NEVER WELCOME HERE
Last summer our family took a trip to the beach. Where we were staying was 15 minutes from the grocery store. As I drove, I pondered on things that were going on in our lives. On the way back Francesca Battistelli’s new song, The Breakup Song, came on the radio. I remember listening to the words and thinking how much meaning they had. I even pulled into the parking lot of one of those little quaint small-town churches, googled the song and listened to it again. It has been 6 months since I have heard that song, but yesterday it came bellowing out of my speakers loud and clear. My three words for the week were singing to me from the radio- NEVER WELCOME HERE!
Francesca Battistelli is a Christian singer, and this song isn’t about breaking up with a boyfriend it is about breaking away from fear. When asked in an interview about her new song Battistelli said that fear is a universal struggle. We all deal with fear in different ways, but it holds us back from truly living. She came to a point in her life where she wanted fear gone and out of her life for good. She says that this song is her anthem and she hopes to encourage others to break up with fear also.
Have no fear, do not be afraid, fear not, cast your anxiety, is located all over the Bible. Some Bible scholars have even said that it is listed 365 times one time for every day of the year.
As I turned to my Bible to read this scripture I had no idea what I would find. Beside the scripture were the words Asher 1-14-18. Last year I was blessed to able to speak at Asher Rays memorial service. The moments before I sat nervous. I asked God if He would give me a scripture to help me through my words. I opened my Bible and this was the page I turned to. The reminder that I should not fear because He is with me. Today exactly a year later I am reminded by God again.
Isaiah 41:10 NIVIsaiah 41:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
So why shoud we not be afraid? Because God is with us.
Deuteronomy 31:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Joshua 1:9 New International Version (NIV)
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.”
These scriptures take place when the Israelites were preparing to go across the Jordan. Moses was their leader, but the time had come for him to pass away. He is preparing them, and his successor Joshua is getting ready to take over.
When looking at the wording in scripture, a few words that jump off of the page at me first are the words DO NOT. In sentence writing these words located within a sentence and with the sentence ending with a period means it is a COMMAND. It is a command that is given with a firm tone. I know when I was younger if someone had given me a command and it was DO NOT it meant I better not do that or think that.
God is telling us DO NOT BE AFRAID. Which synonymously means do not have fear, do not have anxiety, do not worry at all. Do not be afraid is the most frequent command in the bible. He isn’t asking you not to be afraid, he is commanding you not to be afraid.
Both of these scriptures also go on to say DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. The enemy loves for discouragement to creep into your life; however, God wants you to be encouraged. These scriptures are letting you into the little secret that if we allow fear to have a place within our living, then it will lead to discouragement. Most negative emotions will lead to discouragement. Change discouragement into encouragement by not being fearful. Once again we are reminded from these scriptures that He is with us!
When turning in the Bible and finding a story where fear is present, I look to when Jesus was with His disciples. Jesus knew they were getting ready to face one of the most discouraging fearful experiences. He knew that they would not understand His crucifixion and due to the inability to comprehend many negative emotions would be placed in front of them. Some would even allow the enemy to work on them causing them to react in ways that were sinful.
Jesus told the disciples right before this experience, Let not your hearts be troubled (John 14:1). The incident was about to implode among them and instead of being fearful and discouraged He reached out to them with comfort. He was telling them to have faith, to believe that His promises are much better than what they were about to face.
With all this being said let me remind you- You DO NOT have your vacancy sign on. There is no room within you for fear and discouragement. Fear and discouragement are
NEVER WELCOME HERE!
CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK:
• Keep your daily appointment with God
• Stay in the word (remember God’s commands in scripture- Do not be afraid, Do not be discouraged)
• When you feel fear and anxiety creeping in, go to God in prayer or just begin having a conversation with God (focus on what is true)
• Fill your cup so you can fill other cups
Extra Reading:
Do Not Fear- 33 Verses About Fear and Anxiety to Remind Us: God is in Control, Debbie McDaniel
https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/debbie-mcdaniel/33-verses-to-remind-us–we-do-not-have-to-fear.html
Warren: Why God Encourages Christians to Fear Not 365 Times in the Bible, Kathrine Weber
WE ARE READY SONG FOR THE DAY
We are ready we are ready we are ready for today!
We are ready we are ready we are ready for today!
Ain’t no question we have no fear
We are speaking it loud and clear.
God is with us giving strength and courage
So back off devil cause we gonna flourish
Nothing in front of us makes us scared
So Satan get back cause we prepared
Our warriors are praying and we are too
There isn’t anything that God can’t do
We are ready we are ready we are ready for today.
We are ready we are ready we are ready for today.
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