2016....Not Fearing It!

 Happy New Year Everyone!!!

My prayer for those of us who read this and pray intentionally for the Greater Montgomery area is that we will SEE the fruits of the several years of intentional prayer this year. Praying for all of us to RENEW our commitment to pray for Montgomery and the surrounding areas to SEE Christ in each of us this year.

We are going to be reviewing the 5 key social problems that Montgomery has but using the theme of FACING OUR FEARS for the next 5-6 weeks.... I noticed last Fall with many of the national and local challenges that we face, that FEAR is the core issue in most everyone's reaction to them.

I was reminded over the past month of the phrase FEAR NOT in the Christmas story. I heard it almost every day in some form or fashion and it hit me that a lot of times we react out of fear instead of the Jesus Way. As Christians, despite how we "feel" we must draw close to Christ to overcome the daily fears as well as future fears we might have.

So here is our first scripture on FEAR NOT as we begin reviewing the 5 top social issues in Montgomery: Crime, Poverty, Schools, Racism and Consumer Religion.

II Timothy 1:7
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity(fear in some translations), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline".
This is the core of what we need to remember. GOD gave us a spirit of POWER, LOVE and DISCIPLINE....not FEAR. So ALL fear is NOT from God. It is from Satan who is the FATHER OF LIES. If we can remember what we have been given, it will be easier to TRUST the ONE who is the FATHER OF TRUTH, no matter what we might be facing today in our families, our city, our world.

Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them(shepherds), "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
The King James says it best: "Fear not". We HAVE the GOOD NEWS in our hearts. It IS for ALL people. Not for a few. ALL people must have the opportunity to HEAR The GOOD NEWS, through our actions AND words. We can't FEAR telling the GOOD NEWS to Montgomery.

This week, as we pray for out city, here are a few guidelines for our prayers:
1. Pray for ourselves, that we would BELIEVE the TRUTH of FEAR NOT in our own lives and in the life of the church.
2. Pray that we will be able to communicate that to those who do not understand who God is.
3. When we hear the news going on around the world, sometimes in our city, that we will pray for ourselves and others not to be deceived into believing it is OKAY to FEAR.
4. Praying that in every situation we encounter, that we would be LIGHT AND LOVE to the GREATER MONTGOMERY area.

Until next week.......