Courage

In Brother Bob's absence, Jimmy Taylor brought the message. Continue to pray for Bob.

When people see things happen in a Christian's life, it causes the world to see that something is going on, something they and/or the devil may not like.

Daniel 6:1-10: It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

In this scripture, the princes had watched Daniel and could find no fault in him at all. Seeing that, they knew they would have to resort to his life with God. They had the decree set up. No one could ask anything of anyone but the king for 30 days. The punishment for disobeying was being put in a den of lions. Daniel still had the courage to do as he always did.

We find ourselves today in the position of being afraid to stand up for God. We need to remember that God will acknowledge us for standing for the right. It is our duty to tell a lost world what is right. John the Baptist was beheaded because he told Herod the truth. We need to stand no matter what it cost. God's people have stood silent too long. During the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus was weak– weak but still stood against the devil. Daniel stood on his own. We may have to go up against wrong, but with courage we can.

Peter and John told the lame man at the gate of the temple that they had no money, but what they did have (Jesus) they gave him. They told him to rise and walk in Jesus name. The Pharisees were upset; Peter preached and told the people it was not by his own might the healing was done but by the Jesus they had crucified. It took courage for him to stand. They were cast into prison, and after their release told not to preach again. They went right back to preaching.

It takes courage to sing, to teach, to preach. It's easy to worship inside the doors of the church. Outside it takes courage. Stephen knew he would be stoned but still stood for the right. Would we have the courage to stand if we knew we might be jailed or killed? You will be criticized and disliked. The ones I ran around with before I was saved will not have anything to do with me now. It hurts but God still gives the courage to stand.

Raised as the daughter of the Pharaoh, Moses had everything he wanted, but he still chose God rather than the pleasures of Egypt. In courage he stood against the ruler to get his people out of the land.

The world tells us anything and everything these days. We DO NOT have to listen to them or give in. TAKE COURAGE and stand for the Lord.