Now is the time… for such a time as this...

Rather than meditating on the birth of my Lord and Savior, the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9:6) my mind has been upon defending the Faith.

“Dear friends, I wanted very much to write you about the salvation we all share. But I felt the need to write you about something else: I want to encourage you to fight hard for the faith that was given the holy people of God once and for all time.” Jude 3 ncv

With Us... Not Afraid

As Elisha’s servant searched the hills around the campsite, the morning light sparked glimmers of shiny chariots and armed soldiers mounted on horses. Everywhere he looked. Their armor glistened in the sun. Frozen at attention patiently waiting for the command to charge. (2 Kings 6:15-17)

“Master… Master! Come quickly. Come and see.” The fearful man ran inside to awaken Elisha.

If My people...

My heart is heavy this morning... my heart aches for America... my heart prays with groaning rather than words for the outcome of this election... because no matter who "wins" I feel like "we the people" lose... UNITED WE MUST STAND... healing... repentance... forgiveness... the perfect peace of Jesus, the peace which surpasses all understanding... UNITED WE MUST HUMBLY KNEEL BEFORE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

2 Chronicles 7:14 “Then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, if they will pray and seek me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.”

Let’s break it down

Courage to Stay the Course. Courage to Keep the Faith Focus.

A recent devotional from www.InTouch.org prompted me to examine how I handle the obstacles in my life. Referring to the story of 12 spies, Numbers 13:25-14:10, it basically asked to whom am I listening and trusting; the 10 pessimistic discouragers or the two optimistic encouragers.

B – Bold Courage

Courageous Christian Living

It is not my intend in any way to offend anyone who is not a Christian, but rather to give all an understanding of who I am in Christ Jesus.

“…pray that in proclaiming God’s message

I may speak boldly and courageously,

as I ought to speak.”  Ephesians 6:20

Bold Courage is for the one who must speak and live?

Not being afraid. Not being intimidated.

For me, Livin’ Out Loud 4 Jesus is just that. It is not being ashamed to live—my actions and my words—as a Christian every day in every way—all without being abrasive. It’s about my relationship with other people, whether Christians or not, as well as before Jehovah God.

As a Christian, first and foremost, I am commanded to love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind… and my might. [Matthew 22:37-38; Deuteronomy 6:5]

A – Adventurous Courage

Courageous Christian Living

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity,

but of power and love and discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7 nasb

Adventurous Courage is for the one who seeks exciting experiences; a curious risk-taker; sometimes, but not always involving danger

I slipped the straps over my shoulder, tightened the belt around my waist, and took my first ever steps onto the Appalachian Trail relying my husband’s experience and the map book in his pack. I trusted the trail markers, the blazes painted on trees, boulders, or attached to man-made posts to lead us. I depended upon the successful journeys of those who had traveled these hills before us. But inside, I was afraid…

…afraid of the unknown... the unfamiliar... 

the unpredictable… going outside of my comfort zone.

Love Without Hypocrisy

 

 “…Love one another,

even as I have loved you,

that you also love one another. 

By this all men will know

that you are My disciples,

if you have love for one another.” 

John 13:34b-35 (nasb)

Jesus commanded us to love one another (fellow Christians, brothers & sisters in the Faith). But, He also knew we were humans and would fall short of this many times over. So, praise God for His grace by which we are forgiven. 

This is a list of "love one another" attributes which we should strive to achieve.

There was a man…blameless, upright, turning away from evil

 There was a Man of Integrity... the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards; the state of being complete or undivided; being sound or undamaged; righteous, honorable, truthful, blameless, graceful, upright, disciplined, faithful, holy

When life throws you into despair, how do you react? Do you “Walk the walk,” “hold fast to integrity,” and “act as the same person when people are looking as when they are not”?

What If…Would You Be Prepared?

I drove about the city running errands, my mind couldn't let go of the recent world terror events. The question: What  if someone pointed a weapon at me and said, "Deny Jesus and give allegiance to '_____.’?” How would I react? What would I do?

"Then David left his baggage

in the care of the baggage keeper,

and ran to the battle line…"

 1 Samuel 17:22 nasb

Recently, I’d heard Dr. Ben Carson say in regards to the Oregon college shooting, that he would do much like young David did… he’d “run to the battle line.” Would I? Would that be the best option for me in such a situation?

Courage Is the Mortar for 2016

 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear,

but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love

and of sound judgment and personal discipline

[abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”

1 Timothy 1:7 (amp)

 For the last couple of years, anxiety became a frequent companion of my life. Fear, worry, apprehension, unease, fretfulness… Nevertheless, my anchor of hope, Jesus Christ, has sustained me, has kept my feet on His steadfast path. His peace, which surpasses all comprehension, guarded my heart and mind from falling fully into the pit of depression and despair. He held me steady and kept me from drifting into danger so that I could heal and recover, be mended and restored from my season of grief.

[Grief from the losses of my brother & bro-in-law, the loss of my dream home, the loss of comfortable familiarity, the loss of what I thought was my new dream home]

Yes, 2015 was a year of healing my grief-stricken heart & mind. It was a year of resting in the everlasting arms of the Lord. It was a time of rebuilding my confidence and refreshing His power and strength to my weary soul.

How did I or He do that?