My Daily Dose of Courage

"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)   Everyone and everything on earth that pleases the Father does so according to the leading and power of the Spirit. That is why Jesus insisted His disciples wait before they went out to preach the Gospel —  "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever . . ." (John 14:16)  The "Helper" is God Himself, the Holy Spirit. Just as the Father and Son are God, so is the Spirit; and they are united in their determination to bring many sons and daughters to glory. Thank God in heaven for the ministry of the Holy Spirit here on earth! “(He is) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”  (John 14:17)   The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit is the only difference between the children of God and all other ...

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9-10)   The Cross of Christ is the only point of contact any man will ever have with a Holy God. The Cross is God's only solution for the sin that would otherwise condemn us. The Cross is not man's idea, but God's. Heaven is real and hell is real, and we all will spend eternity in one place or the other, and that, according to the Cross.   Therefore, we must come to God on His terms, not ours; and we must never follow those who offer a doctrine cheapened with high-minded human philosophy or fruitless religiosity. All true theology and doctrine are rooted firmly in the Cross of Calvary, and it must be embraced by every believer with all gravity and ...

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.  (1 Corinthians 12:27)   The Lord loves His Church so deeply that He calls us His "body." We are the manifest presence of the Lord on earth, for He abides in us and with us in Spirit. Therefore, He says we are the light of the world, just as He is that Light. He is returning for a perfect church, and we must be found walking in the perfection of the Spirit and the bond of peace when he returns.   Jesus is our Peace. We are to be perfect (complete, healthy, and holy), just as He is; and the members of His church stand as one, just as the Father, Son, and Spirit are One.   Membership in the church is not a matter of agreement to a certain set of rules and regulations, attendance at meetings, or participation in religious enterprises, no matter how noble. Membership in the body of Christ is the spiritual position given to every believer, whereby he or she receives the everlasting life God pours out on tho...

Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. (Colossians 2:4)   There will never be an end to teachers who claim they have a deeper understanding than others have received. This brand of "revelation" always runs counter to the Gospel both in substance and simplicity. It claims a unique and superior perspective and sets itself beyond the reach of "average" saints. This type of teaching is most often rooted in pride. We are called to reject such nonsense, as it is an age-old trick of Satan, who understands the temptations of the flesh and man's tendency toward high-mindedness. God gives and honors the simplicity of faith in Jesus Christ, for in Him alone is the counsel of God.   "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."  (Matthew 10:8)   Beware of those who boast of their knowledge of mysteries and hidden things that only a superior class of "teachers...

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell . . .  (Colossians 1:19)   Perhaps you have been searching for meaning, enlightenment, and fulfillment, and you cannot say you have found it. Could it be the Lord's message to you is simpler than you expected? Could it be you have set yourself and others, your goals, your wants, even your leisure in the central chamber of your heart? God has promised to give you more than you could ever ask or think, and He kept that promise in Jesus. When you received the Savior, you received everything you will ever need.   Everything!   So, go ahead, focus on Him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Put Him in the center. God has put Him on the throne up in heaven. Put Him on the throne of your heart.   Let's Pray  - Lord, I have placed You on the throne and in the center of my life. You will find me in Your house, in Your word, and in the closet of prayer as a lifestyle. That is my desire and ...

His mother (Mary) said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”  (John 2:5) Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew) . . .  (John 2:7-9)   The work God has given us to do is to believe and obey every word He says. This is where a servant's faith is tested most severely. It was not enough for these servants to fill the water pots with water, but then to serve it to the guests who are expecting wine!  We are not true servants of Jesus Christ until we trust Him like that.    Do you believe God can turn your water into wine? Is your faith childlike enough to obey and trust Him? Water becomes wine only when we obey His commands – even the absurd on...