ICEMANforChrist

Psalm, Chapter 33, Verse 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all who dwell in the world show him reverence.

2 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 11 For behold what earnestness this godly sorrow has produced for you, as well as readiness for a defense, and indignation, and fear , and yearning, and zeal, and punishment. In every way you have shown yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

Mark, Chapter 11, verse 18 The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. This was after Jesus had overturned the money changers tables. The priests were not afraid of the man Jesus, for they did not know or care if He was the messiah. They only respected money, power, or the ability to sway or manipulate the crowd. In this chapter of Mark’s gospel he also included the story of the fig tree. The fig tree was cursed by Jesus before He entered the temple because it although was healthy and looked as if it held much fruit was barren. After the incident in the temple the same tree had withered and died because it did not produce. It did not live up to its created purpose. Mark records it thus, “Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree ...

2 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way—external conflicts, internal fears .

2 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God. 

2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 11 Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we are clearly apparent to God, and I hope we are also apparent to your consciousness.

1 Corinthians, chapter 16, verse 10 If Timothy comes, see that he is without fear in your company, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am. Sometimes God chooses a person to do his work that is not a winner of the popularity contest. Timothy seems to be one of these. Even Christ Himself was disdained when only the 12 remained. Therefore have courage if you are doing the work of the Lord and you are not winning everyone’s BFF. Today is Memorial Day and we honor those who have paid the supreme sacrifice of devotion to our nation. Pray today for the souls of those taken in battle. In the communion of saints it is our duty; no our honor to pray for the souls of those in our company who have died; especially those who have passed through the valley of fear in the heat of battle. While stationed in Mons, Belgium there is the legend of the Angels of Mons , where it was reported the British soldiers were saved by heavenly forces. One thing is certain: There are...

John, Chapter 20, verse 19: 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

1 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 27 27  No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.  Paul is telling us that as Christians we must set the example and be all things to all. We must as is sometimes attributed to the sayings of St. Francis, “preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” This is the first premise of leadership. As leaders, especially Christian leaders, we must demonstrate the Be, Know and Do attitudes of Christ. That is we must become an “Alter Christus” or another Christ. We must BE to others as Christ would. We must KNOW spiritual principals as Christ does and we must act or DO in the world as Christ would. This week in our book study of Character is Destiny [1]  we will be studying the character traits exemplified by Lord Nelson who was the epitome of a person who displays the characteristics associated with having the trait of RESPONSIBILITY. [1] McCain , ...

Psalm, Chapter 103, Verse 11 11  For as the heavens tower over the earth, so his mercy towers over those who fear him. ( Novena to the Holy Spirit ) The earth is indeed blessed among all the planets in our solar system because of our heaven. As the heavens have made the earth a garden rich with life like so is God over those who are faithful and love Him. In today’s gospel our Lord asks Peter if he loves Him three times.  One time for each of the times Peter denied our Lord on the eve of His crucifixion thus nullifying Peter’s denials and restoring him. Christ asks Peter with each affirmation to 1) feed His lambs 2) tend His sheep and 3) feed His sheep.  I see a connection between Christ’s institution of Peter’s leadership and our book study of leadership in Character is Destiny. [1] First Christ asks Peter if he loves Him more than the others thus establishing Peters leadership on love (Mother Theresa). Next Christ tells Peter to feed His lambs to give t...

1 Corinthians, chapter 2 3  I came to you in weakness  and  fear  and much trembling,  4  and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive (words of) wisdom,  but with a demonstration of spirit and power,  5  so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Romans, Chapter 13, verse 3-4 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear to good conduct, but to evil. Do you wish to have no fear of authority? Then do what is good and you will receive approval from it, 4 for it is a servant of God for your good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword without purpose; it is the servant of God to inflict wrath on the evildoer. ( Novena to the Holy Spirit ) What we are talking about here is blind obedience or loyalty. Paul concludes that believers are to render obedience to governing authorities and by doing so they render obedience to God from whose power all authority comes. Paul deduces that kings and magistrates rule by consent of God, but it is the responsibility of these authorities to make just ordinances and to enact laws that support decency. Caesar is not entitled to obedience when such obedience would nullify God’s prior claim to the believer’s morality. We see this reflected in the Declaration of Independenc...

Romans, Chapter 8, verse 14-15 14  For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15  For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear , but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” By the sacrifice of Christ, we are the adopted children of God, who feared none, and by whose sufferings and glory we share; by reason of the Holy Spirits presence within us. We are thus giving us a new life and relationship with God. ( Novena to the Holy Spirit ) To some is giving the gift of tongues. To which many years ago (40 to be exact February 1975) at the birth of my first born daughter I had gone to the Gunpowder Inn, in  Bermuda,  to celebrate her birth, with a couple of Native American friends. At the time I was in the Navy Seabees and we worked together. When I had got there, all of the sudden, I got an overwhelming feeling that I needed to speak in tongues to P. Graves and I...

Romans, Chapter 3, verse 10-18 10 “There is no one just, not one, 11  there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. 12  All have gone astray; all alike are worthless; there is not one who does good, [there is not] even one. 13  Their throats are open graves; they deceive with their tongues; the venom of asps is on their lips; 14  their mouths are full of bitter cursing. 15  Their feet are quick to shed blood; 16  ruin and misery are in their ways, 17  and the way of peace they know not. 18  There is no fear of God before their eyes.” ( Novena to the Holy Spirit ) By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to under take without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of e...

Acts, Chapter 27, verse 29 29  Fearing that we would run aground on a rocky coast, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. Today is the Feast of the Ascension; the day our Lord went to the Father. The disciples were heartbroken but He promised them that He would send the Holy Spirit ( Novena to the Holy Spirit ) saying it is better for us that He leave us so we may receive power from on high. The first gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of Holy fear; to respond to God’s love as a son or daughter rather than a servant. As I reflect on this message personally I see that I have been enabling my youngest (23) of seven  children and I have had some consternation over leaving with his step mother to visit her family on the other side of the country but I think it would be better for him (my son) if I go; it will give him a chance to grow. I will however endeavor to keep up this daily blog. Reflect on today’s gospel, where is ...

Acts, Chapter 27, verse 22-25 22 I urge you now to keep up your courage; not one of you will be lost, only the ship. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom (I) belong and whom I serve stood by me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid , Paul. You are destined to stand before Caesar; and behold, for your sake, God has granted safety to all who are sailing with you.’ 25 Therefore, keep up your courage, men; I trust in God that it will turn out as I have been told. God calls all peoples to the one covenant whether they be Jew, Muslim, and Catholic or in this case roman pagans. Courage only the ship will be lost. As men we make ourselves ships; ships which are the symbol of our values and our idealism. If our values and idealism is not in compliance with the covenant our ship will break up. Jeremiah 31:31-34: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with th...