Day 60 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Day 60!  We reach the end of our Do Not Fear journey today, with a verse from Revelation 1:17 which reads in this way:

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.  

But he placed his right hand on me, saying,

 “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last.”

From beginning to end, God has been God.  God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  And through everything that happens in our lives, God has promised to be with us no matter what.  That's the entire witness of the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation, and everything in between.  God is with us.

On Saturday, August 1, we'll start a study of the Gospel of Luke, so you can look forward to that.  Here's the video devotion:

And here's a wonderful song with a new twist on it - Turn Your Eyes Unto Jesus!  It's a great way to end this series, and to look forward to our study of Luke!

Day 59 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear is a wonderful verse from 1 John 4:18:

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

The whole context of that verse is so important from 1 John 7-19, which contains the admonition that "We love because God first loved us."

It's so important during this time to fill our hearts and minds with God's love because that's so much better than filling our thoughts with fear and anxiety!  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

Listen in to the video:

And here's a great song that we sing at church called Build My Life - actually we're singing it tomorrow in church!

Day 58 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear could be the theme verse of our entire journey through these days!  It's from 1 Peter 5:7:

Cast all your anxiety on him (Do Not Fear), because he cares for you.

What a wonderful verse for all of us to memorize and live by!  With all the worry and anxiety in our lives, it's so important to cast all our anxieties on him; all our worries, all our hears, because God cares about us.  

Listen in to the video to hear more:

And we listened to You Raise Me Up on Day 2 of this series, and I'd love for you to listen to it again after all these weeks!  Here you go:

Day 57 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today’s wonderful Do Not Fear verse is from 1 Peter 3:13-16 which reads this way:

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 

But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed.

Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 

but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. 

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands 

from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 

yet do it with gentleness and reverence.  

Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, 

those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.

I not only love the Do Not Fear, but also the encouragement to share the faith with those who don’t know Jesus, and to keep your conscience clear, along with the encouragement for good conduct!

Listen in to the video:

And here's a great song by Chris Tomlin simply called "Jesus."  Enjoy and sing along the second time listening to it!

Day 56 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's verse is a wonderful one from 2 Timothy 1:5-7.  Paul writes these words:

I am reminded of your sincere faith;

a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois

and your mother Eunice, and now, I am sure lives in you.

For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God

that is written within you through the laying on of my hands; 

for God has not given us a spirit of fear,

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

What a great word of encouragement and support that Timid Timothy needed to hear!  I just love that - not a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  Listen in to the video for more:

And here's a wonderful piece that will make your heart soar!  It's Summer, from Vivaldi's Four Seasons.  Enjoy!

Day 55 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear is from Philippians 4:4-6, which reads this way:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

 The Lord is near.  Do not worry (Do Not Fear) about anything, 

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”    

Such a great verse!  But it's so hard to do - not to worry or fear about anything with everything that's going on?  How in the world do we do that?  Well, let's think about some options that give us a different perspective than worry and anxiety.  Listen in to the video:

And here's a great song, a new one to me, that's entitled I Speak Jesus:

Day 54 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Continuing our way through the rest of the New Testament's Do Not Fears,  we now come to Hebrews 13:5-6:

Keep your lives free from the love of money, 

and be content with what you have, for he has said, 

"I will never leave you or forsake you."  

So we can say with confidence, 

"The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.”

It's such a great verse!  God is always with us, even though we don't always recognize God's presence.  Even in our darkest hours - God is with us.

Listen in to the video for more:

And here's a great song by Casting Crowns entitled Listen to Our Hearts:

Day 53 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Our verse for today is in the Do Not Fear category of the 365 in the Bible, but it's not totally exactly one that uses the Do Not Fear words.  Nonetheless, it's in the same category.  It's Romans 5:1:

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, 

we have peace with God (we should not fear),

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And it fits into the larger context of some of the wonderfully comforting words of Paul in Romans 5:1-5, which talks about suffering, endurance, character, and hope - all the things we need to face exactly what we're facing right now!

Listen in to the video:

And Edward Mote wrote the wonderful song, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less that I talk about at the end of the video, and it's a good one to sing along with today!

Day 52 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear is from Acts 27:24 which is a part of a larger story of Paul being brought to Rome for trial.  He and those in the ship were caught in a huge storm, even after Paul had encouraged them not to sail into the storm.  Nonetheless, they did.  And the storm was huge and they feared for their lives.  Even so, an angel appeared to Paul in the night and said these words:

Do not be afraid, Paul;

you must stand before the emperor; and indeed,

God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.

It's a great story of being in a boat in a storm if you'd like to read Acts chapter 27!  Because we, too, are in a storm right now and can learn from what Paul did!

Here's the video:

And here's a great song, "Praise You In This Storm", sung by Natalie Grant:

Day 51 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

In today's Do Not Fear reading we're introduced to Eutychus, the Patron Saint of Sermon Sleepers!  It's from Acts 20:5-12.

He was a young lad, and was in an crowded upper room while Paul was preaching late into the evening, and the poor guy fell asleep and fell out of the third story window!  Suffice it to say, it almost (well, maybe it did) kill him, but then our Do Not Fear verse kicks in:

But Paul went down, and bending over him 

took him in his arms, and said,

 “Do not fear, for his life is in him.” 

Listen in to the video for more details!

Here's a very sweet video of a 93 year old gal singing One Day At a Time.  Don't you wish you could sing that well?

Day 50 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today our Do Not Fear comes to us from Acts 18:5-11, which I encourage you to read before listening to the video.  Paul had just arrived in Corinth and was preaching in the synagogues but was having no success at all, in fact, he was so frustrated with them that he told them he was sick of them and was going to go to the Gentiles!  But in his frustration, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said these encouraging words:

"Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent;

for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you,

for there are many in this city who are my people."

The angel encouraged Paul to be brave, speak up, don't give up, because God is with him.  Really good words for us to hear today!  Here's the video:

And here's a great video, "Listen To Our Hearts" by Casting Crowns.  Enjoy!

Day 49 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear is a wonderful verse from Daniel 10:19-20.  Verse 19 is one to be memorized!  Here it is:

"Do not be afraid, greatly beloved, you are safe. 

Be strong and courageous."

When he spoke to me I was strengthened and said,

"Let my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me!"

Tomorrow we go back to the New Testament for the final 10 days, but this is a wonderful verse with which to leave the Old Testament.  One to be memorized!  "Do not be afraid, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be strong and courageous.

Here's the video:

Here's a familiar song from Matt Maher called, "Lord I Need You."  I hope you enjoy singing along!

Day 48 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's verse is from Daniel 10:12, which reads in this way:

Do not be afraid, Daniel.  

Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding 

and to humble yourself before your God, 

your words were heard, 

and I have come in response to them.

Such great words of promise, and so much there!  Think about how we pray today, and listen to the video for some thoughts on that!

And here's a very familiar song to us at Zion - Wonderful, Merciful Savior, so sing along!

Day 47 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Our verse for today is Jeremiah 42:11, set within the context of the leaders of Judah coming to Jeremiah to confirm something they had decided that they wanted God's confirmation on.  Hmmmm...it's usually best to ask God about something before you decide about it, don't you think?  Listen in, and read the first 17 verses of Jeremiah 42 to get an idea of what's going on!

Here's our verse:

Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, 

as you have been; do not be afraid of him, says the Lord, 

for I am with you, to save you 

and to rescue you from his hand.

Here's the video:

And here's a wonderful old-time version of  Great is Thy Faithfulness by Austin Stone Worship:

Day 46 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's verse is from Jeremiah 30:10 which reads like this:

But as for you, have no fear, my servant Jacob, says the Lord,

and do not be dismayed, O Israel;

for I am going to save you from far away,

and your offspring from the land of their captivity.

Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease,

and no one shall make him afraid.

It's a wonderful verse of promise to the people of God who had lost their way; their internal GPS had led them astray and they weren't re-positioning themselves.  And you know, sometimes we do that, too.  Especially when we suffer from DIMS.  So, listen in:

And here's a wonderful song from Anthem Lights entitled, "Who I'm Meant To Be."  Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Day 45 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear is from Jeremiah 17:7-8:

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,

whose trust is the Lord.

They shall be like a tree planted by water,

sending out its roots by the stream.

It shall not fear when heat comes,

and its leaves shall stay green;

in the year of drought it is not anxious,

and it does not cease to bear fruit.

These promising words come right before and after words of judgment and condemnation, so they are a kind of welcome relief!  If you can read Jeremiah 17:1-10 before listening to the video, that would be helpful!

Here's the video:

And here's a wonderful arrangement of Balm in Gilead that is talked about in our Jeremiah lesson!

Day 44 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear is from Jeremiah 10.  Jeremiah, who was called into God's service as a young boy, is now speaking words of the Lord to those in captivity.  And in verse 5 he talks about the people who have been worshiping idols, and contrasts that empty worship with the worship of the One True God.  Here's our Do Not Fear:

Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,

and they cannot speak;

they have to be carried, for they cannot walk.

Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil,

nor is it in them to do good.

It's like they dressed up their idols, but had no place to go because there was nothing to them!  So listen in to today's devotion:

Our song today is an oldie, but goodie - Above All by Michael W. Smith.  Sing along and enjoy!

Day 43 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today we turn to Jeremiah for our next round of verses.  Today's verses are from chapter 1:3-8 which tell of the call of Jeremiah when he was a boy - probably a geeky middle school aged boy with ill-fitted glasses and zits.  Here's how Jeremiah is called to serve God:

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

and before you were born I consecrated you;

I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Then I said, "Ah, Lord God!

Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy."

But the Lord said to me,

"Do not say, 'I am only a boy';

for you shall go to all to whom I send you,

and you shall speak whatever I command you.

Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord."

It's one of the great "call" stories in the Bible!  Listen in and see what it might have to do with you!

And here's a great old familiar song, How Deep the Father's Love For Us.  Enjoy and sing along!

Day 42 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear is from Isaiah 54:4-8, which is a Do Not Fear for the people in Babylon with the promise that their captivity will not last forever!  Here are a couple of those verses:

Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.

Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated...

For a brief moment I abandoned you, 

but with deep compassion I will bring you back

In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment,

but with everlasting kindness

I will have compassion on you,

says the Lord your Redeemer.

In the devotion I introduce you to a Hebrew word, Hesed!  Pronounced kind of like Hey-Said!  Hope you enjoy!

And here's another great song entitled O My Lord by Casting Crowns:

Day 41 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Still in Isaiah!  Today's verses are from Isaiah 51:7-8, which read like this:

Listen to me, you who know righteousness, 

you people who have my teaching in your hearts;

do not fear the reproach of others, 

and do not be dismayed when they revile you.

For the moth will eat them up like a garment,

and the worm will eat them like wool;

but my deliverance will be forever

and my salvation to all generations.

Such great verses with great promise!  But as you listen to the video, remember: 

 Beware The Moth!

And here's a wonderful classic hymn done in a wonderful way.  Be sure to sing along!

Day 40 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

We continue in the book of Isaiah, today with two verses from Isaiah 44:2 and 8:

This is what the Lord says - he who made you

who formed you in the womb, and who will help you:

do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.

Do not tremble, do not be afraid.  Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?

You are my witnesses.  Is there any God beside me?

No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.

Again, wonderful words of promise and hope from Isaiah - remember to cling to the Rock!

Here's the video:

And here's a wonderful song entitled Cling by Shannon Wexelberg - I didn't know it before but it's a wonderful song you can sing along with!

Day 39 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear comes from Isaiah 43:1, and contains a great BUT NOW that I hadn't noticed before.  Every day, every breath, every moment is a BUT NOW moment, if we let it be.  Here's the verse:

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, 

he who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

i have called you by name, you are mine.

What a great verse!  Listen to the video, and watch for the BUT NOW!

And here's a great song, Who You Say I Am, which underlines "I'm a child of God!"  I hope you like it as much as I do!