Scary Times

Boo!  Today is Halloween.  Most people don’t realize that Halloween actually has Christian origins.  It marks the evening before All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2) as a “hallowed” or holy evening.  Eventually “All Hallows Eve” was shortened to “Halloween.”  In today’s culture, Halloween has become more of a day for jack-o-lanterns, costumes, trick or treating, spooks, ghosts, and goblins.  Many regard it as a “fright night”.  Halloween is now synonymous with scary.

But did you know that the phrase “Do not be afraid!” appears in the Bible exactly 365 times?  That’s remarkable – one for each day of the year!  God knows that we as people are prone to fear.  But our fear is not of ghosts or goblins, jack-o-lanterns or ghouls.  Jesus has defeated all that, including Satan himself when he died on the cross.  1 John 4:4 reminds us: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

The fears we face today usually revolve around things like failing health, not having enough money, losing loved ones, or a child’s poor choices.  Yet, there’s another fear unique to Christians spoken about in the Bible.  It is the fear of persecution.  Truth is, we live in a culture, nation, and world that is increasingly hostile toward Christianity.   Believers in Jesus were never promised an easy life.  Instead, we can expect to face hardship, trouble, insults, and maybe even bodily harm for believing. 

In the midst of a climate of fear, Jesus speaks:  “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).  Join us this Sunday at Grace Church as we unpack this verse and find comfort and hope in the words of Jesus.  Worship begins at 10:00 AM.  A nursery space and children’s church are provided.  Refreshments will follow the service.  Remember to “fall back” one hour and plan to join us.  The Holy Spirit is waiting for you!