What Do Your Friends Say?
“Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to Him.” 2 Samuel 10:12
How much courage do you have? Would your friends call you a courageous person? The dictionary defines courage this way: the ability to face and deal with a dangerous or difficult situation.
As I shared in my sermon Sunday night, so many times the popular images of courage have to do with men fighting on battlefields in a far away land. Soldiers battling at Gettysburg for the very survival of America. Or Todd Beamer and others on 9/11 who dared to overtake the terrorist who were going to fly their plane into the U.S. Capital. But if that is all that courage is, then most of us are left out because most of us will never be on a battlefield, or overtake a terrorist.
One of the greatest examples of courage is found in the first century church that took the world head on with three tools: the power of God’s word, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and perseverance of unity among the believers.
I think we can all agree that courage does not come easy to us. After all, the great men of courage and faith in the Bible had to be spoken to by God to kick them into high gear. Moses and Joshua were repeatedly told by God to be fearless and full of courage. Don’t we need God’s word at times to speak to us and kick us into high gear to accomplish God’s purpose? Can you remember the last time you thought something was impossible until you were encouraged by God’s Spirit or God’s word? If we are living or Christ, we all can!
Listen, when there is an absence of peace there is the abuse of fear, when there is a presence of peace there is the absence of fear! There is no way a dad can be courageous before his family when he’s consumed with fear. There is no way a mom can live courageously before her children if she is contaminated with fear. There is no way anyone can conquer the world, the flesh, and the devil, when he or she is cemented to fear!
I can think of no greater encouragement to invade our hearts and minds on a daily basis than the truth of God's word, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We just can't fail as God's anointed followers - God has set us up for success in every way!
Consider the words spoken by Christian Philosopher Karl Barth, “Courage is fear that has said its prayers”, or by the great World War 2 military leader, General Patton, “Courage is fear that holds on for one more minute.”
God has called all of His people to live our triumphant lives with courage deep down in our hearts. Never underestimate how God can turn a worry into a win, a problem into a praise, and a hurt into a hallelujah! And never forget that whether it’s a worry, a problem, or a hurt, God has an amazing track record for turning life’s lingering fears into a legacy of faith!
Be bold and courageous,
Pastor Dave
How much courage do you have? Would your friends call you a courageous person? The dictionary defines courage this way: the ability to face and deal with a dangerous or difficult situation.
As I shared in my sermon Sunday night, so many times the popular images of courage have to do with men fighting on battlefields in a far away land. Soldiers battling at Gettysburg for the very survival of America. Or Todd Beamer and others on 9/11 who dared to overtake the terrorist who were going to fly their plane into the U.S. Capital. But if that is all that courage is, then most of us are left out because most of us will never be on a battlefield, or overtake a terrorist.
One of the greatest examples of courage is found in the first century church that took the world head on with three tools: the power of God’s word, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and perseverance of unity among the believers.
I think we can all agree that courage does not come easy to us. After all, the great men of courage and faith in the Bible had to be spoken to by God to kick them into high gear. Moses and Joshua were repeatedly told by God to be fearless and full of courage. Don’t we need God’s word at times to speak to us and kick us into high gear to accomplish God’s purpose? Can you remember the last time you thought something was impossible until you were encouraged by God’s Spirit or God’s word? If we are living or Christ, we all can!
Listen, when there is an absence of peace there is the abuse of fear, when there is a presence of peace there is the absence of fear! There is no way a dad can be courageous before his family when he’s consumed with fear. There is no way a mom can live courageously before her children if she is contaminated with fear. There is no way anyone can conquer the world, the flesh, and the devil, when he or she is cemented to fear!
I can think of no greater encouragement to invade our hearts and minds on a daily basis than the truth of God's word, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We just can't fail as God's anointed followers - God has set us up for success in every way!
Consider the words spoken by Christian Philosopher Karl Barth, “Courage is fear that has said its prayers”, or by the great World War 2 military leader, General Patton, “Courage is fear that holds on for one more minute.”
God has called all of His people to live our triumphant lives with courage deep down in our hearts. Never underestimate how God can turn a worry into a win, a problem into a praise, and a hurt into a hallelujah! And never forget that whether it’s a worry, a problem, or a hurt, God has an amazing track record for turning life’s lingering fears into a legacy of faith!
Be bold and courageous,
Pastor Dave
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1 Comment
Pastor Dave, I simply want to let you know how much I appreciate all the effort you put into your blogs. I know the Holy Spirit leads you in this effort and you are obedient to His leading. Thank you!