Boston, MA Trip

Stephen had a business trip to Boston last week. During his off hours, we were able to enjoy the sights and adventures of Boston with Jonathan and Bethany and their two boys. Following the Boston Freedom Trail and seeing the other sights of Boston with two strollers, two young boys, and a baby was quite an adventure!

This week was also our first wedding anniversary. We celebrated it over the weekend by finding and following the "Baptist Freedom Trail." The Baptist History Preservation Society is a church ministry that traces Baptist history in the United States and they graciously provided us with information regarding places of interest.

Religious persecution was prevalent in the early days of America. The religious liberty that we enjoy in this nation today was spearheaded by Baptist ministers who believed in individual soul liberty. Some even shed their own blood to secure our religious liberty.

Over the next few weeks, we invite you to follow our blog as we follow the Baptist Freedom Trail and tell the little known history of religious liberty in America.

Fear & Faith - Elisha's Invisible Army Chalk Talk

The city of Dothan was surrounded by an army from Syria. Their mission had one single purpose--the capture of Elisha the prophet. When Elisha's servant rose early that morning and saw the situation of the city, he was afraid and cried to Elisha, "Alas, my master! How shall we do?" He had great FEAR! Elisha, however, was not afraid, but had peace and confidence in God. He said, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."

Then Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see!"

"The Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."

This history teaches us a valuable lesson on fear. It is a sin for the Christian believer to have fear. Jesus said in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

We are faced with the temptation to worry or be afraid often. So how do we find victory? Isaiah 12:2 tells us how to prevent fear: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." You do not ever need to be afraid! Fear can be prevented by trusting in the Lord.

Sometimes fear overcomes us. How do we conquer fear? The psalmist said, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" (56:3).

The only way to prevent or conquer fear is to trust in the Lord. He has a plan for each of our lives! Let us just trust and obey!