NOT THE SPIRIT OF FEAR (Lk. 12:32) Tells us not to be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little ones, for it is the Father´s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. Now this verse speaks to me constantly, standing in the middle of the woods, at night or waiting on customers to buy flowers. It speaks to me when someone I know dies, or when sickness comes upon me. It is the power of knowing that God takes pleasure in giving us the kingdom that comforts. Knowing God is always there gives strength to go where I want, and do what I need to do. No longer do I look over my shoulder, or walk in fear of what will happen. I must admit, once I feared everything. Like most people I was taught fear at a very young age. My parents use fear to stop me from harming myself. They taught me to fear darkness, by warning of the boogie man. As soon as I was old enough to watch t.v., I was bombarded with violence from cartoons. Oh! You say, no one can learn fear from cartoons; they are just made up characters. Well not only do we learn to fear, but we also learn violence. Our minds are constantly thinking of ways to protect ourselves from certain dangers. Fear becomes the leading principle in our lives. We move in small familiar circles, in hopes of avoiding dangers. Now people always tell me that I should be afraid of the dark, and I should be afraid of this, and afraid of that. I am not to go here and not to go there. I should wear certain clothes and pray a certain way, at a certain time. When will it stop? I learned to be afraid of God, when I was young also. I was taught God would punish me, if I didn´t do certain good acts. I learned to do well in front of others, or when I thought God was looking at me. My goodness, like so many others, was taught from fear. My goodness was only an act. I was preforming good deeds, in and out of fear of God. Blindly I helped others cause I wanted to score high with the Man above. It was not until I learned about the love of God that I stopped fearing Him. When I learned God loved me, it changed my life. The more I saw the love of God, working in my life, the more I realized that God would protect me always. He loves me just as He loved David. If David could sing about God being with him in the valley of death, I can sing about God being with me, everywhere I go. The Bible assures us that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and sound mind. Looking at the scriptures we see verse after verse about fearing the Lord. Like the verse that says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Now when I first read this, automatically I thought being frightful of God produced wisdom. Well this is just wrong as two left shoes. When I read (Ps. 111: 10) in the Amplified Bible, it gave me a better understanding. The words reverent fear and worship, showed me that David was not talking about being afraid of God, but rather respecting Him. David was saying that once we start respecting and loving God, we are beginning to have wisdom. And a wise man does not fear. When we think about it, it makes no sense for God to create a being to live in fear of Him. Why would God make mankind in His image, give him dominion over the earth, and a spirit of fear? How can a man full of fear dominate? Contrary to all our wrong teachings, the word of God says, God takes delight in giving all who desire His kingdom. God would not offer His Kingdom to a bunch of scary cats. The power of fear loses it grip, once we understand whom we are, in relation to God. When a man sees himself as being the child of God, he no longer has to look over his shoulder. He knows wherever he goes goodness and mercy follow him. He knows all doors will be opened, and all needs will be met. He knows that even if he gets in the pits of hell God is with him. Think of the peace of knowing you are always protected. This peace is more valuable than diamonds and gold. Try imaging a life totally dependent upon our Father. People would become bold as lions, and meek as doves, knowing they were covered. This my friend is one of the primary ministries of Jesus Jesus came to tell the people that God was our Father and that we all could be in the same kingdom. He came to show all men, they could enter the kingdom of God, through love. God sent His Son, into the world, to tell men, He loved them. For when a man knows he is loved of God, he can live in dominion instead of fear. Why would Jesus come down here, leave His heavenly home for something less than the Image of God, with the Dominion of God? ? He would not! So let us find out why Jesus felt it was very important for mankind to understand he was born in God´s image. Oh, and just that you will understand that all mankind is the same in the eyes of God, God did not choose a certain type of people to enter the kingdom. Everyone has a chance to live God´s intended plan His crowning glory. Being a member of Gods´s kingdom set us free from fear. It is not possible for a man to enter the kingdom of God without love in his heart. It is not possible to be in the kingdom and live in fear. Knowing whom you are and what you have, gives courage to be all you can be. There is no time to think about fear. That is why Jesus said to find the kingdom and, everything would come to you. To a man established in the kingdom, trusting God becomes as natural as breathing. There is no way fear can stop you. Whom or what shall you fear?