AUGUST MONTH 2012

FAITH OR FEAR WHICH DO YOU RESPOND TO

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; (Psalm 95:4-5) KJV

There are many things in this life that will cause every believer to respond. We respond to our circumstances, whether they are good, great or disastrous. We respond to our bodies, weakening when we are sick and gaining strength as our body recovers from whatever sickened us. However, there are two things that have more power over us than anything else. Faith is the mechanism that God places within us which is driven by our experience with Him and our belief that He is who He say he is. Although God did not give us the spirit of fear, it does exist. “Faith or fear which do you respond to?”

This Psalm suggests that the relationship of the believer with the object of His faith places him in close proximity, to the power and provisions of his God. Under his wings, the believer finds truth and trust as a shield that protects and covers. Because of this divine covering, the believer trust in God’s truth demonstrating his response to the faithfulness of God.   

Yet verse 5 warns the believer to not fear, don’t fear the terror by night nor the evil arrows which fly during the day. If you respond to fear your nights will be filled with terror, if you respond to fear your days will be pierced by the arrows of evil. You must choose this day which you will respond to? “Faith or Fear?”

 WHAT'S THE TRUE MEANING OF LOVE 

Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy; Love doesn’t brag , is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil. -1st Corinthians 13:4-5

When we as God’s creation, and more important God’s church express ourselves on the subject of love, there tend to be varying degrees of love. We profess our love for our car, our clothes, our home and our cash in the same breath and with the same brevity.  It is almost as if we find no reason to separate or differentiate our love for our material things from our love for one another. God made the mountains, rivers, the trees and all the living creatures on this earth yet the bible only records that he breath on us. His love for us was so profound even before creations that he decided make us in His own image!  “What is the True Meaning of Love?”

The Apostle Paul is trying to communicate the true meaning of God’s love to the Church at Corinth. Paul said love is not envious, nor does it brag or act inappropriately. Paul suggests that when we demonstrate the love of God we must do so more with our walk than with our talk. God’s love in us should result in a righteous love permeating from us toward others. Despite whom we are or where we came from God demonstrated His love toward us through His death at Calvary.

We cannot say we love but not demonstrate that Love. We should be provoked to praise not provoked to pout or pitch pity party. Love is the source of our strength, how you love suggests who is the source of your Love!  “What is the True Meaning of Love?”

Pastor SP Courtney