LIVING ON THE EDGE, KNOWING GOD IS IN CONTROL

I have been influenced by some mighty men of God in my life.  One of those men is John Caldwell, who is the Senior Minister of Kingsway Christian Church, in Indianapolis, IN.  Brother Caldwell is a very prolific writer.  He wrote a special message to the flock that the Lord has allowed him to shepherd.  I was so blessed and wanted to share some of the thoughts that he used to communicate with and to encourage his people.

It seems like our world needs a crisis, whether real or imagined.  First there was Y2K.  Fear was rampant and unfortunately, in many instances, it was Christians who were the fear mongers.  We had the terrorist attacks of September 11, a genuine crisis to be sure, but one that led to all sorts of fearful speculation.  There was also the anthrax scare.  There is also the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq and the Iranian and North Korean nuclear threats.

Of more recent vintage have been the rising gas prices along with the horrible recessions and stock market decline.  I for one agree with Brother Caldwell who said it was his opinion that the recessions were actually brought on in large part by the fear of recession.  The media kept predicting it until it became a self-fulfilling prophecy.  People, fearful of recessions, stopped spending, (except the government) and thus the recession began.  Meanwhile, so-called “global warming” has fueled the fears of millions.

Please don’t miss the point of what I’m trying to share.  Jesus made it clear in the prophetic passages in Luke 21 and Matthew 24, dealing with both the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and with His second coming which is still in the future, that there would be genuine crises associated with these events.  He said His followers would be persecuted.  The Bible says in II Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ will suffer persecution.”  In Luke 21, Jesus spoke of wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues, terrifying things of great persecution.  And yet it was in that very context that he said,

“Don’t panic… don’t worry… stand firm… stand and look up… watch out… keep alert at all times.  And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the

 Son of Man.

Jesus doesn’t deny the likelihood of crises and persecutions.  He guarantees them.  He also teaches us how to react to them.  He says to the suffering saints in Smyrna,

 “don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer… If you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.”  Revelation 12:10

In Philippians 4:6-7, His Word teaches us this;

“Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus puts things in proper perspective for us when He says in Matthew 10:28,

 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. 

Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

So here’s the bottom line straight from Jesus:

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. 

And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

 So don’t be troubled or afraid.”  John 14:27