Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

I don’t even want to even think about October 7, 2023, when 1,200 Jews were killed and 251 kidnapped. Christians, Jews, and all decent humans are still struggling to understand evil of this magnitude. I find those that participated in the attack to be completely depraved, and I find those that believe it was justified to be even more depraved. People this sick will never fight fair, they fight with fear. Fear is a natural reaction to hate at a level we cannot comprehend, but while fear is natural, it is not a lifestyle we can afford to choose.  The presence of God, the God who is love, defeats fear because “perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18). When fear tries to affect our thoughts and actions we are required to remember the One who lives in us. This is why we are commanded to pray when we fear. Philippians 4:6,7 says:  Do not]be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. I don’t know what you’re walking through right now –Maybe it’s a scary illness, problems at work, loneliness, or loved ones not walking with Jesus. Whatever it is, if you have trusted in Jesus for salvation, then you are His child, and He has made the same promise to you He has made to so many others. In Deuteronomy 31:8 And the Lord is the one who is going ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not desert you or abandon you. Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Jesus' sacrifice and promises are MORE than enough in every situation. We will continue to pray for Israel, and for persecuted Christians around the world, but we will not fear.

Thoughts by Pastor Steve of Sugar Grove Bible Church Greenfield

Charlie Kirk As Martyr

Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; Romans 14:16

Martyr is a word that gets thrown around so freely it has lost much of its meaning, but it certainly applies in the truest sense of the word when applied to Charlie Kirk. Charlie Kirk was a Christian of such courage and conviction that he was willing to stand up for the cultural truths in scripture on college campuses across America, knowing he would be met

with opposition, and even hatred. Charlie did not come armed with personal opinions and anger, he came armed with Christian truths and factual data. Those that disagreed could not win a rational debate with a prepared believer like Charlie, evil never can. Instead evil will always get irrationally angry and choose volume and violence over dialogue. Charlie Kirk stood up with grace for the truth and paid the ultimate price; that is martyrdom. Charlie Kirk’s sacrifice will not be forgotten, and because of his stand others will find the courage to stand calmly, yet firmly for the truth of the gospel in the midst of evil.

Pray for Charlie Kirk’s family and friends. Their pain is hopeless without the comfort that the Holy Spirit promises. I would also ask that we pray for his murderer and all those who would celebrate a coward taking a life. Pray that he would not only face justice, pray that he would find Jesus. He doesn’t deserve salvation, but neither did I, and Jesus died for us both.

Steve and Deborah from Sugar Grove Bible Church

We Are Not Job

Job did not have a mediator, or an intercessor. Job also lived before our Savior took back Satan’s authority on earth, and gave it to us to “do even greater works” than He did. Jesus has ALL authority and He said He has given that authority to us. Unfortunately, all too often we forget we have a mediator, an intercessor, and One who has given us His authority… .We act like Job………..

We ask God to save… He said to pray for harvesters and be witnesses

We ask God to heal… He said lay hands on the sick and they WILL recover

We ask God to deliver us… He said “resist the devil and he WILL flee.

We ask God for money… He said give and it shall be given unto you…

We ask God for miracles… He said to speak to our mountains

We ask God to fight our battles… He said to put on the full armour of God

We ask God for peace… Jesus said “my peace I give to you”

We are NOT Job! However we have a choice to make to believe and act like Job and be good sufferers, or to act like sons and daughters of the most high who live in victory through Jesus AND THEREBY OVERCOME THE DEVIL BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND THE WORD OF OUR TESTIMONY..