Courage to live by

Bikers Church Cape Town

Courage to live by By: Pastor George Lehman “I will go anywhere, as long as it’s forward” – David Livingstone. (There is no time to get sidetracked) Courage has been used in the Bible more than 114 times. Why the need to speak on courage? I believe it’s been on God’s heart from the beginning of mankind and it’s relevant for us here tonight. (God would never call us to live courageously if it were not possible) Scripture is full of God’s instruction to live a life of courage. Courage is activated when I’m plugged into God. Joshua 1:6 (Amp) – Be* strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause these people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. “BE" is used to create the continuous form not stopping, not just for a day but every day. It’s a lifestyle word. In our day and age there are so many things that seem to be attacking our lives. Challenges to give up to sin and give in to temptations. I don’t think there is anyone here right now who is not: Going through one or other issue in life. Just come through something. Just about to go through some or other issue. I can tell you, it’s certainly different being a Christian now than it was 20 or 30 years ago. There is a great onslaught on God’s people. The good news is: The anointing, power and ability to walk courageously is still the same and is available today as it was 7000 years ago. The challenges of this time and age when sin is no longer called sin, standards are lowered and below the average is the norm. Mans opinions take the place of God’s word. People serve God by their own interpretations. Christians are not faithful, and any old lifestyle will do. The truth is: Those disciples that are serious about their relationship with God carry a bigger responsibility than those of a couple of years ago. The world is following its own direction. “Eternity, going to heaven is a choice. Hell is guaranteed”. We need to be alert to what’s going on around us. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Amp) - But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 2For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. 3[They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman) relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), in temperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. 4[They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. 5For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them]. As God gave this message to Moses about Joshua who would take Israel on the next leg of the journey: Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. So, we draw comfort and courage from this word for us, for now. Philippians 4:13 (NIV) - I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. COURAGE; Means: Readiness to face and capacity to endure danger or difficulty. Ability to control or suppress fear. The Bible defines “Courage” as the willingness to act in obedience to God, relying on His strength and guidance. You’re not finished when you are defeated. You’re finished when you quit. People may think you’re finished, but don’t quit on God because He will never quit on you. 1 Chronicles 19:13 (NKJV) - Be of good courage and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight. Remember Numbers 13:18-20 when Moses sent out 12 men to check out the “Promised Land”. They were not asked to draw conclusions. You see, God had already promised and guaranteed the victory. 10 men give an accurate report from a heart of discouragement. 2 men (Joshua and Caleb) speak from a heart of courage. Courage tells us we believe what God says, NOT what our feelings and circumstances tell us. When you make up your mind to live courageously, courage will find a way to do something, not a way not to do it. James 1:22-25 (Msg) – 22-24Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. 25But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action. Winston Churchill’s famous speech at the Harrow School in 1941: He said: “Never give in, never give in; Never, never, never. In nothing great or small, large or petty. Never give in”. Isaiah 41:3 (NKJV) - For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, “Fear not, I will help you”. When you decide to live by courage, it will conquer the: Temptation to give up. Maintain a Godly pure lifestyle. You will remain faithful no matter what. You’ll change and grow into the person God called you to be. Courage helps you to be transparent; to want to be more like Jesus. Make a decision to leave church tonight and live courageously tomorrow, Will take courage to back up that decision and to see it through. When Monday comes, that’s the time to say: “I courageously ‘Fight the good fight of the faith’”. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV) - Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Are you willing to live by courage? God is interested in your answer!!