A popular show on TV is called the "Fear Factor" where people do crazy stunts. They face their fears and attempt awesome feats. Have you ever noticed that fear has a way of paralyzing us? Whether we freeze in the headlights or we cease to follow God's lead, fear is the factor behind it. There is a man in the Old Testament named Benaiah who overcame his fears to become a man whom God trusted and utilized. Benaiah's name literally means "God made." As we trace the Scripture we see how God transformed him into a useful vessel. He was the son of a Chief Priest. In other words, a Pastor's kid. As a Levite, it was expected that he would follow in his Father's footsteps and become a Priest. God had something else in mind for young Benaiah. In 2 Samuel 23.20-21 we read of Benaiah's exploits. You might call them a challenge or adventure. Certainly these would be on the "Fear Factor" if faced today. Benaiah was a warrior. He faced 2 of Moab's best warriors and cut them down. Later, he met a huge Egyptian warrior who held a spear. Benaiah only had a club. During the match Benaiah took the Egyptians own sword away from him and killed him with it. While these victories are noteworthy, a sentence in v.20 states, "he also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion." Can you imagine the today's news interviewers asking Benaiah why he it. Interviewer: "Why did you do it?" Benaiah: Answering like many mountain climbers do, "Because it was there!" We'll never know the why behind this feat. Was it a challenge? Was it mere stupidity? Was he afraid of lions so he jumped in and faced his fears? We do not know. What we do know is that on a snowy day he jumped into a pit and killed a lion. All of these feats were used of God to transform Benaiah into a man of God useful for God's kingdom. There are several things we learn: 1st, that we may feel boxed in by who we are and our circumstances, yet God has a plan for us that will shatter the man-made walls and enable us to be whom God meant us to be. 2nd, that in order for there to be a victory, we must jump in and face our fears. Whether it is jumping off of a cliff into water or taking on a new job or sharing your faith in Jesus with your neighbor, there is no possibility of victory unless we jump in. 3rd, Benaiah put his entire life on the line when he jumped into that pit. He held nothing back. It was all or nothing. It was the lion or him. God can use us mightily for His kingdom when we withhold nothing back from Him. When we trust God with our lives, God builds us up into the kind of man or woman that He wants. There may be plenty of fear factors, but God is more than able to achieve the victory through us. Blessings, Pastor Pete

"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point." - Martin Luther (1483-1546) Many Christians are steady, faithful, well versed in what the Bible says, and on the side lines of today's great moral issues. Perhaps it is because we are fearful of what others may think. Perhaps we do not want to be viewed as intolerant or prejudiced. Perhaps we've taken St. Patrick's quote too far, when he said, "preach Christ...if necessary use words." Many of our co-workers do not know we are Christians precisely because there is no difference between us and them. We may be nice looking, own nice clothes, have nice families and live in the nice part of our community. But do any of these things say anything about Jesus to them? The society's pressure has increased and either we stand up under it or we get caught up with the flow. The Bible says, "Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds." But how have we've gone with the flow? Where have we conformed and become sidelined when God wants us to be on the front lines? We have lots of moral issues of our day. Gay marriage is the hot topic. How many of us deceive ourselves when we say that "it doesn't matter to me because it doesn't affect me"? What about abortion? Illegal aliens? The misuse of tax money? Welfare for the truly needy? Education? Healthcare for the poor? The environment? Can we honestly say that "it doesn't affect me?" I believe the Bible does speak to the issues of our day, but too often we remain quiet, deep in thought or lost in the busyness of our lives. God calls us to be different. To not bend with the wind or to go with the flow of popular thought. God calls us to the front lines, to be His ambassadors. There is a world of people who need to hear the truth that God loves them and is calling them into relationship. If we are not willing, then who will? If we do not bring Jesus into the discussions of our day, who will? If we do not strive to be a godly influence, then who will? Should not our aim be that when people see and hear us, they see and hear Jesus. We may not be accepted, but we can be right in the middle of where the battle rages. Now that is where God wants us. So, where are you? Blessings, Pastor Pete