“Encouragement”
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:4-6, NASU)
Courage comes. Courage delivers. Courage allows us to hear the Lord, obey His commands, and see the world touched out of His grace and mercy working through us as we go forth.
I remember reading the required book, “The Red Badge of Courage” in high school about a young Union soldier during the Civil War. It was later made into a movie in 1974, starring Richard Thomas of “The Waltons” TV series. (Our family loved that show. With 8 kids in ours, we could relate to theirs!)
Though I don’t recall a lot of the details, the young soldier discovered he needed more within him than what he had, to carry out the mission he was about.
All of us need more courage. We are called by God to be on a specific mission, to carry out His command to take the Gospel to all the nations. Some will do it while communicating in friendship among their neighbors. Others will be a light in the work office, being there to speak hope and encouragement to the other staff members who may be struggling to make ends meet or who need a word of truth and love in helping the difficult child at home.
Still, others will hear the call to join a mission organization, or travel through contacts in their church congregation, to bring the light of the Gospel to the distant land.
But more likely our need for courage proves itself most in the ongoing struggle we face daily as we stand strong against the winds of change, the forces arrayed against believers, who are committed to adhering yet to the principles and foundational stones found in the eternal Word of God. Even as the Bible itself is mocked, lied about, and spoken as irrelevant to this day and age, we who have been taught the truth must be the ones to stand strong upon it.
Joab, a commander under King David, called on his fighting men to be of good courage.
“When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best, and put them in battle array against the Syrians. And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in battle array against the people of Ammon. Then he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. 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." (1 Chronicles 19:101-13, NKJV)
Today, Jews in Israel must also always on the alert and must stand ready in good courage to protect their families and their God-given promised land. Christians supporting Israel and the Jews will also need to stand strong in good courage, as they also face the demonic onslaught of the fallen angel and his hordes who hate them and us to the utmost.
As I have written many words of encouragement and inspiration received through the Holy Spirit to share with those who read them, it is He Himself Who is the One we must continually turn to. He saw that we would have words to read and consume, in order to be built up daily with His spoken and written words from the Scriptures themselves. The Psalms, the Proverbs, the Torah (first 5 books of the Bible), the Prophets, the Gospels, the Epistles (almost 90% or more written by Jews through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit) have been given to us, believing Jews and Gentiles, to bring us through to the glorious end that awaits us.
As you get serious about reading the Bible I pray you are encouraged in your walk. Hear the Word of God, read the Word of God, walk out the Word of God. For through these everlasting words we will receive the encouragement to fulfill the call on our lives, and see His kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven.
May you be richly blessed then to bless others you touch around you in these coming days.
Now think on this and see what good things the Lord has in store for you and those around you.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
*The Red Badge of Courage is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane (1871–1900). Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. Wikipedia
On Friday night, Aug. 2, 2019, at 7 pm, Strength For Israel will be having our monthly meeting, the 2ndone to be held in the main auditorium of The Barn, at Antioch International Church in Fort Mill, SC. Come and celebrate the goodness of our God! Look here: Strength For Israel
Love For His People ministry
P.O. Box 414
Pineville, NC 28134
loveforhispeople@gmail.com
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Now Think On This #442 - in the year of our Lord 07.21.19 – “Encouragement” – Sunday, 7:00 pm
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