| New Peace for the Fearful |
New Peace for the Fearful
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of
a sound mind.
— 2 Timothy 1:7
After Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples were terrified. Afraid that the same
authorities who executed Jesus would come after them next, they hid
behind shut doors, afraid for their very lives.
So what did Jesus do to bring courage to these frightened disciples?
He appeared in the midst of them and said, "Peace be with you." Then
He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
Are you afraid of something right now? Quite honestly, there are a
number of things we maybe ought to be concerned about today. There
is instability in our world. There are wars and rebellions everywhere.
The economic situation could change overnight. Maybe you are afraid
of losing your health. Or maybe you are afraid of losing your job.
Are you hiding behind closed doors, like the disciples, terrified of what
is out there? Jesus wants to come into your life and set you free from
that fear. The same Holy Spirit that energized the first-century believers
is here today, ready to fill your life. Stop and consider the simple fact
that these very panic-stricken, fearful disciples went out after this and
boldly and courageously shared the gospel. Most of them, in fact, laid
down their very lives and became martyrs for the faith.
Think about it. It is because Christ was indeed risen, because He was
alive, that these men went and, for all practical purposes, turned the
world upside down. It is the explanation for the change in their lives. It is
the explanation for the Christian to this present day. We serve a risen,
living Lord who is still transforming lives. And He can transform your life
as well.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of
a sound mind.
— 2 Timothy 1:7
After Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples were terrified. Afraid that the same
authorities who executed Jesus would come after them next, they hid
behind shut doors, afraid for their very lives.
So what did Jesus do to bring courage to these frightened disciples?
He appeared in the midst of them and said, "Peace be with you." Then
He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
Are you afraid of something right now? Quite honestly, there are a
number of things we maybe ought to be concerned about today. There
is instability in our world. There are wars and rebellions everywhere.
The economic situation could change overnight. Maybe you are afraid
of losing your health. Or maybe you are afraid of losing your job.
Are you hiding behind closed doors, like the disciples, terrified of what
is out there? Jesus wants to come into your life and set you free from
that fear. The same Holy Spirit that energized the first-century believers
is here today, ready to fill your life. Stop and consider the simple fact
that these very panic-stricken, fearful disciples went out after this and
boldly and courageously shared the gospel. Most of them, in fact, laid
down their very lives and became martyrs for the faith.
Think about it. It is because Christ was indeed risen, because He was
alive, that these men went and, for all practical purposes, turned the
world upside down. It is the explanation for the change in their lives. It is
the explanation for the Christian to this present day. We serve a risen,
living Lord who is still transforming lives. And He can transform your life
as well.
| C4W Devotions are used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie P.O. Box 4000 Riverside , CA 92514 |