Do Not Be Afraid

God is in control.

God is sovereign.

God is all powerful.

God is all knowing.

God is ever present.

 

God reminds us in Hebrews 13:5-8 - (5) Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"  (6) so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"  (7) Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.  (8) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 

Not enough income, money, enrollees, members, customers, etc.?  Do not be afraid.

Don't know how you're going to pay all of your bills? Do not be afraid.

Lost your job? Do not be afraid.

Cancer? Do not be afraid.

Losing your house? Do not be afraid.

Rejected because of your faith in Jesus? Do not be afraid.

God directing you to an "impossible" future? Do not be afraid.

 

Feeling alone? "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU."

Feeling abandoned? "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU."

Feeling overwhelmed? "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

Feeling persecuted for your faith? "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

Feeling unjustly treated? "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

 

Read on to get a little more into the story of the virgin Mary.

 

Do not be afraid.

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Faith Like Mary: Fear Won't Help Posted: 16 Dec 2009 09:18 AM PST "But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.' " (Luke 1:30-31) The terrifying, friendly angel Gabriel must have noticed Mary looked scared. Who wouldn't be scared to have a spiritual being appear and start talking to them? So the angel says, "Don't be afraid." Then he tells her this frightening news: "God thinks you're great. So you're about to get pregnant and have a son who has already been named." All of Mary's expectations for her life were about to change. That's what happens when God favors us and chooses to use us for His purposes. He most often re-maps our intended path; He rewrites our agenda. He might even surprise us with world-rocking announcements that don't sound like good news. "This is how God shows He favors me?" It's hard for us to remember, but God's first purpose isn't to make us comfortable or to make our tiny dreams come true. He graciously wants to use up our brief little lives on this side of heaven with work and love and even struggle that will matter to Him for eternity. That's great news. Do not be afraid. Think: Have you ever had the sense that God has used you or the circumstances of your life in some way for His purpose? Do you believe He does that for Christians? How does believing that impact how you think about unexpected changes in your life? Pray: Ask God to help you not to be afraid to be used for His purposes in unexpected ways. Do: Make a quick list of two or three of the most unexpected changes that have happened in your life so far.