Living Courageously

It takes courage to live for God in this lost and broken world.  Our society talks of tolerance but breathes intolerance.  Many live selfishly wanting others to make things easier for them without having to do anything for themselves.  We've become a nation of handouts instead of hands up.

               Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. 

                              1 Chronicles 28:20 ESV

We are called and anointed by God to be examples to the misguided people of the world around us.  I am not referring to a religious system or a bunch of do's and don'ts.  We have been given the privilege of having a personal covenant relationship with the LORD God Almighty.  It is that relationship that allows us to live freely in God's love and it is what enables us to shine the Light of Christ into the darkness.  

We do not have to fear mankind.  God is bigger and stronger and wiser than any man. He can provide for us the wisdom and abilities that we need in every situation to overcome.   God is the very source of all things pertaining to life and He will never leave our side.  Our confidence in Him will get us through everything.

When God asks us to do something, He doesn't look around to see if everyone else is doing it and He certainly doesn't check with people to make sure it is OK with them.  He knows what is best for us and He wants us to have it.  But in order to have the promised blessings of God manifest in our lives we may have to make some changes in the way we live.  We may have to watch our words or thoughts.  We may have to change the kind of movies we watch or the music we listen to.  We may even have to let go of things we think we cannot live without and we may have to deal with some painful secrets in our past. 

Whatever it is that God address with us we can be sure that He is doing it for our own good and He will make the journey with us and help us along the way.  God has a great plan for your life but you cannot live it without Him.  Don't use the world to set the standards of your life.  Let Jesus be your standard.  He will never let you down or leave you.  He can be trusted with all your hurts. He will lead you out of the claims of your past and into the glorious future that the Father has prepared just for you.

Live courageously - put God first in all you do and in every relationship.  

Heidirn