No More Fear!

Hearing the bad news after his physical examination, a sick man turned to his 
doctor.  "Doc, I'm afraid to die.  I know you are a Christian man… tell me what to 
expect on the other side?"

Hesitatingly, the doctor said, "I don't know for sure.  But let me tell you a story 
that might help you.  The other day I took my dog to the vet.  I left my little Lucky 
outside in the truck while I went in to speak with the doctor.  I heard scratching at 
the door and when I opened the door, she sprang right into my arms with 
absolute confidence that everything was ok.  She had never been through that 
door before, but she knew her master was there.  That knowledge was bigger to 
her than her fear of the unknown.  That, my friend, is how I view life after our 
physical death.  I too am afraid of the unknown, but my trust that the Master is 
waiting for me on the other side outweighs my fear, and that is enough for me."

I like that story.  In spite of the fact that we witness death on a daily basis, we 
humans have a fear of the unknown realm.  People will do almost anything these 
days to put off the inevitable.  Fear of death has reached epidemic proportions!  

It's no wonder that Paul wrote about it so often. Read two chapters – Romans 6 
and I Corinthians 15 – to hear the Spirit remind us that we have victory in Jesus 
Christ.  That victory is not over life…it is over death!  Our biggest fear is that life 
might end and there be nothing left except eternal pain and torment.  Paul would 
remind us that Jesus defeated death, and in His victory WE gain eternal life.  

So, beyond that doorway of death is an unknown place with unknown events.  
Nobody has been there and lived to tell us what we should expect… except One.  
His name is Jesus.  He said, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, 
believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not 
so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and 
prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I 
am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3)

At Northside, we are praying that God is working in your life right now to lead you 
to that confident assurance of your eternal blessing.  We are eager to assist you 
in that discovery process and we invite you to join us…to get to know us.  You'll 
find that we are strugglers, just like you.  But we know where to find our Master.  
That confidence is bigger to us than our fear of the unknown. If you would like to 
have that kind of confidence, let us know.  Until then, may God grant you peace 
in His Son.