Strong & Courageous

Joshua 1:9 (AMPC) Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

In my time with the Lord today. I asked Him what He would have me share with you. As He usually does, He dropped one word in my spirit... COURAGE. So, I started out by looking up different Biblical definitions of the word: Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the willingness to act in obedience to God's calling and purposes, relying on His strength and guidance.

Hmmm...I started with a scripture that tells us to be both fearless and courageous yet the definitions of the word the Lord desires for me to share says courage is obedience even in the face of fear. I'll be honest with you, if I would have waited to be fearless before I stepped out in faith to serve God...I may still be waiting. When the Lord placed on my heart to start writing daily devotions, I had no natural talent to do so... yes... that was scary! When I started out, without my brother Stephen's help, I was waiting on God for a message 7 days a week. Some nights waiting and praying for hours until it came. 

It wasn't just the writing that was difficult, it was the ridicule. Here I was, doing something I really didn't want to do but did out of obedience and love for the Lord, yet people would pick apart my sentence structure and poor spelling abilities. Then as my heart was being poured unto the page, that too was criticized. 

You see, doing anything of worth for God's Kingdom will be tested. The more productive your ministry, the greater the resistance. Will we only do it if it's comfortable, easy, fun, and reaps an immediate harvest of blessing or will we remain obedient no matter how it feels or at times how much it hurts!? It takes courage to press forward into all that God has for us even when fear is screaming for our attention and pain is searing our heart! Bottom line is what means more to you, your comfort and reputation or obedience, making an impact for His Kingdom and touching as many lives as possible.

You see, even with all the attacks, fear, and discomfort, I knew ministering about the Secret Place and drawing the Bride of Christ into an intimate relationship with her Bride was my passion and calling. Whether it was through teaching, preaching, or writing, I couldn't allow my fear, embarrassment, or any power from hell stop me! 

Obedience in writing these devotions soon turned into a book that has touched many lives. Insecurity and fear tried to choke out my spiritual potential, and it will choke out yours if you'll allow it! Fear has no control over you unless you submit to it. Don't let it stop you! Be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!! 

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NKJV) And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV) Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.