January 12, 2012

Good morning all-

I've been thinking a lot about being courageous and strong.  What does it really mean?  To be courageous is to be brave.  That means we have to face our fears, fight with a passion and believe in ourselves and our maker.  We were commanded in Joshua 1:9 to be courageous and strong.  Ever since I placed those words on this blog the passage has stuck in my mind.

I can't seem to get that portion out of my head.  I have meditated on it for a week and it just keeps popping up.  There are so many scenarios I have thought of where Joshua 1:9 pertains to my life and others I know.  It has me thinking about what it takes to be courageous when your job tells you they don't need you anymore or you go to an interview with the expectation of getting the job and they say they picked another candidate.  How do we face our fears?  Do we back up and say, "God's not with us."  Or do we choose to believe in the face of adversity that He has our back; that He knows what's best for us?  These are all things I have thought about this week.

I'm in sales so if you know anything about sales people they have to be strong minded, persevere and love rejection.  People say "no" all the time.  As a matter of fact I hear no more than I hear yes.  It's just the nature of the beast.  Sales people live and die by their numbers.  I have watched strong people crumble because they didn't meet goal.  More than likely that's because they fear losing their job.  Sales people have the potential to make a lot of money but if they don't perform, there goes the job.  It's a hard career and it takes a special kind of person to fulfill their obligations every day.

Throughout my career, I have had moments of great fear, whether it was because of performance or just layoff's.  I have feared whether I could put food on the table, provide for my children and keep my job all in the same breath.  I know what it's like to face a giant and want to run.  I have encountered wonderful people and I have met horrible people.  I have faced adversity with a smile and then crumbled after.  I am not a great warrior like David and yet, maybe I am.  I have continued to move through difficult times, entrusted my future to Jesus and when all else fails, including me, I get on my knees and ask God for courage and strength.

Maybe you know someone like that.  Someone that has faced adversity and found victory in getting out of their own way and letting Christ fill them with courage and strength.  Bravery is not something we can practice, its something that is given to us through the Holy Spirit.  It is our belief in our maker and the fulfillment of His will over ours.  I admire acts of courage, we all do.  I love to hear stories about men and women that have fought the good fight.  We admire those that have lost their lives for what they believe in and we welcome great warriors with open arms.  We seek to know those that are strong when faced with giants because we desperately want to be like them.  I'm challenging myself to really ask Jesus what He wants me to learn from this passage.  You have too.  Especially when the Scripture keeps running through your mind.  I have fears and thoughts just like you do.  I have to capture them and align them to Scripture.  But Joshua 1:9 has penetrated my heart and I hope it has yours too.

One of the things God has revealed to me is that we must begin to use Scripture as our weapon to have victory.  Everyone wants to get their information easily.  They want to listen to a podcast or google something, they don't want to delve into Scripture.  Maybe that's because it is confusing.  You really have to pray and ask God to reveal Himself and the words.  I have challenged myself to find Scripture that is pertinent to my thoughts and it has given me more perspective on Jesus then I ever had before.  He does reveal Himself to us and to those around us but it all begins in the Word.  For by the Word, Christ is revealed, not just to us but to all.

I hope this day finds you well and I hope that God has written a Scripture on your heart as He has for me this week.  I know He's near when all I can think about is His word.  Have a beautiful day wherever you live.  May God bless and keep you until tomorrow.


Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV:

     And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Joshua 23:6 NKJV:

     Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,

Psalm 31:24 NKJV:

     Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

1  Chronicles 19:13 NKJV:

     Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of God.

Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV:

     Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Joshua 1:9 NKJV:

     Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

My prayer today,

O, Lord continue to grow Your people with courage and strength.  The Bible is full of passages of being strong and courageous.  You have written Joshua 1:9 on my heart this week so I ask You to continue to grow me in Your word and help others to know You more.  Bring forth the lost to those of us that are learning Your ways and teach us how to love them more.  Your word is the sword we need in an evil word.  For those that are deep in battle, I pray that they would be looking for You, not in people but in the word.  People are fickle and they don't always know what they say but Your word is clear with power and direction for our lives.  I thank You for the words and accounts of those that walked and talked with You.  Be with us today as we seek You and die to ourselves.  We are flesh and You are spirit.  Drive us toward the words that will bring about victory, not just for our lives but for the lives of those that don't know You.  We are Yours to continue to mold and love.  I'm praying that You will forgive us of our sins, wash away our fears and grow us up to be great warriors that will be courageous and strong.  Thank You for all You do and for all You are.  Be with us today as we walk on this earth and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  You are the power behind us and we need You today!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...