Fear in the right context is a good thing. Knowing that we can “Fear” God because of how awesome He is really changes how we live. Mary proves that with her interaction with one of God’s messengers. Even though she doesn’t have all of the answers, she trusts the one whom her heart loves!

Fear can really take a toll on us. Often, it creates so much doubt in our lives that we can miss out on some important things. Even those things we’ve been praying for. But what happens when God steps in and answers those prayers? Do you respond with fear/doubt, or hope?

It can surprise us, but often many people get to a point in their lives where they wonder if they are doing what they are actually meant to do. You’ve heard it before, people state “I feel like I am wasting my life away with this job, career, people, or hobby. That’s the tension of our lives as we are wired to serve the way Christ calls us to. But we FEAR losing money, people, or things.

Many of us like to be in control. I would argue that one of the hardest vices we have as humans is our desire to be the one who calls the shots. But you know as much as anyone that we often take control and end up getting ourselves into trouble, alienate ourselves from those we love, or feel the pressure of having to be in charge. But what if there was a better way?

Are you living in fear or are you walking in faith? Some of you are faced with a lion at work and you’re afraid of what the future might hold. Some of you are faced with a lion at home in your marriage or with your family and you’re scared to death of what might happen. But you know I believe God has called us to push all the chips into the middle of the table and say, I’m All In. I’m going to face my fear, confront the lion, confront what’s in front of me head on, knowing that my God is faithful and He’s getting ready to do something miraculous in my life.

Do you have what it takes? If you’ve played any sports, were in a band, or anything where you had to work hard to excel, that question has been brought to you in one way, shape, or form. Now that we are older, we face this in many ways as parents, managers, friends that it feels crippling. When it comes to faith in Christ, so many of us struggle as we feel we are simply not enough. But what if that was never the goal at in the first place?

We are all guilty of letting fear drive how we live. Fear of making a bad decision - so we don’t make any decision and become stagnant. Fear of being isolated - so we either over “socialize” ourselves or surround ourselves with too many of the wrong people. We have fear of not being enough, or losing control, and even fear of never experiencing love. The list can go on and on. However, what if we were to say “fear, in the right context, is a good thing?"

As we’ve studied and looked at “The story behind the story” of The Bible, we can see that God has been, and will always, be working in our lives. As Christians, we need to know His Word and share that with the world as His disciples. What that looks like in your life is different for each of us.

The Bible is in fact the very Words of God. But in order for it to come alive in our lives we’ve got to accept its authority, assimilate its truth and apply its principles. And when we do that, that’s when the Bible comes alive, when we do that, that’s when transformation begins.

The Old Testament leads us to Jesus. From the book of Malachi to Matthew is 400 years. In that silence God was working behind the scenes that’s sets up the amazing ministry of Jesus in the Gospels!

The history of the Bible is vitally important to understand. The past weekend we looked at the “story behind the story” in looking at the genres of the Bible. This week, we will look at how the Old Testament stories ultimately point to one important theme.

When we are told the read “The Bible” often many of us aren’t sure what we are actually reading. Not knowing the context, genre, or purpose of the Scripture you are reading can lead to confusion. This week, we look at how we can navigate through that.

When we read the Bible, we are reading more than just stories in a book. We are discovering the movement and working of God in this world. Most importantly, we see how God changed the word through Christ and how that shapes the significance of (and importance) of “The Bible”. 

Many of us believe that the Bible is the Word of God and understand how important it is. Interestingly, we often neglect to read or apply Scripture to our lives. This is because we have a reading problem.

Don’t give up now, you didn’t walk this far to give up now, you didn’t believe this long to lose faith now, Finish Strong, because maybe just maybe, you’re promise is right around the next turn.

As we’re in this training camp together, preparing for the next season of life, never forget, when you’re under pressure, preach to yourself, I’ve been herebefore and God is faithful, I’m not that important, I need to rely on Him, because if I’ll rely on Him, His power is fulfilled under pressure. I’ve been here before, I’m not that important, But with God running the show, I’m better under pressure.

As you look at your life, are you known as someone who offers mercy to those who don’t deserve it. If we were to poll the people you come in contact with, would they say you are a merciful person? Or could it be that just like Jonah, we’re sitting in our lawn chairs at the edge of the city, casting judgment, when our Heavenly Father is offering mercy?

God is a God of mercy. And no matter who are; no matter what you’ve done - if we’ll repent - if we’ll turn from our evil ways and turn back to Him, the Bible very clearly says that God will have compassion on us, and He’ll give us what we need the most - He’ll give us a 2nd chance.

God is a God who cares about you, and no matter what you’re going through, no matter how bad it gets, He’s a God who wants to communicate, and when you call on Him, He’ll answer you and He’ll lift you up out of your pit, and set you’re feet on solid ground. 

The Word of the Lord will come to you, and at that point, you have a choice: You can obey or you can run. And when God speaks to you, you can always find a ship sailing the wrong direction. And if you run, He may send a storm to grab your attention. If that doesn’t work, He may even allow you to face your worst nightmare. And when He does it’s all because He loves you, He has a purpose and a plan for your life, He wants to use you to make a difference in your world. And you’ve got a choice. You can keep running, or you can come back to Him.