Does the Bible really say “FEAR NOT” 365 times?

Does the Bible really say “FEAR NOT” 365 times… one for each day of the year?
No, it does not. The two word combo “FEAR NOT” appears only 71 times in the King James Version of the Bible, a far cry from 365.
But what if we include variations of the phrase, such as “do not be afraid” or even “be courageous,” which is the positive way of telling us to not be afraid? It still gets us no where near 365 times. In fact, it won’t even get us to 200.
No matter how you try to count the word fear, or it’s synonyms, and associate it with a command not to do it, you cannot come up with anywhere close to 365 references in the Bible. And it doesn’t matter what Bible translation you use.
But there is one way to get there and that is to eliminate the “command” aspect of the equation and count all the time the word “FEAR” is used in the Bible. The only problem with this approach is that by using this method we overshoot the target of 365 because the word “FEAR” is found a whopping 501 times in the King James Version of the Bible. Other translations have far less uses of the word. For example, the word appears in the ESV only 437 times and in the NIV only 336 times. You may wonder, “Why the great discrepancy between English translations?” Because these modern translations use synonyms like “terrified” more frequently.
So now that the 365x myth is busted, does this mean that we now have reason to fear? 
Not at all.
I am not going to take the time to research every command in the Bible and how often it is repeated, but I have a suspicion that if “FEAR NOT” is not the most frequently found command in the Bible, then it is certainly near the top of the list. Also, how many times does God have to say something for us to take it seriously? ONCE should be enough.
So, I hate to bust the bubble of all the people who love posting on social media how awesome it is that there is exactly one “FEAR NOT” command for every day of the year, but at least now they won’t have to worry about what to do on the final day of a leap year. 🙂

Eight Tips for Reading the Bible in 2020 (PLUS… A Secret Extra Tip for Success!)

Several years ago I established the habit of reading through the Bible in a year. It is one of the greatest habits I’ve ever acquired. In 2018, my 16-year-old son and I read through the Bible together. In 2019, the other four family members joined in and we all read through the whole Bible together.

Have you read the whole Bible?

Why not commit to read the Bible in 2020?

In this post, I’d like to share some tips on reading the Bible more in 2020, especially for those of you who are interested in reading the whole Bible in a year’s time.

First, choose a plan. There are several plans out there which are good. We really like the Tabletalk magazine plan. It is calendar-based and takes you through an Old Testament reading and a New Testament reading, six days a week. This allows you a day for catch up, which is very helpful because even the most disciplined of us will have a few days each year where we just cannot make it work.

For those who are reading this after January 1st and need something with a slightly later start in the new year, join Major League Baseball pitcher Adam Wainwright in reading through the Bible chronologically in 2020, starting on January 12th. You can join him on his Bible reading journey HERE.

Second, pick a time and a place to do your daily Bible reading. For our family it is right after breakfast (time) in our living room (place). For a friend of mine it is at lunchtime (time) at his office desk (place). Few people succeed if they just “wing it” each day. Determine where and when you will do your Bible reading each day. As far as time required, you will need to set aside a twenty minute time block, although most days it will only take you about fifteen minutes.

Third, track your reading. One of the reasons why we like the Tabletalk reading plan is because you can print out a handy half-sheet list of all the readings with little check boxes beside each day (see photos below), applying the wisdom of what some are now calling the Jerry Seinfeld method of success, also known as “Don’t Break the Chain!” The bottom line is that the more consecutive days you check off, the more it motivates you to stay with it. Each morning when our family would complete the assigned reading, it felt great to check off the appropriate box.

Fourth, pray before and after you read. Start with a simple prayer like this, from the Psalmist… Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. (Psalm 119.18)

After your readings are complete, pray about what you just read.

Chuck Norris and GOD

Devotion: Matthew 7.3-5

HOLY WEEK – THURSDAY

Are You a Peacemaker?

March 1st. On this day in history, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is composed of trained volunteers who are sent to other countries to provide assistance and to promote a mutual understanding of each other as nations.

The olive branch is a symbol of peace in many cultures.

Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker. By His sacrificial death on the cross of Calvary, Jesus satisfied the wrath of God for our sin, making a way for us to be at peace with God. Because we, as believers, have peace from Jesus.

As recipients of His peace, He then sends us to out to be peacemakers: “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20.21, CSB).  As peacemakers, we show that we are like our Heavenly Father. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5.9, CSB).

In what ways can you be a peacemaker?

Perhaps you can pray about how you might help people reconcile. It’s tragic to me how often I hear about close family members who haven’t spoken to one another in years. While the Bible clearly says that it’s wise to not insert yourself into the middle of a fight that is not yours (see Proverbs 26.17), sometimes the Lord might ask you to talk to one of the two and see if they might be willing to move toward reconciliation. If they are, perhaps you can serve as an intermediary, working to bring both sides together in hope of resolution.

Or perhaps you can be a peacemaker by refusing to enter into a fight that someone is trying to start with you. Instead of bowing up in pride and retaliating in kind, perhaps you would take a higher road, and calmly pursue peace with the person. Jesus said: “Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him to the court, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison” (Matthew 5.25, CSB).

The Enemy of our souls loves to stir up trouble and cause fights. But the Lord loves peace and desires for us to “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2.2, NKJV).

Lord, make your people an army of peacemakers. Start with me. Amen.

 

 

Beach Meditation (Psalm 69.34)

Book Review: Family-Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham, Jr.

I don’t recall when I first heard of Voddie Baucham but we did have the privilege of seeing him live at the Desiring God National Conference in Minneapolis back in 2006. During that same timeframe I called him and talked with him about twenty-five minutes. He was gracious and I recall our conversation went very well. What I cannot recall is why I called him in the first place!

I started reading his first book, The Ever-Loving Truth, but did not finish it, which is nothing new in my world. This book, Family-Driven Faith, which I purchased through the Amazon Kindle Store and read over three devices (my iPad, my iPhone, and my wife’s Kindle Fire), was more engaging to me because of my interest in the subject matter. Two areas of interest drove me to read this book: (1) how to do a better job as the spiritual leader of my home and (2) how to more effectively lead our church to equip parents in discipling their children. Family-Driven Faith is the only book I have ever read that that I can recall addresses these two issues, and Baucham does so boldly and directly.

Open Up the Bible

Week of Prayer and Fasting – Friday

Meditation

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. – Matthew 9.9

Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ. 

– 1 Corinthians 11.1 (NIV)

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.

– Hebrews 13.17

Make a list of the characteristics of a great follower, then pray that the members of Harvest Jacksonville would follow the elders in a godly way.

 

Prayer 

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

– 2 Timothy 4.1-2

Friday is one of the days of the week Pastor Brett devotes to study, and the day when most of his Sunday message is written. Pray that he would have wisdom and clarity. Pray also for God’s hand upon him.

 

—> If you have a chance to pray with someone today (spouse, children, or friend), make sure to pray for Pastor Brett and the message on Sunday. Try to make this a habit on Fridays.