Have you seen the headlines--how can you miss them! "Tanks Move into Bethlehem"--the town where Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was born. How does that affect you as a Christian? I feel sadness as the words of a well-loved Christmas carol ring in my ears, "O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie." Well, it's not still today, and while I am not about to make any kind of political statement, I believe there's a message in the story of the town, the tanks and the trauma!
"Keep your eye on the Middle East!" Those words, spoke by my late dad, a faithful pastor of God's Word for many years, also ring in my ears today. He spoke, of course, of the Bible prophecies rapidly being fulfilled, of the Last Days, of the Soon Return of Christ. And while it is valid now more than ever, there's also another message in the story of the town, the tanks and the trauma! Hang on--for the daughter of her late beloved pastor-dad has a 3-point sermon for us all!
Tanks of Fear
Have the tanks of the adversary rolled down YOUR street today? Not tanks that defend or attempt to bring an end to terrorism. No, these are tanks that defeat and destroy your very soul, rolled into town by an enemy with full intent to destroy you. Fear will traumatize you into absolute terror over circumstances of which you have no control. The "what ifs" of life will worry you until you are a walking ghost, enchained by overwhelming fear you cannot shake.
Well, Satan has no power over the child of God. Fear is from the pit of hell, and to the pit of hell you must send those tanks roaring. Replace the tanks of hell with the truth from heaven - "Perfect love casteth out all fear." The devil must flee in the Name of Jesus. Let the tanks that rolled into your life roll right out today--and let the Prince of Peace be victorious in your world today!
Tanks of Anger
Tanks of Anger rolling down your street and about to tear up your front lawn? Hold it--that anger is not heavenly; it's but another tank of trauma with which the devil would like to control your world. He'd like to poison your spirit and imprison your soul with hatred, resentment and unforgiveness. The tank of anger will roll over your very life--it will hurt you more than the person who hurt you if you let it.....so beware--don't let it in YOUR town today!
What to do? Let it GO--however justified your reasoning and your cause. Let it go--and you will experience peace that can come ONLY from the Prince of Peace born in that little town of Bethlehem so long ago. HE is your peace--and the tanks of the enemy must flee when HE says GO! Believe it and be set free in His Name today.
Tanks of Depression
Eyes filled with tears can barely see them--but they roll down your street and into your soul. Tanks of depression that bring sadness, despondency, disillusionment--and death. Depression may result from chemical inbalance and of course, needs medical attention; however, I'm talking about the tanks of the enemy that come and go in the lives of Christians....one day we're up, next day we're down. The devil has a way of bursting balloons, of driving one word or thought deep within the spirit--and down we go. Down into the depths of despair that rolls into our lives without relief.
But there IS relief--there is victory for the sad spirit and soul. It's found in the Name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace--who can, in one word, dispel the darkness and fill your soul with HIS joy-- and His Strength. Don't cower in a dark, dingy corner of your world--come out into the sunshine of God's love and joy. Claim HIS victory in your life this day.
So the tanks from down below MAY roll into your town bringing trauma beyond your ability to cope. You CAN'T bear it or battle it alone......but "Keep your eyes on the road" for, I hear rumbling on the horizon--it's the tanks of God's triumphant hosts - His peace to dispel the fear, His grace to forgive the wrongs, and His joy to replace the sadness. He is the heavenly conqueror and He's on the way to win YOUR war.....watch for the tanks of your conquering Lord--they are mighty to the pulling down of every stronghold--and they are headed for YOUR town! Trauma is turned to triumph--for the PRINCE OF PEACE is alive and well - and working - in YOUR Bethlehem today!
... Manger Sq./church entry ... 
... Bethlehem/alleyway ... 
