Calvary Worship Experience
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“Fear not!”
There are 365 `fear nots' in the Bible; but none is more significant than this one. Ever wonder why the angel's first words to the shepherds were what they were? Oh, sure the shepherds were terrified. You don't see the sky blazing with God's glory and armies of angels every winter's evening. But I think there is something more. I think the angel understands that this is the basic human condition. Fear. Fear may display itself as guilt, irritability, anger, or worry. In fact, almost all of the negative emotions we feel are really by-products of fear. Being a shepherd was a lowly occupation. Shepherd's were not able to observe the Sabbath because of the 24/7 nature of herding sheep. Therefore, they were not allowed to enter the Temple courts. And now the heavens are filled with armies of God's angels. We can imagine what they must have felt. All of the good upstanding people criticized them and condemned them. Now, they must have assumed, God would finally add His judgmental `Amen!' to the church's condemnation. When we feel criticized and condemned, we feel afraid. We feel that people are continually critiquing our every word, our every action. We may feel guilty, irritable, angry, or stressed. We may retreat to the shadows of guilt and stress or lash out with irritation and anger. That is why Jesus came. To take away our fear. His love, acceptance, and forgiveness make us feel worthy and accepted, not condemned and judged. And when we feel love, acceptance and forgiveness, fear has left the building. For, as John writes in his first letter: "There is no fear in love." I read a book recently on meditation. Meditation is simply to think on and possibly visualize a particular passage or a special verse. For me, when I am guilty and afraid, I remember the Father's words to Jesus at His baptism and to me at my baptism - With you I am well pleased. When I am alone and afraid, I recall Jesus' final words from the Gospel of Matthew - I am with you always. When I am stressed and afraid, I think about Jesus' words to His disciples in Matthew 10 - Do not be afraid, do not worry, are not even the hairs of your head numbered?
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