God – New Hope Baptist Church https://thenewhopedallas.org Come Worship with Us Thu, 22 Aug 2024 21:11:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 Overcoming Our Fears Begins and Ends with God https://thenewhopedallas.org/2024/08/22/overcoming-our-fears-begins-and-ends-with-god/ Thu, 22 Aug 2024 21:11:47 +0000 https://thenewhopedallas.org/?p=2981

Fear is a powerful and universal emotion that affects everyone, including Christians. However, the Bible offers us a truth that encourage believers to overcome their fears through faith in God. By understanding and applying these biblical principles, we can find the strength to face our fears with confidence and peace.

Trusting in God’s Presence
One of the most reassuring promises in the Bible is God’s constant presence with His people. In Isaiah 41:10, God says, “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.” This verse reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles. God’s presence provides a foundation for courage, as it assures believers that He is with us in every situation, offering His strength and support.

The New Testament echoes this promise in Matthew 28:20, where Jesus tells His disciples, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Knowing that Christ is always with us empowers us to face fear, understanding that we have divine support and guidance at all times.

Embracing the Peace of Christ
Jesus Christ offers peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that can conquer even the deepest fears. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the believer’s relationship with Christ. It is a peace that can calm anxieties and fears, providing a sense of security and stability in the midst of life’s challenges.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes this in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Turning to God in prayer and entrusting Him with all our fear and concerns allows us to experience His peace, which acts as a protective guard over our hearts and minds.

Relying on God’s Power
The Bible frequently reminds believers that God is all-powerful and that His power is available to them. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul writes, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” This verse encourages Christians to reject fear and instead embrace the power that God has given them. This power enables us to overcome fear and to live out our faith boldly and confidently.

Furthermore, the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 is a powerful example of relying on God’s power to conquer fear. Despite the overwhelming odds, David, a young shepherd, was not afraid to face the giant Goliath because he trusted in God’s power rather than his own. His victory serves as a reminder that no matter how daunting the challenges we face, God’s power is greater, and with Him, we can overcome anything.

Meditating on God’s Word
The Bible is filled with verses that encourage believers to overcome fear. Meditating on these scriptures can strengthen our faith and help us confront our fears. For instance, Psalm 34:4 states, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” This verse highlights the importance of seeking God in times of fear and trusting Him to provide deliverance.

Joshua 1:9 is another powerful verse: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” By meditating on and memorizing such verses, Christians can fill their minds with God’s truth, which helps to dispel fear and build faith.

Focusing on God’s Love
Perfect love drives out fear, as stated in 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” Understanding and experiencing God’s perfect love is key to conquering fear. When Christians focus on God’s love for them, they are reminded that He cares for them deeply and will not allow them to be overwhelmed by their fears. This realization of divine love strengthens believers, enabling them to face life’s challenges with confidence and trust in God’s protection.

Fear is a natural part of the human experience, but for Christians, it does not have to be a dominating force. By trusting in God’s presence, embracing the peace of Christ, relying on God’s power, meditating on His Word, and focusing on His love, we can overcome our fears. God’s faithfulness and power in the lives of those who trust in Him assures us of this essential truth. Through faith, we can move beyond fear and live boldly, fulfilling God’s purposes for our lives.

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Knowing and Understanding the Attributes of God https://thenewhopedallas.org/2024/07/29/knowing-and-understanding-the-attributes-of-god/ Mon, 29 Jul 2024 20:48:16 +0000 https://thenewhopedallas.org/?p=2977

Understanding the attributes of God is central to the our Christian faith, providing us with a deeper comprehension of His nature and how He interacts with the world. Both the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible reveal various attributes of God, which have been further explored by many Christian scholars. This article discusses just  some of the key attributes of God as presented in Scripture, with insights from trusted theologians.

Omniscience (All-Knowing)
One of the fundamental attributes of God is His omniscience, meaning that God is all-knowing. This attribute is clearly presented in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, Psalm 139:1-4 declares, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” This passage highlights God’s intimate knowledge of every detail of human life, emphasizing His complete understanding of the past, present, and future.

In the New Testament, 1 John 3:20 states, “For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” Protestant scholar Wayne Grudem, in his work *Systematic Theology*, explains that God’s omniscience is essential for His sovereignty, as it ensures that nothing happens outside of His knowledge and control.

Omnipotence (All-Powerful)
God’s omnipotence, or all-powerfulness, is another key attribute emphasized in Scripture. In the Old Testament, God’s power is demonstrated in creation, as seen in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The sheer act of creating the universe ex nihilo (out of nothing) underscores God’s unmatched power.

In the New Testament, Revelation 19:6 refers to God as the “Almighty,” indicating His supreme power over all things. John Calvin, a prominent Protestant Reformer, argued that God’s omnipotence is evident in His ability to fulfill His will without any hindrance. Calvin notes in his *Institutes of the Christian Religion* that God’s power is manifest not only in creation but also in His continual governance of the world.

Holiness
The holiness of God is one of His most emphasized attributes, particularly in the Old Testament. Isaiah 6:3 vividly portrays God’s holiness through the seraphim’s cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” This thrice-repeated declaration signifies the absolute purity and otherness of God, setting Him apart from all known existence.

In the New Testament, 1 Peter 1:16 echoes Leviticus 11:44 by commanding believers to be holy, as God is holy. R.C. Sproul, a well-known Protestant theologian, explored God’s holiness extensively in his book *The Holiness of God*. Sproul asserts that understanding God’s holiness is crucial for grasping the gravity of sin and the necessity of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

Immutability (Unchanging Nature)
God’s immutability refers to His unchanging nature. Malachi 3:6 in the Old Testament states, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” This verse affirms that God’s character and promises remain constant over time, providing assurance to His people.

Similarly, in the New Testament, James 1:17 describes God as the “Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” A.W. Pink, in his work *The Attributes of God*, highlights that God’s immutability ensures the reliability of His promises and the consistency of His character, which are vital for the believer’s faith.

Omnipresence (Everywhere Present)
God’s omnipresence, His ability to be present everywhere simultaneously, is another significant attribute. Psalm 139:7-10 beautifully articulates this truth: “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!”

In the New Testament, Matthew 28:20 includes Jesus’ promise to His disciples: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This promise affirms God’s continual presence with His people. J.I. Packer, in *Knowing God*, emphasizes that God’s omnipresence is a source of comfort, especially in times of trouble, reminding believers that they are never alone.

Love
The attribute of love is perhaps the most celebrated aspect of God’s nature. The Old Testament frequently describes God’s love for Israel, such as in Deuteronomy 7:9, which states, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.”

The New Testament expands on this theme, with 1 John 4:8 declaring, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This profound statement underscores that love is intrinsic to God’s nature. Protestant theologian Karl Barth argued in his *Church Dogmatics* that God’s love is the foundation of all His actions toward humanity, culminating in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.

The attributes of God, as revealed in the Bible, paint a comprehensive picture of His nature and character. These attributes—omniscience, omnipotence, holiness, immutability, omnipresence, and love—are essential for understanding who God is and how He interacts with His creation. Protestant Christian scholars have provided valuable insights into these attributes, helping believers to deepen their faith and relationship with God. Understanding these attributes is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a means of drawing closer to the God who is both transcendent and immanent, both just and merciful.

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