My Daily Dose of Courage

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  (Psalm 51:10) It is easier than we think to get upside down in spiritual things. Once we begin to lead with our emotions, intellect, will, or flesh, we are immediately out-of-sorts, and only the Spirit of God can correct us. He has the truth at His disposal, and He will use that truth to help us realize our error and to repent. When we are wise, He gets our attention with just a whisper — but when we are foolish, He has to bring correction through difficulty and pain. Let us choose to be wise and obedient.   God deeply desires that you come to Him; and when you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. He, and only He can make you holy and give you the power to live in a way that glorifies Him — that is why you come. So, come and let Him search you and remove anything that does not please Him. Come, and He will cleanse your heart and renew a right spirit within you. Just come!  "Come unto Me . . ." ...

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) God is not being unreasonable when he asks us to lay our lives down, and there is great value in doing so. You and I become a “living sacrifice” when we are willing to die to ourselves and allow Christ to live out His life in our mortal bodies. What an honor — to gladly give our Lord everything we have and everything we are! The laid-down life is the only life the Lord can raise up. He fills empty vessels, not full ones. He lifts up the humble and resists the proud.   Truly, Jesus is our Example in all good things, and He is the ultimate living sacrifice. When we walk with the Lord for some time, we learn not to consider what it costs us to obey God. We consider what it cost Him, and it cost Him everything — the life of His Son. Jesus laid down His life and picked it up again in righteousness and resurre...

“No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined.” (Luke 5:36-37) When the Lord does a new thing, it is something that has never been done before — not a refurbished, remodeled, rearranged thing, but a NEW thing. We must be careful not to frustrate the originality of the Holy Spirit by holding Him to the past and our limited understanding of the future. He promises to do beyond what we can ask or think, and we can only take hold of that promise by faith. Our faith is the only container we possess large and elastic enough to receive the new thing God is doing. So, let go of your history and, by faith, embrace what is ahead! The old system of things will always resist the new. Remember, one of the greatest battles of the early New Testament...

Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.   (Genesis 15:5-6) God wants to free us from the trap of small thinking. We limit God in our minds whenever we elevate our circumstances instead of increasing our faith. Faith is only increased by the determination to cling to God and His Word, and to let Him have the final say in all things. The name of Jesus must truly become the “name above all names” in my thinking — and my most sincere efforts get lost in the possibilities of His sovereign will, His grace, and His remarkable kindness.  “Look toward heaven.” If you draw near, you will hear God's promises that only He has the power to accomplish. He is not only the Promise-giver, but He is the Promise-keeper. He alone has the ability to make all things work together for ...

Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21, 22)  The blood Jesus shed offers us complete forgiveness and the limitless capacity to forgive — and then to forget. Remember, all our sins are first and foremost an affront to God (not men), and He responds to our sins with the willingness to forgive them all. Therefore, we are able to forgive others, because He’s forgives us, and we are like our Father. We are no longer trapped in bitterness, anger, and a victim mentality, because we have been given a new heart, a new spirit, and the ministry of reconciliation. Now, we can pray for our enemies and those who sin against us! Like our Savior, we can say, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34) The Lord forgives and forgets, and He expects the same...

So, he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:  ‘Not by might nor by power,  but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts."   (Zechariah 4:6)   If we think we can love God and the world, we deceive ourselves; and that deception stems from the belief that good can be found in anything or anyone other than Jesus. That is where we are in danger of losing the vitality of our faith, and where we are tempted to fall out of love with Jesus and in love with success. Therefore, we must be careful to draw near to God and take a more earnest heed to His Word. He desires to have us to Himself; so we cannot get wrapped up in worldly pursuits, lest we become like salt that loses its savor, or lamps hidden under a bushel. Let that not be said of us!   Believers are hidden under the shadow of the Cross, and the world no longer has the access to us it once had. We are no longer entangled with worldly people and causes, and we refuse to go back to ...

So, he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts."  (Zechariah 4:6)   We must endeavor to understand God’s ways more and more, because He uses methods we are not acquainted with. Too often, we are looking for what we can see, understand, calculate, control, and organize; but the Lord is working on a much deeper level.  “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing . . .”  (John 6:63a) When we ask Him for true wisdom, He will answer, give us spiritual understanding, and a superior perspective on things.   Anything that rises up from us (no matter how good or sincere) will become a thing in itself, and this is always a snare in Christian work. Though it may seem godly, Christian enterprise is no more holy than that of the world. The Lord is building that which is heavenly, not earthly; and that which He is building will point men and women to Jesus Chris...

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30) The rest Jesus offers is the assurance that He loves and cares for us, and we can confidently give our all to the One who is able to save us and keep us forever. You see, Jesus is not just interested in giving us rest, but  being  our rest. He  is  the Rest of God! The  "yoke"  He gives us is the assurance that He is always with us, through all our tests and labors. Therefore, we should never be depleted or exhausted, for He shares our burdens, and we will find true rest in Him.   The rest Jesus offers is more than a respite or vacation from our labors. It is the benefit we enjoy when we receive Him as our Lord, as well as our Savior. He must truly become the "Author and Finisher" of ...

“Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?”  (Matthew 20:15) God’s Word has gone out into the entire world, and the world has largely rejected His call. Jesus came to the Jews, and they largely rejected Him. He reached out to the Gentiles, and they, too, largely shunned the Savior. To this very day, men go about their way in futility, seeking to gain what they cannot keep, and turning away from Him who would keep them forever. The Church of Jesus Christ, however, is the clearest indication on earth that the Lord is good, His mercy endures, and He is still reaching out to save men -- all men. His care and kindness are born out of His unfathomable love, and we do well to be counted among those who heed the One who calls!   God's ways are higher than ours and always will be. His kingdom works on another order, and even Christians will misunderstand His ways, unless we seek His Kingdom first and foremost. Our best-lai...

My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.   (Proverbs 1:8-9) Be sure to seek, hear, and heed the instructions of your spiritual elders and leaders. They are gifts to you from the Lord, fountains of life and wisdom. Every child of God should find himself or herself in the company of those who have walked with the Lord longer than they. Fathers and mothers of the faith are precious jewels, so be sure to adorn your life with them. Be willing to receive from them, because their counsel will help, strengthen, and spare you untold and unnecessary pain.   Godly counsel and friendly advice are two different things. We can obtain advice from any number of sources, and it may or may not be beneficial, especially as it pertains to spiritual things. What is advisable and expedient according to the world's standards is not necessarily so in the spirit! However, ...

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them.  (Deuteronomy 32:35)  You and I must rest on the promise that the Lord sees, hears, and knows everything, and He will make all things right in the end. Only then can we focus on what's ahead instead of the past. Though it seems that evil people get away with their shameful acts, God has promised to judge each one according his deeds, and He will repay sinners and reward saints accordingly. God’s judgments will be honest and true, because He is honest and true. Let’s rest in Him. He will work things out, and He does all things well.   Only the Holy Spirit can rightly search out the inner sanctums of the human heart, and that is why He alone is fit to judge. When we contemplate revenge or getting even, we have made ourselves God, and we have deemed our judgment fair and impartial, when that may not be true. We can only be s...

. . . be at peace among yourselves . (1 Thessalonians 5:13b) Christians are to display the love of God to all people, especially those within the household of faith. When the Holy Spirit dwells in us, He overflows the borders of our natural affinities and freely expresses God's love as only He can. That unique love lays a foundation for peace, like that enjoyed by the Father, Son, and Spirit we serve. When we live in that peace, we truly are one, as They are One.   Beware of Christians who are strident and combative, more interested in being seen, being right, and demanding their rights than walking in God's righteousness. That is the spirit of the day, and it is not the Holy Spirit, but a counterfeit. When the Lord desires to bring peace to a situation, He sends you, because you are an instrument of His peace. Controversies, divisions, self-seeking, and the like will all give way when a peacemaker enters the conversation. Our presence in the earth is a sure sign that the Lord ...

. . . that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.  (Ephesians 5:27) I’ve been privileged to witness many weddings, and I’m always amazed at the attention paid to every detail pertaining to the bride. I have never seen a bride with a dingy dress, a careless hairstyle or makeup — but she is flawlessly prepared for the occasion, and rightly so. If you and I choose to live in a fashion that adorns the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then we, too, will be properly dressed for our Heavenly Bridegroom on that great wedding day. Would Jesus be proud to call you His bride today? Is your life spotless and holy? Are you fit to be with Him, or will you be shut out of the wedding feast?   God's standard is perfection, and that is because His standard is Jesus. Notice Paul tells us that Jesus is preparing His bride for Himself. In other words, if you belong to Him, He places His loving hands o...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  (2 Corinthians 5:17) Among the greatest joys available to a saint is the privilege of beginning again. God does not ask us to salvage or rehabilitate the old man, but to let him die out altogether. There is a new life Jesus prepares for His children, and He has no interest in recycling that which needs to be put away. Never be sympathetic with your old nature, but crucify him, pick up your cross daily, and follow Jesus. The resurrected life will be yours to enjoy forever.   It takes a new creature to thrive in the new creation. We must be willing to move on from all we've come to depend on, go beyond our own understanding, and let the Lord direct us into a deeper and fuller revelation of Jesus Christ. That is why our life with Him is called a "walk." God gives us a progressive outlook on everything through faith, and that is a new and different perspe...

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.   (Ephesians 2:8) God’s grace and our faith are an unbeatable combination by which we live victorious lives that please God and bless others. We cannot earn God’s grace, and that’s what makes it so amazing. Salvation is God's gift to be freely and joyfully received — no strain, all gain! We are  “accepted in the Beloved”  (Ephesians 1:6), and nothing can undo what God has done. So, rejoice in your salvation today. Spend your life loving, believing, worshiping, enjoying, and glorifying Him. Relax and lay down your burdens, because His grace is sufficient for you. Hallelujah!   The successful Christian life is not found in our usefulness, giftedness, or anything we can obtain by our efforts. Every good and perfect gift comes down to us from above, and nothing of any eternal weight rises up from us to heaven. Without the Holy Spirit, none of us are good — no, not one. God ...

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:16)  Wherever the Holy Spirit dwells there is light, and He dwells in believers. We are Spirit-filled, and men get the opportunity to see the Lord by the light of our presence. The world is a place of spiritual darkness, so we must be prepared to stand out every place we go. How well Jesus is represented in the world depends entirely on us, and we glorify Him when we surrender to His will, love one another, and walk in the light as He did. It’s simple; we shine, people see, God gets the glory. Now that’s a great plan!   Even a little darkness is unacceptable to God, and we grieve the Spirit by allowing any sin or smallness of heart whatsoever. The Lord is looking to expand the work of Jesus in the earth, and that expansion must first take place in those surrendered to Him. Every root of bitterness, grudge, or unsavory attitude must be brought kicking and ...

Blessed are those who have not seen and have yet believed.  (John 20:29b) . . . while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:18)   Faith is God’s precious gift to us, and it embraces what is most important -- the things that are not seen. The Word teaches we are most pleasing to God when we walk by faith, not by sight. Therefore, we are not defeated or overcome by life's difficulties, because we have made the choice to look to the Lord and not our circumstance. “God said it, so I believe it!” That is faith, and faith alone pleases God.   Faith is imperative, because there is far more to the Christian life than what we can see or possess. That is why an overemphasis on earthly prosperity and material success is an affront to all Jesus taught. God is not preparing His children for success, or breakthroughs, or prosper...

That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of Spirit is spirit.   (John 3:6) We had no choice in our natural birth, but we are born in the Spirit strictly by choice. We must choose to believe in Jesus, and we confirm that choice by walking in the Spirit He imparts. Then, our life takes on the fragrance of heaven, and we become the  “salt of the earth," because we are the only ones who make this otherwise bland and sinful world palatable to God. God is Spirit, and as His children, so are we. Welcome to the family of God!   God's family is like no other family, for it is not respective of bloodlines or DNA. His family is not natural, but spiritual. No human action or interaction can bring anyone into His family, but only the Cross of Christ and the Atonement He accomplished there. The finished work of Jesus is the only door to the Household of Faith, and we enter on our knees and no other way. That is the difference between being born of the fles...

And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”  (John 1:46) The entire New Testament can be summed up in one word,  “Come.”  Are you surrounding yourself with people of faith, people who encourage and challenge you to  “Come and see” ? Our faith is always strengthened by the example of those who follow after the Lord closely. When we seek Him, we will find Him, for Jesus is anxious to reveal Himself to all who sincerely search Him out.   Let us be careful not to take other roads, look to human solutions, and harken to earthly powers. May we remember that the answer to everything that truly matters is Jesus. God is teaching us to turn to Him first, and when we do, He will give us the ability to see life from His perspective. Truly, our spiritual maturity can be measured by how quickly we come to Jesus, and how well we've learned not to trust in ourselves. Our lives are to be a continual "coming," and ...

. . . casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  (2 Corinthians 10:5) Thoughts are strange things. They can come at any time, from any direction, and lodge themselves in our consciousness without invitation or permission. Those thoughts can become our gods, unless we learn to immediately capture and judge them by the Word. Is your thought life subject to God's Word, or have you made God subject to your thoughts, your intellect,  your  take on things, or  your  take on Him? Think about it . . . no,  pray  about it!   But He (Jesus) turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of."  (Luke 9:55)   Just because we think or believe a thing does not make it so! We can be far off base in our thoughts, because we have embraced a popular or personal point of view — one that just happens to set w...

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.   (Colossians 4:6)  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  (Luke 6:45)   Our words tell us what is in our hearts. When our hearts are settled on our God, we will speak blessings and encouragement, and our speech will be like morning dew and evening rain on the dry and thirsty ears that hear us. Let your speech be a blessing today, and let the world hear Jesus in you.   When I speak poorly, it is a sure sign that there is something ungodly seeking to find a foothold in my heart. So, I must take the spade of God's Word and dig out every root of bitterness, every offense, and every point of darkness the Scriptures reveal. There is absolutely no room in my heart for that which does not glorify the...

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength."  (Isaiah 30:15)  God's children are like trees planted by rivers of living water (Psalm 1:3), and we enjoy the wonderful provision and protection of the Lord. Our supply is often unseen and unnoticed, but our roots go deep and are consistently nourished by the never-ceasing abundance of a Holy God. Our confidence is firmly rooted in the belief that God never fails, never gets weary, and He is good all the time. That confidence is our hiding place — the secret place found only by those who are rooted and grounded in Him. Be still and know that I am God.  (Psalm 46:10) Our work is not to solve life's problems, but to bow before the One who sits on heaven's throne. We triumph over distress and depression when we surrender to the Father's will, and we learn to get to our knees quickly. Believers hidden with God in Chri...

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.   (James 4:7)  A powerful blow is delivered to the darkness around us when we simply submit ourselves to God's will, and the most effective posture we can take against the wily tactics of Satan is falling to our knees before His throne. Humility is the weapon the devil has no answer for, because he cannot humble himself. The saint bowed low in prayer and intercession cannot be touched by the lies of the accuser, the lust of the flesh, nor the lures of the world.  Down at His feet is the most high place!   We must resist the temptation to lift ourselves up, and to present ourselves or our works as something wonderful in themselves. That is an earmark of carnality — "Look at us!" "Look at me!" "Look at what God is doing over here!" That is the crass and commercial spirit of the day; yet, God looks to abide in the company of saints bowed down at His altar in worship, not lifting themselv...

Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.  (Genesis 18:11)  If you belong to Jesus, He is sure to give you a task too difficult to do without Him. Just as our Lord did nothing on earth except what He'd seen His Father do, we can accomplish nothing apart from what we've seen our Savior do. Our attempts at reaching people for Jesus may be nothing more than popular and corporate methodology — there is nothing of the raw power of faith in God and nothing of the Cross of Christ in that kind of "ministry." You and I, on the other hand, are called to that which can only be accomplished through the power of prayer and patience. Remember, Abraham and Sarah were far past the age of bringing a child into the world, yet they would soon hold Isaac in their arms ("Isaac" means laughter). God laughs at the impossible. Let's laugh with Him.    Let's Pray -  Father, help me to take You at Your word and respond...

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”   (Isaiah 6:85) Can God send you, or have you begun to worship your comfort and blessings? Are you pressing in to Jesus, or are you satisfied with the Jesus you already know? The Christian life is an adventure and you have no idea where obedience and sacrifice will take you next. Don’t go without being sent, but when you are sent,  GO!   There are times when you hear the voice of the Lord so clearly that there is no doubt He has spoken to you. In those times, do not consult with flesh and blood, but  GO!  Do what He commanded immediately before you fall into the same devilish trap of doubt that Eve fell into —  "Did God really say . . .?"  Yes, He did, so do what He said immediately and continually. This is the life of the child and church of God; hearing, doing and going. What are you waiting for? When He sends you,  GO! Let’s Pray  –  Dear Father, my heart is willing to go where You send me. I lo...

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me . . .  (Psalm 23:4) It doesn’t matter where we are or what’s going on around us, as long as Jesus is leading. Fear can find no place to settle in a heart that is following Him and abiding in Him. If the Lord has led you into a difficult season, rejoice, because the victory is nigh. Stay close enough to hear His voice and enjoy His peace, even in the midst of the storm. Jesus never leaves those He leads. Some of us do not go forward, because we fear the consequence of confronting certain people, situations, or realities. However, growth is impossible without obstacles and strain. God uses life's difficulties to train us to look to Him, and we discover the depths of His love in those trying seasons. The work He is accomplishing in you is dependent upon His grace, and nothing else. If you have been stripped of every other resource, good -- that is exactly where God wants you. Go...

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (2 Corinthians 12:9) It seems absurd to  “boast in my infirmities”  as Paul did, but that is where the power of God rested in his life. Before the Lord could use him, Paul had to die to all his many gifts, his wisdom, his accomplishments, and even his great knowledge into the mysteries of God. While most men stand on these things, Paul learned to put them aside, that he might make way for an even greater revelation of God’s Son. It is a difficult truth, but God’s strength is perfected in us through our weakness. Are you willing to be weak today?   God's divine life is imparted to us as we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. He brings us to the nail-scarred feet of Jesus, and Jesus brings us as joint heirs to the Father. None of these things depend one bit on any work...

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”   (2 Corinthians 12:9) The weakness Paul speaks of here is not sin. The only answer for sin is found on our knees at the Cross. Weakness is the human condition — the frailties, disappointments, and shortcomings with which we all struggle. God searches out the areas of weakness we would hide in shame, and His grace strengthens us and glorifies Him in that place. In fact, the Lord’s strength is attracted to our weakness, as is His provision to our need. Go to Him weak, and He will acknowledge your weakness and send you forward in His strength! True ministry is never based on our giftedness or excellence, and God will never settle heavenly matters by human efforts. We are not called to do things for God, but to present ourselves to Him daily and give Him the opportunity to do whatever He pleases with us. Anything we do in our own strength will bring  us  glory. So...

“These things I command you, that you love one another.”   (John 15:17) Love is the currency of heaven, and we can do nothing for God without it — so, it  makes a remarkable difference to see love as a command and not a choice. Jesus can command us to love, because He has taken love out of the natural and emotional realm and placed it in the proper framework of the spirit. When our love is true love, it is spiritual, based on the personality of God, who  is  love. Therefore, He commands us to love others, and He is able to give us the power to do as He commands. Some people, even Christians, tout "unconditional" love. But that is a fallacy, because God's love must have its conditions, and Jesus Christ is that condition;  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that  whoever believes in Him  should not perish but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16) The love of God can only be appreciated, understood, and expressed in Jes...

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . . .   (2 Corinthians 4:16, 17) God is after greater things in us than we are aware of, and once we realize how much He loves us, we can weather the most difficult seasons with a winsome joy. No more sulking or sour sadness disguised as “suffering for Jesus!” That’s not devotion at all, and no one is drawn to the Lord by that kind of sullen or morbid religiosity. True worship comes from a heart that looks to the dawning of the new day and to the fulfillment of God’s divine purpose. Yes, God is looking for true worshippers! The work we are called to do is to believe on Jesus and all He says to us. We live joyfully and expectantly, because we refuse the clamor all around us, and we harken to the King above and the Kingdom within. The Lord requir...

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.   (Isaiah 43:18, 19a) The Lord will take you to new places and show you new things, if you are willing. His mercy and love are new every morning, and He is leading you to new heights where only the faithful can follow. Christ desires to live His life through you, so move every obstacle and concern out of His way. The things that lie ahead count most. Leave your past behind and move forward with God. Take His hand, trust Him, and follow Him closely. "A new thing"  is something greater than has ever happened in you before, and the Lord is doing that thing. He alone does what no human effort, self-help, or self-improvement can — for only God can do a perfect work in you. This new thing will bring you closer to Jesus, where nothing is impossible, and the impossible is nothing! Your part is to present yourself daily, to be stretched and changed until Christ is fully form...