Dear , 
  
                     FAITH OR FEAR  IN THE MIDST OF CRISIS?
Unless you or I have been living under a rock during recent months, we could hardly argue with the statement, "we are living in uncertain economic times." How do we deal with such times? Do we live though these days in fear or in faith?  Words such as "stress", "anxiety", and "fear" are used by many to talk about the times through which we are living.
 
Many around us, perhaps some of us as well, are responding much like the Israelites when God delivered them from slavery in Egypt and brought them to the southern border of the Promised Land. God told Moses to send some men to explore the land. Twelve persons were sent to spy out the land and return to make a report. The explorers returned to report that the land was flowing with "milk and honey". But, they said, "there are GIANTS living in the land, how can we  take the land from them? They are bigger and  stronger than we are!" Ten of the explorers spoke against moving into the land which God had promised. But Joshua and Caleb spoke in a more positive way saying, "We should go up and take the land, for we can certainly do it!" "Do not be afraid of the people in the land, for God is with us!" The other ten explorers wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb and said, "let's elect new leaders and return to Egypt." God told the people that they would not enter the Promised Land, their children would enter, but this generation would wander for forty years in the desert - all because of fear.
 
Are you and I living in fear or in faith?  The scriptures remind of  several keys to help us live in faith instead of fear:
I. TRUST GOD-   "I will lift up my eyes to the hills- from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth"
                                                                                        Psalms 121:1-2
II. BE THANKFUL- "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks  in all
circumstances ."                                                        I Thessalonians 5:16-18
 
III. SERVE OTHERS- "They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share... so that they may take hold of life that really is life."                                                                               I Timothy 6:18-19
 
Make your plans to be in Sunday School and at least one of the three Morning Worship Services this Sunday  October 11 as we discuss "Faith in the Midst of Financial Crisis."
We are living in uncertain times, but one thing is sure, God has promised to be with us, and God's  promises never fail!
                                                                                                Dick Reese