December 25, 2021

                                                         Week Four / Saturday

Overcoming the Fear of…

Being Unloved

 

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.       – Romans 8:38-39

Have you ever doubted God’s love for you? I know that at times I have struggled with this question, particularly when my sinfulness & imperfections leave me feeling exposed.

It is during these times I take comfort in the story of Adam & Eve after their rebellion towards God found in Genesis 3. In this passage of scripture, we find Adam and Eve hiding from God, having been confronted with their nakedness & aware of their shame.

In their condition, God's response to them is one of love. He called them and brought them out of hiding. The point here is that God didn’t allow their sin and shame to separate them from His presence; but rather, His loving response was to make a provision to clothe their nakedness.

Paul begins Romans chapter 8 with “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...”  What we read in Genesis of God clothing Adam and Eve was a foreshadowing of Jesus’s sacrifice. Jesus clothes us in his righteousness. There is no longer any shame or condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

It is this truth that leads Paul to declare at the end of Romans 8 that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. He clothes us in His righteousness and has pursued us in love to be in a relationship with Him.

In what ways do you fear being unloved?                  

 

Read Romans 8:38-39 one more time.

• What does this scripture tell you about God?  

 

• What does this scripture tell you about your fear?

  

Prayer for Today:  Thank you, Jesus, that You have pursued me in love and clothed me in Your righteousness. Help me to remember that nothing can separate me from Your love.

 

Written by: Jim Pilgrim

Sunday Morning Tech Team

December 24, 2021

                                                             Week Four / Friday

Overcoming the Fear of…

Shame

 

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  - Psalm 34:4-5

 

Shame… that gut-wrenching feeling when I know I acted selfishly and foolishly. I have had my fair share of big and small shame moments. From the blow-ups during a routine day that expose my underlying selfishness to the big ones when I turned my back on God.

 

For most of my life, I have tried to “earn” my salvation by striving to be perfect. But I have also lived a worldly life at times and had blatant disregard for God. I might have still been seeking during that time, but my decisions didn’t show it.

 

But, here’s what is fascinating and speaks to God’s character... Instead of letting me stay on that sinful path of destruction, He chose my least deserving moment in life to extend His grace, bless me, and change my life forever. NOT when I was being “good.”

 

Sin and perfectionism both separate me from God. My efforts to be perfect pale in comparison to His holiness, and, on the flipside, my sin is no surprise to Him.

 

He knows my heart. I cannot hide from Him when I feel ashamed. That is precisely the moment He wants me to seek Him. He wants to meet me in my shame and remind me that He took care of sin and death once and for all.

 

In what ways do you fear shame?                  

Read Psalm 34:4-5 one more time.

• What does this scripture tell you about God?  

• What does this scripture tell you about your fear?

 

Prayer for Today:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace that allows me to live shame-free and in fellowship with you. 

 

Written by: Julia Lowe

NextGen Ministry Team, Small Group Leader

December 23, 2021

                                                         Week Four / Thursday

Overcoming the Fear of…

Other People’s Opinions

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?  - Psalm 118:6 

I was walking across Fifth Avenue in Manhattan with my two young children, ages 1 and 3… My hands were full (literally and figuratively) as I was attempting to push the stroller and wrangle my 3 year old, who was on a scooter. All of a sudden, she decided not to scoot anymore.  Instead, she laid prostrate, in the middle of the street, in protest. Equally terrified and horrified, I scooped her up off the ground and shuffled across the busy avenue. As she continued to flail about in the most epic of all tantrums, I felt all eyes on me. 

A woman approached, and she began giving me parenting advice. I’m sure it was out of a heart to help (or I would like to think so) but, at the time, all I wanted was to snap my fingers and be in the privacy of our home… and cry. 

You see, I have a problem. I care deeply about what others think of me. In this moment, all I could think about was what other people were thinking, or saying, about me as a parent. 

Have you ever felt this way? Maybe a public disappointment or failure at work? Or a mean-spirited social media post pointed at you? Or a family member pointing out your mistakes and failures repeatedly? 

Psalm 118 points to the truth that we cannot base our identity on what others think of us. We need not fear, because God is on our side. He loves us, despite our failures and mistakes. When we find our identity as God’s sons and daughters, we’re able to break free from the opinions of others, and live in the freedom of God’s unconditional love.

In what ways do you fear other people’s opinions?                  

Read Psalm 118:6 one more time.

• What does this scripture tell you about God?  

• What does this scripture tell you about your fear?

Prayer for Today:  Lord God, help me not fear what other people think of me. Help me to live in light of who you say I am, a child of God, beloved, not because of what I’ve done, but because of who you are. Amen.

Written by: Kimberly Leopold

CRU New York City; Grace Church Ministry Partner

December 22, 2021

                                                     Week Four / Wednesday

Overcoming the Fear of…

Embarrassment

Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.
    Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.
You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood. - Isaiah 54:4

I was 11-years old, nervous, shaking, and preparing to sing "The Little Drummer Boy" for Advent at church. However, I was excited about my song choice because it seemed easy, and I wasn't too worried about messing up with the words. The morning arrived, and it was now my time. I walked onto the stage, grabbed my mic, and the track played. I sang that song, didn't miss a verse, and I “pa-rum pum pum pum’d” all the way to the end. After the service, my brother decided to share a word of encouragement with me, and he said, "you sounded like a girl." Well, you know I did have a very high voice, and "The Little Drummer Boy" did not quite roll off my tongue as pleasant sounding as Johnny Cash, but I gave it my all.

That moment of embarrassment stuck with me. I remember the heating feeling on my face and the warmth in my ears. I was embarrassed because of my voice, not from what my brother said. I knew what he said was true; however, I could do nothing to change my voice.

However, there was something else that carried on through life, and that was shame and embarrassment. I have never found the confidence to lean into my singing or musical giftings. I think a lot of that hinges on the fear of embarrassment or the worry of what others may say.

As Isaiah says, "Fear not, you will no longer live in shame, and you will no longer remember the shame of your youth." Today, I embrace those words. I know I no longer live in the shame of my youth. The same goes for you, too… in whatever embarrassing situation once happened to you. Don't let that slip into shame, or maybe it already has; perhaps it has paralyzed you from living out who God has truly created you to be. However, today is the day you walk in the freedom of Christ, not in fear of embarrassment and shame.

In what ways do you fear embarrassment?                  

 

Read Isaiah 54:4 one more time.

• What does this scripture tell you about God?  

 

• What does this scripture tell you about your fear?

 Prayer for Today:  Lord, thank you for creating me perfectly and wonderfully in your image. Thank you for walking with me through the shameful and embarrassing times in life. Thank you that I am no longer to remember the shame of my youth, for I will not live in those moments. Today, I am free, and I walk in the freedom and forgiveness of Christ. Amen.

 

Written by: Andrew Ervin

Pastoral Staff, NextGen Ministry

December 21, 2021

                                                         Week Four / Tuesday

Overcoming the Fear of…

Leadership

It is the LORD who goes before you.  He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.  – Deuteronomy 31:8

Early in my career, I coveted leadership; confident my smarts and drive would make me a good leader – surely, I could do a better job than my boss.  There were two mistakes in my thinking.  First, I thought it was about me – my intellect and energy; but it wasn’t – it was about being a servant to the people I might someday lead.  Second, once given the opportunity, I thought the title gave me influence. It didn’t, it just gave me a title – influence would be granted by those I lead.

I also thought I was alone, but that wasn’t so; God was walking before me and with me. I just didn’t recognize it.  I remember sitting in that big office wondering what I was to do first.  The boss is supposed to always have the answer, right?  So, I dug into my skills and talents.  For fifteen years all went well, or so it seemed.  God, on the other hand, knew I was going down a self-reliant, self- destructive path and it all came apart on a Saturday morning 20 years ago when my boss fired me.  God had intervened, and I was humbled.

Scripture tells us that for those who love God, all things work together for good (Romans 8:28).  That experience taught me to trust God in good times and bad, knowing that he is in front of me, beside me, and behind me. That moment reshaped my life for the good.

 

In what ways do you fear leadership?                  

Read Deuteronomy 31:8 one more time.

• What does this scripture tell you about God?  

• What does this scripture tell you about your fear?

Prayer for Today:  God, I lift up all our leaders at Grace, and in our country, asking that they would rely first on you to set them on the right path.  With God all things are possible.

Written by: Ian Howard

Small Group Leader, Personnel Team, Safety Team

December 20, 2021

                                                         Week Four / Monday

Overcoming the Fear of…

Being Judged

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again, rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry “Abba” Father. - Romans 8:15

At some time in our lives, we all have experienced the fear of being judged, whether as a child because of grades or in the participation of a sport. In adolescence, we ask ourselves “Am I wearing the right clothes or saying the popular thing?” Then in adulthood, we wonder “Am I doing a good enough job with my family or at my workplace?” All of these thoughts and questions are based on some form of judgement.  

Throughout all of this judgement we ask the question “Am I good enough?” That is truly the root of self-judgement. How do others see me?  How do I see myself? How do I look to the world, knowing the false reality and perceptions of social media? All of these experiences tend to have us look toward the negative and cause comparison, stress, and worry. 

But, there is hope in the light of this darkness, because judgement is not our job or responsibility. In knowing that, there can be a release of that fear in our judgement of not being enough. 

There is true beauty in a life lived through the unconditional eyes of Jesus when we accept him as our Judge.  He stands in the gap for all of our failures and graciously takes on the judgement. His grace is sufficient!

In what ways do you fear being judged?                  

Read Romans 8:15 one more time.

• What does this scripture tell you about God?  

 

• What does this scripture tell you about your fear?

Prayer for Today:  Lord, please let me live in your judgement through the eyes of Jesus, because I believe that is your perfect will for my life. That is my prayer!

Written by: Bev Kuhlman

Elder, NextGen Ministry Team, Small Group Leader

December 19, 2021

                                                             Week Four / Sunday

Overcoming the Fear of…

Not Having Enough

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 

Do not worry. This is a phrase that I have reminded others of many times, but it’s also easier said than done. I’ve often had to remind myself of this verse in many situations. When a big deadline is looming, do not worry. When plans seem to be falling apart., do not worry. And especially when bills come due and you’re just getting by month to month, do not worry. 

One of my favorite worship songs is a song called “Bigger Than I Thought” by Sean Curran. If you haven’t heard it, I encourage you to listen to it as soon as you finish reading this devotional. In this incredibly honest song, Curran wrestles with doubts, fears, and worry but eventually arrives at this beautiful line: “I will rest in the Father’s hands, leave the rest in the Father’s hands.” Every time I listen to and sing this lyric, I am reminded to simply control what I can control, but ultimately God is in control and he will provide what we need. Do not worry. 

This verse from Matthew 6:34 closes a section of the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus instructs his disciples to not worry about food, drink, or clothing, but to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”. God knows what we need. And He promises that “all these things will be given to you as well” if we only seek Him first. Do not worry. 

In what ways do you fear not having enough?                  

Read Matthew 6:34 one more time.

• What does this scripture tell you about God?  

 

• What does this scripture tell you about your fear?

 

Prayer for Today:  LORD God, give us peace today. Help us to set aside the things of this world and seek first Your kingdom. Let us rest in the promise that You are enough.

Written by: Bailey Chambers

Music Director, Worship Team Leader