Category: Fearless

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The Lord’s Battle

Mondays – new adventures, new challenges, new victories!

“These are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel, the son of David. 2 Proverbs will teach you wisdom and self-control and how to understand sayings with deep meanings.3 You will learn what is right and honest and fair. 4 From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart, and young people can gain knowledge and good sense. 5 If you are already wise, you will become even wiser. And if you are smart, you will learn to understand 6 proverbs and sayings, as well as words of wisdom and all kinds of riddles. 7 Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of knowledge. Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.” Proverbs 1:1-7 CEV

Very good advice for daily living – Respect and obey the Lord. This is the beginning of wisdom – trusting His word, drawing on His strength, looking at things His way brings us to victory.

Moses was being attacked by the Amalekites and so he told Joshua to get some soldiers ready for the fight. These men were not seasoned soldiers, they had been slaves making bricks for the last 400 years. They were strong but not trained soldiers. But they prepared for battle as Moses said.

Moses, Aaron and Hur were up on the hilltop watching the battle. As Moses held up his arms with the rod that the Lord gave him, the Israelites were victorious. As he grew weary his arms began to drop lower and lower. When this happened the Amalekites gained the advantage. So Aaron and Hur got Moses a large rock to sit on and they held up his arms until Joshua was completely victorious.

Now where was the logic in that? It wasn’t logic it was obedience! Obedience comes from respecting the Lord – that’s wisdom.

” Moses built an altar and named it ‘The Lord Gives Me Victory.’ 16 Then Moses explained, ‘This is because I depended on the Lord.'” Exodus 17:15-16 CEV

Joshua, the leader of that battle, was about to face a battle of his own at the city of Jericho. He encountered the Lord and this is what the Lord said.

“When Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing near him with his sword in his hand. Joshua went to him and said, “Are you for us or for those who hate us?” 14 “No,” He said, “I have now come as Captain of the army of the Lord.” Joshua fell on his face to the ground and worshiped, and said to Him, “What has my Lord to say to His servant?” Joshua 5:13-14 NLV

Joshua laid aside conventional wisdom and followed the Lord’s instruction. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today you may have battles but you have also been given the victory! Trust what the Lord is saying to your heart and obey. It’s the Lord who gives the victory!

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A Gnarly Tree…

or as the prophet Isaiah put it, “oaks of righteousness” or the planting of the Lord.

Can you even imagine what this tree has experienced in its life cycle? The winds, the rains, the hurricanes, the drought, the fight to survive and thrive!

I think of trees like this as well as the giant redwoods, the sequoias, massive olive trees and cedars groves when I read what Isaiah, David and the other Old Testament writers refer to when they write about those who are righteous.

The term “righteous” isn’t some unattainable religious goal. No. Simply put it means to be in right standing with God. Righteous is a term that can be applied to all of us who have placed our faith in God.

“ Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:20-21 NLV

“But he finds joy in the Law of the Lord and thinks about His Law day and night. 3 This man is like a tree planted by rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time and its leaf never dries up. Whatever he does will work out well for him.” Psalm 1:2-3 NLV

Isaiah, the prophet, wrote these words about Jesus hundreds of years before He was born.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has chosen me to bring good news to poor people. He has sent me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent me to tell those who are being held and those in prison that they can go free. 2 He has sent me to tell about the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day our God will bring punishment. He has sent me to comfort all who are filled with sorrow. 3 To those who have sorrow in Zion I will give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope. Then they will be called oaks that are right with God, planted by the Lord, that He may be honored.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NLV

Jesus spoke these words in a synagogue and it made them so angry they tried to throw Jesus off a cliff. (Luke 4:17-30, read it)

Some people still get angry today when they are told that we have received right standing with God because of what Jesus did.

A life lived in Christ is a life of thriving in the storms. Our roots go deep into His word, our branches sway in the wind, we provide shelter to those in need, comfort to those who are weary.

We become gnarly old trees who have been planted by the Lord and we stand grounded on His word.

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Be Strong – Be Courageous

These words came fast and with great emphasis this morning. These words are from God’s heart to yours!

“Trust the Lord! Be brave and strong and trust the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 CEV

“Be strong and brave, all of you who are waiting for the Lord’s help.” Psalm 31:24 ERV

“ I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 CEV

“When I asked for your help, you answered my prayer and gave me courage” Psalm 138:3 CEV

“Dear friends, if we feel at ease in the presence of God, we will have the courage to come near him. 22 He will give us whatever we ask, because we obey him and do what pleases him.” I John 3:21-22 CEV

“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

“ David said to Saul, ‘Let no man’s heart become weak because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.’ 33 Saul said to David, ‘You are not able to go and fight against this Philistine. You are only a young man, while he has been a man of war since he was young.’ 34 But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant was taking care of his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and fought him and saved it from his mouth. When he came against me, I took hold of him by the hair of his head and hit him and killed him. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear. And this Philistine who has not gone through our religious act will be like one of them. For he has made fun of the armies of the living God.’ 37 And David said, ‘The Lord Who saved me from the foot of the lion and from the foot of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.‘” I Samuel 17:32-37 NLV

I’m not sure if you are facing is like a lion, a bear, the city of Jericho or an army that wants to destroy you, but God’s message is “Take heart – Be Courageous – I AM with you”!

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A Changed Mind

Having a changed mind, or a renewed, transformed mind, as the Apostle Paul says, is a two-sided coin.

We have to realize what God the Father says about us in His word and live that out each day, but we also have to realize that we have an enemy who tries to destroy what the Father desires to do.

We are the deciding factor.

Who do we agree with? If we side with the Father and believe His Word we will see the positive results that He intends for us. If we side with the enemy and agree with him, we will see results of destruction. God is greater than the devil and could just “force” us to believe the right, but He won’t.

God doesn’t want us to be mindless puppets. He wants us to be loving children who hear and obey His word. We have a free choice, even if that brings a negative influence into our lives.

I want to point out a few of the subtle and not so subtle mind games the devil likes to play. He uses the same old tricks he always has so they are pretty easy to spot and through our strength in Christ, easy to defeat.

“… He was always against the truth. There is no truth in him. He is like the lies he tells. Yes, the devil is a liar. He is the father of lies.” John 8:43-45 ERV

“…The snake spoke to the woman and said, “Woman, did God really tell you that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1

“The devil came to tempt him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread.” Matthew 4:3 ERV

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMP

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” Romans 8:1-2 KJV

Identify the words of the enemy; he comes to bring doubt, destruction, condemning and “if” thoughts. “You can’t do it; look at your past; God won’t use you; did God really say that; you’ll make a fool of yourself; “if” you try you’ll fail; are you really sure you’re saved and God will come to your rescue?” All of these and so many more are the tactics of the enemy.

The devil’s a liar but God cannot lie!

If the thoughts that come to your mind are any of the above, you know the devil is at work trying to dis-courage or destroy what God has promised. Condemnation doesn’t come from God. When we do things wrong, He will correct and instruct and even discipline us but it always comes in a loving, you-can-do-better type of way. He doesn’t ridicule or defame.

“[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),” II Corinthians 10:5 AMP

We are to take EVERY thought captive into obedience in Christ!

Don’t let thoughts that aren’t from God take residence in your mind, drive them out as Jesus did – IT is written, it IS written, IT IS WRITTEN!

God’s word creates a changed mind!

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Confidently Follow into 2026

Some mistake confidence for arrogance. When our confidence is in the Lord that is the farthest thing from the truth.

Our confidence is in Him and not in ourselves. We know only too well our weaknesses and failures and so does He but He provides us with forgiveness and a new hope for our future.

Confidence!

The year behind us should be just that – behind. Now it’s time to look forward with full assurance that He is faithful and will lead us to greater things.

“So let’s come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let’s keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. 23 We must hold tightly to the hope that we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us. 24 We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things.” Hebrews 10:22-24 CEV

Life can be discouraging and that is why it’s necessary that our confidence is based on our faith in God.

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” Hebrews 10:35 KJV

or

“So don’t lose the courage that you had in the past. Your courage will be rewarded richly.” Hebrews 10:35 ERV

Don’t give up – be courageous. Be confident.

“Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” Hebrews 11:6 ERV

I know what it’s like to venture out into unknown territory. Leaving everything behind and moving to a new place. Saying good-bye to family and friends and going where I know no one. I would have lost all courage – my confidence did wane – BUT GOD was and is faithful and trustworthy.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 ESV

“He leads me beside still waters. 3  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:2-4 ESV

Confidence!

Seek God! When we place our faith and trust in Him, we can be confident that He will reward us and lead us to green pastures.

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Bravery & Boldness

Bravery: displaying courage, especially when facing danger or adversity. A brave person might face challenges head-on, despite feelings of fear.

Boldness: a daring spirit or the willingness to take risks. A bold individual doesn’t just face challenges but does so audaciously.

When we trust the Lord He will give us both bravery and boldness.

Think of David facing Goliath. Courage in the face of danger and the willingness to take the risk.

“ David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him. 46 Today the Lord will let me defeat you. I will kill you. I will cut off your head and feed your body to the birds and wild animals. And we will do the same thing to all the other Philistines too. Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel. 47 All the people gathered here will know that the Lord doesn’t need swords or spears to save people. The battle belongs to the Lord, and he will help us defeat all of you.” I Samuel 17:45-47 ERV

Bravery and Boldness has always been at the forefront of the life of those who followed God. Hundreds of years later, the Christians were facing persecution. They were imprisoned, beaten, and even killed.

“They were upset because of what Peter and John were teaching the people. By telling people about Jesus, the apostles were teaching that people will rise from death. 3 The Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail. It was already night, so they kept them in jail until the next day.,, 24 When the believers heard this, they all prayed to God with one purpose. They said… 28 These people who came together against Jesus made your plan happen. It was done because of your power and your will. 29 And now, Lord, listen to what they are saying. They are trying to make us afraid. We are your servants. Help us to say what you want us to say without fear. 30 Help us to be brave by showing us your power. Make sick people well. Cause miraculous signs and wonders to happen by the authority of Jesus, your holy servant.”

31 After the believers prayed, the place where they were meeting shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak God’s message without fear.” Acts 4 ERV

We may not experience arrest and beatings because we speak out for Jesus, but we may. We may lose friendships, business relationships and standing in social circles. It’s time for bravery and boldness.

The Apostle Paul penned these words: “I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is the power of God. It is the way He saves men from the punishment of their sins if they put their trust in Him. It is for the Jew first and for all other people also.” Romans 1:16 NLV

Be grateful that the Lord has called us to be brave and bold. It means that He is investing His power to change lives through us.

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They Left All

This morning my Bible reading took me back to Greece.

The four weeks we spent in Greece is one of the most memorable times of my life. The beauty, the relaxation, the food, the people, the history (biblical history) made it the trip of a lifetime.

The first eighteen days we were on the island of Paros. Each morning, we would walk the seashore and then visit the harbor. There we would stop and watch the fishermen. Fresh caught octopus would be hanging from the boat railing and fishermen would sit on the seawall, mending the nets spread before them.

Working diligently in the morning sun.

These were big nets and their hands shifted through them, discovering and mending the holes. This all needed to be done before they left the next morning. It was a time-consuming chore.

Now, just imagine you were with those fishermen on the shore at the Sea of Galilee.

“As Jesus stood beside Lake Galilee a crowd of people pushed to get closer to him and to hear the teachings of God. 2 Jesus saw two boats at the shore of the lake. The fishermen were washing their nets. 3 Jesus got into the boat that belonged to Simon. He asked Simon to push off a little from the shore. Then he sat down in the boat and taught the people on the shore.

4 When Jesus finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Take the boat into the deep water. If all of you will put your nets into the water, you will catch some fish.’

5 Simon answered, ‘Master, we worked hard all night trying to catch fish and caught nothing. But you say I should put the nets into the water, so I will.‘ 6 The fishermen put their nets into the water. Their nets were filled with so many fish that they began to break. 7 They called to their friends in the other boat to come and help them. The friends came, and both boats were filled so full of fish that they were almost sinking…Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid. From now on your work will be to bring in people, not fish!’

11 The men brought their boats to the shore. They left everything and followed Jesus.” Luke 5:1-11 ERV

Now consider the story.

This small fishing business had spent the entire night placing their nets and retrieving them and they caught nothing. It had been hard work. Now, with nets cleaned they were ready to go home, eat some breakfast and catch a nap.

But Jesus had another plan. He asked to use their boat as a floating pulpit. Then to reward the men for their assistance He asked them to do something out of the ordinary. “Let’s launch out a little further and drop your nets”. Fishing in the light of day wasn’t practical. They were tired, their nets were cleaned “But you say I should put the nets into the water, so I will.“

At the precise time a large school of fish, a net breaking, boat sinking school of fish was swimming by and got caught up in their nets. This was one for the record books! It took two boats to haul in the catch. When they made it to shore someone should have been there to document this record-breaking event, but no one did. They could have used this to promote their fishing fleet, “Best Fishermen of the Sea”.

That didn’t happen.

In fact, just the opposite occurred. Jesus ask Peter, James and John to leave the nets and go fishing for men. This is the part I really like – they left everything and followed Jesus! No question, no hesitation, they left their biggest success behind.

Jesus left heaven for us. They left all to follow Him.

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Make A Difference

That was my prayer this morning, “Lord, I want to make a difference. You must increase and I must decrease”.

“ Jesus must become more important, while I become less important.

31 God’s Son comes from heaven and is above all others. Everyone who comes from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all others. 32 He speaks about what he has seen and heard, and yet no one believes him. 33 But everyone who does believe him has shown that God is truthful. 34 The Son was sent to speak God’s message, and he has been given the full power of God’s Spirit.

35  The Father loves the Son and has given him everything. 36 Everyone who has faith in the Son has eternal life. But no one who rejects him will ever share in that life, and God will be angry with them forever.” John 3:30-36 CEV

These were the words of John the Baptizer. He had been asked if he was the Messiah. His answer was “He must increase and I must decrease”.

The Apostle Paul made a similar statement.

“ But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ 9 and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, 11 so that somehow I also may be raised to life.” Philippians 3:7-11 CEV

When I first started writing on Facebook over 15 years ago, it was my desire to show that God’s word is practical for everyday living. I want those who read this little blog to move past religion with its list of rules, do’s and don’ts, and enter into a loving relationship with Christ.

“ I pray that God will open your minds to see his truth. Then you will know the hope that he has chosen us to have. You will know that the blessings God has promised his holy people are rich and glorious. 19 And you will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19 ERV

Not perfect but growing each day in the knowledge of what the Lord has done for us and who He has made us to be. We are joint heirs with Christ and we are called to make a difference.

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Wood, Hay, Stubble

Each day we have the opportunity to build something lasting and meaningful or something temporal.

“But we must each be careful how we build, 11 because Christ is the only foundation. 12-13 Whatever we build on this foundation will be tested by fire on the day of judgment. Then everyone will find out if we have used gold, silver, and precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw.” I Corinthians 3:10-13 CEV

It’s important that we keep the eternal value of things in mind as we live our daily lives. Jesus’ example is the best we have. What’s really important is touching others with the love of Christ and being true to His word.

Strong as a brick house!

You remember how the story goes: three little pigs, one built their house of straw, one built their house of twigs, and one built their house of bricks. The big, bad wolf huffed and puffed and blew down the first two houses but when he came to the house of bricks he huffed and puffed and huffed and puffed and huffed and puffed and he couldn’t move the house.

Did you realize that’s an example of the believer who is standing on God’s word?

“You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building. 21 The whole building is joined together in Christ, and he makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Christ you are being built together with his other people. You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22 ERV

The cornerstone or foundational stone for our lives as believers is Jesus Christ. We are in Him! And in Him, the Spirit of God dwells, so the Spirit of God dwells in us empowering us for victory.

“Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock.

26 “Whoever hears these teachings of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. And it fell with a loud crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

Jesus is called the “Word made flesh” so when we accept Him as our chief cornerstone and realize that He is the true foundation for our spiritual lives we will be secure in our position of being grounded on the rock.

Following His example, obeying God’s word, and trusting in His promises give us the foundation to withstand the storms of life. The Father will build us together with others who also need to be strengthen.

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What Do You See?

Perspective! It’s important to keep a proper perspective when going through a tough time. If we begin to look to closely at the situation it will begin to seem overwhelming. It’s important to pull back and look at things the way God’s see them.

The children of Egypt saw a sea too big to cross; God saw a stream and damned it up. Saul’s soldiers saw a giant too big to conquer; David saw a man who was no match for God. Noah saw a world filled with corruption and a devastating flood; God saw a cruise ship of salvation.

What is your perspective? Do you see things as hopeless, do you see defeat?

“God, hear my cry for help. Listen to my prayer. 2 From a faraway land I call to you for help. I feel so weak and helpless! Carry me to a high rock where no one can reach me. 3 You are my place of safety, a strong tower that protects me from my enemies. 4 I want to live in your tent forever. I want to hide where you can protect me. Selah” Psalm 61:1-4 ERV

“I must calm down and turn to God; only he can rescue me. 2 He is my Rock, the only one who can save me. He is my high place of safety, where no army can defeat me.” Psalm 62:1-2 ERV

Satan saw Jesus as a dead man, buried in a tomb but God saw the resurrection!

Don’t be discouraged or disheartened. Put your hope in God!

“I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

What do you see? Keep a godly perspective!

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