My Daily Dose of Courage

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10) Behold, how good and how pleasant it isFor brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1) Paul does not mean that saints should not be free to think for themselves, or that we should agree on every detail as it pertains to the faith. We are not all the same, and we do not all respond or feel the same about the world around us. When Paul speaks of divisions, he is not speaking of a problem with us as individuals, but individualism. That spirit will always look to set itself apart from and above other believers, and it wars against the unity and the accountability God wants for His church. We must wage a fierce fight against the temptation to strike out in a direction of our own choosing. When we are joined together, willing to submit ...

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  (Matthew 4:17)    . . . and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.  (Matthew 4:22)   I am convinced that the repentance is among the most awesome privileges anyone will ever have — it is a gift of God. Repentance is more than the determination to stop sinning, and it is more than feeling sorry for our sins, no matter how sincere we are. Repentance is the decision to turn from our ways and to follow Jesus. That is when He gives us a new life, and that new life takes divine energy to live.   Repentance is an unfathomably rich and gracious opportunity to see and receive the Kingdom of God. What is the Kingdom of God? It is the life and perspective He gives us when we believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and receive His Holy Spirit.   No one will see the Kingdom of God without repentance.   Kingdom life brings us an eve...

. . . and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."   (Matthew 18:3-6) God’s economy is antithetical to that of the world. His values are higher, because they are spiritual, and His ways are superior, because He is holy. God’s standards are strange to the casual observer, the casual Christian, and to the unbeliever alike. For example, the requirement that we become like children is ludicrous to the world, but essential for eternal purposes. Humility is the door God has provided for His “little ones.” Yet, in our efforts to be something...

And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the Lord met him and sought to kill him.  (Exodus 4:24) In this passage, the love of God and the anger of God collide in a baffling way. Moses was God’s man going forward with God’s plan, with His commission and permission. Then, the same God who sent Moses met him on the way with the purpose of killing him!   This should cause us to ask what habit, action, mindset, or sins are we carrying that is an offense to God? Where has Satan hitched a ride on our heaven-bound expressway? What old issues and attitudes are a hindrance to your new season? What is there about you or within you that needs to die? Where do you need to repent before moving forward?   These are the questions we should ask ourselves before taking another step.   Let's Pray -  Father, open our eyes and show us the truth about ourselves. We want to be righteous and blameless in Your sight, and that is only possible when the Holy Spirit s...

“Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”  (Luke 7:48-50)   The singular truth of the New Testament is Jesus came to save sinners — not black sinners, white sinners, brown sinners, yellow sinners, or red sinners. There is no skin color in the kingdom. There are no good sinners and bad sinners — no cultured sin...

Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  (2 Timothy 2:10) A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance . . .  (Proverbs 15:13)   As the Word says, we enter the Kingdom of God through many trials and much tribulation. That is because the forces of darkness are set against the children of light at every turn. While we are on earth and until Jesus returns, things will be difficult, and we must be prepared. Satan is relentless, but our God reigns supreme, and we are more than conquerors in Him.   God gives us wisdom, joy, and strength to pass every test. The battle is the Lord’s, and the victory is ours in Him. So, be of good cheer, for Jesus has overcome every obstacle we will ever face.   We are known by our love and our joy, so let us face every day with a heavenly outlook. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, He transforms us into men and women of faith a...