Live Without Fear
For many years this was the time of year when I harvested our spring and summer meat - black bear. I'd still be doing it if I had a place to hunt... but not because it's fun. For me sitting in a tree until midnight, covered with mosquitoes, is not fun. Skinning and cutting up a bear well after midnight by myself is not fun. Getting a bear roast out of the freezer is fun. Men are wired differently, aren't we? We push ourselves- willing to embrace long seasons of discomfort that borders on suffering- simply to meet a challenge. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of women who push themselves, but for some reason an element of risk or danger seems to draw the hearts of men.
Jesus understood this. He knew that his followers would be hunted down like animals, but he didn't tell them to have courage in the face of fear. No, he said to them, "Do not fear the one who can kill your body and after that can do no more." DO NOT FEAR. His was not a "push forward in spite of your fears" message. DO NOT FEAR. I love that.
I love the idea of pressing forward, even when there is risk or danger, utterly without fear. For me, nothing is more satisfying then boldly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and strongly standing on his truth in the face of our culture's lies. NO FEAR. Friends, if you belong to Christ then you are eternal. Live without fear, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad
Written on May 16, 2026
Posted in Daily Devotions