Everything God tells us to do will, at some point, require us to stand against seemingly impossible odds. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Indeed, in order for our faith to mature it needs situations where faith alone can sustain us...consequently we'll go through times when we must trust Him in spite of how things appear.
True faith takes courage! Faith without courage will soon falter. When Jesus healed people, He often told them to "take courage"...offering them strength to focus their faith on the God-potential that was at hand. In the fray of human struggle, courage must walk as a companion and expression of our faith, confidence in God!
That is why we need encouragers in our lives and in the church today. Discouragement is everywhere. Discouragement is the absence of courage. There is much that would take our courage...the current world system, our enemy and the relentless struggles with our flesh. We need to be encouraged and have our courage renewed moment by moment.
In those times of struggling in the face of negative reality, true faith can arise, appropriate courage and lock onto the integrity of God's Word...His promises, rising to the occasion, releasing the supernatural and ultimately touching the heard of God.
A great verse: Hebrews 11:33-34 says: men /women of faith, conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight...and it goes on and on...check it out.
This is a great word for us all in a new year anticipating new things. So...hear His words to you, let faith arise, be courageous in it...be wary of the things that can dis - courage and purpose / choose to be renewed / en - couraged. While we still have time and this life, lets join the Hall of Famers in Hebrews 11 and do the greater works Jesus said we can do.
Adapted from This Day We Fight by Francis Frangipane
Bless You all,
Mitch
