“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

What is courage? Courage has been defined as bravery, but that is a pretty simplistic definition. Some have tried to explain it in a little more detail. One writer defined it as fear “that has said its prayers.” Mark Twain said, “Courage is the mastery of fear, not the absence of fear.” A courageous person is not someone who is fearless. (That is, in most cases, a stupid person.) A courageous person is someone who can control his or her fear and then do the right thing. It is overcoming the fear that we naturally have.

We see courage on display among those who are first responders. Certainly the soldiers serving our country display courage every day. These kinds of people tend to go toward danger rather than away because… well, because that is what they do. That’s their job.

Besides the courage fire fighters and soldiers show, there are other kinds of courage, too. There is moral courage, which is the ability to do right in the face of opposition or discouragement. We are faced with these kinds of situations much more often than we are faced with saving a child from a burning building. Everyday we will be tested to do the right thing and tempted to do the wrong. Having moral courage means being honest and having integrity. It means that we don’t cheat on the test, on our taxes or on others. Moral courage is honoring others by honoring our word, even when we don’t feel like it. It is saying our yes, is yes, and our no, is no, and not turning a yes into a no just because it is convenient for us.

It also takes courage to follow Jesus Christ. We are living in an ABC culture today: Anything But Christ. People are fine with whatever we believe, unless we say, “I believe in Jesus Christ, and I believe the Bible is the Word of God.” Suddenly we will have joined group of backward intolerants who at the best are laughed at and at the worst become public enemy number one. It takes courage to stand up for Jesus Christ. In some countries it takes the kind of courage we see in first responders because in the foreign field, many are truly running toward danger. Here, in most cases, we merely face discomfort. Of course, in some cases people might face job loss or public ridicule or more. But let’s face it, bullying is not the same as bullets.

We need more moral courage today or we will find ourselves in the same place that the rest of the world is in. Courage starts in our daily lives with the little things. I used to tell the athletes I coached that they needed to work as hard as they could in practice because victory over the little things in practice when there was no opponent prepared them for victory over the bigger things when there is an opponent. If we cannot stand for right in the face of little opposition, how will we ever stand against the real enemies.

A boy was trying to impress a girl he liked by saying, “I will climb the highest mountain, swim the swiftest river, and cross the driest desert for you, and I will come over tomorrow if it is not raining.” Can we show great things for God in great trials, if we struggle to do simple things for Him in everyday life? We all want to believe we are courageous, but courage is action, not just belief. We must stand firm in the faith. We must be courageous. We must be strong. That’s our job.

We make decisions every day and we would like to make decisions that are compatible with God’s will. But how do we know God’s will? I believe that about 99.9% of God’s will can be found in the Bible. If we think we have found God’s will but our decision is contrary to the Word, we can be assured that it is not God’s will. But it is not that easy! What about things that are not spelled out for us. What if we are trying to decide what job to take, which house to buy, or even where to put our money, can we really find places in the Bible that can help us?

When making decisions like this, the first thing we should do is to see if our decisions will be compatible with God’s Word. If the decision would result in a compromise of a Biblical truth, then it would not be a good decision. Let’s say we were considering taking a new job, but that job would greatly interfere with our ability to spend any time at all with our kids. Because there are many verses in the Bible that point to importance to family, we might see this as an indication that that job might not be God’s will and thus not to our advantage.

So where do we find these very helpful verses? All through the Bible! Let’s just take a look at five verses from 1 Thessalonians and look at how many valuable aids Paul has left us if we are trying to determine God’s will. If we are making a choice and that choice will violate one of the following instructions, we should think twice before making it. Let’s look at 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18.

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Take a moment to think about these clear and powerful exhortations concerning the will of God for believers. These exhortations express the specific will of God in relationships with others, with ourselves, and with the Lord. Packed into these short verses are patterns of life and behavior which will receive His blessing in these relationships.

“Warn them that are unruly…”  When we know people who are idle, undisciplined, pleasure seeking, they need to know the danger they are in. Watching silently as people destroy their lives is not in the will of God. Other parts of God’s Word show us how to approach them; these words just tell us we should.

“Comfort the feebleminded…” We should comfort people who are disheartened, disoriented or confused. We should come alongside them with brotherly affection, encouraging words, and prayer.

“Support the weak…” Our natural tendency is to despise and neglect weaker people, to stay away from them since they have nothing to offer us, can damage our reputation and often require a long-term time commitment. Jesus says find them and lift them up whenever we can.

“Be patient toward all men…” We must realize how patient God is with us, and that “patience” is the first thing that love is. See 1 Corinthians 13:4 for confirmtion! Patience means waiting in love and hope, with prayer, for people to see what they need to see, do what they need to do, change how they need to change.

“See that none render evil for evil…” We should not allow evil men in this world to corrupt our own behavior and character. This is a constant temptation throughout life because evil people are everywhere, including the church. It is easy for us to compromise our own faith because others do it. We need to stay strong in light of worldly influences.

“Follow that which is good…” Doing good of every kind is our lifelong mandate as believers; there are millions of ways to obey it. (unfortunately also as many ways to disobey it) God’s will for us to do good toward all men – even those who don’t deserve it!

“Rejoice evermore…” This is sometimes a tough one to get a handle on, but we know that Jesus has rescued us from an eternity unspeakable misery and pain to everlasting joy and pleasure. This constant reality in our lives can give a reason to rejoice even when the woes of this world attack us.

“Pray without ceasing…” Some of us might find the idea of praying constantly just a pipe dream. The Lord, however, is wide open to communication with Him 24/7, why not continually include Him in your words and thoughts? He should never be far from our minds and we should continuously look for reasons to speak to Him.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you…”; Before we pray, before we work, before we travel, we should be do so in the spirit of thankfulness. Gratitude can change our whole approach to everything. Thankfulness to our Redeemer in all things lets Him know that we know who is in charge and what He has done for us.

The will of God is not so hard to figure out when we realize that these kinds of statements are all throughout the Bible. Just obeying these exhortations in these verses can give us direction in many, many decisions. Wherever the Lord calls us, He calls us to live out these things. God’s Holy Spirit inspired these words, and He alone gives us the power to carry them out. Our part is to believe and act, and He then will direct our paths.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying around the death of Jesus in our body, in order that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are continually being handed over to death because of Jesus, in order that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-11)

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

If the truth were ever told about the effect that doubt could have in your life, the above verses hit the nail on the head.

I’ll tell you something else that’s true about doubt. It is expected in the life of every believer. So don’t be discouraged when doubt comes your way. It’s never a permanent condition, and the irony of doubt is that it always brings with it an opportunity to grow closer to God.

I don’t like the feelings I get in my gut from doubt either. I was embarrassed, for example, to admit in a column I wrote several years ago that a friend’s brush with death actually got me to wondering if there really was a heaven. Fortunately, it forced me to re-think my beliefs, and reminded me that only God could console me from the emptiness and shame that came with that experience.

No, doubt will never give you the confidence you need to ride out the storm of confusion that it inevitably brings, but God will reward you for enduring that storm.

Those doubts I had about heaven years ago continue to strengthen my faith today because I searched my heart and answered some tough questions about what I believed.

It has been said that to believe with certainty, we must begin with doubting. That’s a spiritual truth that was played out in the Bible through an encounter that Jesus had with one of his own disciples, Thomas.

Thomas was not present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after the resurrection, so he didn’t believe his friends when they told him they had just seen Jesus. “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it,” he told them. (John 20:25)

A week later, Jesus came to his disciples again, and this time, he went straight to Thomas. “Put your finger here,” he told Thomas, “see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27)

Did you hear what Jesus said? “Stop doubting and believe”, but not before he told Thomas that it was okay to touch and see. To believe with certainty, we must begin with doubting.

Bill Gaither was once so plagued by the confusion that doubt brought his way, he wrote a song about it, but not until it forced him to answer some tough questions, too. Read the lyrics and think about his advice.

I believe. Help thou my unbelief.
I take the finite risk of trusting like a child.
I believe. Help thou my unbelief.
I walk into the unknown, trusting all the while.
I long so much to feel the warmth that others seem to know.
But should I never feel a thing, I claim Him even so.
I believe. Help thou my unbelief.
I walk into the unknown trusting as a child.

There are so many infinately deep and difficult questions about God that we will be confronted with during our lives that there invariably be moments of doubt. “How can this all be?” might race across the screen of our mind at times.

But here is the truth. Don’t leave the theater with that on the screen. Deal with the doubt by going to the Word, not setting it aside. Deal with the doubt by talking to those who you trust. Deal with the doubt by fervently praying about it. Deal with the doubt by revisiting your past confidence. Deal with your doubt by actively dealing with your doubt. Don’t let doubt become the reality of your spiritual life.

Doubt is focusing on what is around us rather than on Who is in us. Focus on Him. I believe. Help thou my unbelief.

“Be ye also patient; prepare your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws near.” James 5:8

Getting to spend time with the grandkids over the last few years (actually 20!) has taught me a lot about patience.  The kids always have so much energy and they are ready to go from one activity to another without even having to catch their breath.  Because I have to catch my breath occasionally I need to learn some patience or I will get ahead of myself.  I am not a kid anymore and at 73 I hardly remember even being a kid.

Being with the grandkids is a kick. The following story did not happen, but it is in my memory banks and I could sure see it happening because so many equally neat things have happened during the years. Picture Nana preparing pancakes for all the kids (which she did), Asher and Isaac begin to argue over who would get the first pancake (which is possible). Nana sees this as an opportunity for a good Bible lesson not only for the two little ones, but for all the rest. So she says; “Now kids, if Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.'” Asher then turns to Isaac and says, “Isaac, you be Jesus.” Did it happen? Naw, but could it happen? Sure. With all the great lines and all the wonderful things that have happened through the years, it might even happen the next time we are with them.

So kids want to eat first, bat first, fish first, and well, do almost everything first. (Except be punished first. They seem to be more patient in that instance). But every year as the kids get older they get more and more patient. I have heard many times recently the line, “You go first,” and it seems as the kids get older, they get more mature in this area. As we get more mature in our Christian walk, we need to show the same kind of progress in our patience.

Patience is especially important when it comes to the Lord. He has a whole lot of things to take care of and sometimes what we want to see happen now, just can’t. We have all heard the prayer, “Lord, give me patience and give it to me now.” If we don’t have patience we can easily get discouraged with the pace that God sometimes keeps. Maybe that friend we pray for just never seems to get the gospel. Maybe our ministry at work never seems to pay dividends. Maybe our life seems to stand still while those around us fly on ahead. Whatever the situation, it is possible for even the most dedicated Christian to get discouraged with God’s schedule.

The Word shows us time and time again that growth and strength in waiting are often more important than the end so impatiently longed for. Paul had time to realize this as he lay in prison, and the result was God’s words that he penned for us. Paul could have been pacing his cells waiting for God to move, but instead he used the time to write words that would change the world. Moses must have asked, ‘Why?’ many times during the delays in the wilderness, but yet the wanderings (and wonderings) were necessary to build God’s nation. Even Jesus Himself experienced the discipline of delay in His first 30 years or so before the beginning of His great public ministry.

Sometimes when we have been waiting on something for a long time, we get very weary. But we must remember we are not alone! Sometimes, like the cake that is in the oven, God’s plan must be finished before we can enjoy it. If we get it when we want it, it won’t be ready for us. Our impatience would lead to an inferior result. Let’s allow God to move at the pace He wants, because it will always be better than the pace we call for. If we ask the Lord to renew our hearts and desires today, and give us a fresh infilling of strength to wait on His perfect timing, He will do so. He wants us to have the greatest gifts at just the right time and because He is the creator of both- it is best if we let Him handle it.

“Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.” Isaiah 55:8,9

I like to think of myself as okay. Not great, but at least okay. I am probably not the only one who does that. It is comforting, I guess, to look around and believe that there are a lot of people worse than we are. But today I was looking at these verses in Isaiah and I realized that the word “your” in these verses was talking about me. Not the other guy- me. My deeds are not like God’s deeds. My ways are not God’s ways. In all ways, His ways are superior to my ways.

Well, I guess that can be fairly depressing if we ponder it. But God does not stop there and leave us with no hope. Almost every part of the Bible is about hope; about how we can triumph in spite of our misguided ways. The Bible gives us hope in a world of hopelessness.

Today I was thinking back to a few summers ago to the inferior rafts that I bought for our family camping trip. I recently upgraded to one that actually floats. I thought it would be a good investment, especially for whoever is in the middle of the river in it. Our ways are like those old rafts. They are inferior and regardless of how fast or slow the leak- our ways always leak. And like the rafts, we cannot patch them on our own. We can try to fix things up on our own, but it will never work. I had to get a new raft, just like we have to become new creatures. We can’t patch up the old, we must become new. That can only be done through Christ.

I like to think some of my ways are good. But no matter how good I think they are, if they are mine, they are not the ways of God. What I need to do is to know God well enough to know His ways. When I start becoming more like Him, my ways will start to come in line with His ways.

Many people want to try to do their own thing and try to align God with them. That cannot be done. Going back to the rafts, that would be like coming back to camp and instead of pulling ourselves to shore, we try to pull the shore to us. The shore, like God, is fixed. We must be the ones that move. If God’s ways are superior to ours, why should He come to us. It is logical that we go to Him. Unfortunately, the common practice is for us to do our own thing and then try to say that is God’s way as well.

I think back to that past summer and what it was like when my raft was sinking in the middle of the river. I was thinking that I will probably go down with both ends of the raft above my head closing in on me like a giant clam. I thought how much better it would be to have a raft that holds air. Now I have a good raft because I purchased one. If we want to get rid of our inferior ways, guess what, we don’t have to purchase it. It has been paid for and all we need to do is receive it.