Courage under Fire
Junior Level

I’ve been thinking a lot this morning about some dear ones in my life who are battling cancer, and some who are in other battles, I think of the battle that I am in and one that I am facing and fear shows its ugly head.  At one point or another, every child of GOD has experienced fear and dread of what is ahead.  Today, trembling in my flesh, The Holy Spirit rises up inside me and says…DO NOT BE AFRAID!  You can do this!  Friend, whoever you are, whatever you are facing, I have been sent to tell you that You can conquer whatever the enemy is throwing at you too by the help, mercy, and the grace of our Almighty Father! 

Handout: Courage under Fire

David wrote in Psalm 23:4 “4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

He had been in many near death situations, and God had saved him.  He knew that he was a winner either way, if he died, he would have life ever lasting with The LORD, and if he were saved from death, he knew that his GOD would never leave or forsake him.  It is the same with you and me.  God is faithful and we are winners either way! 

Isaiah 41:13 “ 13For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
The same words that Moses said to the children of Israel when they were exiting slavery in Egypt goes for us today as well, because isn’t that what satan is ultimately trying to do to we who are Children of GOD?  He is trying to enslave us, to keep us in bondage.  This is what GOD says about that fear.

Exodus 14:13-14  “13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
 
14The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
Our Father is a Mighty Warrior and He will fight for us!  We just have to trust and obey! 

Exodus 15:3  “3The LORD is a Man of War: the LORD is His name.”
Romans 8:31-33 “ 31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.”
Beloved, don’t fall into the trap set by the enemy of being angry at GOD for whatever it is that you are having to go through.  GOD is all knowing and all powerful and He made us.  He is The Creator, and whatever He does, it is Righteous and Justifiable.  If He has allowed Satan to come up against you, then it is for a purpose, it is part of His plan to bring you success!  He promises that all things work together for good for those who love Him and who are the called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28)

Romans 8:28 “28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
We were not promised a bed of roses on this earth, but He did promise everlasting peace and joy after this race has been run. 

Romans 8:15-19 “15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. 18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 “6Be 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.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The LORD is not slack concerning His Promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
GOD’S Promises are TRUE!   HE IS FAITHFUL!!!

2 Timothy 1:7 “ 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

You can trust Your FATHER!  If He leads you to the edge and tells you to jump, then jump because HE will either catch you, or teach you how to fly!  Praise the LORD!  He will not fail YOU! 
Job said He may not come when you want Him to, but He will be there right on time!  He is…An ON TIME GOD!!!  Thank You LORD!  His ways are not man’s ways they are so much higher.  Trust Him, through the pain, through the rain…Trust Your Father.  In the good and in the bad…Trust Him…Trust Your Father…When you’re feeling well, when you’re in pain…Trust Him…You can Trust Your Father!  Praise the Lord the sun will shine again…

Job 13:15 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him:”
Psalm 30:5b “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Sometimes we can do our best and still be afraid at the end of the day.  We can try but still fail and the devil will jump on our backs and tell us to give up that we cannot win but remember this…

“A successful Christian takes the bricks the devil throws at them and uses them to lay a firm foundation!”

I read a quote from a friend once that said, “Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that say's "I'll try again tomorrow." The strength of any weakness within us is the degree in which it is feared. Praise GOD, Trust Him, and try, try again.”

My friend, Lisa DeVinney, also a writer for World Sunday School said this, “It may be one of the hardest things in the Christian life - to reach the end of the day and realize you came up short. But have the courage to take the hand the Lord offers, and let Him pull you right back up again the next morning, to get back at it.”

 I was greatly encouraged by these words once again this morning.  I pray you all are as well.  There is coming a day when all our struggles, heartache, tears, pain, and failures will be NO MORE.  What a day that will be, but until then, lets do the hard thing like the Apostle Paul and keep pressing on toward the mark...that higher calling, forgetting the things that are behind...and striving for what lies ahead...so that one day...we can hear the sweetest words we will ever hear...which is "Well Done...Good and faithful servant...Well Done!  I want that so much...I know you all do too and it's not just a dream...it will become reality and I believe it will be soon.  I love you all and I'm praying for you all.

Dearest Father…
How worthy You are to be praised.  There is no other like You nor will there ever be.  We worship You Father.  We come to You today in the name of Jesus.  We thank You for making a way for us to live confidently in You.  We thank you that we do not have to live our lives in fear.  We know that you are our protector, our leader and guide.  Thank You for knowing what we need and supplying those needs.  Thank You for always doing what is best for us.  Help us to always step out in faith, ever trusting You, and doing as You bid.  Help us to live the abundant life that you planned for us to and help us to live and walk by faith, knowing that courage and victory comes from You.  You are faithful and You will not fail! Praise Your Holy Name!!!  Thank You for loving us and for making a way for us to have relationship with You individually.  We will ever love and praise you.  In Jesus name we pray…AMEN.

~*Cindygirl*~