Hey, good morning, everyone. Welcome to another morning devotion with Brother Mark, where we are walking with you on your walk with Christ. Today is April the 15th, 2020. Normally, today would be tax day, but we've got that extension, and so I'm glad today's not tax day, because I don't have my taxes done. It's day 31 of sheltering in place. Well, what do you think about the title of the devotion, Fear a Natural Response? You know, fear is natural. Fear is a human emotion created by God. God gave us fear to help keep us safe. Fear helps us from putting our, or keeps us from putting our lives at risk. Now, some have less fear than others. Some are averse to fear. Some put themselves in risk because they lack fear. Yet we want to remember that fear is a human emotion created by God for our good. Remember that fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. So because fear is a human emotion created by God, we also want to recognize that fear is not sin. It is natural for us to sometimes look at the circumstances of our life and become fearful. If fear is natural and it is natural for us to look at circumstances with fearfulness, why does some talk of fear as if it is sinful? Some speak of fear as if it is sin because it can become sin. If we have an inordinate fear, which forgets to trust God, our fear can turn into faithlessness, which becomes sin. In order to help us understand fearfulness, let's look at the life of Paul. Paul was heading to Corinth under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. As Paul approached the city, he became fearful. He was afraid that when he entered into the city, his life would be in danger. Paul entered the city and he preached in Corinth and many were saved. Yet fear continued to creep into Paul's heart. An angel appeared to him, encouraging him not to be afraid. As a matter of fact, that we find that in the book of Acts and chapter number 18. And I believe it's about verse number nine, where we want to look. Acts chapter number 18 and verse number nine, it says, Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, be not afraid, but speak and hold thy peace for I am with thee and no man shall sit on thee to hurt thee for I have much people in this city. So Paul was facing fearfulness and the Lord appeared to him to encourage him, why? because fearfulness was growing in the life of Paul. Fear, this fearfulness that began to creep in the life of Paul, began to paralyze Paul. The Lord appeared to him to encourage Paul so that Paul could continue to do the work to which God had called him. And as you continue on reading, you find that Paul continued 18 months teaching the Word of God. The Holy Spirit of God encouraged him in the work. Even though he was fearful, he still found encouragement by God. Today, we need to find the encouragement that Paul found. We find that encouragement in the circumstances that Paul faced, and then we can think, you know, we face circumstances which might cause us fear, and if Paul found encouragement in the Lord, we can find encouragement in the Lord. Think about it. We are now entering our fifth week of shelter in place. That is hard to believe. Who knew what a little virus, how it could affect our everyday lives? I know that the length of this is causing some to wonder when life will get back to normal. And you know what? Also for others, life hasn't stopped because of coronavirus. Life still brings circumstances which cause fear. And there are circumstances like maybe you've lost your job because of coronavirus, or maybe finances are down, or maybe there's family issues that are happening. And you know what, there are other sicknesses that people are facing besides the coronavirus. So life has not stopped because of coronavirus. Life still brings circumstances which cause fear. And fear is normal in the face of difficult circumstances. Fear is normal when we face the unknown. So what should we do if we are faced with fear? Well, another good example for us is found in the life of the disciples because they faced circumstances which caused them to fear. Remember, they were on the ocean and they thought they were going to die because of the storm. Remember what Jesus said, why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? We find in the question of Jesus how we should respond to circumstances that cause fear. We are to have faith. One thing I love about the word of God is that we can find encouragement as we face the circumstances of life. We know the disciples of Jesus were human just like you and I. They walked with Jesus, yet even in the physical presence of Jesus, they still became fearful. Now think about that. They were on the boat with Jesus. They ask him once, master, don't you care that we're going to perish? They were in the physical presence of Jesus and yet they still became fearful. You know, it shouldn't surprise us when Fearfulness begins to creep in our lives. This should allow you and I to see that fearfulness is possible as we face the circumstances of life. Even the most strong Christian faces circumstances which cause fearfulness. Now, even though the disciples lack faith, does not excuse you and I to not have faith. We still need to walk by faith. Jesus may ask us like he asked the apostles, how is it that you have no faith? Today, what we need to understand is that fear is a natural emotion. Fear is good for us. Yet we cannot allow fear to turn into a lack of faith where we question God. We cannot allow our fearfulness to create in us a lack of trust in the one who gave his life for us. We still need to believe the promises of God, promises like all things work together for our good. He will make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it. And there are many more promises. Believe that God loves you even through the difficult circumstances. Be fearful, but be full of faith. Allow the peace of God which passes all understanding to keep your hearts and mind. Let's pray. Lord, today we come to you in prayer asking you to see us through the difficult circumstances of life. Lord, I thank you that you are the God of yesterday, today, and forever. I am thankful that you are the God of the unknown. I thank you that you are the God who will help me to bear whatever you put in my way. I pray, Lord, that you will increase our faith, that one who is facing fearful circumstances today, I pray that you will help them to see their fear is natural. Increase their faith. Help them to know that you are near, even in the darkness. You are there, even in the darkness. Thank you for the hope, which we always have in you. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. I faced a bit of fearfulness there for just a second because I thought I was in my office all alone and someone walked in that I didn't know was here and fearfulness jumped into my heart. Anyway, it's good to see you all today and pray the Lord encourages you in the face of fear. Until tomorrow, Pastor Mark signing off.