Gospel

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Many years ago there was a program on television called the "Fear Factor." People were given the opportunity to do some very scary and fearful things just to win some big money. There is a "fear factor" in America today. Consider the following from news reports and surveys of the American population:

* Insecure borders
* Some parents in New Jersey recently kept their kids home from school because of a threat to behead students.
* The economy
* Beheadings right here in America
* Six out of ten Americans believe Ebola is going to break out in the U.S.
* Two-thirds of Americans believe the country is out of control.
* The threat of ISIS
* Journalist Cal Thomas recently wrote an article entitled, "We Are Living In Depressing Times."
* Pastors' sermons are being monitored in Houston, Texas.
* One in four Americans are afraid to fly because of Ebola.
* The people who are supposed to be leading this nation are not doing so, thus, there is also a loss of confidence.

For almost 250 years the United States of America has enjoyed freedom of speech, safety, and security. Times are changing dramatically! Is God withholding his grace and hedge of protection on this nation? Many believe so. As a writer who scans a lot of news stories, I can tell you that what is listed above is only a small sample of what is happening, or what is soon to come upon us. I Thessalonians 5:3 tells us "While they are saying 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape." The complacency, ease, and comfort that many people have experienced for so long could soon turn into some real storms.

One's confidence and trust must be put in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew 8:23-27 we read the story of some disciples and Jesus on a boat when a huge storm arose. Jesus was asleep because he had everything under control. His disciples called out, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" Verse 26 says that Jesus "arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm." Are you living in some kind of fear right now, not just with the stuff in the news but in your own personal life?

The problem is that too many people are reaching out to the wrong places to give them the safety and security for which they are longing. Maybe you do not even know where to go or what to turn to in this time of fear. Consider calling out to Jesus, as did the disciples in the boat. You could be saying, "Save ME Lord, for I am perishing." In verse 27 the disciples asked, "What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" What kind of man is Jesus? He came to earth to walk as a man, but he was and is God in the flesh, Savior of the world, who can take any storms or fears that you might be having and bring peace in your life. What kind of storms are you going through right now? God is in control. Then you may ask, "If this is true then why is all of this horrible stuff happening?" The answer is that God is being rejected by a large segment of this nation's population and going its own way. It is partly a result of men and women paying the consequences for rejecting God, and partly due to God's judgment coming down upon this nation. What America and the rest of the world is experiencing is all prophesied in the Bible for this time and moment in history, and things are going to get worse. God offers each person his peace and security in the midst of the storms, both on a national level, and a personal level.

John 14:27 says "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, not let it be fearful."

Isaiah 33:6 gives us the confidence that God is "the stability of your times."

Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus never changes. In the midst of your storms "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and yes, forever."

Psalm 91:3-6 and 10 tells us that you can claim his promises to be protected from the "deadly pestilence" and "terror," and that "no evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent."

Call out to Jesus today for your salvation. He died on a cross and rose from the dead for YOUR salvation. You do not get saved through being religious, going to church, or being a good person. There is nothing you can or need to do to earn it. It is a free gift of God. Acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of grace and forgiveness. God loves you. Accept his offer today. Then you can experience peace and security in the midst of fear in America.

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