I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus—
Philippians 3:14
In some respects, we know the people we’d like to become. For one, we’d like to be courageous for God, not simply surviving these lives, but living boldly in them. Well, we absolutely can (Romans 8:31-39).
The thing is . . . it’s hard. We’re easily distracted—by our drives for achievement and advancement and accumulation. And we’re easily made afraid—that we’ll be em... moreGood day Templar family
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus—
Philippians 3:14
In some respects, we know the people we’d like to become. For one, we’d like to be courageous for God, not simply surviving these lives, but living boldly in them. Well, we absolutely can (Romans 8:31-39).
The thing is . . . it’s hard. We’re easily distracted—by our drives for achievement and advancement and accumulation. And we’re easily made afraid—that we’ll be embarrassed if we act boldly for God; that we’re not qualified to stand with him; or just that we’ve never done it before and don’t know how to start. Yes, it’s difficult becoming courageous and, actually, it’s meant to be.
God didn’t create two types of people—some cowardly and some courageous. No, he
leaves the cowardice/courage decisions to us. That said, we cannot simply choose for courage and instantly become courageous any more than we can instantly become . . . say . . . orators or outdoorsmen. If we want to become either of those, we must practice. We must start small and fail and succeed; we must work and learn. So it is with courage. We become courageous l by practicing courage, by accumulating experiences, small at first, of actually being courageous.
So, there are two types of people, but it’s those willing to practice and those not, resigned instead to lives of safety. The good news, is that becoming the former doesn’t require an inordinate amount of time or a major lifestyle change. It just takes a bit of resolve.
Practice. Do something. Don’t overreach (and set yourself up for failure); but don’t reach too short either (and render your efforts pointless). Choose in the middle—something intimidating, but not overly. Here are some suggestions: face a phobia; spend time with someone the rest of the world avoids; serve in a way you’ve never served before.
Our prayers go out to Charlie Kirt's family. RIP brother
Have a blessed Thursday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪🇮🇱⚔️
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear—Psalm 118:6
“What’s the bold move?” It’s a question that should be asked often, in one form or another, when we gather in Christian community. It’s a question that challenges us to press our intellectual understanding of the truth of our King, Jesus Christ, into clear, practical action. It dares us to form Gospel words into living, breathing reality.
“What good is it, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? . . . ... moreGood day Templar family
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear—Psalm 118:6
“What’s the bold move?” It’s a question that should be asked often, in one form or another, when we gather in Christian community. It’s a question that challenges us to press our intellectual understanding of the truth of our King, Jesus Christ, into clear, practical action. It dares us to form Gospel words into living, breathing reality.
“What good is it, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? . . . Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” ( James 2:14,)
When we move boldly in faith it demonstrates—with our actions, with our lives—that we do indeed trust Jesus. It confirms that we’ll actually live our lives like we trust him. Maybe it’s finally deciding to draw clear work/home boundaries, despite ambition or difficulty; maybe it’s confessing some sin, despite embarrassment or awkwardness; maybe it’s giving money or time, despite greed or inconvenience; maybe it’s sharing our faith, despite discomfort or fear; or maybe it’s something else entirely. For each of us, there comes a time when we just must take action, must take risk. There comes a time when our faith mandates that action and risk are the only real options. And that’s when things begin to happen—big, breathtaking things—not because we seek them out necessarily, but because they’re the byproduct of lives that reflect faith.
How might you live out your faith with a bold move? Choose something simple, near-term (i.e., this week), and achievable. If you’re in community with others (and you should be), formulate your bold moves together, customized to each individual and circumstance. Then, keep one anothers accountable for executing them. This is one way communities of men and woman must
work.
Have a blessed Tuesday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪🇮🇱⚔️
Our King, Jesus Christ, calls us to a new kind of life, His kind of life. “Follow me” is quoted more than fifteen times in the Gospels. Following Him, however, goes against prevailing culture—for which safety and security are utmost priorities. The kind of life to which Jesus calls us is not safe, nor secure. Here’s a report from a man, the Apostle Paul, who lived it:
“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes... moreGood day Templar family
What can mere mortals do?—Psalm 56:4
Our King, Jesus Christ, calls us to a new kind of life, His kind of life. “Follow me” is quoted more than fifteen times in the Gospels. Following Him, however, goes against prevailing culture—for which safety and security are utmost priorities. The kind of life to which Jesus calls us is not safe, nor secure. Here’s a report from a man, the Apostle Paul, who lived it:
“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” (2 Corinthians 11:24-27).
God didn’t design Paul for safe or secure; nor did he us. We’re all designed for big, dangerous lives: “. . . for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Insert your name into 2 Timothy 1:7:
“. . . for God gave [ . . . you . . . ] a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Read it through again. Now, fast-forward to the end of your life, imagine friends and family saying that of you: “He was fearless. He had power and love and self-control.” What do you need to begin now, to ensure those words then? What bold changes will you make? Remember, your days are numbered (Psalm 90:12). Commit, brother and sisters , to make at least one change this week.
Have a blessed Thursday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪🇮🇱⚔️
