Four Snakes To Watch Out For

Acts 28:3, “And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.”

There are FOUR deadly (vipers) snakes that you should watch out for:

1. DEADLY SNAKE OF PANDEMIC - The Coronavirus is upon us! The panic, fear and hysteria being created by the newsmedia is as bad, if not worse, than the pandemic itself. Please watch the Christ-honoring sermon titled: 'A CONTAGION OF FEAR' by Pastor Chuck Baldwin. As Christians we ought not be afraid of anything; but rather, stay calm and trust upon the Lord. Yes, take safe precautions to protect yourself and others against the spreading virus, but don't let it cause you to start worrying, panicking and succumb to fear as many people are doing, some even committing suicide! 
2. DEADLY SNAKE OF PERSECUTION - God will test us to see what we're made of! 1st Peter 4:12, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” God may send persecution our way to prepare us, purify us, position us, perfect us, or make use of us for His divine purpose. 
3. DEADLY SNAKE OF PESSIMISM - Pessimism is a tendency to see the worst aspect of a thing. It is seeing a situation as having no hope. Pessimism fails to see God. Pessimism fails to see: GOD, GOOD and GRACE! Psalms 106:5, “That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.”
4. DEADLY SNAKE OF PRIDE - Pride will cause you to lose your focus on reality. Lucifer fell from glory in Heaven because of pride. Pride prevents you from seeing your condition without Christ. PRIDE SAYS FAITH IN NOT ENOUGH TO BE SAVED!!! Calvinism is rooted in sinful human pride, which says that more than faith is required to be saved! 

Everybody goes through a fiery furnace at some time in life. There are THREE sources of the storms in our life:

1. Job - Satan sent his storm
2. Jonah - God sent a storm because of Jonah (Self)
3. Disciples - The Savior sent their storm

We (SELF) cause most of the storms that we go through! Proverbs 17:3, “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” ...

1st Peter 1:7-9, “  ”That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 

It is while IN THE FIERY FURNACE of our life that we have GOD'S:

1. Presence
2. Power
3. Protection

God uses fire to conform us more into Christ's IMAGE! 

AMERICA NEEDS FIRE BEHIND THE PULPIT!!!

1. Fire Refines
2. Fire Revives
3. Fire Rejects
4. Fire Reveals
5. Fire Rearranges

Fire can be a good thing! 

“Failing is not a disgrace unless you make it the last chapter of your book.” —Dr. Jack Hyles