BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

A CALL TO RISE UP IN BOLDNESS

Proverbs 28:1 says The wicked man flees though no one pursues, 

                             but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

It has always been necessary for true followers of Jesus Christ, who from the early beginnings of the church have been called Christians, to be people of courage. No more has this been so, than when facing persecution for the faith. The Apostle Paul, who is credited with writing thirteen, or perhaps fourteen books of the New Testament, if Hebrews is included in his writings - states in 2 Timothy 3:12 that all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 

The much-parodied church ministers in films and television, often shown as weak, wimpy looking individuals with their sheepish and mindless congregation members, is not a picture of the church as God intended it to be. Christianity is not a religion for wimps. It requires total commitment and the self discipline of soldiers in an army, prepared for battle, or that of elite athletes training for the most prestigious sporting events, to live the life that God has called each of His disciples to live - with boldness, strength of character and true courage for the times.

Interestingly, a number of years ago, I received a prophetic word from a respected pastor, who was known for his accurate prophetic ministry - concerning an aspect of ministry the Lord was preparing me for, that I would lift up my voice with boldness, and in so doing would get behind people's guards, and bring the healing anointing of Jesus in situations.

I am believing for that to be increasingly in evidence in my life.

As quoted at the start of this blog, Proverbs 28:1 says 

The wicked man flees though no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

It would be fair to say that a lion is afraid of no one, and that is how we, as Christians are meant to be, if we are walking closely with the Lord.

In Isaiah 8:11-14, the prophet says:

The LORD spoke to me with His strong hand upon me,

warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said:

                      Do not call conspiracy

                      everything that these people call conspiracy;

                      do not fear what they fear,

                      and do not dread it.

                      The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,

                      He is the one you are to fear,

                      He is the one you are to dread,

                      and He will be a sanctuary;

Regarding these verses just quoted, Rick Joyner says in his book "The Harvest": If we have the true and holy fear of the Lord we will not fear anything else. Then He becomes our sanctuary! Then our work will be untainted by human motives or self promotion.

The apostolic commission of Paul was destined to arouse the rage and opposition of not only the religious establishment but of the entire Roman Empire. This frail human vessel charged unrelentingly into the face of the most powerful principalities and powers of his age with so little compromise or consideration for his own life that he shook those powers to their very foundations Freedom from the fear of man and demon is a prerequisite for true ministry. Christians, those true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, who are seeking Him with their whole being, and seeking to be more like him, will be disciples who display strength in these dangerous times, and who step out boldly with real courage as they stand for uncompromising truth and righteousness in the Spirit of Love!

The bible says in Proverbs 29:25: The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

I think of my evangelist friend, Ray Comfort, originally from Christchurch in New Zealand, who has been for the last thirty years residing with his wife and family in Los Angeles, California.  Ray was the associate pastor of a church I attended in Christchurch in the early eighties. Ray was, and still is a man who is very courageous in his stand for Jesus publicly. He is not a tall man, so it was a common sight to see Ray every weekday in the Christchurch Cathedral Square at lunchtime drawing crowds of people, as he stood on a small stepladder, boldly proclaiming for all to hear, the powerful message of the gospel. 

He had plenty of hecklers, as well as some competition from the then iconic Christchurch "Wizard", but Ray persevered over the years with boldness and courage, and saw much fruit for the kingdom of God.

Even though his ministry is respected by many leaders in the Body of Christ worldwide today, and he could easily confine himself to the safety of a television or radio studio, or a welcoming church, to proclaim his message, he still regularly witnesses to individuals face to face in the marketplace settings of southern California, where he now lives - as well as in other places. (For further information concerning Ray Comfort's ministry and to access ministry resources, go online to www.wayofthemaster.com or livingwaters.com).

In the first chapter of the book of Joshua in the Old Testament of the Bible, as we see Joshua preparing to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, their Promised Land, or the Land of Promise, the Lord says to Joshua three times in verses 6 to 9 "Be strong and courageous". The Lord admonished Joshua and the children of Israel to give close heed to the Law, the written Word of God to them at that time, given to and through Moses. If they would be careful to observe and meditate in the Law day and night, the promise was that the LORD would be with them wherever they went, as they boldly and courageously followed Him.

We must do the same, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6:10 "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might," or in His mighty power as it says in the NIV. Christians are likened to soldiers in an army. We are in a battle and as soldiers in an earthly physical army, we, like them must be bold and very courageous as we engage in the spiritual battles for the hearts and souls of men, to see them delivered from the grasp of our arch enemy, Satan.

If you have read this blog and would like to find out more about how to become a Christian, go to www.vision.org.au This is the online home of Vision Christian Media, which includes Vision Christian Radio, and the online Youth Radio station, Vision 180. Click on the "Grow your faith" tab near the top of the page, then "Looking for God?" God Bless!