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Bravery 1 Chr. 28:20 (KJV) “And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.” King David told his son: Be strong, be of good courage, do not fear, do not be disappointed. He said God will not fail or leave. We all at one time have received this as a Word from the Lord. Perhaps we were going through difficult times or perhaps we were entering into the unknown and were encouraged. When we think about being brave, who do we look to? Who is our example for bravery? In the past, we have all heard well-meaning Christians say, “I’m bearing my cross for Jesus” when they enter into difficult times. There can be a mentality that if anything went wrong in their life, they were bearing Christ’s cross. Christ did not carry a cross believing that things went wrong in His life. He carried the cross because everything was going as planned. Would we, however say that Christ was brave? Are we brave going through tribulation? It is important for us to go to the Word and see what it says true bravery is. Phil. 1:20 (KJV) “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” True bravery is not about what we are going through or where we are going, but about who we are. Bravery comes forth through the life of the believer. In life, things go wrong as far as our agendas are concerned. But brave character comes forth when a person goes through, knowing there is a greater purpose and plan by the One who is in control. We are changing to be more like Christ. But what exactly was it about Christ that made Him look so brave? Acts 28:31 (KJV) “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” Jesus was the greatest preacher of all time. He kept on speaking truth. He kept living righteously. He kept serving God, even when men threatened His life. This is the truth of being brave. It isn’t about going up against something really scary. It is about speaking and living truth no matter what. 1 Thess. 2:2 (KJV) “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.” Yes, trouble comes, but we must discern between what comes to us because of our stand for truth and what happens as consequence of choices. We are not merely bearing the cross of Jesus just because we come into difficulty. The cross has to do with our stand for truth by speaking it and living it. Heb. 10:19 (KJV) “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,” If we do not learn how to live boldly now on earth, how do we think we can enter into the throne room boldly? The truth is, we won’t. The presence of God is strong, perfect and holy. We would be burnt up if we do not begin living by truth and speaking it now. It is this diligent process that will lead us into a closer encounter with God Almighty. May truth consume us in all that we do and say. A wise man will diligently seek truth until he finds it. -S. Chad Ross January Newsletter 2003 | Fretting | Take the Land Pastor's Journal January 2002 | Bravery | Precious Seed part 1 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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