Daily Delight
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1: 9, NIV).
Fear is the devil. He whispers in your ear, “You’re not good enough. You’re not ready. No one wants to hear what you have to say. You will fail.” He wants to cripple us. He wants to keep us from shining God’s light in the darkness.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17, NIV).
Did you know that the words, “Do Not Fear,” appear in Scripture 365 times? How cool is that? One for every day of the year.
Still, we are afraid. Because deep down we don’t believe that we deserve to be loved by God so fiercely that he would die for us. Why would he?
I’m glad you asked.
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Eph. 1:4-6, NIV).
For his glory. He loves you and chose you for his glory. And that fear that cripples you keeps you from glorifying him in all you do. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16, NIV).
Making the most of every opportunity.
God opens doors for you. Do not fear. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. He will direct your path. If what you’re doing glorifies him, you can be sure it’s the right thing to do. Rebuke the devil whispering in your ear.
Because God loves you. There is no greater love than the love God has for you. He laid down his life for you. You are chosen. His Spirit is within you.
Do not fear.
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Photo: @chrissyraemphoto
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Stephanie Cardel
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Stephanie Cardel is a wife of thirty years, mother of three grown children, leader of Bible studies, and writer of a blog about Jesus in the Old Testament. She also writes YA and MG fiction and volunteers in her local public schools teaching abstinence.
If you need her, you can dig your way through the overflowing piles of books to her room, where she’ll be curled up with a cup of mocha coffee doing one of three things: studying her Bible, reading fiction, or writing. You can also visit her websites:
www.withopenedeyes.com, www.checkoutthesebooks.com, or follow her on twitter @StephanieCardel or @fixingmyeyes.
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