My Daily Dose of Courage

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  (Hebrews 11:6)   Faith and wisdom necessitate that we believe God far beyond what we see, and that we believe Him at His Word — that He is in control, He is good, and all things work together for the good of those who love and serve Him acceptably.    We must get beyond the childishness of thinking that all is well when circumstances are well, and all is not well when life is hard. It may very well be the opposite, so we must be wise in good times and bad, and we must remember that God is always  faithful.  That kind of faith and wisdom will help us rise above the limitations of earthly knowledge and the worldly wisdom in which so many walk.    The wise and faithful saint diligently seeks HIM, not simply His blessings or His power, but His Person and His presence. In His presence is ...

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:4-5) The word “member” takes on its true meaning through Paul’s explanation. Our membership makes us a living and necessary part of the larger body of believers, and it is essential to the well-being of the body that we function properly and harmoniously. God formed us so that we work best in partnership, and in a way that reflects the Trinity – as distinct individuals in distinct roles, oneness, unity, and perfect love for each other. The same should be true of the local church and its members. Satan is sure to oppose every healthy body of believers, and we must be aware of his wiles. The opposition is fierce, but victory is ours if we stand our ground and love each other and walk by faith. God does not call believers to common ground, but to HOLY ground. That is what distinguishes the church — me...

But he (Samson) did not know that the Lord had departed from him . (Judges 16:20b)   And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)   Be careful to handle yourself in a way that honors God wherever you are and whatever you do. Respect and reverence for the Holy Spirit is your solemn privilege and duty, so do not be careless. Be sure not to grieve Him away — some have done so, and like Samson, they do not realize it.   The Spirit of God lives in hearts of God’s children. That is the only difference between us and every other religious person, and that difference is consequential and eternal. So, paying earnest heed to the Spirit's voice is the most crucial decision we can make. That is the difference between blessed assurance and dangerous presumption.   May we find ourselves more aware and appreciative of the Holy Spirit’s work on our behalf — and may we give Him all the attention and devotion H...

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.  (Ephesians 1:13-14)   The hope that Christians have is much more than the emotional, feel-good phenomenon the world clings to. It is much more than, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Our faith is not “blind,” but we seek the eternal over the temporary, the unseen over the visible, and that which is above not below. We enjoy a unique outlook given to us by the Holy Spirit, and He is our “guarantee” that all we hope and wait for is real.   When we believe in Jesus Christ as our savior and redeemer, we have peace and eternal security, and we give Him glory in return. The apostle Paul calls it,  “. . . this grace in which we stand . . .”  – and this grace empowers us to live j...

For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.  (Matthew 16:27)   Some teach that the Lord is preparing us for our breakthrough, our destiny, and some blessed or exalted place on this earth, but that is not true. The Lord is preparing you for His return, and He is preparing you for heaven! Heaven is the prize, not anything we can achieve in this world. The success we look for on earth may very well distract and deter us from the real prize; and that prize is the crown we will receive for our faithfulness to God.   The Bible consistently teaches us the necessity of spiritual preparedness; because we will not have time to get ourselves ready when Christ returns — we must  be  ready. In other words, preparedness is a state of being for the Christian. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is not simply preparing us for that Day, He  is  that preparation, and Spirit-filled believers...

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.  (Revelation 1:3)   Jesus Christ is clearly in control of all things in heaven and on earth, and the Book of Revelation is the most prominent presentation of this fact in the scriptures. The Revelation (or Apocalypse) given to John by the angelic messenger is a heavenly vision whose interpretation must be rooted in wisdom, maturity, and sober thinking, lest the reader be carried away by unwarranted speculation and endless argument. There is much in this book to disagree on, if we choose — yet, Jesus Christ Himself is the crucial point. Any interpretation or teaching on the Revelation that does not increase our joy and expectancy concerning Christ's return is unfruitful and unbiblical.   We do well to heed the instructions and warnings in this book, for if He finds the elect unprepared when He returns, we are without excuse. So, ta...