5-3-2016

Good Morning All!! 

       Genesis 15:1; “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

     Fear is one of the most intense emotions that humans experience.  Fear causes increased heart rate and breathing rate.  Fear causes us to not think clearly and can often paralyze us into non-action.  I can remember times when fear grabbed me.  Looking back, a couple of those times are laughable but at the time; not so much.  I remember one time when I was about 12 or 13; I was watching a Vincent Price horror movie.  Even though I knew better and knew it was only play acting on TV, I slept (sort of) with the light on, covers pulled up tight.  Another time, when I was in high school, I was reading a book about the Manson murders.  My parents went visiting the neighbors for the evening and I was intently reading the book.  It was completely fascinating.  I was reading a part that told of how sometimes the Manson family would sneak into houses and move things around while the families slept.  Then it told how they would call some random phone numbers.  Just as I got to that part, the phone rang.  I threw the book to the ceiling and just stared at the phone for about three rings.  I was scared.

    Neither of these two events make and rational sense but fear rarely makes sense.  That is why it is one of the devil’s favorite tools.  He can twist it whichever way he wants and leads us around like we have a ring through our nose and he is pulling the lead rope.  Fear demoralizes, can cause disbelief, be destructive and harm our relationship with God because it can cause us to doubt God’s love and power.

    Yet, as a Christian, we need to see the difference between fear and concern.  As a parent, I am concerned about my children and grandchildren.  As a child, I am concerned about my parents.  As a pastor, I am concerned about the members of our congregations.  There is nothing wrong with being concerned so how do we tell the difference?

    Concern will motivate you to action.  Concern tends to increase productivity and focus the mind and seeks resolution and a positive change for the future.  Concern looks to God for direction and trust knowing that all things work to the good for those whom he loves.

   Fear will paralyze our action, decrease our productivity, cause us to lose our focus as our thoughts scatter and go with no direction or rational consideration.  Fear sees no answer and sees the future as the place where fears materialize into reality.  Fear takes us away from God.  An example would be of a young parent who lives near a lake and has a small child.  Concern will lead this parent to seek out a place to have the child take swimming lessons.  Fear will drive the parent to never let the child near the water and punish them if they ever go near it. 

    Don’t let the devil drive you to fear.  Trust in God’s grace to heal your concerns.

Father, in your arms I have no fears.  Keep me close to you.  Keep my eyes, my heart and my thoughts on things above.  Keep me focused on Jesus and his unfailing love and mercy.  Be with those who are living on fear.  Calm their hearts and minds.  Give them your holy rest.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret