Finish Strong With Fearless Faith

"Don't Panic" #45 REAIR

June 27, 2022 Fearless Faith
Finish Strong With Fearless Faith
"Don't Panic" #45 REAIR
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Show Notes Transcript

Being told "Don't Panic" is easier said than done when you're going through stressful times and chaos.  War continues between Ukraine and Russia  The economy is in a freefall, with gas prices as high as we can remember.  The world's values seem to have lost their way. The future is very uncertain.  You may have some personal chaos to add to "the list".

This previously run episode is by far our most listened to podcast and has even ranked #9 in the country under the religion and spiritual category.  Dan, Brian and Terry will encourage you with some thoughts and suggestions for coping with the world and the headlines we're living in today.

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Terry Steen:

He talks about the circumstances that they're in. And I guess we wouldn't really know how we'd respond until we ourselves. Were in a Turkish prison somewhere. But I do, by the way, 10

Dan Wheeler:

If you're in a Turkish prison, it's probably in Turkey, it would be you said a Turkish person somewhere. I just wonder

Terry Steen:

if you are anywhere, Turkey,

Dan Wheeler:

any kind of prison in Turkey

Terry Steen:

that has that Turkish feel to it?

John Matarazzo:

Live your life with purpose, change someone's life for the better, and leave a lasting impact on those around you. Welcome to finish strong, the podcast designed to help you discover your unique purpose and develop a plan to leave a powerful legacy. Dan, Brian and Terry are ready. So let's get started.

Dan Wheeler:

Boy, there's not a lot of good news out there these days. When you read the headlines you hear about Russia invading Ukraine, illegal immigrants pouring across our borders, crime out of control, peaceful protesters in Canada getting arrested. It can be scary. We're going to talk about how not to be overcome with fear. You hear some of these things. It's just outright crazy. And that's why I'm joined by two crazy guys today. Jerry Steen and Brian Ron, you see how I did that there guys?

Brian Roland:

Well, crazy guys.

Dan Wheeler:

How have you been? By the way?

Terry Steen:

I've been called a lot worse than that. So I almost think that is accomplished?

Dan Wheeler:

Well, we have to balance our craziness out with our producer, John Matarazzo, who never gives around? Well, once in a while, once in a while. But you know, it's serious. I mean, there are things being proposed that you think my goodness, that's insane. And it seems like people are losing their minds these days.

Terry Steen:

Everywhere we look. And you know, I've hit points where I just quit watching the news. But I realize you really can't necessarily bury your head in the sand reality's reality. And we have to know what's going on to be able to address it, as well as do podcasts like this to encourage people to know how to handle the days we're in.

Brian Roland:

You know what you said to us, right? I quit watching the news, too. And Dan was up here a couple days ago. And we were talking and I had to ask him, What is that convoy thing about in Canada? I knew there was a convoy, but I had no idea. All

Dan Wheeler:

right, I watched it. Well, you know, it's easy to be overwhelmed with fear. You wonder what's going to happen to our world, our country, my family, my friends. You know, we wonder what kind of a world it'll be for our children and our grandchildren. I've heard you know, younger couples, newlyweds saying, I'm afraid to bring a child into the world. We're going to talk about all of that, because God is still in control. And we're gonna give you some ways on how you can overcome that fear. Our ministry is called fearless faith. But we want to overcome it. By having that kind of faith in this edition of finished strong, many things causing fear, guys, let's talk about it. What what in the headlines what in the news is bothering you these days? Well, for me,

Terry Steen:

it's this kind of times the our podcast a bit, but Russia just chose to invade the Ukraine. Mm hmm. And you put that along with what's going on in Canada, you put that the Olympics just ended in a communist country. And you're seeing socialism slash communism, getting larger and larger and squeezing us in and we know how even our country, there's some rumblings and so you put all those pieces together, Finland passed a law that it's illegal to say homosexuality is a sin. You can't even say that is a sin in Finland without potentially being arrested. So you put all that together and Christianity, you would think looking at those facts that Christianity is being squeezed out. But in reality, I think we know better.

Brian Roland:

Mm hmm. Yeah, a lot of people are pointing to zekiel. And they want you to read that now. They said they're we're at the cusp right there. And I'm hearing that from a lot of different ministers on the other podcast and their broadcast. And it's like, you know, we always seem to go there. But we're closer now more than ever. So what's going to be happening when the Antichrist is going to be revealed and Christ is going to return?

Dan Wheeler:

Yeah, there's a lot of feeling like we might, you know, this is the beginning of the last days. We don't know for sure. The Bible says no man knows. But with COVID There's been a lot of fear for a couple years out there. I see people wearing three masks inside their car, and I'm like, okay, that might be a little overkill. You know exactly and you see crime out of control. And yet people are crying to defund the police. What sense to Sam make

Brian Roland:

defunding the police but yet now they're calling for the police because or for some kind of protection, because a crime is taking over the smash and grabs that are going on. You see that people that can afford it have security that they're paying for. Because there's no police around. You see, back in California, especially the homelessness that has gotten out of hand and now it's becoming criminal of what's going on. Because there's a lot there's a lot of crime going on along with that. And there's not just a harassment but there's people are being bodily harm has been done the folks it just goes on and on.

Terry Steen:

And even closer to home is inflation. That's that's hitting our country's pocketbook. When it was running half a percent a percent. Nobody really thinks about it, or you don't notice it. But when it does what it's doing now to six and 7%. Everyone I talked to says when they come out of the grocery store, they're just numb at where prices are going and how empty the shelves are.

Dan Wheeler:

Right. And I was going to talk about that and with the truckers may be going on strike here making a statement supply chain issues might be messed up. Sorry, be what we're saying. I was

Brian Roland:

gonna say it's a public service announcement from our CFO, Terry steel.

Terry Steen:

Yeah, exactly. Right.

Dan Wheeler:

Yeah. So you know, what do we do we panic. That's not what the Bible says, the Bible says, Be wise as serpents, but harmless as doves. So be wise, there are some things we can do to prepare, it's probably not a bad idea to stock up on some canned goods, some paper products, some pasta, Brian, and I went to Sam's Club there today and bought some things, just kind of wise to do that. But I think the key guys is, don't panic because God is with us.

Terry Steen:

So true. I was thinking about some of the things when we're talking about what do we do? And how do we not panic. And I think a couple things. One is look at history. And keep a perspective. If we go back in history, many decades, even centuries, there were some terrible things that took place, similar to things going on. And if we'll keep that in perspective, it was not the end of the world. It did not take everybody down. Obviously, there were some issues, there were things people had to work through. But I think it's so important to look at history and keep a perspective. And then as we always know the importance of prayer, and we lose sight of it. Sometimes we get paralyzed. And we wonder if God's really going to or free can do anything about it. And I was reminded of Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar and I want to read this verse and Daniel to the 21st verse, it says, He removes kings, and he raises up kings, he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He raises up leadership, he opposes leadership, he can do anything he wants, with anybody he wants in any country he wants. And when, when that happened, and Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar his dream, and realized, whoa, your God truly is the God of the universe, and began to worship His God. I'm just saying anything can happen if we pray.

Brian Roland:

Mm hm. And to that point to when I was when I was looking over the outline of what we wanted to talk about today, I looked at Luke 2136. That said, but stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things, that you're that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of God. So wow, that's, that's perfect for this time, we have to stay in prayer and ask for the string and be prepared. Like you're saying D. We have to be prepared for this. But it's going to take place and the only way to be prepared is to stay in prayer.

Dan Wheeler:

Right? And Hebrews 13 Five says, God says I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. I often look back over my life. And I say, God protected me back then. That's right. He's protecting me now. He will protect me in the future. He will never leave us or forsake us. And you talked about other governments and regimes, and there's been all kinds of bad things in the past. I'm reading the book called killing Jesus, by Bill O'Reilly and Martin du Gard and he was talking in the beginning about the world that Jesus was born into. Herod was an evil baby. That guy. I mean, he heard that another king would be coming and and was born and he heard that from the Wiseman he sent out his soldiers to kill all the baby boys two years and under, throughout that region of the world, he would often kill people at the drop of the hat just because he didn't like something they did. So God does promise to be with us in those difficult times. We have to overcome fear with faith. I mean, Philippians four, six says, Be anxious for nothing. So we can't we need to be aware of what's going on. But we can't let us let it overwhelm us. And Brian, you know, there's many stories in the Bible. I think a Steven stoning Paul and Silas, people were able to rejoice on hard times, weren't they?

Brian Roland:

You know, that's just the our pastor my church on Sunday. Well, Dan was with me there, he even talked about that. And that. It's just amazing how when people are enslaved, and that and 10 people were in prison, and especially with Paul, I think, a Paul because he just they had a prayer meeting on a narrower singing and they're rejoicing. And it's he said that there's more blessing, and you get more joyful in times that you're being persecuted. And is that just shows you the love of Jesus, and that you're looking ahead, you're seeing Jesus and you know, that he's preparing a place for us. And that all this is just temporary. And so when we look ahead to that, know that that is what is coming, we can go through anything. And that's what he was making the point of is that people become more joyous than when they're persecuted. And it's, and he said, the thing is, is that persecution, the Bible tells is gonna come and we're all gonna be persecuted one way or the other. And even if it's just being mocked, that we're being persecuted, but we have to stay joyous in our heart and then know that Christ is in control.

Terry Steen:

Yeah. Dan, you mentioned Paul and Silas. And I'm thinking about those guys in prison. They have somebody together someone to support them, you think about Shadrach me Shekinah Bendigo, the three of them went through that together. And one thing I think we shouldn't lose sight of his during times like this, the people we hang around the people we invest our time in the people we listen to, is critical to our attitude and our ability to stay strong, and to stay positive in the Lord. And don't listen to conspiracy theories. You know, you have all those people out there. And you've got to use some wisdom to know who to hang around to

Dan Wheeler:

there's many voices, I think about that. Sometimes I'll hear something and I kind of wonder what you guys are thinking, wonder what John's thinking about you know, all the news and all that's going on but but we can't be losing sleep over it. God has still called us to to do his work. We need to have energy we needed to take care of ourselves. We still need to exercise and eat right. But we've got a job to do. Even today as we prepared for these podcasts and the last few days working on it. You know, we all feel a responsibility to really do our preparation but realizing that God is going to work through us and Terry, you mentioned Paul and Silas, you know, dancing at midnight acts 1625. They prayed they sang praises unto God all the other prisoners heard them. And what happened there was a great earthquake, the foundations of the prison shook doors open. God can do that when we praise Him because He inhabits the praises of His people. And I heard read a story about pastor Brunson who was in a Turkish prison. And I know Jace, our friend Jay Sekulow, helped to to get them freed. But he said that he just decided he was going to be joyful. He said he would be dancing in a cell praising God. And the people that were watching him, they thought he was crazy, I bet but he did that in a little small, tiny cell. So God can help us in any situation we're in and he's going to help us through this.

Brian Roland:

Yep. And over in Second Timothy, one, seven. I love it. Because this is for the Spirit that God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love and self discipline. I mean, it just gives us the power to get up in those times and want to rejoice want to praise God? Yeah,

Terry Steen:

yeah. You you talk about the circumstances that they're in and I guess we wouldn't really know how we'd respond until we ourselves. Were in a Turkish prison somewhere. But I do

Dan Wheeler:

by the way, too. If you're in a Turkish prison, it's probably in Turkey. Because you would be a you said a Turkish person somewhere. I just wonder

Terry Steen:

if you are anywhere, Turkey

Dan Wheeler:

in any kind of prison in Turkey,

Terry Steen:

that has that Turkish feel to

Dan Wheeler:

give me a sauna. Okay. I just bit my water all, by the way, because we're not doing video here.

Terry Steen:

Okay? Here, you never know when you're gonna end up in a Turkish prison or any kind of present, that really wasn't my point.

Dan Wheeler:

I'm sorry, did I get Java?

Terry Steen:

My point was the circumstances of it, and where we might be in our current society, and in our current culture, and we think it's like the noose is tightening, everybody's getting mad, everybody's getting upset, but the entire atmosphere, if will have the right perspective, God can use us and can use our witness in a far greater way than he could have. If that wasn't there, these things might be happening, to prepare some people to hear God's word, to hear what we have to say. And we have to be ready more than ever, because the needs so great. So we should, if we can look at these circumstances as a positive opportunity for us to have an impact on other people,

Dan Wheeler:

you know, we have to realize that no matter where we are in God's timeline, God has put us here for right now, for such a time as this. So when people say, Boy, I don't know if I should bring a child into the world. God knows that child's going to be born into this world. He knows our circumstances, you know, when we were kids, we all heard about the N times and tribulation, the mark of the beast, we're like, how would that ever work? Boy, we see how it could work. If they tell you, you have to take something, or have something to eat, to travel, people are going to go along with it. But we have to realize God's put us here now. Now's the time to move forward in victory. Brian, your your pastor on Sunday was talking about that. And he was saying, hey, this physical world, that's not the real world is it

Brian Roland:

right now you said the real world is a spiritual world, not the physical world. And it's true, because this goes away. This is just temporary spiritual will last forever. But we're talking about then you're just saying about the time such as this. And, and I was looking in the Bible, and I will come across Esther 414. And it says that perhaps you were born for a time such as this, to me that I looked at that just think that God put us on this earth for this time. And we're placed here with people for a reason with the people that are that are around us and are surrounding us, or we're there for a reason we can make a difference for where we're placed. You know, I wrote down a note here and said, you may not see the opportunity now. But if you stay willing and open for us calling you will find fulfilment in his plans. And I really believe that that we are here for a time right now, to replace we're at were placed there at this time.

Dan Wheeler:

So guys, we mentioned some things we can do like stocking up on canned goods and paper goods just to be prepared. What should we be doing spiritually? How should we be spending our time so that we are in God's will and hearing God's voice? I mean, I think of Psalm 91. One, He that dwelleth in the secret place, the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. That's that word dwell means live, stay, we need to stay there. We need to live close to the Lord. We need to be in His Word. We need to be praying and we need to be listening. There's nothing more important, especially in the times in the craziness that we live in.

Terry Steen:

Yeah, Dan, if you just move down nine more verses or eight more verses, it says because you've made the Lord who is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation, you say refuge, your habitation, here's what it tells us will happen. No evil will be follow you Wow. nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways. If we can just remain in Him. These promises are so powerful for us. And if our listeners could just grab a hold of what God's Word is saying right here. He's gonna keep his angels around us and keep us in all our ways.

Dan Wheeler:

Brian, what do you do? When you because I know you've had you know, some physical challenges with a fib and things. What do you do when you feel the fear creeping in and starting to kind of overtake you and overtake your mind?

Brian Roland:

You know, it's amazing that my doctor said that same thing. He goes, you panic and you get into this fear mode and says a spider flight and you can't do that. He says You just got to relax and you have to breathe in. It's telling me not to panic about this, you're not going to die, you're not going to paint. There's just not the panic. But the to not do that. What I do, especially if I wake up in the middle of night and have an AFib attack, I say, Okay, Lord, you got me awake for a reason this is going to, it's not going to go away for an hour or two. So I just start praying for everything that comes to my mind. The last time I had when I sat there, and I, my, who was going through a bunch of things in her life, and I just started praying over. And it didn't just start praying, I just started weeping over her. And it was just be something that became so real, that I forgot about the a fib. And by the time I was finished, it was gone. It had gone away. It was a couple hours later, but it was gone. But I just started praying for the things around me. But then when I came to Deb, of course, I just, I just felt that I took it on, I just felt I felt it on my shoulders, and I just wait for her. And the Bible tells us to do, we're supposed to be weeping for those that we love and care for. And while we're praying for them, and lifting them up and supporting them, and that that's what I do. Whenever I feel fear coming upon me, I pray about that. I say, Lord, this is another view. So I just know that this is the devil and I'm not going to panic. And I'm just going to be courageous in you. I don't know if this ties in directly together or not. But but one verse that I had looked up that meant a lot to me when I was studying this, it was Joshua one nine, and said, Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened. Do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. And so when ever any type of fear will come over, you know that the Lord is with you. You can tell that fear to leave. I mean, in Jesus name, take this fear away, and he will. Don't let panic send it. That's the only thing that's going to hurt you more than help you. Put your faith in your belief to work. Let your faith be your action. Let your belief be your guide. And when you use that, in the go in the footsteps of following Christ, you're going to find that your your fear is going to dissipate, you're going to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It doesn't matter what is coming in around you. It's going up the fog is going to live, it's going to separate. Because you know, the final outcome, you know that God wins in the end, you know that you're victorious, you know that you're a child of the King. So you got to keep that foremost in the front of your mind at all times.

Dan Wheeler:

That's really good. Really good stuff. Brian Terry, what advice would you give to someone who's listening to say, Man, I just this news I'm, I'm freaking out what's going to happen tomorrow? Where do I turn?

Terry Steen:

Well, I think the biggest thing is we've talked over and over again is to pray. But there again, keep perspective. Look at history. Hang around the right people. Listen to the right stuff. Keep the news you're listening to and perspective. And God will take care of the rest. Yeah,

Dan Wheeler:

you know, I really feel like if we would spend more time at God's word, than we do on our phones and looking at the news and seeing the headlines, and watching the news, we'd be so much better off. We're near the end of our time here. But I'd like to just say a prayer for those who are dealing with fear. hear at the end of this. Dear Heavenly Father, we've talked a lot about what's going on in our world. It's so easy to want to panic, to be scared. And you even told us in Your word that in the last days, men's hearts would fail them because of fear. But we don't need to be fearful. Because we have you. We have the God, the Creator of the universe, yes, on our side, in our lives. You can strengthen us. You can shore us up. When we are weak, then you are strong. And you said you'll never leave us you'll never forsake us. And so Lord help us when we're feeling weak when we're feeling fearful to realize that spirit is not a view. Because your word says you don't give us a spirit of fear. You give us a spirit of power, and of love and have a strong mind. And I pray that everyone listening will take that to heart. Seek your face and dwell in the secret place of the Most High. Amen. And abide under the shadow of the Almighty and that is you as call these things the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Oh boy, that has been quite a powerful discussion, guys. We've had some fun, but I think we have really been able to get into God's word and find out what he says about fear. We need to finish strong guys. That's what we're all about. going hard for the finish line. We have about 10 seconds to wrap this up. Brian, your final thought, if there's one thought, look for

Brian Roland:

the things eternal. Not the things that are that are physical because it's just transient. Just look for the spiritual essence real.

Terry Steen:

Yeah, keep walking the walk. God knows the plan he has for you and don't be deterred by what you see in here in the society and culture.

Dan Wheeler:

overcome fear with faith and finish strong. Thanks for listening to this edition. And we'll look forward to you joining us next time God bless.

John Matarazzo:

Thank you for listening to finish strong. For more information about finish strong and fearless faith. Check out their website, F faith.org. Make sure that you rate and review this podcast to help more people accomplish their God given purpose so that together we can finish strong