THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

April 7, 2021

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

This past Sunday Jon and I were at my sister's home eating Easter lunch with her and her family. After lunch, the kids had an egg hunt in her backyard, then afterward everyone was stayed outside to visit. The pollen was high and after a while started bothering me, so Jon and I decided to go home; plus we wanted a nap.

As we were walking back towards to house to pick up my dishes from the kitchen, my 12 year old nephew was walking in with us. There were red wasp flying around the yard, which had him very afraid. He had been stung once before, so knew the pain associated with a wasp sting. I could hear the fear in his as we were walking towards the door. I told him to just walk close to me and I would keep him safe. Jon tried to tell him that if he would leave the wasp alone, then they wouldn't bother him. He said, "But when I got stung at Lampe I wasn't bothering them!" We made it safely into the house without any stings.

There are so many different circumstances that can cause people to fear. Being involved in a car accident can cause someone to fear driving or being in a vehicle. Having received a negative doctor report in the past can later cause fear when feeling odd aches or pains. Having your home broken into can cause fear when needing to be away from your house without anyone being there. A house fire can cause fear when the person who suffered loss gets a whiff of the smell of smoke. Lost relationships can cause someone to fear loving and trusting another person.

Then there are fears such as the fear of heights. People can be afraid to try new things, worried that they may fail. Some may be fearful of the future, after listening to the news. Many are afraid of COVID and the affects it may have on their health. Others may be fearful of speaking in public.

There may be some, such as Jax, who had a bad experience with a wasp sting, which makes them concerned that it might happen again. A few years ago, my nephew, Devin, got a Lonestar tick bite, which cause him to have severe allergies to beef and anything with seeds in it; which makes him very cautious of getting another tick bite or eating something that may have beef in it.

I have a fear of snakes; whether they are poisonous or not. Some suffer from allergies to flowers and odors, so are worried about having a reaction when in a room with those things in them. I've heard of those who are scared of mice, spiders, and other pests. We have a family member who is terrified of dogs; and has passed that fear on to her son. Perhaps in their younger years they had a bad experience with a dog.

Many can overcome their fears or deal with them in a logical way, but there are others who live in a constant state of fear. They are always concerned or worried or fearful about one thing or another.

I knew a lady several years ago who lived in constant spiritual fear. The thing is, she had been raised in church and had become a christian at an early age. But over and over again she would question, "How do I know for sure that I'm saved and will go to heaven?" She lived in fear that she would unwittingly do something wrong and if she died or the rapture took place, then she wouldn't go to heaven. I know that she loved the Lord with all her heart. But she struggled with the concept of faith. Perhaps she even saw God as being a vengeful God instead of a loving Father. This was a very real spiritual battle that she fought and had a difficult time getting victory over this fearful mindset.

There was a time when I was fearful when a tornado warning sounded. My mind would be filled with dozens of "what ifs". For a few years, Jon had to travel quite often for his job and would sometimes be gone for 2-3 weeks at a time. When it came time for bed at night, I could feel fear clutching my heart. "What if someone broke into our house during the night?" Every little noise would awaken me, and I'd have a hard time falling asleep. I finally grew weary of being afraid and read scriptures that spoke to these fears such as, "When I lay down, my sleep will be sweet." "God gives His angels charge over you to keep you." I gave those fears to the Lord and His Word brought peace and helped me overcome, so that I could rest well and know that He was watching over me.

I looked it up online and there are several websites that agree that there are 365 verses in the Bible that tell us to fear not! One for every day of the year. I believe that it is so important to the Father that His children not live in fear or be fearful, that He has addressed this over and over and over again.

Here are just a few:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind (self-control)." 2 Timothy 1:7

"I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears." Psalms 34:4

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalms 34:4

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You." Psalms 56:3

If you are dealing with fears, of any kind, give them to the Lord and let Him give you peace. Fear robs us of joy, peace, and can even steal our health. The stress and worry of fear can cause people to have headaches, cause muscles to tense up and spasm, and other health issues. Fear is a liar that brings thoughts to mind that are not from God.

Submit your fear, whether it's something minor or something big and major, to the Father and allow Him to calm your heart and mind and fill you with His peace. Not just any peace, but a peace the surpasses our understanding. We don't have to fear the future, but hold onto our faith in God and know that He has given us a future and hope. We don't have to worry and fret and try to figure out how to take care of those things that cause us to feel fear, but can lay those things at the feet of the Father and allow Him to bear our burdens. That's a much better way to live. It's the way that God intended us to live! So I remind you of the words that our Lord spoke to us over and over again, and may they root deeply in your heart, regardless of what happens or what you may feel: "Fear not!"

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Fear isn't entirely bad. It's what keeps us from getting careless on the edge of a cliff and keeps us from trying to catch wasps (a second time).

Sugar isn't bad. It gives us the energy we need to get through a day, to heal, and to grow.

Like many habits and other things, a little is good for us. But with wisdom, we can take each thing in moderation so it helps us to live instead of preventing us from living. Even though I'm scared by heights, I can work on ladders. But I always check that the ladder is strong and stable first.

It takes wisdom to know where that line is, and how to curb the fear or whatever needs kept in check. God gives wisdom abundantly, but we have to be able to listen to His wisdom. Please keep reading your Bible, and be open to His nudges when needed.

ON THE MENEWE:

Oreo Cheesecakes

Place liners in muffin tin. Set Oreo cookie on bottom of each muffin liner.

Beat together 3 packages of softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until just blended. Spoon mixture over each cookie.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, or until center is almost set.

Cool completely, then refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.

Drizzle melted Bakers chocolate and a dollop of Cool Whip over the top of each cookie.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Church Bulletin Bloopers:

A new loudspeaker system has been installed in the church. It was given by one of our members in honor of his wife.

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even though he diets, yet shall he live.

There will not be any Woman Worth Watching this week.

Men's Prayer Breakfast: No charge, but your damnation will be gratefully appreciated.

If you choose to heave during the postlude, please do so quietly.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can. - John Wesley

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org