Tag: BeCourageous

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Be Brave

Yesterday we saw how we can pray confidently when we are praying God’s word, relying completely on His promises.

That’s where bravery comes from. It’s a confidence in God’s word and His presence. Bravery isn’t the lack of fear. No, not at all. Bravery is trusting God in every situation. It’s what the Apostle Paul taught the Christians in Rome.

“ What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them?” Romans 8:31-33 CEV

Many of our fears come from the “what if’s” in life. What if I’m not strong enough, not articulate enough, not accepted by the right people, not wise enough. When we trust in God and His love for us, knowing that He is on our side we can and will dispel each and every fear.

“Trust the Lord! Be brave and strong and trust the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 CEV

What do you face that is unnerving causing you to be anxious and even fearful? Take these Scriptures to heart. The Bible is a powerful weapon against fear.

“God’s word is alive and powerful! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.” Hebrews 4:12 CEV

The Book of Joshua is a lesson in bravery. In fact, I have a book in my library, “Victorious Christian Living” written by Alan Redpath in 1955 that is such an amazing study in courage and trust.

Joshua was tasked with leading the Israelites, all million plus of them, into the Promised Land. They had physical armies to defeat, hostile land to work and weariness of mind to conquer. This is God’s command to Joshua.

“Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. 9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 ERV

The key to bravery and overcoming fear is remembering God’s promises, (He cannot lie), and trusting Him in every situation.

“The officials were amazed to see how brave Peter and John were, and they knew that these two apostles were only ordinary men and not well educated. The officials were certain these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 CEV

Peter and John were ordinary men, just like you and I, not well educated but they were brave when they faced the ruling officials, arrested and commanded not to speak the name of Jesus. Their faith was in God; faith grew and fear was abolished.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

We are living in a time where bravery and courage are needed. As we trust the Lord we will be strong, brave and very courageous!

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Through The Rivers

I needed to share this photo with you from our recent trip to the Catwalk. This is our daughter and son-in-law. What you don’t clearly see behind them is a rushing waterfall. Our daughter has a “thing” for getting in the water. Her husband prefers that she doesn’t take chances like that! He is always there to protect her, I like that!

This morning I am wondering how many of you feel you are in a vulnerable situation, in need of protection.

God’s faithfulness is never ending, and neither is His love, mercy and grace!

A few incidences in the Bible came to mind this morning while I was thinking about some of the rivers we go through. Remember when the children of Israel were being led out of Egypt? They came to the Red Sea and God parted the waters. Then as they were about to entire the Promised Land, the land God provided for them, they had to cross the Jordan River while it was in flood stage. The minute the priests set foot in the river God did a miracle. The waters held back and the entire nation crossed on dry ground.

“The priests carried the Box of the Agreement, and the people left the place they had camped. The people started going across the Jordan River. 15 (During harvest time the Jordan River overflows its banks, so the river was at its fullest.) The priests who were carrying the Box came to the shore of the river. When they stepped into the water, 16 immediately the water stopped flowing and piled up like a wall. The water piled up high a long way up the river—all the way to Adam (a town near Zarethan). And the water flowing down to the sea of Arabah (the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. The people crossed the river near Jericho. 17 The ground at that place became dry, and the priests carried the Box of the Agreement of the Lord to the middle of the river and stopped. They waited there while all the Israelites walked across the Jordan River on dry land.” Joshua 3:14-17 ERV

Do you think some of the people might have been afraid? I do. However, our Father is always faithful to protect and to guide.

“ Jacob, the Lord created you. Israel, he made you, and now he says, “Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. 2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3a ERV

As I said at the beginning, I’m not sure what vulnerable situation you may have before you but I do know that when we walk through rivers, when we go through fire, when life’s storms seek to capsize our boat, the Father is there – He never leaves us alone!

“The mountains may disappear, and the hills may become dust, but my faithful love will never leave you. I will make peace with you, and it will never end.” The Lord who loves you said this.” Isaiah 54:10 ERV

Through the rivers, God’s faithful love with never leave us!

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A Better View Point

Most of this past week I have been removing decals from the side of our RV but the last day and a half have had a bit of a twist.

The ladder. Not just any ladder, an extension ladder!

For days I had been able to work with both feet on the ground or on the wider, more secure steps of the step ladder. Once all the lower decals had been removed the only ones left to work on were the ones at the roof line. (Deep breath taken)

Up the extension ladder I went. I was definitely out of my comfort zone. I don’t like high ladders. They wiggle, the rungs are narrow…and did I mention they wiggle? Because my arms are short I was only able to apply the decal remover to about three feet of it at a time. This meant multiple trips of ascending and descending.

Yesterday I completed the one side. Monday I will be completely finished! But here’s what I learned on my many trips to the heights – I was more comfortable each time I climbed to the top. Although I had been shaky, hesitant and at one point some what frightened I now felt comfortable and able to complete my task feeling relaxed.

I had a better point of view!

I had learned to work with the ladder. I got rid of the wiggle, I had a routine for the things I needed to carry up and down. I was better prepared to do the job once I got to the top. Things went smoother.

Climbing that ladder I thought of the story of Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. He encountered a ladder in the wilderness. He was on a journey to find a wife but on the way he encountered the Lord.

“He took one of the stones there and put it under his head for a pillow. 12 And he had a dream. He saw steps going up from the earth to heaven. He saw the angels of God going up and down these steps. 13 And he saw the Lord standing above them. He said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham, and the God of Isaac. I will give to you and your children after you the land where you are lying… 15 See, I am with you. I will care for you everywhere you go. And I will bring you again to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done all the things I promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “For sure the Lord is in this place and I did not know it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “This place is so different! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:11-17 NLV

When we encounter the Lord we will have a better point of view.

It may be frightening at first. The Lord has a life plan for us; it will take us out of our comfort zone. It will require us to lay aside our small thinking and to see things from God’s point of view. But rest assured, we have the same promise from the Lord that Jacob did, “I will not leave you until I have done all the things I promised you”.

It’s time to climb higher. God will give us His point of view and it will be much better than our own.

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