December 15–Do no be afraid

Happy weekend. I hope you’re doing well and working your way though your Christmas lists. “Don’t be afraid.” The angels were such a big part of the Christmas story, showing up several times and each time telling a different part of the story. But the thing they always said was “Do not be afraid!”


“But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬


““Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:30‬ ‭NLT‬‬


“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:9-10‬ ‭NLT


We don’t know if the appeared in long flowing robes with halos and wings but we can be assured that angels, in all their glory, must be a completely overwhelming sight. However, it’s never any doubt, they ARE angels. 


Have you ever wondered though if “don’t be afraid” relates to their message, as well? As in “Jesus is coming and you don’t have to be afraid any more!” What I do know is that Jesus and fear are mutually exclusive. When Jesus is present, there is no room for fear. Because of Jesus, we can step away from all fear and worry and into His presence. The message of Christmas doesn’t change and I can guarantee that the angels are still saying, “Do not be afraid!”


When your circumstances are falling apart, remind yourself, “Do not be afraid!”


When you are dealing with disappointment, pain or loneliness, remind yourself, “Do not be afraid!”


God has promised that He would give His peace to those whose hearts and minds are fully stayed on Him. Peace is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of God. And because of Jesus, this Christmas, and every Christmas, you can rest in His overwhelming and satisfying peace!


Dear God of the Angel armies, we worship you and praise you for being the master of all our fears and for what you mean to us. We want to love you, follow you, praise you, thank you and obey you. You not only came as a baby, but you lived and gave your life so that we might live and live without fear. You are a great God and we are your people. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one, 

Pam




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 17, 2020

Happy Friday. It’s the end of another week and we have had more opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us and sometimes that takes quite a bit of effort. I don’t know about you, but I’m not always anxious to embrace others and really listen to them or share with them (especially those who I don’t know well). Sometimes, I just look at them and think “Are you for real?” I don’t always agree with people over politics, sports or of course, religion. And let’s face it, we’d rather spend time with people we like and mostly agree.  And then I read my Bible. God hasn’t called us to sit in our little groups with only those we naturally gravitate towards, but to love people—all people, even those who aren’t necessarily loveable. In this passage, Paul writing to the people of Colosse remarks on how wonderful it is that they truly love others. That love must have really been something over and above the normal and he tells them that it is evident that it comes from the Holy Sp
Read more

January 15, 2020

Happy Wednesday to you. I hope your week is going well. Yesterday, I went to Sams. I was out of things like trash bags, toilet paper, and chicken, so off I went. I like going to Sams because there is always lots to look at and the isles are nice and wide. Everytime I’m there, I am amazed at how much stuff and everything from diapers to TVs to mangos to beds. It just seems incredible that so many things in such quantities are all under one roof.  King David never saw a store with as much stuff aa Sams of course, but he did see countless miracles and understand that God has plans. He knew from creation and history that he was serving a God of miracles and he know that God loved him and his people and would take care of them. He was amazed and awe-struck by the fact that a God who had done such great and mighty things not only cared about his people but that He loved them with such a great love.  “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can co
Read more

January 9, 2020

It’s Thursday and I woke up to the blowing wind! Lots of it—I’m dreading Boomer waking up and having to go outside with him. That harsh, bitter wind seems cruel and almost evil. But I’ll wrap myself up with a fe layers and boots and brave it all.  Sometimes I think we try to do that with things we know aren’t right—things that are evil. We try to wrap ourselves up and just wade into it, but Paul tells us we should reject it—stay away from it. “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:20-24‬ NIV When he wrote this he’d been in Berea and the Christians there diligently searched the scriptures to make sure everything Paul said was in line. Paul here is encouraging the Thessalonians to
Read more