Fear - Mankind's Greatest Foe 
"So first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror."      Franklin D. Roosevelt

A number of recent news stories highlighted the growing fear by many people, due to the increase of terrorism, world disasters, war, tsunamis, terrorist attacks, earthquakes and world viruses and diseases.

Fear is a Universal Enemy
Fear & anxiety is a universal enemy and certainly not a new enemy. Fear had its beginning with Adam's rebellion and fall, in the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve had disobeyed God's directive to them, fear entered their hearts.     

"And Adam said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I am naked; and I hid myself." (Genesis 3:10)

In the last days "Men's Hearts will fail them for fear"
That the slavish tentacles of fear are spreading and increasing in intensity is also prophetical. Jesus declared that in the last days "men's hearts will fail them for fear..." (Luke 21:26)

The leading cause of death is heart disease
The leading cause of death is heart disease. People are suffering from strain, anxiety and stress is adversely affecting a large number of men and women. Alcohol consumption, drug abuse and anxiety attacks are increasing, all contributing to heart disease!

Cancer is # 2 leading cause of death - Fear is a major contributor
Cancer is the No. 2 killer and medical science believes "fear" is a contributor - because it constricts the vessels carrying blood to affected areas.            

Cigarette smoking is a major cause of heart disease and sickness, but why do people smoke? Often, because they are uptight, nervous, anxious and afraid!

Fear is the "Enemy" Among Us
Fear is "the enemy" among us and is taking a tremendous toll; psychologically, economically, domestically and physically! As well as politically, both nationally and world wide!                     

Fear destroys relationships, hinders growth in business, impedes academic progress, breaks up families and keeps people out of church!

Fear is often the cause of strife, worry, bitterness, resentment, jealousy and hatred - but fear can be conquered and driven out of our lives!      

Many years ago, USA  President Herbert Hoover stated: "The dominant emotion everywhere in the world is FEAR. This applies to every part of human activities - finance, industry, farmers, workers, thinkers and government officials."

The ATLANTIC CHARTER - USA President Roosevelt

The Atlantic Charter, drawn up by US President Theodore Roosevelt  and Britain's Sir Winston Churchill is still heralded as one of history's greatest documents, championing the common liberties of mankind.

  Freedom from fear
  Freedom from speech
  Freedom from want
  Freedom from religion

It contained four essential freedoms: freedom from want, freedom from fear, freedom of speech and freedom of religion!           

New York City's Dr. David Mitchell declared, humans are born with only two fears; sound of a sudden noise, and unexpected removal of support or falling!

There are however many unreal, imagined and unreasonable fears, which plague mankind. These, we must reject in order to enjoy good mental health and peace of mind!

Neurologists believe that the lower central part of the brain called the thalamus is the center of all emotions; this is where fearful thoughts issue from. The nerve center is also where affection and love are born.       

It is therefore important that we sort out our thoughts and allow only those that are sane, sensible, wholesome and truthful stay in our minds.                 

The Bible says: "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he".

And St. Paul admonished: "Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report...think on these things". (Philippians 4:8)

Phobias - There are more than 40 documented phobias
There are more than 40 phobias that harass humanity today - from ailurophobes (the fear of cats) to zoophobia (the fear of animals in general). And there is healing for everyone - through faith in Jesus Christ - and some old-fashioned common sense.

 JESUS CHRIST CAN HEAL YOUR FEARS & PHOBIAS 
- IF YOU JUST TRUST IN HIM

The Bible says, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind". (2 Timothy 1:7)

President Roosevelt stated, "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself", and the Bible says, "...perfect love casts out all fears."(1 John 4:18)

What is the opposite of fear? It is faith and faith brings us peace and tranquility! 

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

The Bible says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)             

Since perfect love removes all fears, it is good to know that God is love and His love has reached out to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for us!

And because He arose from the dead and is not only the testator but the executor of His own will - through the Holy Spirit - we are assured of His total peace and healing for spirit, soul (mind) and body!

JESUS CHRIST - THE WORLD'S GREATEST PHILOSOPHER

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." (Luke 6:31)

President George W. Bush, while campaigning for the Republican primaries (Feb. 2000) made a very profound statement, more intellectually brilliant than many of the theologians, philosophers and politicians which I have studied for the past 40 years.

REPORTERS ASKED GEORGE BUSH WHO WAS THE GREATEST PHILOSOPHER - He replied, "Jesus Christ".

When asked by reporters, "Who do you consider the greatest philosopher"?  He answered, "Christ.  He changed my heart!"

I BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE GREATEST PHILOSOPHER

I have often used those very same words.  I have often stated unequivocally that the 'philosophies of Jesus' are unparalleled and incomparable to any other philosopher or religious guru.

THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER JESUS AND HIS PARABLE ON THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Ask yourself: "Could anyone improve upon His parable of the 'Good Samaritan' which He used to lecture the lawyer who asked, "Who is my neighbor?" The answer is, ‘certainly not!"

PLATO - THE GREEK PHILOSOPHER 

Let's look at the statements and actions of some of the so-called great philosophers we have had to study over the years: Plato (427-348 B.C.) Greek Philosopher - a student of Socrates, a Greek teacher of wisdom and ethics - in 375 B.C. stated:

"Our men & women should be forbidden by law to live together in separate households and all women should be common to all men. Similarly, all children should be held in common. No parent should know its child or child its parent."

PLATO WAS A WARPED & TWISTED PHILOSOPHER - HOW COULD THIS SO CALLED GREAT PHILOSOPHER BE TRUSTED ON OPINIONS OF GOD, EXISTENCE, LIFE, DEATH OR AFTER-LIFE

Have you heard of anything so warped, wanton & twisted, coming from the pen of a so-called brilliant philosopher? Without doubt, Plato was a deviant and pervert of the first degree!

After reading such a carnal, lustful and immoral statement about the sacred state of marriage, love and family, how could anyone trust his opinions about God, existence, the purpose of life, death or the 'afterlife'! The teaching of Socrates, who advocated that "virtue is wisdom", was most certainly lost on his protégé, Plato!

THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER - JESUS CHRIST HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT LIFE!

He said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me."  (John 14:6)  He stated, "The thief (devil) cometh not but to steal, kill and destroy. I am come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

BERTRAND RUSSELL - PHILOSOPHER - WHY I AM NOT A CHRISTIAN

Bertrand Russell: This supposedly brilliant philosopher lived to be almost 100 years of age and died as an unbeliever. And, that is sad! He wrote the book, 'Why I am Not a Christian', even after having had the privilege of reading the greatest of all books, the Holy Bible, which is the Word of God.

THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER JESUS CHRIST
- Philosophy on Eternal Life

Jesus Christ declared: "Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me."  (John 5:39), and St. Paul stated that "the Scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation." (2 Timothy 3:15)

And He spoke about Eternal Life: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

WE CANNOT COMPARE A GREAT PHILOSOPHER LIKE JESUS TO OTHER PHILOSOPHERS

We cannot compare Jesus Christ, the Son of God, with a spiritual illiterate like Bertrand Russell, who at an advanced age - when he should have known better - allegedly dispensed advise about loosening our moral codes to give more license to "free sex"!

How irresponsible to give such advice to a generation of young people - who were already ‘chomping at the bit’ to kick-over-the-traces sexually, causing broken hearts, broken homes, aborted babies and untold suffering for so many for years to come!

They say, "There's no fool like an old fool" and I say, "There is no fool like an old philosopher."   I challenge any pointy headed university professor, seminary theologian or media talking-head to come up with a better philosophy than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which changes hearts and lives for the better!

THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER JESUS REGULARLY QUOTED THE
 LAW, PSALMS & THE PROPHETS!

Jeremiah stated, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (incurably sick): who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9; Eccl. 9:3) And Jesus declared, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness." (Mark 7:21,22)

Ezekiel stated: "Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions...A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

"And will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgements, and do them." (Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26,27)

St. Paul says: "Therefore, if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation; behold, old things are passed away; all things become new." (2 Corinthians  5:17) Jesus Christ is not only the Saviour of the world, the Great Physician and Healer of broken hearts, minds and families, but He is also the greatest Teacher and dispenser of Wisdom and Understanding this world will ever know!

THE PHILOSOPHIES OF JESUS - JESUS WAS THE WORLD'S GREATEST PHILOSOPHER AND WORLD'S GREATEST TEACHER

It is true, not only was Jesus the greatest Philosopher but he was also the world's greatest teacher.  Jesus changes hearts and lives today! And isn't that what everyone hopes and longs for? By the Person of the blessed Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is reaching out even now to bring forgiveness, love, peace, joy & healing to each one of us at this very moment! He said, "Come unto Me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER JESUS WAS DIFFERENT THAN 
OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADERS

The Bible says: "And it came to pass, when He had ended these saying, the people were astonished at His doctrine: For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."  (Matthew 7: 28, 29) 

He said: "Let them alone. They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall in the ditch."  (Matthew 15: 14)

Unmasking their hypocrisy, He warned: "Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 20) 

He admonished the multitude: "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not after their works: for they say and do not." (Matthew  23:3) Jesus hated hypocrisy, saying that we should practice what we preach!

He detested legalism and man made moral laws that were unfair: "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves" will not lift a finger to move them! 

Pride is an abomination in God's sight, He charged: "But all their works they do to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the border of their garments, and they love the uppermost seats in the synagogues."

JESUS THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER ADVOCATED HUMILITY

He advocated humility: "He that is greatest among you, shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23: 4-12)

THE PHILOSOPHY OF JESUS ON LOVE & COMPASSION JESUS 
WAS MOVED BY COMPASSION!

Jesus' great love and compassion was anchored in truth He knew Who He was, why He had come and what His mission was! He stated: "I am come to seek an to save that which is lost." (Luke 19:10)

The Bible says: "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8) 

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd."  (Matthew 9:35. 36)

Jesus shook the consciences of His religious adversaries when he stated: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shall love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matthew 5: 43, 43)

THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER JESUS - WHY SHOULD WE LOVE 
THOSE WHO HATE US?

Jesus, the great philosopher gave us a powerful philosophy on why we should love people who hate us.  Jesus Christ gives us the answer: "That ye may be children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to shine on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

If we love only those who love us, we are no better that the drunk who loves his fellow drunks, the mafia members who love only their own 'families' or the Islamic Jihad terrorists who hate all Christians and Jews, and love only their own select group of Arabs and Muslims!

Why must we love even our enemies? We are followers of the Nazarene, the Jewish Messiah and the world's only Saviour, God's Son Who was incarnated (God in human flesh) so that He could die for our sins on a rugged cross on Golgotha's hill!

St. John stated: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God: and every one that loveth is born of God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. We love Him because He first loved us." (I John 4: 7-11, 19).

A fallacy in the teachings of Islam states that Allah loves only those who love him. If that is true, we serve very different Gods, for the true God the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - loves us all so much, that He sent His Son to procure our salvation, through His all-atoning Blood that was shed for us! And He commands us to love one another!