Acts 2 & Leviticus 23

The coronavirus pandemic has brought many fears to the forefront of our minds. “What if …?” What if I don’t have enough …? What if I lose everything? What if I get sick and die? Even apart from the worldwide pandemic, fear challenges our faith. We fear the worst. We fear violence. We fear death. During the Easter season, we are exploring the fears that sideline and paralyze us. But more importantly, we are exploring the promises of God that combat our fears. Together, we draw strength and gain confidence knowing that God will be with us through everything.

Today we conclude our FEAR NOT series and explore the fear of death. As Christ followers, we know that death is not the end, but a departure for our heavenly home. Perhaps the most popular Gospel passage for Christian funerals is John 14:2-3 when Jesus comforts His disciples before His death on Good Friday. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” When we focus on Jesus’ comforting words and the Easter truth that our Savior has risen from the dead, we can have confidence that victory over death has been won; that “death is a slave to the hand of Jesus who can, with nothing more than a word, call us from that sleep to everlasting life with Him” (Friday, May 22 devotional).

In honor of Memorial Day, we also will take time to honor and recognize the sacrifices made by those who have died to protect our freedom. 

The coronavirus pandemic has brought many fears to the forefront of our minds. “What if …?” What if I don’t have enough …? What if I lose everything? What if I get sick and die? Even apart from the worldwide pandemic, fear challenges our faith. We fear the worst. We fear violence. We fear death. During the Easter season, we are exploring the fears that sideline and paralyze us. But more importantly, we are exploring the promises of God that combat our fears. Together, we draw strength and gain confidence knowing that God will be with us through everything.

Today we conclude our FEAR NOT series and explore the fear of death. As Christ followers, we know that death is not the end, but a departure for our heavenly home. Perhaps the most popular Gospel passage for Christian funerals is John 14:2-3 when Jesus comforts His disciples before His death on Good Friday. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” When we focus on Jesus’ comforting words and the Easter truth that our Savior has risen from the dead, we can have confidence that victory over death has been won; that “death is a slave to the hand of Jesus who can, with nothing more than a word, call us from that sleep to everlasting life with Him” (Friday, May 22 devotional).

In honor of Memorial Day, we also will take time to honor and recognize the sacrifices made by those who have died to protect our freedom. 

The coronavirus pandemic has brought many fears to the forefront of our minds. “What if …?” What if I don’t have enough …? What if I lose everything? What if I get sick and die? Even apart from the worldwide pandemic, fear challenges our faith. We fear the worst. We fear violence. We fear death. During the Easter season, we are exploring the fears that sideline and paralyze us. But more importantly, we are exploring the promises of God that combat our fears. Together, we draw strength and gain confidence knowing that God will be with us through everything.

Today we conclude our FEAR NOT series and explore the fear of death. As Christ followers, we know that death is not the end, but a departure for our heavenly home. Perhaps the most popular Gospel passage for Christian funerals is John 14:2-3 when Jesus comforts His disciples before His death on Good Friday. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” When we focus on Jesus’ comforting words and the Easter truth that our Savior has risen from the dead, we can have confidence that victory over death has been won; that “death is a slave to the hand of Jesus who can, with nothing more than a word, call us from that sleep to everlasting life with Him” (Friday, May 22 devotional).

In honor of Memorial Day, we also will take time to honor and recognize the sacrifices made by those who have died to protect our freedom. 

Genesis 6 - Noah and the flood, sin and repentance.

What does God's Word have to say about suffering, trials or the pain that we are going through?  How can we look at things through God's Word?

The coronavirus pandemic has brought many fears to the forefront of our minds. “What if …?” What if I don’t have enough …? What if I lose everything? What if I get sick? Will my family and I be okay? Even apart from the worldwide pandemic, fear challenges our faith. We fear the worst. We fear violence. We fear death. During the Easter season, we are exploring the fears that sideline and paralyze us. But more importantly, we are exploring the promises of God that combat our fears. We draw strength from the assurance of God that He will always be with us, no matter what challenges we face.

Today we’ll explore the fear of violence and focus on St. Paul’s letter to the Romans. In the midst of everything going on during this time, he reminded the Roman believers (and us!) of the power of God—“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). What an incredible reminder that, at the end of the day, the end of our lifetime, and the end of the world, Christ will have the ULTIMATE VICTORY because of his death and resurrection. Because of this promise, we do not have to be afraid. As Kind David writes—“Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8).   

Today we also give thanks to God for our mothers and celebrate them by recalling the many ways in which they bless and enrich our families with their love, protection and servant-heart.