Bible League: Living His Word "Don't be afraid. Just have faith."The leader of a synagogue named Jairus came to Jesus and pleaded fervently, "My little daughter is dying . . . Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live" (Mark 5:23). Jesus went with him, but on the way messengers came and told them that his daughter had died. Jesus must have sensed the fear that came over Jairus and in response He spoke the words of our verse for today: "Don't be afraid. Just have faith." Like Jairus, we may have to deal with problems that can cause real fear to come into our lives. Like Jairus, it could be a health issue of a family member. It could be our own health issue. It could be a business or financial issue that causes the fear. It could be a legal issue that threatens us. It could be anything. In this dispensation fear can arise from problems in any area of life. When these problems and issues come up and fear tries to take control of us, we may have no idea of what to do. All seems lost. The roof has caved in. Everything we tried to do about it failed. We ask the Lord, "What do I do now?" We ask, but without really expecting an answer. The Lord, however, always has an answer. The Lord always answers each and every one of us the same way every time. He always answers with the two commands of our verse for today. First of all, He says, "Don't be afraid." Fear is an emotion. It arises within us as a response to problematic situations. It can only arise within us, however, when our hearts are filled with unbelief. When we don't believe that God will help, fear has its way with us. That's why the Lord always adds the second command to the first: "Just have faith." When we have faith, when we choose to put into practice the faith the Lord has given us, fear has to go and we are able to enter the rest of the Lord (Hebrews 4:3). Jairus must have obeyed the commands because he allowed Jesus to enter his home and Jesus raised his daughter from the dead. If you want the Lord to help you deal with your problem, then do likewise. Don't be afraid. Just have faith. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingEzekiel 43, 44 Ezekiel 43 -- The Returning of the Glory of God into the Temple; The Altar and Offerings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ezekiel 44 -- The East Gate Assigned Only to the Prince; Ordinances for the Levites NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 2 Peter 2 2 Peter 2 -- False Prophets NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn't share the faith of those who listened to God.Insight The Israelites of Moses' day illustrate a problem facing many who fill our churches today. They know a great deal about Christ, but they do not know him personally—they don't combine their knowledge with faith. Challenge Let the Good News about Christ benefit your life. Believe in him and then act on what you know. Trust in Christ and do what he says. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Chronicles 25:9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.A very important question this seemed to be to the king of Judah, and possibly it is of even more weight with the tried and tempted Christian. To lose money is at no times pleasant, and when principle involves it, the flesh is not always ready to make the sacrifice. "Why lose that which may be so usefully employed? May not the truth itself be bought too dear? What shall we do without it? Remember the children, and our small income!" All these things and a thousand more would tempt the Christian to put forth his hand to unrighteous gain, or stay himself from carrying out his conscientious convictions, when they involve serious loss. All men cannot view these matters in the light of faith; and even with the followers of Jesus, the doctrine of "we must live" has quite sufficient weight. The Lord is able to give thee much more than this is a very satisfactory answer to the anxious question. Our Father holds the purse-strings, and what we lose for his sake he can repay a thousand-fold. It is ours to obey his will, and we may rest assured that he will provide for us. The Lord will be no man's debtor at the last. Saints know that a grain of heart's-ease is of more value than a ton of gold. He who wraps a threadbare coat about a good conscience has gained a spiritual wealth far more desirable than any he has lost. God's smile and a dungeon are enough for a true heart; his frown and a palace would be hell to a gracious spirit. Let the worst come to the worst, let all the talents go, we have not lost our treasure, for that is above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Meanwhile, even now, the Lord maketh the meek to inherit the earth, and no good thing doth he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Daily Light on the Daily Path 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Luke 24:36 While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be to you." John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 15:26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, Exodus 33:14-16 And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest." • Then he said to Him, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. • "For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?" New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. 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