The first word from the angels to the shepherds in the dark hills: "Fear not."
I can't think of anything more important for us in these recent days when "terrorist hysteria" is growing as a result of the young man who attempted to blow up his plane.
David Brooks, New York Times, has written a fine piece on "The God that Fails" ... (click HERE to read).
Roosevelt, as the outset of WW2 said to Congress and to the nation, "The Only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Fear IS mighty important to God, because God knows what fear does to us. From an overly-anxious parent telling a child they'll be kidnapped and killed if they talk to a stranger to a politician garnering votes, fear is a powerful tool, but one that always ends badly! Children grow up anxious and unsure of themselves to a nation easily manipulated by the worst kinds of self-interest.
Faith is crucial to the way we live our lives. The Bible says it well: "Perfect love (completely centered in Christ) casts out all fear" - 1 John 4:18. I fear that many of our leaders are not above using fear to further their own unsavory ends.
Faith speaks to these days ... tomorrow's message, "Firm Foundation" ... to stand on Christ, in a world where everything else easily turns to jello.
May we all stand firmly with Christ our Lord!
Blessings ...
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