8. A Weapon Against Fear

Christ for all Nations UK

8. A Weapon Against Fear

Reinhard Bonnke

A Weapon Against Fear:

Purpose is a powerful weapon against fear. What gave thousands of young men the courage to storm the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day? They were fortified by purpose – to confront and conquer a great evil. In our lives we will find the same truth. When we are living with great purpose, we are filled with courage. If we can remember that time is short and, as Christians, we have been entrusted with a heavenly assignment – to storm the gates of Hell, to win the lost and to set the captives free – this purpose will fill us with courage.

“Little children, it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). I know it seems that this hour has lasted for a very long time. John wrote those words over nineteen centuries ago. Do not let that observation confuse you. We can be certain of one thing—if it was the last hour then, it most certainly is now! If John were writing today, he probably would write, “Little children, it is the last second of the last minute of the last hour.”

Most people live as if this life were a permanent arrangement. Often, it is only in the face of a crisis or a calamity that they are awakened to the fact that their days are numbered. “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed” (Job 14:5).

Our days are numbered. There is actually only time for the important things. I am thinking about the church of Jesus Christ in particular. People often point out that life consists of a thousand details, but the minor must not outweigh the major. The church is to concern itself with one aim—to live on fire for Jesus and campaign for souls. When Scripture proclaims, “It is the last hour,” it truly is. For the message of the Gospel, it is always the last hour. This unique, special doctrine of Scripture is called “imminence.”

Many sit back and relax, thinking that there are still four months to the harvest (John 4:35). If you want to know how a single individual like Paul did so much, read his open letter to the Corinthians. He lived as if the end of all things was at hand, as if the final curtain was always imminent. “But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep, as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world, as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:29-31).

The Gospel is eternal, but we do not have eternity to preach it. It seems as though we have that long when we view the leisurely operations of the church on the gospel front. We have only as long as we live to reach those who live as long as we live. Today, over six billion souls are alive on this planet. They are not in a future age that will need to be evangelised, but present and living now on earth. It is the last hour.

Luke 21:11 says, “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” So, what then will we do as the clock races towards the end and chaos, terror, famines and plagues increase in the earth? We can busy ourselves with the fear that the media sells us, focusing inward on frantically preserving our lives and our interests, OR we can busy ourselves with the great commission, focusing outward, forsaking our lives and our interests for the sake of the gospel being preached throughout the earth! We can choose to be paralysed in fear, or be about the Father’s business, faithfully advancing His kingdom in whichever ways we are able.

Right now, you may not see yourself in a position to do much for the Lord. But that is exactly what the enemy of your soul wants you to believe! Satan would love for the church to believe that the proclamation of the Gospel and the ministry of Jesus Christ is on hold for as long as the Coronavirus is on the move. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Jesus is always two steps ahead of Satan and three on Sunday. In fact, the advancement of the kingdom of God is only picking up the pace!

We have so much more connection right now to our families and loved ones through the modern technologies we have today. Not to mention, many are finding that their schedules have freed up during this period, to allow more time for interpersonal communication and reflection on what matters most to us and to the Lord: people. The field is ripe for harvest! I encourage you to ask the Lord how you can be on active duty in the gospel brigade today. There may be someone sitting under your own roof that needs to know the love of Jesus. There may be a friend or a relative that you haven’t had time to catch up with previously, because of your busy schedules— now is the time for that phone call! Today is the day of salvation!

There are multiple ministries proclaiming the gospel through television and social media and other various connections online, that you can support financially. We here at CfaN need your support! When you give, you reap the same reward as the sower because you enable the seed to be spread, and spread much further than it could ever go without your support. And finally, but most certainly not the least important, you can pray! What a wonderful opportunity to lock yourself away with the Lord for a window of time to seek His face! You can pray for the harvest… “Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38). I’m encouraged by the Holy Spirit of this fact: Nothing of importance to heaven has ever been put on the back burner. May we be found faithful, not fearful, and may the lamb receive the reward for His suffering.

This bible study was adapted from 'Evangelism by Fire' by Reinhard Bonnke. "The evangelist is a man (or woman) with a driving urgency, not a man with two minds. The Gospel and nothing else on earth matters: neither fame, money, earthly pleasures nor life itself." - Reinhard Bonnke

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1. Getting Stronger!

Daniel Kolenda

We are living in a remarkable time. I have never seen the entire world so gripped by fear and uncertainty. The pundits and prophets are all weighing in on what this means, why it is happening and how long it will last. I don’t know all the answers, but there are some things we can know for sure. As Children of God we have access to a peace that passes understanding – that is, it is not natural or carnal. It is supernatural, surpassing what the mind and intellect can comprehend. That is important because what we need right now is not more information – we are being bombarded with news. What we need is something that goes straight into the core of our being and fortifies us from within. That is what the Word of God does. Over the next 60-days, I am going to bombard your heart and mind with timeless, unchangeable truth from God’s Word that will act like a heavenly vaccine, inoculating you against fear, anxiety and worry. These words were true before the virus came along and they will be true long after it is gone. But in moments like these, we need to remind ourselves of these truths more than ever before. Some people begin to waver in times like these. Some question God, His Word, His love and His faithfulness. But this is the time we need to cling to Him as never before. I remember an exchange Reinhard Bonnke once had with a man who was sick and suffering. The man said he was having “a crisis of faith.” Reinhard said, “My brother, when you are drowning, that is the worst time to let go of the lifeline.” If you are struggling, grab a hold of God’s Word and His truth with all your might – it is your lifeline! Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The Lord made a clear contrast between His mission and the devil’s mission. Satan’s plans for us are in complete opposition to God’s plans for us! It is paramount we believe this foundational truth: Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly! We see the declarations of His love for mankind all over the scriptures, both in His words and in His actions— and most profoundly, when He laid down His life for us on the cross. Jesus loves us! He is for us! He gave us His word as our solid rock to stand on, so that when the thief comes to attack, we can stand in unwavering trust on God’s faithful promises. Often, what makes people susceptible to an attack of the enemy, is the onset of doubt and unbelief in the goodness of God and the truth of His word. Immunity, on the other hand, is the lack of susceptibility, especially to something unwelcome or harmful. Satan knows He has no legal right to steal, kill, and destroy you, unless he can persuade you, to hand over to him, your God given power and authority as sons and daughters of God. The devil plots and schemes to deceive the masses by planting false accusations, twisting the truth, and most often, by employing fear tactics. He uses fear because it tends to work so well on the wavering. Ultimately, those who succumb to unbelief help him accomplish his mission. Once Satan has convinced a person to misplace their trust in the Lord, then they become susceptible to the contagions of fear, doubt, and unbelief. The way to become immune to these attacks from the enemy, is to holdfast in unwavering faith in Jesus and his word! In the days ahead, we are going to press into the truth, so that we can stand firm against all attacks, securely fortified in the victory we have in Jesus! When a person is exposed to a pathogen and they survive, their bodies learn how to fight that contagion and they become immune to it from then on. This is where we get the old cliché “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” I believe it is very similar with our spirits. As we go through life, overcoming trials and difficulties, emerging victorious, walking hand-in-hand with Jesus, we become stronger, spiritually tougher and more resilient in faith. That is why a season like the one we are in now is so important. It can be a training ground for the more significant battles to come in the future. Jeremiah asked, “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” (Jer. 12:5) Join me for the next 60-days as we confront the pathogen of fear head on and eradicate it with the antidote of God’s Word. May God use this season in all of our lives to build unwavering trust in our hearts for Him as never before. This bible study was adapted from my new book 'Slaying Dragons'. This book will take a deep look into the following subjects: Angels and Demons in the Bible, Where the Dragon Gets His Power, The Cosmic Battle, Spiritual Warfare Demystified, How to Kill Your Pet Dragon & Casting Out Dragons and more. See link above to order your copy!

2. "It Is Written"

Daniel Kolenda

Do you ever notice that sometimes it seems as if you’re on a spiritual high? You’re tangibly feeling the presence of God, receiving fresh revelation, the anointing is flowing like oil, and you’re clearly hearing the Lord speaking to your spirit. Then other times, it seems as though the heavens are brass, the oil has run dry, and if the anointing is there—you certainly can’t tell! You didn’t get a single goose bump during praise and worship. Not one tear dropped, not one hair raised. During those moments when the thrills of His glory have lifted, and you find yourself in a spiritual valley, you may be tempted to question what you encountered when you were on the mountaintop. You may be tempted by the devil to fear that what you experienced previously wasn’t real. You see, if we base our faith in our feelings, then our faith will fluctuate whenever they do. When Satan came to tempt Jesus in the desert (Matthew Chapter 4:1-11) he said, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” The word, “if” is so subtle and so small, yet such a huge stumbling block to many, because in that one little word, one’s entire belief system can be shaken. This is why we must follow the Lord’s example and refuse to rely on our feelings or current experiences, especially when facing the temptation of doubt. Jesus responded, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4) Every time Jesus responded to the devil, He said, “It is written…” Jesus stood on the word of God, and we must do the same. It’s our sure foundation! It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are, or what the ‘ifs’ are, or how we are feeling in any given moment—the word of God must have the final say in every season of our lives. The following is a list of Scriptures that I would encourage you to read aloud and to confess over yourself and your family. Read them again and again until you sense faith and courage arising in your heart. This was the ammunition Jesus used against Satan in the wilderness ("it is written”) and it will be your strength as well: IT IS WRITTEN: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). IT IS WRITTEN: “He will call on me, and I will answer him” (Ps. 91:15). IT IS WRITTEN: “The one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward” (Prov. 11:18). IT IS WRITTEN: “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matt. 6:30). IT IS WRITTEN: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke 10:19). IT IS WRITTEN: “No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent” (Ps. 91:10). IT IS WRITTEN: “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Ps. 34:19). IT IS WRITTEN: “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up” (Jas. 5:15). IT IS WRITTEN: “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Ps. 55:22). IT IS WRITTEN: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Ps. 34:7). IT IS WRITTEN: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this” (Ps. 37:5). IT IS WRITTEN: “He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children” (Ps. 113:9). IT IS WRITTEN: “His mercy endures forever” (Ps. 136:1). IT IS WRITTEN: “We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8–9). This bible study was adapted from my new book 'Slaying Dragons'. This book will take a deep look into the following subjects: Angels and Demons in the Bible, Where the Dragon Gets His Power, The Cosmic Battle, Spiritual Warfare Demystified, How to Kill Your Pet Dragon & Casting Out Dragons and more. Click link above to order 'Slaying Dragons' Today!

3. The Victory that has Overcome the World!

Reinhard Bonnke

The bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) This scripture makes it clear that the spirit of fear is not from God. When danger threatens us, fear tries to latch onto us. Even our body chemistry changes when we sense impending disaster, when our circumstances are doom and gloom, or when pain becomes overwhelming, and our natural response is to be alarmed and fearful. So, what does a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind do in the face of fear? It removes fear’s death grip that tries to paralyse us. Fear can come, but it cannot stay and bind those who belong to the Lord because we are overcomers! “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4) “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 40:10) Jesus said, "Do not be afraid; only believe” (Luke 8:50). The Bible’s greatest illustration of fear and unbelief lasted forty years with the tribes of Israel who were camping out in the wilderness. Even though their wanderings took them close to the border of the Promised Land, they did not actually believe they could cross over because they had already succumbed to fear. They knew it was their right to possess the land, because God had given the land to them, but their faith had a fatal flaw—the disease of fear had enveloped what little faith was in their hearts. Their faith was useless for as long as they feared, which is why most of them never reached the Promised Land. They complained about their situation, but did not have enough faith to change it. They whined when they could have dined. Moses sent twelve spies from each head of the tribes of Israel to spy out the land of Canaan as the Lord had commanded (Numbers, Chapter 13). There were two very different reports from the spies when they returned. This resulted in ten of them falling prey to unbelief and discouragement, and two full of faith with courage to move forward and possess the land. This is probably a normal average—two out of twelve believe and get what God has for them. The rest only wish for it and die, never taking hold of it. There will always be more of those who are full of fear than those who are full of faith… which will you choose to be? This bible study was adapted from 'Faith the Link' by Reinhard Bonnke. Some believe that simply having faith is an entitlement to blessing and prosperity. Others believe that faith in oneself is all that is needed in life. Order your copy of 'Faith the Link' using the link above!