Friday, October 2, 2015

Day 2 of 31 Days of courage confidence and hope

One of the definitions of encouragement is to give courage.  What is courage? 
Webster (1828) said
"COURAGE, noun [Latin , the heart.] Bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty
Be strong and of good courage Deuteronomy 31:6."

The Bible has many verses about courage :
Joshua 1:9 - Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Proverbs 28:1 - The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Psalms 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  

1 Chronicles 28:20 - And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Psalms 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Ephesians 6:10-18 - Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  

Psalms 112:7 - He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

The best part  is I don't have to find the courage inside me, I don't have to do it on my own. it's not my strength it's all God.   "Courage is fear that has said its prayers"  
Most of the time it's not the big things I need courage to do - it's the little things :speaking to a visitor at church, asking for help, trying something different, creativity, handing out a gospel tract... Sometimes we do face bigger things -moving to a new state, a new job, illness, teaching a class, following your husband, going to the mission field...
But no matter what -  I can do All things,  whithersoever thou goest, He will not fail!  He will not forsake,  He will give the needed strength!

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