The Angel-Talk: Fear Not

"What about fear not? Isn't that what angels are supposed to say?" 

That's a line from one of my work-in-progress novels, and the answer to the second question is yes. Angels are messengers from God and they almost always begin by saying, "Fear not." That's because God is constantly saying, "Fear not," to us. 

Today, my morning reading was from Deuteronomy 1-3. The three chapters are the beginning of the sermon Moses preached the children of Israel before he handed over leadership to Joshua. As I read, I realized God had been telling them the same message ever since they left Egypt. It's the same message he tells all of us, sometimes on a daily basis.

Fear not.

When, at the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land, God made a way through the Red Sea, the people stood at the edge of the water and hesitated. They were afraid. Could they trust this God they served? They weren't sure.

Moses told the people, 

"Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent."  

Exodus 14:13-14 nasb

At the end of their journey, when they were about to enter the Promised Land, the people were still afraid. Their enemies were big and powerful. The battle ahead was too much for them. They were still asking if they could trust this God they served. They still weren't sure.

Moses told them (concerning the inhabitants of the land),

"Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you." 

Deuteronomy 3:22 nasb

The Hebrews started the journey as newly-freed slaves with nothing. They ended the journey as free people with great wealth, many treasures, and abundant livestock. 

From beginning to end, God told them not to be afraid, just as He does us.

We are to choose faith, not fear, because we serve a God who can be trusted.

Sometimes, the path God chooses for us is hard. The children of Israel traveled through wilderness and desert. Sometimes, they had to fight real battles with real enemies. It was difficult. They didn't have the food they preferred. There were no markets or grocery stores. They ate what God provided and wore the same clothes and shoes for forty years. 

It wasn't a pleasant path, but it was a blessed path, for God was with them and there was no need to fear. 

God fought for them, even before they knew there was a fight to be fought, and He does the same for us.

When we journey through a hard patch of life, which we all will do, there are two words we need to remember. 

Fear not. 

God is with us. He is fighting for us. He does the hardest part of the work. He will bring us through this journey of life to the destination He has promised. 

Our job is simple. Choose faith, not fear, and keep walking.

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Be sure to check the updated Prayer List 

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In case you missed one of the past week's posts, here are the links: Honoring Our Heroes, #writerslife and the power of words,  The King with the Plan That Wasn't God's, Numbers Don't Lie: The Price of Rebellion, Numbers Don't Lie: The Grumble-Free Zone, The Broken Wing That Was Not: The Killdeer and Jesus, Faith and Hope: We Do Not Wait Alone, God Uses Everything, Even Manwich

#fearnot #choosefaithnotfear #JesusChrist #linesfromleanna #leannahollis

Considering the Lilies: Receiving the Kingdom of God

"Consider the lilies, how they grow... And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.                                       (Luke 12:27, 29-32 NASB)

Our post today is technically a part of the lily series because it's drawn from the passage, but it also joins the Kingdom of God series from several months ago. 

We began the lily series by considering the lily bulb. In case you missed any part of the series, you can click on the links to catch up. We've also considered lily propagation,  lily's disposition, true lilies and the importance of the name, the importance of planting the lily bulb deep in the ground, the different varieties of lilies,  living the lily life, and  seeking the kingdom. Yesterday, we looked at choosing freedom from fear, worry, and selfishness.

There's a good reason we don't have to be afraid. Our Heavenly Father has gladly chosen to give us the kingdom. The word translated as kingdom is basileia and indicates the territory or authority of a king. ThereIn are many uses for the kingdom of God, but I'm inclined to believe Jesus is referring not only to the kingdom of God at work in our hearts but to a literal kingdom of God to come when Jesus returns. His little flock of believers will reign with Him during this time. 

King Jesus is coming back and everyone will know that He is in charge.

We won't wonder. We won't doubt. Jesus will make all things clear.

Jesus spoke to people whose government had been taken over by a foreign power (Rome) and whose life was, in many ways, hard. Taxation wasn't fair and the government representatives could take as much of their income as they wanted. They worked hard to provide basic necessities for their families. Jesus, human himself, knew their struggle. 

He had a bit of advice (instruction, really) that would make their journey easier. It's one we should heed, as well. 
Take your eyes off the present difficulty and put them on the future joy to come. 
This life of struggle is not all you'll have. 
The hard times won't last forever.

In their uncertain times, the struggle was real. Their hope of the future was, too, and so is ours. We live in a world where right is called wrong and wrong is called right. Like Nineveh, people "don't know the difference between their right hand and their left". (Jonah 4:11) Christians are slaughtered for their faith. 

Evil is rampant and the reign of terror seems unstoppable. But it's not. One day, the skies will split, Jesus will appear, and the reign of evil and terror will come to an end..

We need to keep our eyes on the sky and our hearts fixed on the hope of our returning Lord because that hope makes all the difference.

Don't fear, dear ones, Jesus told us, I'm coming back and you will share with me in my new Kingdom. Keep your minds fixed on that truth.

I've written before about the kingdom of heaven. Rather than repeating those words, I'm including links to the posts. Click on the link and it will open in a new tab but save your spot here.

Thy Kingdom Come/Heaven-style Worship
The Kingdom of God in Us
The Keys to the Kingdom of God
Thy Kingdom Come, Entering the Kingdom 
Born into the Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God to Come

There's a section from one of the posts listed above that I've read repeatedly this morning, and it's broken my heart all over again. I hope it touches your heart, too.

"If I lack the power of Peter, it is because I want the things of this world more than the power and authority, the knowledge and discipline that Jesus promised. I read those words, shudder at the truth of them, and recognize that it is truly pathetic. Why would I prefer comfort over the incredible delight of following Christ, even when it is hard, knowing that my eternal reward in heaven will be more than adequate recompense? This should not be."

Why would I prefer comfort over the incredible delight of following Christ? That's the question we all need to answer. One day, things will be different. For now, we must follow Him. No matter the cost.

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Our Father who art in heaven, forgive my earthly ways. Help me to choose Your paths, Your righteousness, Your ways, no matter the cost. In Jesus name, Amen.

Provision of the Holy Spirit: Every word you need

And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." (Luke 12:10-12 NASB)

These are tough words, but filled with hope and assurance. The word translated as "when" is hotan and is used to indicate something that will definitely happen but at an uncertain time/date. We might read it as "when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, and it is going to happen..." Jesus' use of hotan was a way of telling His disciples that these difficulties were not possibilities. They would definitely happen.

"Synagogues and the rulers and the authorities" is a reference to both the Jewish religious leaders and the governmental authorities. Every level of authority over them would demand an answer for their faith.

It's hard to understand the impact these words must have had on the disciples. They were, for the most part, unlearned, blue collar workers, not men from the upper echelon of society. 

Peter carried a sword. He was apparently accustomed to defending himself by brute force, not the power of words. To be brought before religious and governmental authorities meant risking everything, for the two bodies had incredible control over their lives. These were not men who were accustomed to defending themselves with words. They weren't eloquent public speakers. 

Let's put ourselves in these men's place for a moment. Jesus told them, "You're going to be dragged into court for following me, and you'll have to speak up to defend yourselves. You won't have a lawyer to help. You're on your own." That's a chilling thought, isn't it? 

Here's the good news. No man would help them BUT the Holy Spirit would "in that very hour" (just in the nick of time) tell them exactly what they needed to say. Instead of another man, Jesus was sending His own emissary, the Holy Spirit, to help them. 

Suddenly, the situation must have sounded much better. Even though the Holy Spirit had not yet filled them, the idea must have been a relief. They were not alone.

It's one of the things I love the most about Jesus. I am not alone. No matter what I face. No matter how difficult the situation. No matter to whom I have to answer. I do not answer alone. I do not cope with my circumstances alone. The Triune God, in the form of the Holy Spirit, is with me, helping, providing, enabling me to do what must be done, to say what must be said. 

"Do not worry," Jesus told them. He knew our propensity to worry and aimed to head it off. There is no need to be afraid, to agonize over what is to come. The one who forgives our past and directs our present is in control of our future, as well. 

Will hard times come to us? Yes. We may not experience the kind of persecution the disciples faced (although I think we will), but we will encounter difficulties. The wonderful news is that our Lord has the future firmly in hand. He has a provision for every need we have. There's no need to fear.

Take heart, He has overcome the world and He holds you in His loving hands.

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Our Father, who holds the past, present, and the future, give me faith to trust you in the hard times, to honor you with my words and to stand firm for Jesus, no matter what comes my way. Free me from my fear and help me cling to You. In Jesus name, Amen.

More valuable than sparrows

"I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (Luke 12:4-7 NASB)

Jesus understood fear. When He began to talk about people killing the body, His disciples must have sat up and listened. People are going to kill us? Yes, Jesus seemed to say, people are going to kill you, but you don't have to be afraid of them. 

If there was ever a time to fear, it would be when someone is killing you. But no. Even then, there is no cause for fear. Why not? The disciples did not have to be afraid because they were precious to God. 

Sparrows were the cheapest, most worthless birds in the marketplace, yet God knows every one of them. Not even one of the tiny little birds is forgotten by God. He has known the birds and He continues knowing the birds. God remembers them and He does not forget them.

"God knows every hair on your heads," Jesus told the disciples. Those hairs are numbered. He knows every single one of them. 

Run your fingers through your hair. God knows about every single one of those hairs. If the hairs on our head are numbered by God, you can be sure He cares about every single one of us, too. 

That's what Jesus said. "You are more valuable than many sparrows, and God knows about every one of them." God is not just peripherally aware of us. He knows us. We are precious to Him. Valuable to Him. 

That knowledge is more than I can comprehend. Almighty God, Jehovah, Creator and Sustainer of the universe knows me, cares about me, treasures me. He knows, cares, and treasures you, too. There is never a time when He does not know us, care about us, treasure us. Regardless of what happens politically, socially, or professionally in our world, He still cares about us, still treasures us. Nothing escapes His eye. 

He loves us, but hard times will still come our way. Some of us will be persecuted. Some of us will give our lives for Christ. That doesn't change the fact that He loves us. He will be with us every step of the way. There is no need to fear because we do not go through hard times alone. El Shaddai, God Almighty, goes with us through every situation, every circumstance, every difficulty.

We are not alone.

Take comfort in those words. Whatever we face, wherever we are, we are not alone. So don't be afraid. Emmanuel. God is with us. 

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O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off... Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me... (Psalms 139:1-2, 7-10 KJV)

Thank you, Lord, that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank you that You are with me in every circumstance. It's more than I can comprehend, but I praise You for Your presence. Help me to honor You with my life and let you lead me through the darkest places. In Jesus' name, Amen

How to stop being afaid

"I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! (Luke 12:4-5 NASB)

Jesus knew His disciples would face persecution. He knew they would live under the constant threat of death. He knew that some of them would die horrific deaths because of their faith in Him.  He knew what they would face, and He told them, so they wouldn't be surprised. I love that about Him. 

God knows everything we will face and nothing takes Him by surprise. Often, He gives us a heads-up about what is coming, so we won't be surprised, either. I love that about Him, too. The "uneasy feeling" of trouble coming? That's not a sixth sense.  It's God, preparing us for what's ahead.

He knows about the terrible diagnosis we will hear when the tests come back. He knows about the loved one who goes astray, the husband who leaves, the wife who has an affair, the lost job, the financial crisis. He knows.

What is even more precious to me is that He knows about our fear. He knows that the thought of a trial is often worse than the trial itself. I look back on some of the hardest times of my life. At the beginning, I was scared out of my mind. Looking back now, I see those times as some of the most precious of my life. Why? Because I didn't go it alone. God was with me every step of the way through. My fear was pointless, a wasted exercise in futility.

"Fear not" is angel talk. That's what they always say to us when they come. I wish we could grasp "fear not" and hold on to it. We don't have to be afraid, because we are not going it alone. 

 Fear not is God-talk, too. "Don't be afraid," Jesus was saying. Even if someone threatens to kill you, even if they do kill you, I've got this, He told his disciples. Being killed is not the worst thing that could happen. Going to hell is the worst thing. Everything else pales in comparison.

It's time we got our fear straight. We are full of so many fears. We fear rejection, failure, loss, disease, pain, suffering, death. We fear, so we live our lives trying to avoid the very thing we fear. 

I used to do that. Finally, I got it. When Jesus said "don't be afraid," He meant it. I don't have to be afraid.  I can choose something different. I can choose fearlessness. 

So I did.

I stopped being afraid. 

I'm not perfect at it. I still struggle with it. But mostly, I'm done with it. 

Experience has taught me that there is nothing that will ever come my way that God cannot handle. He's got this life of mine. Even when I mess up, He's got it.

I am in expert hands, and you can be, too.

Make a choice. Change your life. Give your fear away to the One who abolishes fear and be done with fear. You will love how knowing without a doubt that God is in control of your life opens up your possibilities. Nothing is too hard for Him, so nothing is too hard for you.

It is life-changing.

Why not be done with fear? How? Give your fear to God and embrace what He gives instead.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; 

but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

     (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

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God of all power, help me to be done with fear today. Replace my fear with You power, Your love, and a sound mind that comes only from You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.