terdShat terd
Men
The hidden half of domestic violence
The FEAR Factor
Many of us have seen the forwards called "In whose hands" which
talks about things like a basketball being worth $10 in our hands but worth
millions of dollars in the hands of Michael Jordan. It concludes that a couple
of nails are worth a few pennies, but in the hands of Jesus Christ, they are
priceless.
Well, once again, I am here thinking that our vision is very similar. In whose
eyes? Some things that seem so impossible to us may be easy for someone else. I
picked up a book and I found I could not read it. MY wife read it easily. Why?
It was written in Spanish.
A few years ago, I was putting in a cement sidewalk. My grandson was at our
house and he wanted to help me. I asked him if he could bring a bag of concrete
over to me and he said he could. Now
remember, a bag of concrete weights about 90 pounds. My grandson was about 5.
Needless to say, he did not even lift a corner of it off the ground. Yet he
tried and tried and I saw the look of disappointment on his face as he looked
toward me and then tried yet again. I then gently reminded him to use ALL of his
resources (in terms he could understand.) After a few moments, he came over to
me, took my by the hand and led me to the concrete and told me he would help me
move it. Then with a little effort, that bag of concrete went to where it needed
to be. Oh I knew he could not lift it but I wanted him to know he did have other
resources to do the job.
The look of disappointment also reminds me of our disappointment when we fail at
what God wants us to do or to be...when we fail because we too fail to use...ALL
of our resources.
From whose eyes? From a five year olds eyes, that bag seemed immoveable. From
the eyes of an adult, it was indeed moveable.
How about us? Have you ever felt that God wanted you to do something but you
could not do it? Did you use ALL of your resources?
There are things that matter far more then a bag of concert. What about those
"immoveable" enemies we face? The enemy of fear? What about those who are being
falsely accused of things they did not do?
There are many other things we often face, things that seem impossible to deal
with. One thing all of these things have in common, is they produce....FEAR.
Fear or some form of it is mentioned over 500 times in the Word of God.
According to The American Heritage® Dictionary Fear means:
1a. A feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of
danger. b. A state or condition marked by this feeling: living in fear. 2. A
feeling of disquiet or apprehension: a fear of
looking foolish. 3. Extreme reverence or awe, as toward a supreme power. 4. A
reason for dread or apprehension: Being alone is my greatest fear.
Broken relationships produce fear. When we feel rejected, what emotion is
present? If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that we have lied to
those around us, often our spouse, our parents
or children because we fear that the truth will damage our relationship with
them, thus causing them to reject us at least for the time being. Yet, what
causes even more damage is for others to
find out we were not honest.
Do not think you are alone in this. Some great men in the Bible were less then
honest…well, lets be honest..they LIED! Abraham did it at least twice when he
said Sarah (his wife) was his sister. Read what Abimelech told Abraham in
Genesis 20 with special attention to verse 9 Remember that it was fear caused
Abraham to lie.
Fear will also cause us to fail to do what God has requested us to do. When we
do not do what God wants us to do, in HIS way, we often have fear. Men are
called to be the head of the home yet because of our feminist society, many men
fail to assume that headship. Why? They fear broken relationships when their
spouse will think they are being abused or will rebel against them. Men,
remember, GOD has ordained how our homes are to be lead. If we use all of our
resources in doing things HE has instructed us to do, why are we afraid?
Remember also, we all tend to rebel a little to authority and women will do this
also, but I do believe in reality, they are looking and longing for a man that
will take charge, be strong, yet be gentle and tender in their strength. Jesus
Christ was tender but He was also very strong. We can do it when we use all of
our resources.
Our wives fear not being secure. They want the assurance of having their
physical needs met. This is one reason many women do tend to have relationship
problems with men when they do not think they are looking after these physical
needs by not providing for their family. Yet our society has often thrown road
blocks in this with downsizing, (laying off workers) affirmative action,
industrialization by having machines do the heavy work thus making the physical
strength of men not as essential and many other means that result in more men
being jobless. Do you fear not having these needs met or not being able to met
them for your family? If so, are you using all of your resources? Are you
seeking God before these things? Matthew 6 tells us a lot about the cares of the
world. It ends with
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for
the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day
is the evil thereof"
Illness produces fear when we feel we will not be able to care for
ourselves and will be a burden on others. Although many think that
Isaiah 53:5 indicates all our sickness can be cured when we are told "But he was
wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." the
content of this verse indicates we are healed from SIN. By being told we are
healed from physical illness, this in turn cause even more fear in those that
are not because then they also fear that they are not really Christians. After
all, if they are not healed of these diseases, they must not belong to God.
Folks do not buy into this lie from satan.
http://www.shatterdmen.com/Name%20It.htm
Other things produce fear. Personal responsibility and accountability will often
produce it. We saw it in the Garden of Eden after the fall. Adam blamed Eve. Eve
blamed the serpent but were not both responsible for their own actions?
In Whose eyes? When Israel was ordered to go into the promise land, they sent
spies. All but two reported that they could not do it. (Num 13: 28, 31-33) My
friend, what is your promise land today? What has God promised you that you are
afraid to claim..and to take?
Later there was a giant named Goliath. All the strong men in Isreal was feared
facing him head on. In their eyes, he was too strong, too powerful. What are the
giants you face today? Are you looking for your eyes...or from the eyes of a
small shepherd boy who declared this in verse 37: "The LORD that delivered me
out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me
out of the hand of this Philistine."
When David faced his fears head on, he further declared:
Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come
to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom
thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee,
and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the
Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the
earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and
spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.
My friends, I do not know about you, but as I sit hear writing this, I am
getting goose bumps over this... I come to thee in the name of the LORD of
hosts!!!
What are your giants? Your lions and bears? Do they seem unbeatable? Well ask
God to let you see them from HIS eyes...not our own.
Fear! A feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or
imminence of danger. When we get right down to it, fear is anxiety...concern
about what the future holds. When we place our faith in the one who holds the
future, do we need to be afraid of it?
No my friend, when we replace this definition with the next one...all fear will
vanish!
Fear: Extreme reverence or awe, as toward GOD!
How do we do this?
First, make sure you have a relationship with God. Knowing God is far different
then knowing about Him:
http://www.shatterdmen.com/first_step.htm
2nd, Learn to fall in LOVE with God.
How do we do this? Well by spending time with HIM. Talk to God. (this is called
prayer and it is done by talking to God just as you and I would talk. We do not
need the fancy words...we simply tell GOD want is on our mind...from our heart
to HIS.
We also spend time reading HIS Word to us. If you have not done so, start with
the gospel of John. http://bible.gospelcom.net/
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
Rest in HIS grace: We do this by keeping our eyes upon Jesus and not the fears
we have. The things of earth WILL grow dim in the light of HIS glory and grace.
Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me
from all my fears
Be strong and take courage, do not fear or be dismayed
For the Lord will go before you, and His light will show the way
Be strong and take courage, do not fear or be dismayed
For the one who lives within you, will be strong in you today.
Why don't you give Him all of your fears
Why don't you let Him wipe all of your tears
He knows, He's been through pain before.
Be strong and take courage, do not fear or be dismayed
For the Lord will go before you, and His light will show the way
Be strong and take courage, do not fear or be dismayed
For the one who lives within you, will be strong in you today.
Nothing take you out of His hand
Nothing can face you that you can't command
I know that you will always be
In His love, in His power, you will be free
Be strong and take courage, do not fear or be dismayed
For the Lord will go before you, and His light will show the way
Be strong and take courage, do not fear or be dismayed
For the one who lives within you, will be strong in you today.
http://www.shatterdmen.com/Be%20Strong.htm
(please click above to vote for this site?
|
|
Shattered Men Club
SHATTERD MEN INTERNATIONAL
P.O. BOX 166
MARION INDIANA 46952-0166
