Category Archives: Courage

15 Days of Faith – Day 13

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The Bible uses the word “sovereignty” to talk about God’s reign as the King over our lives and over the world. God is the one true King. Colossians 1:16-17 refers to God’s supreme, sovereign place in our lives and the world:

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Since God is the Sovereign King, we should always submit to His authority. This calls for faith and obedience. Sometimes, our faith is challenged, but we should trust Him anyway. In today’s 15 Days of Faith video, I share some thoughts about the Old Testament story of three young men who were challenged to trust God even when it could mean their deaths.

As we consider the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is your understanding of total trust challenged? I mention in the video that these three young men showed total faith in God’s ability and total trust in God’s agenda.

We know that God is able, right? He’s God! What does it mean to trust God’s agenda? Well, it means that God is God and you are not. It means that since God is sovereign, and you’re not, that you will follow God’s agenda and not your own. Following God’s agenda can be challenging. It shouldn’t be challenging because we understand that God knows everything, and His ways are always right and best. 

Why do we ever prefer our own agendas? Great question. The problem is that I don’t know the answer other than we’re stubborn and obstinate. Maybe I should throw in the word “sinners” as well.

I think this global pandemic is calling us to a closer walk with God. Will you choose to submit to God’s sovereign rule over your life today?

You can watch today’s video by clicking this link.

15 Days of Faith – Day 10

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I wish I had an antidote for the Coronavirus I could offer to the world. Wouldn’t that be great? I do have an antidote for the fear caused by the spread of the virus. In today’s video, I talk about this antidote: prayer. I share this antidote from Philippians 4:6-7. I’d like to share a few additional thoughts in this blog. First, look again at Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

I need to stress that this verse begins with an actual command: Don’t be anxious. Have you ever thought of worry as a sin? Well, God says it is. This passage clearly states that anxiety is a choice. We can choose to worry, or we can choose to trust. How in the world can you overcome anxiety and embrace trust? The answer is prayer.

God tells us to pray, and this passage uses two important words that underscore attitudes we should demonstrate with our prayer. The first attitude is desperation. The word “supplication” comes from a Greek word that means to plead or even beg. The fact is that we are always desperate and dependent upon God. The spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus is just a reminder that we really are not self-sufficient. We need God! So, cry out to Him.

The second attitude is gratitude. God wants us to be thankful. One of the greatest ways to overcome anxiety is to count your many blessings? You can always find blessings in every circumstance. Focus on your blessings and not your struggles. Choose thanksgiving instead of worry.

When we do that, our hearts and minds are open to the peace of God. This peace serves as sentry soldiers to set up guard over our emotions and our will. When our emotions are in check, we’re free to love others and help others in Jesus’ name. When our minds are clear, we’re free to think properly and make wise decisions.

Are you afraid? Don’t be. Trust the Lord. Don’t worry about anything; pray about everything.

You can find today’s video here.

15 Days of Faith – Day 9

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God is unique and creative. He doesn’t always do things the same way, and He doesn’t usually do things the way I would do them. Has God ever surprised you with a strategy to solve a problem? Throughout history, God has used unique ways to address challenges. I spoke of one of those times in today’s video, and the story is recorded in Joshua 6. It was God’s strategy to defeat Jericho. God told Joshua: “You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. Also, seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets” (Josh 6:3-4).

You’re probably familiar with the story and know that God’s plan worked. The walls fell down and Jericho was defeated. Why did it work? It worked because God did it. God gave Joshua a crazy strategy because He wanted Israel to know that He would always fight their battles for them.

This is an important word for us today. God will always fight our battles for us. We can trust Him. This truth means that we need to keep our eyes on the Lord and follow Him. Trust Him even when we don’t see how things will turn out. God may not address a situation the way we would but trust Him anyway. God’s got it! God can handle it! Trust in the Lord.

15 Days of Faith – Day 8

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America was built upon the efforts of people trying to do the impossible. I’m convinced that one reason our country became such a strong nation is because we were built upon a foundation of the Word of God, and we were willing to follow a God Who does the impossible every day. Because God is not limited by the things that limit us, it doesn’t surprise me that He calls us to a life of faith. He even says, “The just will live by faith.”

In my last blog, I mentioned the scripture in Joshua 1 where Moses died, and Joshua became the new leader of Israel. Joshua was tested right away when he had to lead Israel across a river that was impossible to ford. God, however, specializes in the impossible. He told Joshua to lead His people straight through the river, but of course, they would cross on dry ground. In other words, God was going to perform the same miracle through Joshua at the Jordan River as He did with Moses at the Red Sea.

One significant thing about this story is that the water didn’t part for Joshua until the priests stepped into the water. Picture this: the priest walk toward a raging river (the Bible says it was flood season), and the water doesn’t change until the priests’ feet are in the water. It makes me think about the exciting and even supernatural things I’ve missed out on in my life because I didn’t move forward when God nudged me to do so.

Is there anything in your life where you feel God is urging you forward? It may be with sharing your faith with someone who is not a believer or possibly a business decision. God wants to work in every area of your life. This unique season in our lives can be a time to remind us that God is sovereign, and He wants to do the impossible through us if we’ll let Him.

Here’s today’s video: 15 Days of Faith – Day 8.

15 Days of Faith – Day 7

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We are drawn to people with courage. Most action movies are popular because people are inspired by the courage of the characters. I especially love movies of courage that’s based upon a true story. Why do you think we’re drawn to these types of movies? I think it’s because we want to have that kind of courage.

Not only do you want to have courage, but God wants you to have courage, too. Our video from today focuses on an Old Testament story about Joshua becoming the leader of Israel, but he was afraid. God told him to have courage. In the video, I speak specifically about God’s words to Joshua recorded in Joshua 1:5-9 where God called Joshua to be courageous.

Look at part of that passage (vs. 8-9), “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!”

It’s obvious from the context that one way Joshua could choose courage would be if he would stay focused on the Word of God. In verse eight, God specifically told him to meditate on it day and night and be careful to do everything God says. The word translated “meditate” is also used to describe a cow chewing the cud or the cooing of a pigeon. The emphasis is upon the repetition or focus of a thought. This passage is a great word to us.

God wants us to stay focused on His Word during this time and do everything He tells us to do. Will you be strong and courageous and stay focused on the Word of God?

You can see today’s video by following this link.