https://youtu.be/DaNwDt8FUsk

Do not Be afraid- Luke 2:8-12

No one likes being afraid. No one likes being startled. I don’t like to do things that make me scared. I’ve had enough fears in my life I don’t need to go and make up things to be scared about. I don’t like horror movies, or evil themed stuff. I want the Good stuff. I want that Bible Joy.There’s a lot to be afraid or fearful nowadays- And if you don’t pay attention- you can get sucked up into the fear- Fear is a product that the media loves to sell.  Let me show you some of their speakThink of the words the media uses- “Possible link” “Officials are worried about” (no link- nothing has happened) “Our nation’s” (large scale story) “shocking new details (when we come back)” “Officials consider the threat to be serious” (which ones aren’t?) “Officials are closely monitoring” (nothing is actually happening) “could perhaps potential might”  “an alarming percentage” (who decides what is alarming) “Deadly” (yes, some do die, but not all) “A new study, a new report, experts fear, experts worry” (they seem to do this a lot) “experts say its just a matter of time” (they have been saying that for years) “But Washingtonians feel” (from one guy they talked to on the street) (From Gavin De Becker)One of the greatest reasons I love Christmas is that we get this reminder- Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.Do NOT be AFRAID- Don’t have fear. Don’t live that way- there’s nothing good in fear- nothingThe bible mentions many times “Do not fear” and “do not be afraid” I think its because fear is something that plagues everyone at sometime in their life- its common among humans.Top ten fears people have Social phobias- excessive self consciousness in social situationsAgoraphobia- fear of specific places or venues- fear of open spaces Acrophobia- fear of heights can give vertigo Pteromerhanophobia- fear of flying Claustraphobia- fear of enclosed spacesEntomophobia- fear of insects Ophidiophobia- fear of snakes Cynophobia- fear of dogsAstraphobia- fear of storms Trypanophobia- fear of needlesPoke around the internet and a large percentage of people worry about: Financial instability, political instability, future pandemics, Global Warming, war, Natural Disaster, and food shortages,What are the 5 primal fears? They are 1) fear of abandonment, 2) loss of identity, 3) loss of meaning, 4) loss of purpose and 5) fear of death, including the fear of sickness and pain.)We are only born with two fears: the fear of falling, and the fear of loud noises.The rest of the fears- we gain through experience, or through our mind. We find stuff to fearBut listen to what the bible says about fear-Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Psalm 56:3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.How do we not fear-One- Control your thoughts-Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.Philippians 4:8 meditate on these things.2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,