¨ Oil Prices - Thursday (3/13/2008) prices went above $110 a barrel.  What’s happening to                             cause such a steep rise in the price of oil recently?

                 There are many factors in play when it comes to oil prices.  We all                  understand the relationship between supply and demand.

· Supply:  Most experts are of the opinion that production has peaked.  That means there will be no increase in production - instead, there will be a decline.  Couple that with the fact that environmental extremists continue to stand in the way of new drilling in the USA, prices will continue to rise - in spite of the fact that we have more than enough reserves to relieve the pressure of demand outpacing supply.

· Futures Speculation:  Many people are unaware that the Stock Market is a driving force in the ever increasing oil prices.  They are a major influence in determining the cost of a barrel of oil.

· Foreign Events:  Leaders from oil producing countries like Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran continue to make statements that cause fears among speculators that there is going to be a shortage

· Weak Dollar:  The exchange rate on the dollar is not too good right now.  This also impacts the price of crude oil.
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Email:  dhlelek@lelek.us

Have you noticed how often the word “fear” appears in the news these days?

FEAR of a recession

FEAR of housing crisis

FEAR of losing jobs

FEAR of the weather

FEAR of high gas prices

FEAR of global warming

FEAR of a meteor hitting earth

FEAR of …………………….

FEAR dominates the news, dominates people’s thoughts, causes sleepless nights & fretful days.  Why does the news media insist on its recurring themes of fear?  Fear seems to be the engine that drives most news stories these days.  Of course you can’t  talk about fear without mentioning the fact that it is the tool that used by terrorists to impose their will upon those who don’t agree with them or share their beliefs.

 

It is vital that you do not give in to fear.  I have heard the quote, and I don’t know who to credit for it, and this is a paraphrase — but it goes like this:  If you would fear God, you would not have to fear anything or anyone in this world.

 

[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom

                                                                 - Proverbs 9

 

[4] “And I say to you, My friends, don't fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. [5] But I will show you the One to fear: Fear Him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the One to fear!

                                                                 -Jesus (Luke 12)

 

[18] There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. [19] We love because He first loved us.

                                                                 - 1 John 4

 

When fear invades your thoughts, let God’s love drive it far from you.

 

NOTE:  I have to look at life in the light of God’s Word.  There is an answer to every circumstance and situation you might face in His Word, but you have to get between the two covers to find it.  As long as it is closed and gathering dust, you won’t find any answers.  His Word consists of more than black ink on white pages bound with a leather cover.  Open it.  Read it.  It will open up a whole new way of life for you.

Wed (4/9/2008)