Skip to main content

Fear Not

My Preaching Bible
“Do not be afraid, little flock,
 for it is your Father’s good pleasure
 to give you the kingdom."
"For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also."

Don't be afraid?

Looking around I see plenty to fear as violence erupts in our everyday lives, society, and the world. 

I see fear on the faces of children running from a school shooting and someone with a military rifle shooting into a crowded concert.

I've encountered the violence of racism, dealt with domestic and sexual abuse both physically and psychologically.

This hardly looks to me like the kingdom of peace God desires or promises. 

I know, Jesus' followers feared plenty from persecution by Roman authorities: destroying property, inciting hatred, imprisonment, to name a few.

I know, Jesus tells his "little flock" not to fear because God will be delighted in giving them the kingdom.

Sell your stuff, Jesus says, pack your bags, light your lamp, stay alert, the Master will invite you his table when he arrives.

In other words, be ready for God's call to Gospel action.

For me, my Preaching Bible is the spark lighting my lamp and counseling me to stay alert for God's call to Gospel action.

Jesus' stories, teachings, and life help me see Gospel action opportunities and increase my energy to act through healing, justice, love, grace, peace, etc.

Gospel action is courageously bringing our fears from our own experiences to Jesus knowing God will give you the peace of the kingdom you need.

I can assure you from my own experience, God is present receiving your fears then giving you your needed gifts for peace.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Ruler of All Earthly Kings

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. (from Rev. 1:4-8 ) About 17 years ago I wrote a letter to the people in the United Church of Underhill. The purpose of the letter was to explain I was retiring at the end of the Conference Year. I felt the time had come for me personally to move on and for the church to grow with a new pastor. I secured a moving company while the church formed a search committee as we both prepared for the inevitable. This is the nature of the book of Revelation, as recorded in 1:4: “John, to the seven churches in the province of Asia.” This is Revelation’s context: it was written for the benefit of particular people at a particular time for their particular situation. John’s letter narrates a drama about God’s imminent invasion of the “kingdom of this world” ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Grantchester's Warning

"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, the owner would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (from Luke 12:32-40 ) I regularly watch Grantchester; a murder mystery set in 1950s England. The main characters are a local detective and an Anglican priest who, as a team, solve mysteries set in the town. Two aspects of Grantchester impress me. First, the simplicity of the 1950’s police communications done by a landline phone and not cell phone. Second, the simplicity of daily life with little television and fewer possessions allowing the characters to focus on their vocation of detective and priest. This simplicity is more than a nostalgic return to the “good old days”. Instead, it’s a Shaker type of simplicity where austerity allows freedom from distractions to focus on worship and community. Today’s distraction-filled world has seemingly countless activ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jesus, Deliverance, and Demons

"Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind." (from Luke 8:26-39 ) Astrid is a streaming program I often watch. The plot is a basic cops and robbers action until the criminal is caught. The uniqueness of the program is Astrid, who is on the Autism spectrum, is brilliant at solving puzzles including connecting clues to solve the crime. Watching this program has given me a more profound insight to people living with this condition and their acceptance in society. My first-hand experience with children on the Spectrum was driving a Special Needs school bus for 6 years. With this experience, I can imagine the life the possessed man was experiencing, especially living among the tombs, bound with chains and shackles, having to live in the wilds. It was no wonder he cried for mercy. Jesus, with his power and mercy, cast the demons out and even...
Post a Comment
Read more