"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." ~1 John 4:18, NIV
When you first consider Christianity, it certainly seems as fear-based as Judaism - it seems to say "obey me because otherwise you're going to hell." And while it's true that otherwise you are going to hell, that's not the crux of Christianity.
A relationship with Jesus Christ, on the other hand, is.
It was His first love that gave us any chance of skipping out on Hell. And it is His love that reaches out to save you. Christianity as intended is more of a "obey me or you're gonna miss out on God's great love" than a "go to Hell" kind of philosophy.
Christ's perfect love casts out ALL fear. And only with Him inside of you, with His perfect love functioning as a part of you, can you live in God's plan of no fear for your life.
Perfect love isn't attainable, it's given, and freely at that.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Day 318: Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9, NIV
It is true that God has commanded us, through Joshua, to courageously and fearlessly obey Him - for He promises to be with us no matter where we go. 365 times? I wish.
But God says it here, so I will let that be sufficient. He told Joshua, and didn't Joshua fulfill God's will and create peace and prosperity for His people?
He still has great plans for us, and if He did that for Joshua under the old covenant, what might He do with us?
It is true that God has commanded us, through Joshua, to courageously and fearlessly obey Him - for He promises to be with us no matter where we go. 365 times? I wish.
But God says it here, so I will let that be sufficient. He told Joshua, and didn't Joshua fulfill God's will and create peace and prosperity for His people?
He still has great plans for us, and if He did that for Joshua under the old covenant, what might He do with us?
Monday, November 12, 2012
Day 317: Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." ~Hebrews 13:8, NIV
All of the hope I have in this world, isn't in this world at all - it's in Jesus, and His act of death so I could one day pray to Him, get my sins forgiven, and begin the best relationship ever that allows me to go to Heaven when I die.
This hope is like the man Himself - it is as potent as it was when He first rose from the dead today, and it will always stay the same. Jesus, the source of all hope, never changes - as the verse says, He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
The love He has for us never diminishes. His power never diminishes. His validity never diminishes. And what He stands for will outlast time. This Jesus... this is what we Christians put our hope in: God's faithfulness.
All of the hope I have in this world, isn't in this world at all - it's in Jesus, and His act of death so I could one day pray to Him, get my sins forgiven, and begin the best relationship ever that allows me to go to Heaven when I die.
This hope is like the man Himself - it is as potent as it was when He first rose from the dead today, and it will always stay the same. Jesus, the source of all hope, never changes - as the verse says, He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
The love He has for us never diminishes. His power never diminishes. His validity never diminishes. And what He stands for will outlast time. This Jesus... this is what we Christians put our hope in: God's faithfulness.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Day 316: Psalm 31:24
"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." ~Psalm 31:24, NIV
Do you think God can help you overcome your fear? Do you think He wants you to live in a life of His full confidence? Are you living because you love Jesus, not to obey a set of rules?
If you said yes, it means you hope in the Lord. Jesus is the hope of the world, a great light in our hearts of darkness. David, in this psalm, ends with a poignant command to himself and those around him he knows seek God.
After asking and asking God for help, he exhorts all those in his situation to adopt one attitude: be strong and take heart. Wait patiently for God's timing, and stand fast to what you know is true - God made you to be courageous. That doesn't mean you'll always be fearless, but it means you will choose to do what's right even in extenuating circumstances, and that you won't allow the words of your enemies to drag you down.
You choose your attitude. You choose to be strong. You choose to take heart in God's hope. You wait... and God honors it.
Do you think God can help you overcome your fear? Do you think He wants you to live in a life of His full confidence? Are you living because you love Jesus, not to obey a set of rules?
If you said yes, it means you hope in the Lord. Jesus is the hope of the world, a great light in our hearts of darkness. David, in this psalm, ends with a poignant command to himself and those around him he knows seek God.
After asking and asking God for help, he exhorts all those in his situation to adopt one attitude: be strong and take heart. Wait patiently for God's timing, and stand fast to what you know is true - God made you to be courageous. That doesn't mean you'll always be fearless, but it means you will choose to do what's right even in extenuating circumstances, and that you won't allow the words of your enemies to drag you down.
You choose your attitude. You choose to be strong. You choose to take heart in God's hope. You wait... and God honors it.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Day 315: 2 Timothy 4:18
"The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." ~2 Timothy 4:18, NIV
As far as I know, Paul is writing Timothy from his "prison" in Rome. This part of the letter is a short summary of instruction for Timothy, because Paul knows his time is running short. But like every Christian, he knows two things:
1) No matter what happens, God is good
2) No matter what happens, He will be rescued
We have to be aware that God's ways are not our own, and that God's idea of rescue might be our human idea of demise. I think Paul is also referring here to things that could possibly damage and weaken his faith in Christ. If the attacks were successful, he would be in even more trouble.
But Jesus takes care of His sheep, and Paul knows He will rescue him from every evil attack, no matter what kind, no matter when it comes, no matter how it ends.
In the end, our lives are to be lived to His glory - whatever that means for us, we are to choose to be witnesses. Fearless. That's how we should be following Him.
As far as I know, Paul is writing Timothy from his "prison" in Rome. This part of the letter is a short summary of instruction for Timothy, because Paul knows his time is running short. But like every Christian, he knows two things:
1) No matter what happens, God is good
2) No matter what happens, He will be rescued
We have to be aware that God's ways are not our own, and that God's idea of rescue might be our human idea of demise. I think Paul is also referring here to things that could possibly damage and weaken his faith in Christ. If the attacks were successful, he would be in even more trouble.
But Jesus takes care of His sheep, and Paul knows He will rescue him from every evil attack, no matter what kind, no matter when it comes, no matter how it ends.
In the end, our lives are to be lived to His glory - whatever that means for us, we are to choose to be witnesses. Fearless. That's how we should be following Him.
Friday, November 09, 2012
Day 314: Hebrews 11:23
"By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict." ~Hebrews 11:23, NIV
In this passage of Hebrews, James is talking about different people in history who have had extraordinary faith that made them righteous in God's eyes. Unsurprisingly, Moses and his parents are listed.
From the beginning of time, God has ordained certain people to do certain things. Way back in the Old Testament, He had already chosen people like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, all the kings and prophets, and of course Moses, to do His will. These people were special, anyone could see it. The first three examples knew, heard, and obeyed God's voice. It was clear to see, but in Moses' case, it probably wasn't just adoring parents who saw something more: I suspect God had placed that "something" upon His chosen servant.
Moses' parents were just doing what all godly people should: hearing the voice of God and obeying it. In doing His will, we are right with God, even if not with the authorities of the world. But that shouldn't matter - yes, obey authority, but more than that, we are called to obey God.
Don't spurn Earthly authority, for it is a shadow of God's authority, but don't obey it if it runs in contrast to what God and His word show. Who knows - your fearless obedience may be what frees a captive nation from their bonds.
In this passage of Hebrews, James is talking about different people in history who have had extraordinary faith that made them righteous in God's eyes. Unsurprisingly, Moses and his parents are listed.
From the beginning of time, God has ordained certain people to do certain things. Way back in the Old Testament, He had already chosen people like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, all the kings and prophets, and of course Moses, to do His will. These people were special, anyone could see it. The first three examples knew, heard, and obeyed God's voice. It was clear to see, but in Moses' case, it probably wasn't just adoring parents who saw something more: I suspect God had placed that "something" upon His chosen servant.
Moses' parents were just doing what all godly people should: hearing the voice of God and obeying it. In doing His will, we are right with God, even if not with the authorities of the world. But that shouldn't matter - yes, obey authority, but more than that, we are called to obey God.
Don't spurn Earthly authority, for it is a shadow of God's authority, but don't obey it if it runs in contrast to what God and His word show. Who knows - your fearless obedience may be what frees a captive nation from their bonds.
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Day 313: Joshua 10:8
"The Lord said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.'" ~Joshua 10:8, NIV
God reminded Joshua pretty often not to let his fear get the best of him in battle situations. I think it was because Joshua had to wonder if Israel had sinned or not, because if they had, God could not be with them.
Only God knew, and God let Josh know.
We can always be certain that God is with us, although it is prudent to converse with Him daily to see what lies ahead and what, if anything needs to be changed for the smoothest ride. God doesn't want us to let fear control our lives; we can choose to act in spite of fear that is inside of us.
Our actions should always be in obedience. If God says to do this or that, oughtn't we do it? If we're afraid, oughtn't we do it anyways, for the love of our maker?
God reminded Joshua pretty often not to let his fear get the best of him in battle situations. I think it was because Joshua had to wonder if Israel had sinned or not, because if they had, God could not be with them.
Only God knew, and God let Josh know.
We can always be certain that God is with us, although it is prudent to converse with Him daily to see what lies ahead and what, if anything needs to be changed for the smoothest ride. God doesn't want us to let fear control our lives; we can choose to act in spite of fear that is inside of us.
Our actions should always be in obedience. If God says to do this or that, oughtn't we do it? If we're afraid, oughtn't we do it anyways, for the love of our maker?
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