Fear in the New Year:
2007, A Look Back and a
Look Forward
by Teresa Carr
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Fear in the New Year: 2007, A Look Back and a Look Forward by Teresa Carr There is a poem by Gracia L. Fero called Facing the
New Year who writes; the well-worn door closes on another year. The
beginning shines like a bright ember on a fireplace and at the end it fades
and dies out. The memories of 2006 are filled with exciting, memorable
moments, some dreadful, painful ones and those that will change us forever.
Lest we remember history, learn by our mistakes or doom to repeat it. Jesus
said before His return tribulation would come upon the earth, more than any
time ever before. I believe we are living in that time. With growing tension
that is coming upon the earth what will your priorities for the new year be?
If you are reading this because you’re searching for answers to life and why
events are happening then you’re not alone. Each New Year everyone makes resolutions but a large
majority never seems to keep them and others just don’t make them. Many
become anxious and get caught up in every day concerns. All New Years
messages is a testimony in itself. Stepping into the doorway into a new
beginning. A lot of people around the world venture into the new year. A
shadow casts over most its called FEAR. It’s kind of like death it doesn’t
discriminate. Some people are afraid to go to the grocery store just around
the corner. Some people fear if they’ll ever find a job. When a phone call
comes fearing if one of their children are out of fear thinking if it’s one
of theirs is harmed or claimed in a tragedy. Fear of sick people waiting for
the report from the doctor. Fear is a terrifying enemy. It can hinder a
successful life, even a Christian life. There is victory in Christ Jesus.
There are predictions that in our generation there will be those who live to
100 years of age. There will be a time when the supply of oil and natural gas
will run out. There will be a great drought in the future of the United
States. There will be worldwide famine. There will be wars and rumors of war.
Earthquakes will devastate large and populated cities. If the rest of 2007
never makes it to 2008 there is hope in Christ Jesus. Don’t worry about
tomorrow. Borrow from the shine of today. Enjoy today what God has given you
and it will overshadow the gloom of tomorrow. There is an antidote for fear
it’s called FAITH. I care not today what it will bring if sunshine or shadows
of rain my Lord is over everything and all of our worry and all our fears are
in vain. In the Garden of Eden, there was a perfect man and woman. They had
everything. Then along came trouble. One thing they were told not to do. They
did it. Fear griped the heart of Adam and Eve and they hid from God. The fear
of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. There is some good fear. It’s starts
with obedience in God. There is so much fear in teenagers of today. There is
peer pressure on young people. It makes you not want to be young. We need
someone in our life to make things right. We need respect for God. Do you
have a reverent fear of God. God isn’t a monster. God is loving, kind and
full of gentleness. Do you have a relationship with God? As it says in Psalm
103, for, as the heaven is high above the earth great is the mercy to
those who fear God. In verse 17, The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to
everlasting upon those that fear Him and to all generations. We need to teach
our children the grace of God. We need teach them of his forgiveness and his
mercy and his love. The kind of fear that burdens us is something else and
it’s the kind that God is against. The simple key to overcome fear is FAITH
in God. He loves us. If you worry over the future. God holds the future. He’s
in control. Anxious fear is a sin. In Revelation 21, the very
first thing that is listed that will keep people out of heaven is the fearful
and the unbelieving, the abominable, the murderer and the liar will have
their part in the second death (Hell). God wants us to live by FAITH. Faith
in God will move a mountain. Faith in God will calm your storms. Faith in God
will make a barren life become fruitful for God. Remember the song, Holy
Spirit flow through me. Let his touch be his love and mine my love. There is
no room for the love of the Holy Spirit and fear. For perfect love casts out
fear. Remember David he was fearful of his life. King Saul sought to kill
him. When he was at the end of his rope he sought the Lord, the Lord heard
and delivered him from all his fears. David looked to the Lord and found
relief. In the psalm the angels of the Lord encamps around them that fear Him
and delivers them. Put your faith in God, and forget the fears out there that
the enemy of your soul, the devil wants you to have to tempt and test you.
Remember the Lord will take care of it all and deliver you. The apostle Paul,
the great preacher, they put him on a boat to travel to the Roman Empire.
Then a storm came. Seven days and nights were pitch black. The waves toss
them about and on the seventh night. Paul put his fears asides and told those
around him that the angel of the Lord came and stood beside him. The angel of
the Lord said that not one life would be lost, but the ship would be. He said
I believe God. God can get us out of any situation. Put God first in our
lives. Respect him and give reverence to him and deliver from all fears that
will destroy you if you will allow him to. Psalm 23:4, yea though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. That I
can be you. Psalm 27:1, the Lord is my light and my salvation in whom
shall I fear. The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I fear. Do
you have difficulty? In any situation? God still loves you. Do not fear.
Whosoever will, according to Psalm 34:9, fear the Lord ye his saints
for there is no want to them that fear him. Psalm 56:3, what time I’m
afraid I will trust in the Lord. Blessed in the man who fears the Lord he
shall not be afraid of evil things, his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord.
What brings fear is the fear of want. If you lose a job. Find another one.
You can if you’re sincere. God does answer prayers. Jesus said if God clothed
the grass and the flowers, he will cloth you. The birds of the air he feeds.
God knows you have need of these things.
He will help you and help control your suffering. He said, I will put
more on you that you are able to bear. I will make an escape route for you. Even for Christians we live under the umbrella of grace
but it will always rain. We’re not immune to suffering. In our suffering we
grow closer to God. When you give your very best. Do not fear to fail. If you
can save one soul you’re a success. When there looks like there’s no hope, He
will still calm your storms. He will help you to success. Lend on him, not
just yourself. Without the anchor we will sink. The whole roster of the
heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 was made up of men and women who made
the business of their lives to do God’s will. Joshua had to fill the shoes of
Moses. Joshua 1 gives us three good reasons for success. Go forward,
trust God, and be guided by the word of God. The Lord said I will not fail
thee nor forsake thee as I was with Moses I’ll be with you. God’s people have
no fear of death. Death scares everybody. Jesus said because I live ye shall
live also. The hope we’ll live forever in glory with him. David said he
delivered me from all my fears. Fear or faith it’s your choice. Jesus died
for you to be free from fear. Remember the faith of the three Hebrew children
in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). When they came out of the furnace
there were four instead of three. That was their faith. I’m ready to answer the call to make disciples of the Lord. This is the year of the Lord to save souls who fear the things coming on the earth. This is going to be a good year to tell the good news about Christ. Trust in the Lord and love your neighbor then fear will melt away. From a sermon, Fear of the New Year, given by guest speaker, Ned Crouch at the Campbells Creek Church of the Nazarene (Rev. Richard Baker, Pastor) on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2006. |
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