It seems like every time I turn on the radio I hear of another dismal unemployment report, failing housing market statistics, some kind of Middle East flair up, or worsening Social Security concerns. At Bethel I hear about fears from people who are struggling to make ends meet and may be laid off from work or about serious health issues.

At the time of the last supper, Jesus announced that He was leaving and that He would send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to continue the work that He had begun on earth. That news flash caused quite a stir among His closest disciples.

In the same conversation that Jesus had with His disciples, He instructed them to, "...Let not your heart be troubled..." (John 14:27), He also said, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever," (John 14:16).

I'll cut to the chase. Anytime we take our eyes away from God and aren't abiding with the Holy Spirit, we run the risk of worry and fear. Abiding with the Holy Spirit comes in many forms. It certainly includes personal prayer and Bible reading. It also comprises church attendance in a variety of other fashions. It embraces mid-week Bible studies, small group meetings, and Sunday School.

The irony is that we have these fears and many won't take these proven and necessary Biblical steps to reduce the anxiousness that sometimes surrounds us. I challenge you to get connected with God and your church family with more than a Sunday morning worship service appearance. Begin abiding with God and each other every way you possibly can. Be aggressive and intentional about it.

Oswald Chambers said, "When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him." It doesn't necessarily mean that all of our troubles will vanish away. But it does mean that the closer we are with God, the better able He is to "guide us" (John 16:13) through the perilous storms that may lay ahead and reduce the heartache that robs us of our peace.

See you in the Ignite Sunday School and Wednesday evening classes.

Pastor Larry Wenzel
Pastoral Care