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Blogs, John Grant

Top 5 Scriptures That Banish Fear

Week Twenty-Nine, 2020

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

When I think about the root cause of so many mistakes and spiritual pitfalls in my life, the source seems to be the one and only, the ugly…fear. Fear will cause us to buckle and settle for less than God’s best. It’ll cause us to disobey after diluting our trust in Him, and even when do stay strong, it’ll rob us of our peace and joy. Here are some of the best scriptures helping us overcome fear by increasing our faith.

Especially in these difficult pandemic and local violence there is a lot to cause us to fear…. Physical health, loss of employment, loss of business and the list goes on. God actually commands us not to fear, or worry. The phrase “fear not” is used 365 times in the Bible, most likely because God knows the enemy uses fear to decrease our hope and limit our victories.

1. Deuteronomy 31:8 “He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

When you’re fearing a situation or emotional challenge, really envision God saying this, just to you. He’s on your side. No matter who leaves after promising forever. When friends, family members or co-workers disappoint you, He’ll never turn on you. I am here. You will be okay. I’m all you need, and you’re never going to be alone.

2. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

So much fear is based on the wrong assumption than when we’ve made a mess of a situation, it’s too late for God’s help. God has not only forgiven me after some blatantly unwise, selfish choices, but He’s been quick to open doors, answer prayers and pour out more blessings than I could ever deserve. He’ll turn your situation around for good, simply because He has a wonderful purpose for your life, which no amount of blunders can hinder.

3. Isaiah 43:1 “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.”

God, who created the universe, cares about every detail of our lives. We belong to an all-powerful, all-knowing, victorious Father who cares deeply about us. When we really meditate on this truth, it’s hard to remain fearful about the trials we face. By focusing on Him, and how He considers us His prized, redeemed ones, our focus naturally shifts from fear to faith.

4. 1 John 4:18 “Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear”

God is love. Perfect love. And the closer we come to Him, the less power fear has over us, because we feel God’s continual presence – His strength, His comfort, and His guidance. When faced with even the deepest most crippling of fear, we need to trust God with the confidence a child ascribes to a loving parent.

5. Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.”

We weren’t saved and redeemed only to limp through life riddled with fear and anxiety. God can only be our rock if we let Him. Trust Him to deliver you from every fear coming against the truth not only in His ability, but His desire to deliver you.

Fear has no place in the heart or mind of a believer. Ask God to increase your trust and faith in His willingness and ability to deliver you completely from fear and anxiety. Ask for a deeper revelation of His love and watch how powerfully He moves.

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831:

“I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests — and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning–and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution — and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!”

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What’s the Purpose of Quiet Time? Ken Whitten

1. Proves Devotion

2. Provides Direction

3. Promotes Dependence

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Refuse “stinkin” “thinkin”. Ken Whitten

Inventor Thomas A. Edison said, when asked why the experiment of electricity had failed, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Failure is success if we learn from it. Malcom Forbes

Satan is behind all sin. Preacherman Ken Weliever

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Richard Niebuhr

Good judgement is the result of experience and experience the result of bad judgement. Mark Twain

The Bible was not given for our information, but for our transformation. D. L. Moody

Blogs, Frank Becker

Triumph Over Terror!

This wise woman wants to reason with the radicals. She might well agree with Isaiah’s words: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

The problem is that these radicals do not want to reason together! Some have been carried away because of the wrongs they have witnessed or experienced. BUT SOME are agents of radical groups that want to destroy America. And they are succeeding.

They murder innocent people—even babies—because they know it confuses and terrifies people. They burn down buildings and destroy enterprises that took a lifetime to build. They arbitrarily attack the innocent with those who might be guilty. They mix their evil deeds with high-sounding phrases, but they are simply terrorists!

The purpose of terror is to terrify! Many of these trouble makers are actually paid agents of the far left, and even of the Chinese Communists. They look for some excuse to light the flames of extremism, and ignore all rules of law and of decency.

They want to destabilize our nation, to set one group against another, to tear down our infrastructure, to destroy our economy, and to undermine our faith in one another, and in God.

We must not let this happen!
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Blogs, Frank Becker

Tired of TV Church?

Frank Becker preaching at Glimmerglass State Park during his pastoral years


During this pandemic, start a biblical house church!

(For the Biblical basis for the house church, read through “Acts” and your entire New Testament and read “The Depression Proof Church: The Biblical Answer to the Church in Crisis,” by Frank Becker.)

You should continue to support your local church, but you may certainly supplement what has sometimes become sterile worship with a dynamic small group meeting.

It’s simple! Just follow these steps:

First, pray over the idea with your family. When you are all satisfied that the Lord is with you, move ahead. Remember, Jesus said, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst” (Matthew 18:20).

Next, discuss it with close Christian friends. These should be godly people who are concerned about the pandemic and about the restraints on, and persecution of, the Christian Church. They should be people who will prayerfully exercise care in gathering for worship. To start with, invite one or two families to join you on Sunday mornings.

These should be people you know, and perhaps have fellowshipped with in Sunday School or even small group ministry.

Set aside a place in your home where you will meet, perhaps the back yard, the garage, a family room, or the living room. You’ll need to provide access to a bathroom as well, but since this is a major risk for spreading the disease, it would be best if everyone tried to avoid its use.

You’ll need conscientious individuals who will guard themselves as they clean all the furniture and any surfaces likely to be touched in the course of a meeting.

It would be courteous, and indicate that you are not testing God, if you all wore masks, and, if possible, gloves. Have hand cleaner at the door and in other places. You should certainly try to practice so-called “social distancing.”

And any family that suspects they may have an infected member should—for the love of Christ—stay home. Oh, this is one time in history when it would be best not to greet one another with a holy kiss.

It’s best if you can dedicate this room for this purpose, thus providing a place you can thoroughly clean between meetings, and in which you carefully arrange furniture. Make sure it is well ventilated, and that, if possible, you may carefully change air filters regularly.

You don’t need a preacher per se. You can always have your fellowship refer back to the message your own pastor preached, or you may encourage spiritual growth by having members of your group bring a lesson or a message each week.

It’s pretty simple. What you should be looking for is an opportunity to fellowship and express the love of Christ to one another, while taking care not to infect one another.

Plan to sing favorite songs or choruses. Encourage those who play instruments or sing to minister. Spend time in prayer for one another, for the Church, and for the nation.

If someone is in real need, consider receiving an offering. Perhaps you could support a missionary. Many have seen significant reductions in their income.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to sit across the room from someone, perhaps in a large circle, where you could actually see one another’s eyes and hear one another’s voices as you praise God together?

(For more information, read “The Depression Proof Church,” or email for information.)

Blogs, John Grant

“Are you prepared for the unexpected?”

Week Twenty-Eight, 2020

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:13-14

Suppose you were at a party last New Year’s Eve playing a game of word guessing and someone drew the word “COVID19.” Would you or anyone else be able to identify it? Probably not, but now a half year later it is one of the most frequently appearing words in almost every language around the world.

This terrible disease has brought consequences and changes in our world that no one would ever have expected. There are times when life seems easy and everything is working out just as desired. During these times, stress-ridden thoughts such as “how will I get through this?” or “what happens when….?” rarely enter our awareness and front-of-mind thinking.

Proper and effective planning takes into consideration the “what if’s” that happen when you’re not expecting them. I am referring to potentially life-altering experiences that you rarely contemplate when everything is working just fine.

As an attorney, I advise clients we all have an expiration date. We just don’t know when or how, but we need to be prepared for our benefit and for the benefit of those we leave behind.

But, far more important is being prepared spiritually. Recently a friend much younger than I suddenly had a heart attack and died on the spot. He was in good shape, athletic and looked so healthy and then the unexpected came.

We never know what tomorrow will bring or even today for that matter. We know not when Jesus is coming and we don’t know when we are going, but we need to be prepared for the unexpected. Warnings come at us every day – about what to eat or not eat, the importance of having the right insurance coverage, saving for retirement, and the list goes on.

The Bible is clear. Romans 6:23 says: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in or through Christ Jesus our Lord. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. John 3:16, reads: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 10:9 says: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Have you made that declaration? Are you prepared for the unexpected?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

If you are worrying read Matthew 6:25-34 and then see this list that breaks down Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25-34 and puts them into 7 bite size morsels for us to chew on about why we should not worry:

6:25 – The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.

6:26 – Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

6:27 – Worrying is more harmful than helpful.

6:28-30 – God does not ignore those who depend on Him.

6:31,32 – Worrying shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.

6:33 – Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue.

6:34 – Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

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“The preacher had said there was nothing magic in the water. Yet as I descended into its depths and rose again, I knew something life-changing had happened, a cleansing inside out. No longer did there seem to be two uncertain, contradictory Paul Harveys; just one immensely happy one. I felt a fulfilling surge of the Holy Spirit and afterward I cried like a baby. The change this simple act has made in my life is so immense as to be indescribable. As the old song says, ‘He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.'” —Paul Harvey

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“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.” – 1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

The secret of success is aptly described. When one obeys God and does what He tells him to do believing His presence in all He does, he will have success. (Joshua1:9) —Stephen Bernard

People cannot be saved unless Jesus saves them. Dr. Ronnie Floyd

Don’t look around. Look up. Ken Whitten

There’s no win in comparison. Andy Stanley

Nothing compares to Jesus.

Jealousy is about people. Envy is about things.

An open hand is better than a closed fist. Ken Whitten

Blogs, Frank Becker

Before you cast a stone….

Frank in the Swiss Alps, below the ski resort used in a James Bond movie.

If you are thinking of tearing down a statue, breaking a store window, or attacking someone for their beliefs, consider these words:

“He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.” Our forefathers weren’t perfect. But they risked and often sacrificed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor in order to bring forth the greatest nation in the history of the world.

Before you cast a stone, consider your own motives.

As a nation, we aren’t perfect, but we have come a long way. Let’s not destroy everything that those “less-than-perfect people” sacrificed in order to bring us this far!

Think carefully before becoming part of the “Cancel Culture!” It will ultimately cancel you!

—Frank Becker

Blogs, John Grant

“YOUR CHRISTIAN ROI”

Week Twenty-Seven, 2020

“Anyone who doesn’t breathe is dead, and faith that doesn’t do anything is just as dead!” (James 2:26 CEV)

It’s a term commonly used in the business and investment world….. ROI, short for return on investment. Anyone who makes an investment or launches a business endeavor usually does it to make money. You want to ultimately take out more than you put in and that extra above your initial investment is your return on the investment.

There is a Christian ROI and that stands for return on involvement. One of my favorite books in the Bible is the book of James. It is a general letter addressed to Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Though written as a letter, it is more like a short book of instructions for daily Christian living. It shows faith in action in wide and practical ways.

We are called to active Christian involvement in our living. Not only should our lives be different, but we are called to make a difference in others. James asks what good is it if you say you have faith and then do nothing to show that you really have faith.

He gives an example that if you know someone who has no clothes or food and you say, “I hope all goes well for you and I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat”. What good does it do to say this unless you do something to help.

Faith that doesn’t lead us to do good deeds is all alone. We are called to have a living faith. The Word of God is alive and active (Heb 4:12). As Christians we ought to put our best efforts into fulfilling God’s will. We should please God by what we do and not just by what we believe.

How active is our faith in how we deal with others? What is your return on your Christian involvement?

Remember that your life may be the only Gospel that some people will ever read. James concludes Chapter 2 with such a pertinent and true verse: Anyone who doesn’t breathe is dead, and faith that doesn’t do anything is just as dead!

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

In 2001 psychologist Dr. Edward Hallowell published, “Connect.” He wrote:

“We are a nation of doers. We hurry from place to place, filling our lives with all kinds of activities, sometimes over-scheduling our kids and ourselves. But what really sustains us emotionally, psychologically, and physically is connectedness; the feeling that we are a part of something that matters, something larger than ourselves that gives life meaning.

Just as there is a vitamin deficiency, there is a human contact deficiency, and it weakens the body, the mind, and the spirit. It ravages, can be severe depression, physical illness, or even early death. Or it can be mild like underachievement, fatigue, and loneliness.

Just as we need vitamin C each day, we also need a dose of human contact each day with other people. Do you miss your church when you cannot be with them?

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Hmmmmm?……. Soon, every baby boomer will be at least 65. Experts say that as a nation, we are not prepared for such a huge demographic shift. I wonder if this would be the case if American’s had not aborted nearly fifty million babies since boomers were born and abortion became legal…….. just wondering.

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Two Life Rules About Church Harmony:

1. Think the Best, Not the Worst

2. Speak to the Person, Not About the Person

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Our Bible is not a rule book. It’s a Relationship Book. Ken Whitten

I tried to walk a mile in my friend’s shoes, but it took so long to find a pair that would match my outfit. An entitled believer

Life decisions we make can be either a tipping point or a trapping point in our lives. Rob Taylor

God is more interested in answering our prayers than we are in asking them. Charles Spurgeon

We don’t need a platform or a position to share the Good News. Kelly Knouse

Christians spend more money in the streets than the followers of other religions spent in their temples. Historian Eberhard Arnold

Blogs, Frank Becker

A Note on Stopford’s July 4th Message…

In the flickering glare of the fanatic flames that threaten to consume the heart of our nation, Jeremy Stopford has submitted a sermon he preached many years ago. In it, he quotes a post-Civil War prayer made by Robert E. Lee:

“May God rescue us from the folly of our own acts, save us from selfishness, and teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves.”

In a sense, Lee’s prayer began to be answered before he asked, when his Army of Northern Virginia lost the last great battle of the Civil War. America began its ascent from the evils of slavery, and God helped us to start up what has become the long road to equality. But now people are sowing the dragon’s teeth of hatred and division. We must ask ourselves whether selfishness and hatred will keep us from ever attaining that goal?

In light of current events, and the attempts by some to erase the facts of history, we should ask ourselves whether we are now producing a climate where similar things can again occur.

The Jewish people wisely build Holocaust Museums because they do not want the evils that befell them and millions of others to be forgotten. George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” A word to the wise is sufficient.

—Frank Becker

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

“Would You Be Free?”

A Note on This Week’s Message…

In the flickering glare of the fanatic flames that threaten to consume the heart of our nation, Jeremy Stopford has submitted a sermon that he preached many years ago. In it, he quotes a post-Civil War prayer made by Robert E. Lee:

“May God rescue us from the folly of our own acts, save us from selfishness, and teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves.”

In a sense, Lee’s prayer began to be answered before he asked, when his Army of Northern Virginia lost the last great battle of the Civil War. America began its ascent from the evils of slavery, and God helped us to start up what has become the long road to equality. But now people are sowing the dragon’s teeth of hatred and division. We must ask ourselves whether selfishness and hatred will keep us from ever attaining that goal?

In light of current events, and the attempts by some to erase the facts of history, we should ask ourselves whether we are now producing a climate where similar things can again occur.

The Jewish people wisely build Holocaust Museums because they do not want the evils that befell them and millions of others to be forgotten. George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” A word to the wise is sufficient.

—Frank Becker

Jeremy Stopford photo
Retired Pastor Jeremy & Thuvia Stopford

“Would You Be Free?” (John 8:31-36)

Originally preached on the 4th of July weekend, July, 2009

By Pastor Jeremy Stopford

TODAY’S FUNNY: “4th of July SPECIAL”

The Fourth of July was coming up, and the nursery school teacher took the opportunity to tell her class about patriotism. “We live in a great country,” she said. “One of the things about which we should be happy is that, in this country, we are all free.”

One little boy came walking up to her from the back of the room. He stood with his hands on his hips and said, “I’m not free. I’m four.”

INTRODUCTION

This weekend we have celebrated the 233rd birthday of our great nation.

Today’s sermon title is taken from a cry from the post Civil War era. One of the great southern generals of that war, Robert E. Lee, a godly man, said this: “May God rescue us from the folly of our own acts, save us from selfishness, and teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves.”

Out text today would teach us that true freedom comes at great cost – not only to our Savior, but to us was well. At the end of the message I will ask you the following question; “are we willing to pay that price?”

PRAY for God’s blessings on this ministry today

Scripture Reading, John 8:31-36

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.“

#1 TRUE FREEDOM COMES FROM ABIDING IN THE TRUTH (8:31-32)

“Those Jews who believed in Him” – that was their “profession of faith”. Have you made a “profession” or do you have a “possession” of faith? There is an HUGE difference. There are many “professors”of Biblical Christianity. Our churches are filled with “professors”. But the narrow road has the only “possessors” of faith. So, are you a professor or a possessor?

Jesus challenged the professors of faith to prove their possession by their abiding – NOT in the temple but in the TRUTH! What priority does this Book have in your life? What priority do its instructions have in your life? What priority does the Lord Jesus and His Lordship on display in EVERY area of your life have in your life.

Note the dynamic teaching on this subject in John 15:1ff:

 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

If true freedom comes from abiding in the truth, are you free? IF NOT, Jesus is saying you are in bondage still!

#2 TRUE FREEDOM CAUSES DIVISION (8:33)

Jesus’ words caused the Jews to cling to their heritage of a works-oriented religion rather than to the freedom that is in Christ.

A simple truth created a division, which is still created today! Are you clinging to the cross, or to membership in First Baptist? To the cross, or to anything else?

Then Jesus says, you are in bondage and not free!

Listen to the sobering truths of Galatians 2:16-20:

16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave Himself for me.

#3. TRUE FREEDOM CLINGS TO THE SON, NOT TO SIN (8:34-36)

This point comes down to one thought: do we love the Son of God, or do we love the sin of man?

How can we tell?

To what or Whom are you in bondage?

Does your world revolve around yourself and your lusts, or does it revolve around the Son and His Lordship, His glory?

CONCLUSION

THE BIG QUESTION!!! Are you in bondage to sin, or free in Christ?

The answer tells not only your eternal, but your daily joy!

Are we willing to pay the price that boldly states, “The Lord Jesus ALONE is my Hope – I am free in Him!”

Close in prayer

Blogs, John Grant

“WHERE IS YOUR TRUST?”

Week Twenty-Six, 2020

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).

Horses and chariots were instruments of war and demonstrations of power and victory. The chariot was a type of carriage driven by a charioteer and pulled by horses to provide power and speed. The earliest spoke-wheeled chariots date to 2000 BC and were instrumental in many notable conflicts in history.

Chariot

Chariots had scythes at the sides which rotated with the wheels as they drove with fury among the enemy, cutting down like they were mowing grass. Mere ownership of these beasts and weapons were a statement and demonstration of power and many tribes and countries put their trust for security in the mere possession of these dangerous weapons of war.

Throughout history nations, even today, put their security in their military might. Individuals put their security in their financial strength, their positions and possessions. We depend on external things, fleshy privileges and outward works of righteousness. These are our modern-day idols and as we have seen in recent weeks they can be gone in a flash. Solomon said it in Proverbs 11:28, “He who trusts in his riches will fall.”

Real life security comes from our salvation. Isaiah said it in Isaiah 12:2, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

While many, even most, look around themselves for security, the Scriptures tell us to look up because our help comes from the Lord, as He will not allow our foot to slip and will protect us from evil. Psalm 121

David best summed it up in Psalm 20:7… “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

Where is your trust?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Three Things Happen When You Have Quiet Time: Ken Whitten

1. God is Glorified – Psalm 50:23

2. Faith is Fortified – Isaiah 26:3

3. Soul is Satisfied – Psalm 16:11

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It seems to me that if we want to see revival… that if we want to see God do a great work… if we want to see God move, then it begins with us on our knees in prayer individually and together. Marty Stubblefield

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“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

God-is-my-boss