God and the bear....

God and the bear.... 

I was sitting on a bench at a campground reading last Saturday morning. I looked up and in front of me was one of those chainsaw carvings of a bear. The artist made the bear kind of cute and harmless. I couldn’t help but think about a few outdoor encounters that I have had with bears, and they are definitely not cute and harmless. When encountering a bear, it has been said that you are not to run. You are to put your arms in the air, look as big as you can, and make noise. Many of us will most likely never encounter an actual bear. But there will be many times in our lives that we will encounter a bear on our spiritual journey. The above suggestion when encountering a bear is not to run but to dominate the moment. That is easier said than done. For just a moment, let's imagine this  scenario. You are walking on a path through some woods and you hear the sound of some timber cracking. You turn and see a bear digging in an old log, foraging for food. You see him, and then he sees you. He is no more than a street-wide distance across from where you are standing. You first think maybe you’ll just hold still, and he will go away. Nope, he starts to move towards you. You suddenly remember the advice given to you from a friend: “Stand your ground, look as big as you can, and make noise; do not run.” But the bear is coming closer, a little quicker than he started, and the closer he gets, the bigger he gets. Fear sets in, aaaand you run. So does the bear, but after you. You cannot outrun a bear. This is a good analogy when it comes to the spiritual encounters that Satan puts before us everywhere throughout our journey. We often forget who’s bigger: God or Satan? We allow Satan and our fallen nature to work together, causing us to doubt, then to fear. We run, and the bear pursues and overcomes us. When we encounter those spiritual bears, we must remind ourselves of so many verses that God has given us to feed from, His words  stand strong and big against the bears we encounter. Remember that throughout the situations you encounter today. 

The bears big, I’m small but God’s bigger!!

60 SECONDS & TIMES UP

Here are a few encouraging words from your Father;

2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation

of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go

out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” 

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

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