New Year Expectations for God's Provision

Expectations, whether positive or negative, have the power to direct your life toward a good and inspiring objective or to be challenged by what is evil and harmful and capable of wrecking your life. God intended for you to have positive expectations, with faith to believe in his guidance and provision.

God does not intend for you to live in a state of anxiety or fear, so he provides courage to venture out and live with the expectation that he desires to supply your needs at every turn in life. In Exodus 14 God instructed Moses to tell the Hebrew people, who were at a critical, decisive moment in their history, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see what the Lord will do.”

Whatever situation you’re facing now at the launch of this New Year, God’s word of encouragement given to the Hebrew people long ago is relevant for you today. God has not given you a spirit of fear, so stand firm and expect the Lord to do what is good and right.  Happy New year!    

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Now glory be to God who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

~Ephesians 3:20 The Living Bible

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Life's Peaks and Valleys

Emotional and spiritual peaks and valleys come and go throughout one's lifetime. Following a mountaintop spiritual experience, a loss of enthusiasm or an episode of depression may follow. Yet it’s important to realize God equips each person with courage and determination to stay anchored in Christ Jesus and to mature in faith.

It's analogous to buying a dream house only to discover elements of dissatisfaction. This discovery would be difficult to understand, when everything had appeared so perfect. Old issues are powerful and periodically resurface, demanding our attention. Courage and determination are required to face these issues so peace and closeness can resume.

Samson’s mountaintop experience came when he finally realized it was the Lord God who gave him victory over his enemies. God desires to  build in us character strengths to prevent regression to a former spiritual or emotional lifestyle. God provides armament and courage to fight the good fight of faith as you stand firm in his calling.  

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God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.

~Ephesians 6:10-11 The Message

 

Remain alert. Keep standing firm in our faith. Keep on being courageous and strong. Everything you do should be done lovingly.

~1 Corinthians 16:13-14 International Standard Version

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Standing with Moral Courage

Unexpected challenges test the depths of courage that exists in each person. The virtue of courage helps a person to stand firm even as fear screams out to flee. General Douglas MacArthur in a speech on his eighty-fourth birthday affirmed: "Moral courage, the courage of one's convictions, provides confidence to see things through.”  

Moral courage is not afraid to do or say what is right. Samson, however, was capable of risking his life and the wellbeing of his people just to satisfy his passion of the moment. He seemed to enjoy playing risk-taking, dangerous games with his enemies. Is this courage or foolish behavior? 

Courage that has a healthy foundation is based on sound judgment which contains an element of fear but is not controlled by it. Jesus demonstrated moral courage as he faced his accusers, whose main objective was his execution. God's word to you is to stand firm, be of good courage and do not give up. Happy Thanksgiving week to you. 

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But thank God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Stand firm then, my dear fellow Christians, and let nothing move you. Always keep on doing a great work for the Lord since you know in the Lord your hard work isn’t wasted.

~1 Corinthians 15:57-58 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

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Take Courage, My Friend

Great challenges demand extraordinary courage. Amos was an Old Testament prophet who received such a challenge. He was unable to attend the Institute for Prophets and was not the son of a prophet. When the Lord God called him, he was a shepherd who also cared for sycamore trees.

Leaving home and family took courage. All Amos possessed was the assurance of God’s call plus these words from Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." This promise gave him courage to face those who refused to believe he was a prophet called by God.

The high priest tried to humiliate Amos by rejecting the fact that God gave him a message to preach to Israel. Amos had a lot to forgive, but God gave him courage never to compromise his calling. God enabled Amos to remain faithful by giving him courage, a virtue and character trait that empowered him to stand firm against all detractors.  

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Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong. Show love in everything you do.

~1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Contemporary English Version

Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord.

~Psalm 27:14 New American Standard Bible