Encouragement

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Do Not Fear (Luke 1:26-31)

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having coming in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women! But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name Jesus.”

Mary was taken by surprise and very fearful when the angel Gabriel suddenly appeared to her and spoke to her. Her mind was probably racing in many different directions as she tried to process what was happening, and she was “troubled” and bemused. However, Gabriel reassured her by saying “Do not be afraid.”

Mary had been raised in a spiritual culture based on fear. Old Testament believers were afraid of breaking the hundreds of rules that governed their lives, and constantly lived with the fear of becoming spiritually “unclean”. They even feared they would die if they saw God or the things of heaven. When Gabriel appeared to Mary, it was the beginning of a whole new dispensation, not only for Mary but for all humanity; God’s love was being manifested to man through Jesus. People would see God when the Word became flesh, and would not die but live to declare the glory of the Father’s love. Gabriel wanted Mary to know she had no reason to be afraid because she was loved and chosen by the Lord. She was the recipient of great favor and blessing.

God wants us to know and feel the same way today – that we are loved and chosen by Him, and that we are the recipients of His favor and His blessing. Many believers are not comfortable approaching God in prayer or spending time in worship because they fear Him and fear punishment. Some people live in the constant expectation that something bad is going to happen to them because they feel that they are not deserving of good things. Please receive these words from the Father’s heart today: “You are loved, you are cherished, you are precious. You were redeemed with the blood of Jesus and you are Mine. I have good plans for you. There is no reason to fear Me because you are My much loved child. Approach My throne with joy and gladness of heart. Worship Me in the beauty of holiness and draw near to Me with praise. My favor and My blessing are upon you and I give you the permission to be who I created you to be – free, beautiful, and blessed. I give you the permission to enjoy this life I have given you, to draw near to Me and to know Me as I know you. You belong to Me. You belong with Me. You are loved. You are my treasured child!” Hallelujah!

Fear manifests in our lives in a variety of different ways but God wants us to leave all fear behind as we step into a new year, especially the fear of His wrath or punishment. Receive His love and forgiveness and know that you are favored by the Lord of all creation. He is your Father and your friend and He sees you as the awesome person He created you to be. He has good plans for you and these are what He wants you to expect as you leave 2014 behind and step into the new year He has already prepared for you. It is going to be a good year, filled with the presence of Jesus and the mighty moving of the Holy Spirit.

Dear friend, there is a picture I would like you to see, of Jesus standing in front of you. He is looking deep into your eyes, and He is smiling! He is not angry with you or sad; He is pleased and proud of you, and He is saying “well done”! His outstretched arms beckon you closer to His side as He calls you silently into deeper relationship with Him, the lover of your soul.

In the mighty name of Jesus, I break the spirit of fear off your heart and mind, and the spirit of negative expectation. God loves you and is with you, and I pray for the sweet anointing of the Holy Spirit to come upon you now and fill your body, spirit and soul. You are precious to God and powerfully pure. You are filled with the light of Jesus Christ. Expect your healing, your freedom, your financial breakthrough. Expect your prayers to be answered. God has heard every prayer you prayed, and He has great things lined up for you in the coming year!

Minoli Haththotuwa, 30 December 2014
www.risingonwings.org

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