dennis j adams

Courage is not just term that is easily lived out. One could say that it takes courage to be courageous. Living a Christian life to its fullest does involve courageous acts of faith and obedience. Being a nominal Christian does not take any courage at all, it just takes being fearful to become a true follower of Christ. Jesus is the most courageous person that has ever lived on this earth! He faced phenomenal instances in His journey to Calvary that could only be done by a faithful and a person of deep conviction. These two characteristics of a Christian, faith and conviction, are to be present all the time. The unique testimony of those that followed Christ is intertwined with the trust and power. Trusting in the promises of Jesus and having the Holy Spirit to empower individuals in daily life. Jesus never backed down from His convictions nor the truth that He proclaimed of the Father’s love and desire for mankind. That love being exemplified through Christ and the desire is still today, as it was when Jesus lived on this earth, that all men would be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4)

Becoming a Christian is a courageous act and there is no debate about that when one really gives the heart totally to God. To turn from a life of depravity and sin to a life of grace and mercy which is a reverse of the old life is certainly “embarking” on a new journey. The mind is renewed and the regeneration takes place. Now the person has to have the mind of Christ and live a life that is dead to self and alive to God (Galatians 2:20) Often when that life is fresh and new in Christ  there can be tendency to become apathetic and lethargic about sharing Christ to others. Churches are normally full of people who just think that all they have to do is attend church and hear the Word of God spoken by a pastor or teacher. That is not the case at all! Everyone called by the name of Christ must enter into the new life with boldness and rich faith.

When Joshua was anointed by Moses to take the people into the Promised Land, (Deuteronomy 34:8-10) he was instructed by the Lord to be courageous. (Joshua 1:9) The thought of Joshua must have been racing in those moments as he looked across the Jordan to the land that was promised. The truth in these words spoken by the Lord to Joshua so he would maintain the courage needed to cross over into the promise given by the Lord. As every person comes to the Lord they have to cross over the Jordan of their life. That dying to self and to have the faith to put their foot on new ground, knowing that God is with them wherever they go. Be strong in the conviction of the promise given and trust in what the Lord has stated. To follow Christ one must be willing to surrender the “all” of their life to the will of the Father. Not to tender the heart in comfort and fear but to boldly step out and posses the promise given. (Joshua 1:1-6)

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.