DH - Courage In The Midst of Fear

COURAGEOUS FAITH. Courage In The Midst of Fear

NIV Bible. Mark 9:21-23 [21]Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. [22]“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” [23]“ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”- note Jesus's response "if you can?". - Courage; not deterred by danger or pain .(this is when we only focus on the result that we want to attain regardless of pertaining circumstances). - Faith; complete trust or confidence. Faith is enough for you but courage is what makes you step out to share that faith (through the Gospel - faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God). #The enemy uses fear as a weapon, when we're faced with this situation or that mountain but we don't know what's on the other side , so then we become afraid, and it is that fear that attacks our faith. Examples of fear/situations. -the fear of the unknown -the fear of change, stepping into new grounds -the fear of breaking the routines of lifestyle, not wanting to leave our comfort zones or not wanting something we perceive as a challenge. -the fear of loss -the fear of safety -these are some of the situations that the devil will use to instill fear and doubt in our lives by way of our minds. Then we become anxious, we get depressed and worried, we start to feel as though the Walls are closing in.(Gideon was given a sign an incline and then another sign but not all of us will get a sign, but if we could only know how the story ends then we would not be afraid. Don't we already know? But child of God you already know how this story ends:YOU WIN ; listen the enemy has no power over us (children of God, believers, servants of God who are righteous)except that which he is allowed by God, (reference the story of Job). The devil is a deceiver, accuser and tempter. Using all these to kill ,to destroy, to steal. But if you're a child of God who believes in Jesus, he can't do this unless he gets to your mind, the battle of faith is in the mind. When we approach the throne room of God and humble ourselves in prayer, we have to approach in confidence that God has his best interest for us and it is not to harm us but to bless us. Ultimately it is that confidence in what we are asking for, hoping for and praying for: that is faith- to hope for a favourable result and having confidence in God , His unfailing love, as the bible says in (Psalm 147:11). [11]the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

So instead of being fearful of the enemy and his schemes, let us fear the lord, and put our hope in His unfailing love, and His promises and His faithfulness and still being assured that He has already won it All for us in the midst of the fearfull(terrifying) storm. Even though the storm is fearful we shall not be afraid. Because we're fearfull, we worry, but Jesus said: can anyone of you add a single hour to your life by worrying? Matt 6:27 ##What does courage look like in the face of fear? #Courage is when we surrender all to God , when we acknowledge that we cannot do it with our own efforts, strength, minds. When we surrender our fears, our worries, our struggles, our families, our jobs, our health: that is when we exhibit courageous faith. When we bow before the throne room and say God I know that it looks bleak, it seems hopeless and I know that on my own I am powerless so I surrender it all to you : when we become vulnerable enough to trust him completely with our situations, then we are courageous. For when I am weak then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 [6]Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, [7]or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [8]Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [9]But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. [10]That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Sometimes we ask the why's, but God knows the why's: ours is to just trust and obey. To seek His Kingdom first and His righteousness. Matt 6:33 # The enemy knows what much power God has granted us, how so strange it becomes then when we don't show as much confidence on God's word. Judges 6:12 AMPC And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage. sometimes it's a bit like Gideon, we want sign after sign. But God has already called us men and women of courage.

Hebrews 11:1 [1]Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Vs 2-3 This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (So why not by faith also believe everything else He has declared upon us?) Psalms 77:11-12 NIV "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” - so the Psalmist when found in hard times got courage from meditation and remembrance, not only can we get courage from our own miracle experiences of long ago but also from what the ancients were commended for. 1 Chronicles 16:8-11 [8]Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. [9]Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.(give testimony of what he's done as a Christian in your life, this gives courage to others going through their own battles to stand on God's word). [10]Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. [11]Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. When we wait on the Lord, He shall renew our strength and so while we wait we can also meditate on His goodness, his promises, his word which never falters. Conclusion. It takes faith to believe that Christ has payed the full cost of our sins, sometimes there are things that hound us to think that maybe we've not been forgiven of this or that, and that guilt blocks our faith, but am encouraging you to believe that His payment covers all and that we're covered in His blood, so believe that all is forgiven and open up to a life full of possibilities. John 16:33 AMPC I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] Benediction. Ephesians 3:20-21 [20]Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21]to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.