By Donna Mitchell -

In Scripture, repeatedly, we read the phrase – “Don’t be afraid”. Jesus spoke these words to reassure his disciples after He had risen from the dead.

When the Spirit descended on believers, their purpose became clear. They began to understand God’s heart for the world…God sent the Spirit to be His witness, through all believers. Their purpose was all about mission – to know Him and to make Him known to the world.

Gathering for prayer, communion, and sharing, was all for the ultimate purpose of making the believers strong, keeping them steadfast, helping them endure so they could reach the world in the face of incredible opposition.

Continually, they challenged each other to live counter culturally in a fallen world.  God awakened them to His ultimate purpose – His Calling on their lives.

Today, God is calling all believers…

He loves us.

He is building His Kingdom in the hearts of men and women.

He is serious about seeking the lost – His mission.

He is calling us to stand strong and steadfast – to persevere and endure.

He is calling us to lead and be willing to go first.

He is calling us to be an example, take responsibility, stand alone, listen and obey.

He is calling us to suffer and patiently endure.

God’s calling comes with a constant reassurance in the midst…“Don’t be afraid”.

He reassures us not to be afraid because with the Lord in charge of our lives, His sole sovereignty and perfect love cast out fear.

Psalm 121 reminds us that He is our Keeper. Keeper means holds or has possession of, care, custody, superintendence, saves from harm, a defender, a preserver, keeps in a place or position. The Lord is your keeper. He helps you and will not allow your foot to be moved. He doesn’t sleep. He shall preserve you from evil. He shall preserve your soul. You are secure in Him. Regardless of your circumstances, the promise of Psalm 121 declares, “The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.”  (Psalm 121:8 NKJV).

Donna Directs Connecting Streams, a division of Power to Change. She challenges people to surrender to Christ and follow Him into a hurting world! Donna lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta. donna.mitchell@powertochange.org

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