s word as the ultimate truth, and His will as the best for us?

Do we mistake our desires for God’s will.

As Christians have we truly given our lives over to God, because if we have, it is no longer our life, but His, He gave it to us to do with as we pleased in the beginning (at birth) and now we have given it back to Him.

Remember there is one thing we should reject that has been offered by God; free will; we no longer accept free will, but God’s will in our lives.

So now we know it is His life to do with as He pleases, and what He wants us to do, will happen, remember Jonah and the big fish? We will end up in our Nineveh.

God will also use these times to teach us, and develop us until we are ready for His final plan for us.

In Your case, the environment you were previously in before coming here probably wasn’t open to God’s will for You, so He allowed Your situation to change, so you would have time to focus on Him for a bit.

As I have told you in previous lessons, God separates His people from the world, so step one has been accomplished, you have been separated from your people, your world, and now have time to give God your undivided attention, a time to learn, a time to grow. He does have a plan for you. Rest assured, it will happen, you will find your Nineveh.

He has a way to make all work to your good, if you love Him.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. King James

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

How do these two verses fit together? First of course, God makes all things work to the good of those who love Him, and in the second we can know our faith, by the works we are doing.

Most often people look at this as how we demonstrate our faith to others, which is true, however I believe it is also how we demonstrate to ourselves we are a child of God, we do not always know why we are in the situation we are in, or doing the things we are doing, however, our faith that He is in control tells us we are in His will, because as His servant, His adopted child, all things will work to our good, and so we are either doing His will, or are in the molding phase for a future work.

I would like to quote from the book “Fear is Never Your Friend” by Gary L Richardson [page 89 – 90]:

“The Bible tells me that as human beings we will fail and make bad decisions that will cause us to despair. But we also find that through those experiences, we will learn and grow” Gary L Richardson

And:

“When we accept salvation, we give up our will – what we want – in order to serve our Savior and live in His perfect will. And that’s the only truly fulfilling choice.“

And:

Gary quotes from Oswald Chambers who in his bestseller, My Utmost for His Highest, says;

“Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing.”

So at this I think we have established a few facts;

Fear and Faith cannot occupy the same space at the same time

Accepting faith over fear allows you to reject fear because you understand everything that happens to you, and the reason you do anything, good or bad, has been caused or allowed by God’s will for your own good.

Ok, this is probably the big question in most minds,

HOW???

How do we really allow faith to occupy the only space we have?

How do we resist the fear that is common among all men?

Our fear is based on what we experienced in the past, the things we see happening around us and our thoughts that usually imagine the worst.

For example: If opposition to the Christian faith is increasing around us, we worry that we might have to quit our evangelizing work and remain silent.

If a friend betrayed our trust, we are afraid it will happen again.

If we start thinking about the possibilities of political turmoil, travel accidents, persecution, martyrdom, family problems, difficulties in our marriage, failing health, disunity in the church, power struggles among the prisoners—and a thousand other terrible things—we will not have a single peaceful day.

Allow me to share one more story with you:

What has helped me is:

Through study of both Scriptures, and a study of apologetics, I have gained an “intellectual” faith, I know in my mind it is all true, for it has been proven.

I have prayer, and continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to speak to me reminding me when I am tempted to fear something, to resist that fear, to replace it with faith, true faith, knowing this trouble will also pass.

An African tribe teaches its children that when they are chased by a devouring monster they must stop running, turn and face it, and hold out their hand and say, “Give me a gift.”

I learned this 30 or 40 years ago and tried it, and it works.

My father in law, Ted Rauh, now pushing 90 real hard, and we are now facing the challenge of dementia, was one of the strongest men I have ever met, always seemed completely fearless.

He lied about his age when world war II started, and joined the Army, found himself under the command of General George Patten.

By age 17 he had won the bronze star for bravery, and the purple heart.

He spent 20 years in the federal prison system as a guard. As a devout Christian he was not allowed to bring the bible to the prison to teach to the prisoners, so he memorized literally hundreds if not thousands of verses, he could quote verses for more than a half hour at machine gun speed. But he did this so he could take the message to the prisoners without the help of written material.

Anytime something worrisome or fearful would rear its ugly head he would say “come on trouble where are ya? ”

He always claimed he feared neither man nor beast and I never saw the look of worry or fear in his eyes.

Somewhere along the line he made a decision to resist all fear, this was a choice we can all make.

However, we need a path, direction to how to make the right decision concerning fear, worry, or anxiety.

In the face of all these real-life threats, the Bible tells us:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

Are we to close our eyes to reality? The truth is, the world we live in is not getting better, we live in a fallen world that is on a downhill slope to the depths of hell.

We are surrounded by wars, terrorism, persecution, sickness. As Christians, we are not immune to life’s struggles as long as we live in this fallen world.

In addition, Satan is our enemy, and we are constantly engaged in a spiritual battle.

God doesn’t ask us to close our eyes to reality or pretend that nothing negative can ever happen to us.

Instead, God wants us to change our focus from the fearful things of this earth to Him.

Only when I look at my heavenly Father can I put all the threatening things that surround me in this world in the right perspective.

It then will become real to me that:

My heavenly Father loves me: “… for the Father Himself loves you” (John 16:27).

He knows every one of my needs: “… for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:32).

He cares for me: “… casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

He bears my burden: “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden” (Psalm 68:19).

He doesn’t want me to worry: “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).

He invites me to tell Him all my concerns: “… in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

He is all-powerful: “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).

He is well able to rescue me from whatever I face: “… our God whom we serve is able to deliver us” (Daniel 3:17).

If He chooses for me to go through trials, He is with me and brings me safely through: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4).

There is nothing He would not do for me: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

Learning to focus on my heavenly Father will replace my fear with faith. Faith will enable me to rejoice and give thanks, like the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, because I trust Him to have a solution for me.

It will give me peace in the midst of a storm, because I know He can handle my situation.

It assures me that He knows all the unknowns of my life and that I am safe in His arms.

Faith is what pleases God and what moves His hand to work on my behalf (Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 21:22).

Faith is the shield with which I must protect myself during an attack from Satan. With it I will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16).

I challenge you to practice replacing your fear with faith.

Each time your circumstances or imagination fills you with fear, stop entertaining your fearful thoughts.

Instead, meditate on each of the Bible verses I listed about focusing on our heavenly Father.

Face your real fears, and your imaginary fears with the same force, demand a gift from it… the gift of fearless faith from the father.

As you do, look at your situation or fear in the light of each verse, and ask God to make His Word alive to you. If going through these Scriptures once is not enough to replace your fear with faith, do it five, 10 or 20 times—until your spirit is able to believe God’s Word. If the same fear attacks you two days, three weeks or five years later, go through the Scriptures again.

This is what I do when I am afraid or when faced with problems. The Scriptures I cling to may vary with different situations, but the end result must be faith; otherwise, there will be no victory.

After you have learned how to replace fear with faith, teach it to others so that they too will become strong in the Lord our God.

We also serve at the county jail, and yesterday between the men’s jail, and the ladies jail there were 85 new souls added to the kingdom through baptism.

The following members of our jail ministry team include Jody Gilkey,  Theresa Hawkins, Carol Siling, Elaine Russel, Alison Valentin, Francisco A. Davila, and Jim Pinkston