Devotion 1/23, Fear Not!

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18

Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ have no fear of perishing (John 3:16). When we came to Christ in repentance, our sins were placed under the atoning blood that He shed on that cross at Calvary some 2000 yrs. ago and are forgiven by God. Our sin debt has been eternally paid by our Lord and Savior!
So there truly is no fear of eternal punishment for us because we are God’s dearly loved, blood-bought children.

While I approach God with reverence and awe because he is the holy and majestic God, I don’t have to fear his presence. Because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I know God is my Abba Father. He longs for me to draw near him. He has shown me His heart by sending Jesus. He has shown me His love by having Jesus die for me. If He loves me that much, then I can trust that His desire is to save and bless me. I don’t have to fear His presence or His judgment. As His child, His love has driven fear from my heart and replaced it with love from His abiding presence, the Holy Spirit.

Father, I thank you for your overwhelming love demonstrated to me in Jesus. I thank you for providing the atoning sacrifice for my sins and for adopting me into your family. Father, please cast all fear from my heart and help me walk confidently with You and for You, with character and purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Fear Not.
Father, you know me by name. You are always at my side to protect me, to lift me up, to sustain me. I seek strength through the Holy Spirit to “fear not” and go forward day by day, witnessing for You in everything I say and do. I thank You this day for Your love, grace and mercy and pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.