Intimidation

•   God can help us overcome intimidation (Genesis 15: 1)-Genesis 15:1 (NIV) After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
• God does not forget us when we are intimidated (Genesis 46: 3)-Genesis 46:3 (NIV) “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.
• We do not need to fear anyone (Psalm 27: 1)-Psalm 27:1 (NIV) The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
• God empower us (Psalm 46: 1-3)-Psalm 46:1 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:2 (NIV) Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, Psalm 46:3 (NIV) though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
• We do not need to be intimidated (Psalm 112: 7-8)-Psalm 112:7 (NIV) They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  Psalm 112:8 (NIV) Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
• Jesus' strength can give us courage (John 16: 33)-John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
• God will help us be bold (Acts 4: 31)-Acts 4:31 (NIV) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
• Be on your guard against intimidation (1 Corinthians 16: 13)-1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
• Pray for courage (Ephesians 6: 19-20)-Ephesians 6:19 (NIV) Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:20 (NIV) for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
• Christians can pray without being intimidated (Hebrews 4: 16)-Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

God can help us overcome intimidation in the hardest of times; as Abraham had feared that he would not have descendants, he wondered who would inherit all that he would leave behind in continuance of his calling.  The LORD assured him, that he would have an heir of his own bowels.  And it was so.  We need not fear or feel intimidated by what we cannot yet see.  God will provide a way even when we cannot see a way.  In these verses we see how God is giving His servants encouragement when they feel intimidated by the unknown.  We do not need to be afraid of anyone.  The LORD is our light and our salvation; we do not need to be afraid of darkness or of the enemy; we have assurance in our faith in our LORD Christ Jesus.  Even as the LORD was instructing and guiding Israel into the land of Egypt; He was loving in His encouragement and continued to assure them that He would be with them.  God is our provider and our strength; he is our rescuer in times of distress; when we feel troubled; even if the earth shakes and trembles; we will not fear because we know He is with us. We do not need to fear bad news, we know that even in times of bad news, He will work things out for our good.  And we look in triumph on our foes; because we have the MOST HIGH GOD living in our hearts; we have nothing to fear.  The LORD gives us assurance; even in times of death we shall not fear because He has overcome the world!  He himself has died on the cross due to the fact that they did not believe He was God.  But, He raised from the dead, He beat death and reassures us that we also will beat death.  And we will live forever and reign with HIM.  The Holy Spirit gives us strength and courage so that we may speak boldly to all the nations in the world and proclaim His gospel and truth.  He instructs us to be on guard against intimidation; to stand firm in our faith; be courageous and strong, and not allow others to intimidate us because of our faith nor to follow or serve other gods.  Because we know there is no salvation for those who do follow and serve other gods or faiths. We should pray for courage; for ourselves and for one another; that we may speak boldly of the truth of the gospel of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Because the LORD knew that there would be places in the world where believers would be imprisoned, beaten, intimidated, and even killed for their faith in the ONE and TRUE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.  Christians can pray without being intimidated; thanks for the sacrifice of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ; who died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins; we now have HIS Spirit living in our hearts and we can boldly approach the Father in heaven who hears the prayers of our hearts. And He answers them all the time; I see answered prayers every morning when I wake up and look in the mirror; I could have died long ago.  But the LORD has been more than good to my parents and all others who have prayed for me.  May the God of grace continue to bless all who read and believe in His majesty!  God bless you all!  Amen!!!!