Courage... Do you have any?

What’s going on my friends! I pray you all had and will have a great week.

This past week while I was reading the word and asking the Holy Spirit what he wanted me to talk about. While I was reading, my eyes ran across John 7:12-13 and that is where we will campout tonight.

The Scripture reads, "There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” But no one had the COURAGE to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.

I know from personal experiences how scary and nerve racking it is to stand for the name of the Lord in the mist of those who speak against him! Trust me I go to a public University and in my major I am surrounded by all types of demons speaking about the new age and claiming they know the way. Friends mine and your faith is tested daily and it is hard to stand for the Lord when everyone else is not.

But....

Jesus said in Matthew 10:32, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." Think about it, let your mind run free for a minute... imagine that Jesus Christ HIMSELF proclaiming you in front of ALL of heaven and saying "this is my beloved child."

I'm telling you sometimes that’s the only thing I have to hold on to when I am in a battle with the enemy. There were a lot of men and women in the bible who faced certain death for claiming the greatness of God: Danieil, Peter, Paul, Stephen, and many others.

One scripture that I absolutely LOVE says, Its a blessing to live for the Lord, but how much better would it be to die for him. Jesus said the greatest act of love is for a person to lay down his life for others, friend or foe. (That’s why he did it for use HE LOVES YOU!!!)

I leave you with this story in Acts. Stephen, a man the bible says was full of God's spirit, was stoned and before he died in his physical body he saw the heavens open. Acts 7:55 "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. .

This man died in the faith!!! And he was blessed to do so, along with others like Cassie Bernall, the girl who was executed in Columbine for believing in God.

Can you stand and be a WARRIOR when your Lord is being slandered or will you fold? Remember Jesus always stands up for us even when we sin, its time we stand for him... Don’t you think?

Warrior
Will Mitchell