13/2/2018 0 Comments Intimacy Takes Courage
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Genesis 32:24-26 NIV
We often think of needing courage for a battle ahead. When the threat of attack closes in, it's time to pick up our courage. But, do you ever think of needing courage in your relationship with God? Of course, you can have a distant relationship at no real cost of courage. But, the intimate relationship with God that you long for will take courage on your part. Jacob had this courage. He wrestled with this angelic visitor (who many commentators call Jesus) for many hours. How Jacob lasted that long, I'll never know (good question for him in heaven). But the fact is - Jacob held onto this man and would not let him go until he received a blessing. Jacob wasn't content to just know about God. He wasn't even content only to wrestle with him. Jacob wanted more. He hung on for the blessing. What a privilege to know the closeness of the Father and also to receive his words of affirmation. It took courage for Jacob to keep wrestling and holding out for the blessing. This story tells us a lot about God. He engages with us. He loves relating with us in a close way. God did not take away Jacob's initiative in wrestling and calling out for a blessing. I believe God loved the interaction and Jacob's determination to be blessed. He admired Jacob's courage. Jacob even recognized his own courageous and very risky behavior. He states later, "I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared" (Genesis 32:30 NIV). It takes courage to be intimate. Would you grab onto God and call out for his affirmation? Could you do that? Would it be appropriate? Oh yes it would. God longs for you to engage with him like that. He waits for your pursuit… for your courageous pursuit toward intimacy. He loves the wrestle. He loves you.
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11/2/2018 0 Comments Courage through Surrender
It is in the recognition and submission to the Lordship of Jesus that we gain courage. Without submission, we are left insecure.
10/2/2018 0 Comments Run to the BattleJonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few. 1 Samuel 14:6 NIV The Israelites were quaking with fear. The Philistine army kept attacking them and winning. The military and economic domination was so great that the Israelites didn't even have their own weapons to fight with. A big reason for this was the ungodly leadership of king Saul. Into this scene of a gloating Philistine army and a demoralized Israel steps Jonathan and his armor-bearer. Jonathan, son of king Saul, had an inkling that if he stepped out and faced the enemy, God would rush to his aid. With his armor-bearer right behind, Jonathan ran toward the enemy, and God met him on the way. In fact, the two brave men scaled a cliff with the Philistine detachment waiting at the top. After finishing the climb, Jonathan and his armor-bearer routed the Philistine detachment, killing twenty men in a small space. Courage comes on the way to meet the enemy. In other words, God comes on us with his spirit of power and bravery as we step out in faith. Jonathan put himself in a place of desperately needing God to break through. If God didn't come, Jonathan and his armor-bearer would certainly die. Courage is not reckless. It is stepping out in faith on the word of the Lord. This courage increases as we get active in obeying God's strategy in moving his kingdom forward. It is hard to find courage from the armchair. Simple steps of obedience will activate the movement of God's courage in your life. He rushes to meet you on the battlefield. As a result of Jonathan's brave and selfless act, God sent a panic through the Philistine camp. The enemy began turning on each other as fear and mayhem broke loose. The courage of Jonathan gave momentum for the larger miracle of the enemy's total defeat. Step out today, and the God of courage will meet you. 8/2/2018 1 Comment Courage is Commanded
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Is courage a personality type? Is it the quality possessed by those of natural inner strength? Where does true courage come from? Anyone can put a brave face on. But not everyone will have courage. Courage is the obedient response to the trustworthy God. In the Bible God commands Joshua to be courageous. You might feel bad for Joshua. The poor guy was about to face giants and large walled cities. Wouldn't he have a right to be scared and very discouraged? Well, no, actually. God - the mountain shaking, Red Sea parting, manna providing God - was leading the way. He had promised never to leave Joshua's side. With God's promise and power at the front, God commands Joshua to take courage. What does this mean? God expects Joshua to believe in him, in his power and promise. God expects that Joshua will act according to this faith. God calls us to partner with him in making disciples of all nations. To do this will require great courage. The lost will remain unreached as long as the command to take courage is not heeded. Risk is a part of advancing the kingdom of God. If courage was simply a feeling of inspiration, not much would get done. But, it is the obedient sons and daughters of the King that will take bold risks in his name. Courage is needed to complete the Great Commission. Courage is not optional for the Christian. God commands it, so we can do it. Take a moment to write out your prayer of commitment to take courage in an area where you often feel afraid or apprehensive. You can use the Comments section below to write your prayer. 7/2/2018 0 Comments Spiritual Body Armor
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11
When you come home after a long day at work or school, you most likely put something comfortable on. You take off the stiff clothing and constrictive shoes. It's time to unwind. If you were in the police force, you would be itching to take off your body armor and be relaxed. But, God tells us to put on his full armor. This instruction is not to the spiritual policemen among us (if there were any). As Christians, we are all called to get dressed in God's armor. And we are actually never instructed to take it off. Like his yoke (Matthew 11:28-30), his armor is light and easy. But, it is vital not only for our survival, but for victory in bringing the light of Jesus to the nations. The fact that we are called to wear armor should tell us a few things. First, we are in a battle. And the battle is 24/7. The spiritual forces of evil that seek to tear you down do not stop their work when you get home. In fact, often the most intense times of battle are in our down times at home. Spiritual alertness is the key to overcoming the enemy here. The spiritual body armor is meant to aid us in the battle with the spiritual forces of evil. This armor is not used to fight people. Very important! The tool to be used in human relationships is called love. There is a real enemy, though. He needs to be firmly resisted and stopped in his constant harassments. The fact that we have armor tells us that we can be protected by God. We don't have to walk around intimidated by the enemy, fearing the next attack. We don't have to give in to temptation. We don't have to let Satan's lies stick to us. As we wear the armor of God, we wear the confidence in knowing that Jesus is shielding us. They are his clothes, his righteousness, his salvation, and his truth. Keep your armor on. Walk with confidence. Fight the right enemy. Gain the victory. Click on Comments below to write in your prayer of commitment to wear God's armor and to fight the right enemy. 6/2/2018 0 Comments Garment of PraiseJesus has come to give you a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 There is a garment that has been handcrafted for you. It fits you perfectly. Jesus was anointed for this job. And he took it up with delight. He has been creating a new garment of praise for you. He wants you to put it on. Just like you wouldn’t go outside without your pants on, don’t go outside without your praise on. Put on this garment that Jesus made for you. Don’t admire it from afar. Actually try it out. Praise is not just a state of heart, but an action. Most often, it involves the mouth. So, in order to put your praise on, it requires intentional effort in speaking out thanksgiving and worship for who Jesus is. This might feel awkward at first. But make an effort to speak out loud and tell Jesus how much you love him. Get active in your praise. Use your hands and legs in the process. They are tools of surrender that will help you give a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15). So jump, clap, dance, sing, shout, speak your praise to God (for other ways, read the Psalms). This garment of praise is a bit like active wear. So get ready for a work out. The more vocal you can be with your praise, the more natural it will become. Don’t wait for Sunday to try on your garment of praise. Wear it when you’re by yourself also. Hopelessness and despair will quickly fade as praise wraps itself around you. In the Comments below, write out a couple short sentences of praise and thanksgiving to Jesus. Practice putting your praise on! 4/2/2018 1 Comment Shoes of the Good NewsEphesians 6:14-15 - Stand firm then… with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. How many pairs of shoes do you own? What is the one pair of shoes that you couldn’t live without? When is the last time you tried on your shoes of the good news? You might need to look through your closet again. Try these shoes on. They might feel a little awkward if you haven’t worn them for awhile. The shoes of the good news were given to you to be worn and worn in. Wearing the shoes of the good news means that you are stepping out to share the good news of Jesus with someone. Shoes take you places. To share the love of Jesus with someone, you actually need to go and find them. It takes initiation on your part to approach a person and begin telling them about Jesus. The shoes of Ephesians 6 are actually called the “shoes of readiness that come from the gospel of peace.” Are you ready to share Jesus with people? 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” So are you prepared? Get yourself prepared with your testimony and this simple 5 point outline below. Ready to go? Ready to run? Strap on the shoes of the good news. The world is waiting…
2/2/2018 1 Comment Pants of PatienceIf you can put your pants on, then you can put your patience on. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with patience. Colossians 3:12 It's been one of those mornings. You kept hitting the snooze button, and now you're late. Everything in you wants to roll over. You don't want to get up. You don't want to put your pants on. But, somehow, you find a way to put your pants on (and your shirt, shoes, etc.). Even though you might be half asleep, you still stumble out of the house with your pants on. You weren't feeling like it was a "pants" day. In fact, you would rather be tucked in bed with your PJ's on. But, you still got dressed. Perhaps you have prayed a long time for God to give you patience. You've "struggled" with impatient attitudes towards people who are not getting with your program. If people weren't so slow to catch on, you wouldn't struggle with impatience (you think!). And then, you ask God one more time to give you the patience to deal with those annoying humans. In light of your typical "struggles" with impatience, God says, "Struggle no longer. Put your pants on." There is a reason why God gives us the imagery of "clothing ourselves with patience." He means that this something you can do. Even when you don't want start your day, you still find a way to put your pants on. You wouldn't leave home without them. Then, why would you leave home without your patience on? God's point is that you can "put on" patience, just like you would put your pants on. When you were a toddler, you struggled with putting your own pants on. But now, you would be considered an expert. Why? You do it every day without fail. So too, you can become an expert in putting your patience on. It is a decision you make to respond with kindness… a choice you make to wait without worrying. You don't have to be controlled by emotions of anxiety or pressure. In an effort to please Jesus, clothe yourself with patience. Practice putting it on. James 1:19 says, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Do this, and you will be practicing putting your patience on. Soon you will find that it's as easy as putting your pants on. 1/2/2018 0 Comments Royal ClothesBut you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV Do you get intrigued by the royal family? Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live in the palace, eat at the banquet table, be served and driven everywhere? What would it be like to wear the clothes of royalty? Jesus says, "You are royalty. You are a royal priesthood, a holy nation. You are chosen." The royalty bestowed on you is much greater and more significant than that of the royal family. This is a royalty bestowed by God. How can you know that these royal clothes are yours to wear? Colossians 3:1-3 says, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Where is Jesus in this scene? He is at the right hand of the Father… a position of royalty. The ascended Jesus is now ruling and reigning over creation. And where are you? Colossians 3 says that you are "hidden in Jesus." In other words, in Jesus, you are considered royalty. You are ruling and reigning with Jesus over creation. So, it's time to put on your royal clothes. What do they look like? Jesus' royal clothes are marked by humility and authority. Royal clothes are not meant for impressing people with your beauty. They are meant for serving others the way Jesus does. Wearing royal clothes also understands the authority that comes with royalty. As royalty, you are called to deal with the enemy, resist him and pave a way for the coming of Jesus into your family and community. It's time to put on your royal clothes. What a privilege and responsibility! Walk in confident humility. Exercise your spiritual authority over darkness. Remember, you are in Jesus, seated in a place of honor next to your Father. You are royalty. Write down your prayer of willingness to wear your God-given clothes of royalty. Tell Jesus you will walk in humility today. Tell him that you will carry his authority, as you resist the enemy around you. |
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