Be Very Courageous

Ministry Wednesday: Be Very Courageous

Following Christ is a swim against the tide, being in the world but not of the world. The contrasts between the cultures of the world and that of Christ is quite conflicting. When you have an ideology that goes contrary to that of the majority to propagate, then you need a lot of stamina to withstand the wind and the current hitting against you.

So, Jesus Christ, our Lord told those who would lead the charge, to be of good cheer because He had overcome.

John 16
33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. KJV

33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world! Berean Study Bible

So long we are true to Christ and to His cause and course, all we need do is trust in His victory over the world, no matter how formidable the opposition might be, and be courageous.

Courage isn't an absence of fear but it is a resolve never to be intimidated. It isn't also an absence of danger, but a realisation of not having any other option than confrontation.

We are expected that in the face of the conflict against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places, we must stand.

Ephesians 6
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

The breastplate of righteousness puts boldness in the heart and gives the courage we need to stand against the tide.

We must never lose the breastplate of righteousness. The righteous is as bold as a lion that turns not away from any. When we subject our right standing with God to barrages of abuse, it affects our conviction of divine backing and it eventually affects our resolve to withstand in the evil day.

We must cover our chest with righteousness if we would stand.
It is such that when we don't put that piece of armour on, we make the victory of Christ over the world of no effect and the courage to withstand is shaken.

Be of good courage. We need to keep our courage up. We need to be bold to preach the Word. We need to be bold to live the Word. In this world, with all sorts of voices advocating things contrary to Christ more loudly, we need to be very courageous to withstand.

Your courage, as a servant of God in deviance to the world with a resolve not to be intimidated or be shut off will be the target of the enemy. He will send fears into the heart, do things to discourage and to intimidate. He will try to isolate you and cut off supplies. He will do all to discredit you and to tarnish your reputation. He will push you against God and His purposes like He did to David, all to discourage you and to weaken your voice.

Don't fall for him. Don't let him get you to sin. Don't let him scare you with difficulties and sufferings. Don't let him shut you off with lies and opinions of men which may be popular but contrary to you... Be strong! Stay with the truth. Count God's opinion of you as the only important one and seek to please Him and do His will at all times. Be courageous.

Keep your courage intact, let nothing touch it, raise your head to declare the truth always, let no one pay you for speaking to the extent that such would shut your mouth from telling the truth. Be courageous even in suffering.

Once you got bought over, you lose the courage to be a servant of God. You'll be seeking to please men. Don't tow that line...

Preserve your courage... You'll preserve your ministry and your place with God. Beware of carnal and worldly ambitions which aren't for heaven, they make you a cheap prey for the devil. What you want to become or achieve must be within the call and the opportunities God gives, anything outside that, even in the name of ministry won't leave you innocent and eventually it'll affect your courage to stand for righteousness and truth... When you lose that, what else do you have? Let not your salt lose its savour, otherwise, it'll be good for nothing but to be thrown out and be trampled upon by men, Matthew 5. Watch out.

Don't lose your courage, don't let anything take it away from you and don't sheepishly or cheaply submit it to the enemy. Stay with God and be courageous!

It's a great day!

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