May 29, 2023
June 4 | Discovery
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson titled “Warning to Jeremiah” (Jeremiah 1:1-19).
Articles for tag: Do Not Be Afraid
April 3, 2023
Fear and Truth
Thank God for the empty tomb! . . .
November 28, 2022
December 4 | Lord of the Harvest
The only thing the God of the Bible enjoys more than planting is harvesting. He is both Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8) and Lord of the harvest (Matthew 9:38). He works very hard in his field, and he invites others to join him there.
November 28, 2022
December 4 | Discovery
In these passages from Matthew 9 and 10, Jesus tells his disciples three times to “not be afraid.” Why should Jesus’ followers not be afraid to speak about him to others?
March 18, 2018
A Secret We Must Tell
(The essay originally appeared online April 12, 2009.) ________ By Arron Chambers Can you keep a secret? Stephen and Louise couldn’t. “Our son became an astronaut today.” On September 17, 1962—in one of the most interesting segments of game show history—Stephen and Louise Armstrong appeared on I’ve Got a Secret with the secret that their son Neil had just been selected to be an astronaut. Neil was one of nine new men so chosen. What made this appearance especially unique was that host Garry Moore asked Louise an incredible question: “Now, how would you feel, Mrs. Armstrong, if it turned
April 7, 2017
“˜Faith Up” to Your Fears
Compiled by Doug Redford Feeling fearful these days? That”s not unusual. Throughout the Bible we find stories of God”s people who were afraid. And again and again, God, one of his angels, or Jesus himself told the frightened follower, “Fear not.” Here we”ve compiled a list of these fear-chasing challenges. You may want to look up some of these verses to see the whole story surrounding them. Or you may choose a couple to keep by your desk or on your mirror or in your pocket. Maybe memorizing one or two of these will remind you that God”s in control,
December 25, 2014
Have You Ever Seen an Angel?
By Mark A. Taylor Many of us witness costumed actors portraying angels in this month”s Christmas plays and pageants. But I”m pretty sure our versions don”t look much like the real angels of Luke 1 and 2. Years ago I attended the “Glory of Christmas” production at Southern California”s Crystal Cathedral, where the angels stole the show. There must have been a dozen of them, suspended through the vast expanse between the auditorium”s ceiling and the crowd below. Flowing gowns and ballet poses made these performers look ethereal and attractive, but that”s not how Luke describes the angels in his
December 21, 2014
Overwhelmed by Christmas, Again!
By Alan Ahlgrim A few unsuspecting shepherds were minding their own business when they were suddenly overwhelmed by Christmas. According to the classic Christmas text in Luke 2, the message and how it was delivered terrified them. An angel appeared. The radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were told in unmistakable fashion that the Savior had been born! The news was stunningly and extraordinarily good. It’s no wonder the angels were overwhelmed when they heard it. Overwhelmed is a great way to describe how many of us feel much of the time—especially at Christmastime. In fact, I suspect
December 24, 2012
Have a Mary Christmas
By Victor M. Parachin Although Mary, the mother of Jesus, became an important focus of theology and piety in the history of Christianity, she is seldom mentioned in the New Testament. Mary is never mentioned explicitly in the New Testament letters, and only once each in the books of Acts and Mark. She is involved in two stories in the Gospel of John, but the writer never identifies her by name. Yet, in Luke”s account of Jesus” birth, Mary is a bright and shining star. Luke writes eloquently about the character and strength of Mary, suggesting Mary”s words and actions
November 30, 2012
Proclaim the Savior
By Diane Stortz I”m sure you”ve seen and heard the recent proclamations. Retailers” shelves have overflowed for weeks with wrapping paper, wreaths, and wind-up reindeer. Carols mingle with Christmas pop classics on the radio and in the grocery store. Advertisements abound online, on TV, and in magazines and newspapers. The cultural celebration of Christmas has begun! There”s another Christmas, of course””the reason for Christmas, the birth of Christ””and angels announced the wonderful event. Have you ever seen an angel or talked with one? Their first words are often, “Don”t be afraid!” The angel Gabriel proclaimed to Mary, “Don”t be afraid!”
April 4, 2011
The Sheep I Count
By Jackina Stark As I think about the articles and books I”ve written in the last 30 years, certain themes emerge””themes that are part of my spiritual DNA. No theme is more prevalent in my writings, or more beloved, than the wonder of the abiding presence of God in our lives. I saw God transform my parents” lives when I was 9 years old. But I believe the wonder began a year or two before that when I walked to a nearby church on Sunday mornings with my younger sister and, I think, even my baby brother in tow. As
April 12, 2009
A Secret We Must Tell
 By Arron Chambers Can you keep a secret? Stephen and Louise couldn”t. “Our son became an astronaut today.” On September 17, 1962″”in one of the most interesting segments of game show history””Stephen and Louise Armstrong appeared on I”ve Got a Secret with the secret that their son Neil had just been selected to be an astronaut. Neil was one of nine new men so chosen. What made this appearance especially unique was that host Garry Moore asked Louise an incredible question: “Now, how would you feel, Mrs. Armstrong, if it turned out””of course nobody knows””but if it turns out
