Fear makes you exaggerate on security. When you read Acts 12, you see two mistakes King Herod Agrippa made because of fear: he killed James, the brother of John,and he put Peter in jail.

The security on Peter was exaggerated –  16 guards to guard one Peter. When fear comes in you exaggerate regarding your worries about future, finances, safety, and life in general. Imagine Peter sleeping between two soldiers and chained on both wrists. How did Peter feel?  He went to sleep! The angel struck  Peter on the side and told him to “quickly” get up and put his clothes and sandals on.. This indicates that Peter was in a deep, restful sleep. Imagine, chained on both wrists and flanked by two soldiers! When Peter got up, the chains felt off his wrists.

When you go to bed, if your head continues to think about everything , you will not rest. Rest means turning your mind off and allowing the body and mind to rest. Fear robs your inner peace  and your rest.

Fear is related to rebellion. Anyone who doubts and questions faith will experience fear. Most people who worship gods of this world have fear of death, fear of future, fear of failure and fear of living.

How does fear come into a person? Trauma brings fear.  When not dealt with, it will forever become part of your life. You become afraid of others as to what they can do to you. You become afraid of loosing control of things. You manipulate and control things around you and others. It is a horrible thing to be controlled by someone with overwhelming fear.

How to you overcome fear? First, face your problem.  If you do not know how to find your problem, find someone who hears from God and this person can help you to understand when and where the fear came in. Do this. Do not begin another year in fear of the future.

We have two bible studies for people to come and receive ministry. One is on Tuesdays  at the Bethlehem UMC in Bethlehem, Georgia, off of Hwy 316. The other is in Atlanta on Thursdays at the Holiday Inn near exit 30 going west on I-285. Come and God will show you when and where the fear came in.

Rick Bonfim

Today we climbed a hill to see a cave in Kursi, on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. Kursi is identified as the place of Gadera, the land of the Gadarenes. Jesus crossed the lake and came to this cave in the cliffs to heal one man. The man was in a serious state of mind. He would cut himself, breaking his chains, and crying night and day for help. When Jesus came, He came directly to this man. Yes, Jesus went across the lake to meet a man full of demons.  The Bible records that there were around 6000 of them, a legion of them.

We no longer consider spiritual possession a reality because psychiatric doctors have informed us that it is a matter of the mind. We have drugged the possessed and locked them into sanatoriums for life. However, Jesus came to the man and set him free.

Now, there is nothing wrong with proper medication. Dr. McLarty, a brilliant psychiatric doctor in Atlanta, helps me with many cases. But you must understand that illness can have a spiritual root. If you consider this truth in your life, you will honor the Holy Spirit in your ministry and help many to overcome their problems.

There are two beginnings of trauma: induced and innate. Most trauma is induced. We are not good at dealing with our traumas. When a mother hurts her daughter at the age of 12, this little girl will begin to deal with the incident around 21 years of age and without treatment, the girl, now 22 years of age, will begin a life of much suffering.  This is a spiritual problem, induced by trauma and often resulting in mental illness.

I believe that spiritual illness cannot be ignored any longer. I am now meeting  people who do not want to simply be referred to a doctor without spiritual cover. We are returning to a place of faith, believing that illness can be spiritual in nature.

Are you  in need of spiritual healing? Do you know someone who becomes sick every year at the same time of the year? Do you know someone who’s illness cannot be identified by doctors? Are you feeling a desire to terminate your life? Do you see death passing by the window? If so, ask Jesus to come and heal your mind and body. He will come to you. Believe it!

Rick Bonfim

The loss of the temple in Jerusalem has been a source of sadness for the Jewish nation. Herod’s temple standing 150 feet high above the courtyards, brought life to the city of Jerusalem. Today, a Muslim mosque stands in its place. Someone said to Jesus, “Look teacher, what a massive stones. Jesus replied, “No one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down”  (Mark 13:1-2).

The altar of sacrifice was surrounded by animals separated by quality and importance. Families would stand around the altar, observing their offerings being burned. Thus, the words of John the Baptist needed no explanation: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes the sins of the world!” (John 1:29)

In AD 70 the Jews revolted against the Roman occupation and the temple was destroyed. The Romans, under Titus, reduced the beautiful temple to rubble, fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus that no stone would be left standing. Shortly after that more than one million Jews were killed in war with the Romans. So, now the only part of the temple left from the Roman destruction is the western “wailing” wall.

 Jews lament, “How deserted lies the city, once full of people…This is why I weep and my eyes overflow with tears…The Lord has rejected his altar and abandoned his sanctuary”  (Lam 1:1-2:7).

 Where is the temple now? It is inside of us.  I want to explain to you why there is NO TEMPLE ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT FOR US:

1-Solomon’s temple and Herod’s temple were only a copy and shadow of the heavenly temple (Exodus 25:8-9).

2-The Heavenly Sanctuary belongs to the new covenant (Heb.6:19-20). Because Jesus Christ is our High Priest, already in the heavenly temple, Christians worship from within (Heb. 10:19-25).

One thing which belongs to Christians still stands in Jerusalem - the Golden Gate.   Jesus will come back through that gate on His way to the Temple Mount, where He will establish the kingdom that will endure forever.  We will be with Him and go to the Temple Mount with Him! 

Rick Bonfim