Ask God to Open Your Eyes God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.” Genesis 21:17. Hagar had been kicked out of her home and sent to wander in the …
Fight Fear: Listen to God
Choose to Trust After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1 The rescue mission must have rattled Abram. He returned home safe but shaken after he and 300 of his household defeated the hostile kings who’d taken his relatives captive …
Fight Fear: Focus on Purpose
What’s Your Mission? “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” Acts 1:7–8 Life as we’ve …
“Do Not Be Afraid”
The words “Do not be afraid” appear several hundred times in the Bible. God says it to Abraham in Genesis, and Jesus says it to the apostle John in Revelation. Sometimes God speaks these words to individuals in private conversations; sometimes God delivers this message through prophets or kings in mass gatherings. On some occasions the words must have been …
Fight Fear: Take the Next Step
Hope That Moves Us Forward The angel said to the women,“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5–6 Flabbergasted—“overwhelmed with shock, surprise, or wonder.” Can any other word so accurately describe …
How Shall We Live with Heaven in View?
Holy Spirit-Inspired Imaginations What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 Studying heaven, a place where we …
What Will Our Heavenly Bodies Be Like?
Raised in Glory Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 1 Corinthians 15:42–43 (NLT) Do you feel dissatisfied when you view your reflection …
What Will the New Heavens and New Earth Be Like?
“I Am Making Everything New!” But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13 This present world will be transformed—destroyed with fire, not flooding as in the days of Noah. Sounds like a scene from Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark, doesn’t it? …
Will We Receive Crowns in Heaven?
Satisfaction Guaranteed Jesus said, “Your Father, who sees what is done is secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 Have you ever heard this expression: “The reward of a job well done is a job well done”?[1] One elementary schoolteacher used that adage when I completed a task or a project, then sent me back to my desk to start a …
Eternal Life or Eternal Punishment?
How Do We Get Accepted into Heaven? “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for …