Saturday Motivation! Be Courageous!

22nd August 2020
Saturday Motivation! Be Courageous!

Text:
Deuteronomy 31 v 6: Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

What`s courage?
Courage means making a decision or taking an action where there is a perceived risk involved.

Courage is the necessary force needed to propel one to a greater height.

Courage is the ability to disregard fear and encounter danger and difficulties with firmness or without fear or fainting of heart.

Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.

Courage is not the absence of fear it is the triumph over it.

Courage is facing our fears even when we are afraid.

Courage is being terrified but taking a bold step to do what ought to be done.

Courage is doing what one is afraid of doing and triumphing over it.

Courage is acting when one is afraid instead of reacting.

Courage is strengthening oneself in the face of danger.

Courage does not always roar, sometimes, courage is the little still voice at the end of the day that says I will try again tomorrow.

Attributes of Courage

1. Feeling fear yet choosing to act
2. Following your heart
3. Persevering in the face of adversity
4. Standing up for what is right even in the face of danger.
5. Facing suffering with dignity or faith
6. Trying new things and never giving up

What is Courage according to the Bible?

Biblical courage is the ability to do something brave from the heart out of motivation. It stems from reliance upon the supernatural power of God to strengthen and motivate believers to be courageous as children of God.
Godly courage is different from Human courage which relies on Human abilities and motives.
We all experience seasons in life that can be discouraging and stressful, it could be the loss of a loved one, loss of a job or uncertainty about what life really has in store for us. At such times, reliance on the Word of God helps us to be bold and courageous in the midst of turmoil.
When we are strengthened by the Word of God, we receive courage to face our fears and are filled with joy. We are therefore able to treat people with kindness and respect and face our future with expectations.

Types of Courage;

1. Good Courage: This relies on the supernatural power of God to strengthen and motivate believers to be courageous.
2. Bad Courage: This relies on human abilities and motives such as the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
3. Moral Courage: This stems from an impeccable character that refuses to compromise conscience for personal gain or for decisions of convenience. It involves deliberately performing an act out of integrity even if it will lead to negative results. Moral courage means doing the right thing when there are risks involved. It is the ability to act right in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, discouragement or personal loss.
4. Spiritual Courage: This is the courage we receive from God to help us do His will against all human odds. It is the courage that helps us to warn the world. Spiritual courage allows us to feel the full spectrum of positive emotions at the risk of encountering the negative ones. It strongly correlates with happiness.
5. Physical Courage: This is the type of courage that is celebrated by heroic acts on the battlefield or in sport. It involves the risk of suffering bodily harm or death. This kind of courage requires physical strength, resilience and focus.

Let`s look at some facts about Biblical Courage

1. God inspires believers to encourage one another; Deuteronomy 1 v 38, Deuteronomy 3 v 28, Hebrews 10 v 24, Acts 28 v 15.
2. The heart of believers who show good courage are strengthened by God; Psalm 27 v 14, Psalm 31 v 24.
3. Good courage is pleasing to God; Deuteronomy 31 v 6-8, Joshua 1 v 1-18, Joshua10 v 25.
4. God does not approve of human courage; Psalm 55 v 19, Amos 2 v 16, Romans 3 v 10 & 20.
5. We become courageous by doing what is right; 1 Chronicles 22 v 13. When we do the right thing, we do not have a nagging or guilty conscience saying that we deserve to fail or deserve to be punished.
6. We become courageous from waiting on God; Psalm 27 v 14
7. We become courageous by hoping in the Lord; Psalm 31 v 24
8. We are courageous with the knowledge that God never leaves us nor forsakes us; Joshua 1 v 9.

Let`s look at some examples of Courage in the Bible;

1. 1 Samuel 16–17: The story of David and Goliath teaches us to have courage by trusting in the experience and skills that God has given us when we are faced with challenges. David was confident that since the Lord had helped him to kill the lion and the bear, He would also help him to defeat Goliath and his faith in God made it happen.
2. Acts 3-4: The story of John and Peter teaches us to have courage when we are persecuted for doing what is right. John and Peter were jailed for healing a disabled beggar which led a lot of people turning to Christ. The religious leaders at the time were upset that the whole city had heard about the healing and teaching of John and Peter.
3. Numbers 13-14: The story of Caleb and Joshua teaches us to have the courage to trust the Lord when things look impossible. Joshua and Calebs’ courage shows us that instead of doubting God, we should trust Him as this will result in
4. God‘s blessings if we continue in patience persistence.

Let`s look at some bible verses on Courage to strengthen ourselves;

1. 1 Corinthians 16 v 13: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
2. Joshua 1 v 9: This is my command –be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
3. Ephesians 6 v 10: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
4. 1 Corinthians 15 v 58: Therefore, my brothers and sisters stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
5. Psalm 27 v 14: Wait for the lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord!
6. Mark 5 v 36: Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, Don`t be afraid; just believe
7. Joshua 1 v 6: Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them
8. Psalm 31 v 24: Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord
9. Psalm 138 v 3: On the day I called, you answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul
10. Daniel 10 v 19: He said, O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous.
11. Hebrews 13 v 3: The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do unto me?
12. Isaiah 41 v 6: Each one helps his neighbor and says to his brother, be strong
13. 1 Corinthians 16 v 13: Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, and be strong.
14. Deuteronomy 31 v 6: Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
15. Micah 3 v 8: On the other hand, I am filled with power, with the spirit of the Lord, and with justice and courage.
16. 2 Chronicles 15 v 7: But you be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.
17. Isaiah41 v 10: Do not fear for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God
18. 2 Timothy 2 v 1: You therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
19. Proverbs 24 v 5: A wise man is strong and a man of knowledge increases power.
20. Proverbs 28 v 1: The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
21. Psalm 16 v 8: I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
22. Ezra 10 v 4: Arise for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.

May the Lord give us the grace to be strong and courageous at this time and always!

Amen!

Shalom