Jesus Christ has freed us from our sins by his blood. Revelation 1, 5

28th & 29th June Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. Psalm 107, 23 - 26 & 28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mattew 20, 28 Fear We are afraid on the road, in busses, at college, at home, in front of television and its unbearable pictures. We think about the things we come into touch with: pollution, exclusion, drugs, aids, corruption, political instability, suicide of young people, fanaticisme, sects, terrorism, wars. All these things make us giddy. Where will this lead to? What is the future for our children?

We feel threatened by the curse of this world, by personal trials at work, within the family or by secret troubles.

Don't let us get into rebellion or dispaired! God is able to intervene in our lives. It is his wish to do so because he is love. Love is his everlasting nature. Even if men deny it, God loves us. He wants us to be happy; he created us to be happy on earth which he made mangnificent and harmonious. Conflicts, fears, sufferings, it is not God who wanted this, these are consequences of sin, of this unbearable insult. Sin is disobedience towards the will of God. But he still loves us! Is there a greater love than the love of God? Let's think about it. If he has given his beloved Son to save the sinners, will he not take care of those who have received him every day?

Don't let us forget that God's power does not know any limits. He has created the worlds. He will bring dead back to life. Today his power and love work together for our favour.

How can God intervene in the life of a man who is a sinner and free him from his fears? By simply removing the idea of judgement how we would like it? No, because he cannot deny himself. In his person he unites holiness without compromise and unlimited love.

He knows the first of our fears: our conscience is troubled before him. First of all he wishes to deliver us from our bad conscience.

In order to deliver us, God has sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4, 10). Christ died instead of the sinners. "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8, 1). There is no more crushing guilt for him who believes in Jesus, because God gives him the dignity of a right man and the serenity of somebody who has "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ". (Romans 5, 1)

It is a joy for God to receive such a person like a father receives his child. He takes care for him and gives him his solicitude. In his wisdom he sometimes permits his children to suffer on earth but he never will abandon them. The Lord is always very close to his children like a very good friend. We can rest on him like a child rests its head on the shoulder of its mother. He is a faithful friend and powerful to remove fear and give inner peace.

Next story: Spread the Gospel with every tool