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| My faith fosters courage, which leads to...ACTION! |
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As I prepared for story time (David, “Olympian of Faith”) for kids' Sunday school, these thoughts occurred to me...
How is anyone supposed to do anything substantial for God? Courage is needed! Courage is a DO thing, isn’t it? If I want to accomplish great things for God, courage is a must! Courage enables us to express our faith through our actions. The greater the courage, the greater the expression. But courage also comes from faith, and the greater the faith, the greater the courage. Right? Think David and Goliath! David’s faith in God and his promises was strong, resulting in the courage to face the giant. In fact, it’s difficult to imagine a man or woman of great faith being a coward!
The opposite of courage is fear. Fear prevents us from DOING. Fear causes us to recoil from expressing faith in anything. In fact, fear is likely a sign of lack of faith. Or, lack of faith results in fear. Weak faith equals fear, and inaction...
But is fear ever appropriate? Well yes, the bible tells me there is ONE exception. The psalmist declared to the LORD, “You alone are to be feared (Psalm 76:7).” Oddly enough, in this particular case, fear is actually the result of greater faith, and leads to… ACTION! If I really know God, and believe he holds my eternal destiny in his hands, I’ll be more likely to possess this healthy fear!
Finally, faith in the true God results in love for him. This love, we are told, drives fear away (1 John 4:18). Knowing God well enough to love him takes us back to the start, building courage! Think of the small child who will only jump into the pool if his daddy is waiting in the water to catch him!
So to summarize, in order to DO for God I need courage, which comes from strong faith. Without faith, I will be more likely to experience fear and inaction. Where fear dominates, faith is weak, and love for God is...
17:32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
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| To add a comment to "My faith fosters courage, which leads to...ACTION!" |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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| Great blog brother. |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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Wonderful blog Mike... I have learn a lot from this post.
I guess I never thought of it like this before, fear being inaction, it makes sense...
thank you for sharing. God bless you and your family Mike. |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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COURAGE IS ACTION TO DO, LORD HELP ME TO BE MORE LIKE YOU.......yes LORD to have the faith, courage to do....... Excellent blog. |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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Marilyn, thank you so much sister. Your heart is precious!
Darla, I am so with you....Lord transform me into your likeness!
Dave, thanks! |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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The Book of Hebrews...Hero's of Faith, & Courage over Great Spans of Time Which shows The
Timeless Will of God in Crowning Those Heros for Their ACTIONS..
BIG........... A-MEN
Most Excellent of Excellence I Really Love This One. |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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It is The Actions...If We Live The Kind of Life ...& We Live a Life that Proves the Real Faith that is Alive.
Living Faith Because it has Works [action] & not dead lifeless without actions.
Galaxy of Stars. |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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Very excellent indeed, Mike! |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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Michael - a million thanks! Oh wait, there's more stars in the galaxy than a million.... A dead faith is a fearful faith, if it can be called faith at all. Michael, I sense your faith has "legs", if ya know what I mean.
Thanks Joey ~ |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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Thank You for sharing this, you are always a blessing
The courage to have Faith to stand on God's promises no
matter what it looks like Deut.31:6 "Be strong and courageous
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your
God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
God Bless You and your family :) |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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I used to sing in bars. It didn't take courage....just get up and do it. Now I sing solos in church for God.....it takes courage. That's the easiest way for me to express my faith, through a song. I have butterflies in my stomach everytime I get up.....fear? No......I know God will sing through me, butterflies are because He does, it's exciting. :) Fear is when I've lost my song.....and I do that. When I stray from God, I loose my song...and that's fear, my faith is weak at that time. |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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| God bless you and thank you for sharing this ! Its wonderful! |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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Cathy C, you are a blessing young lady. Love that verse! I have it on a memory card, along with Joshua 1:9, which ALSO says "be strong and courageous". In fact, there are at least a dozen verses in the bible with that line.
CindyLou....you could have written this blog so much better than me. Love what you shared sister...love it.
Misty, you're welcome....and thank you sister, from the very bottom of my heart. |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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I'm praying for stronger courage on my journey with greater praise. Thank you for sharing this my neighbor. ...
God Bless You |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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| AMEN! And Thanks :) |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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| Mike, 8 years of voice lessons and piano....you're taught to perform...how to look past the ppl like they're not there. You can't do this when you're singing for God! It's not a performance....what I sing could possibly lead someone to the Lord, it's a witness...on my own, I would fall. It's just not possible. There's where faith and courage come in. If I can listen to a song and say "Oh, that's easy to sing"....then I don't sing it cause God didn't lay it on my heart. |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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CinLou, I deeply respect you, and anyone who worships God on a stage. I would be afraid of falling apart... which I often do, just worshiping among the congregation.
Terry, my neighbor! I think as your faith and love for your Redeemer grow, so too will courage. I don't see how courage can come w/o faith. (Maybe that's just where I'm at right now...)
Hi Angela, thanks! |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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| Mike: LOL......so have I before, but there wasn't anyone (except God) standing beside me, LOLOL ( Ken always prays for me before I start singing) |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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| Ah Mr. Mike...I really enjoyed this blog...hit the heart! Just as I think your faith level determines your joy level it also determines your courage level! Great word! :) You get a star! |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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| Ms Sugar, a compliment (and star) from you is a blessing. Thank you! |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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| Amen Great one Bro.! |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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| Risky Faith = Courage! Woo hoo! You know, it's risky because you COULD fall on your face...but Who better to fall on your face before than God Himself? :) :) :) And He's faithful to pick us up, dust us off, and say, "Let's try that again!" Love Him! |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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you said "But is fear ever appropriate? Well yes, the bible tells me there is ONE exception. The psalmist declared to the LORD, “You alone are to be feared (Psalm 76:7).” Oddly enough, in this particular case, fear is actually the result of greater faith, and leads to… ACTION! If I really know God, and believe he holds my eternal destiny in his hands, I’ll be more likely to possess this healthy fear!"
I say AMEN, I am sick hearing about a Father I don't know, a god that is all lovey-dovey, we are to FEAR and respect Him, He is a Righteous Father, not a blind being.
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| October 08, 2008 |
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I love that picture... daddy being in the water waiting to catch me when I jump.
Its an image Im going to carry around in my head for a good long while.
Thanks Mike... awesome blog! =0)
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| October 08, 2008 |
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GrammyB, wow that's a clever insight! Doyle, Mama Strout, thanks. I have a feeling you're very courageous. In fact I know it! Gary, call me odd, but to me fear means......fear! Robin, that really is an awesome picture. Works for me too! |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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Great Blog |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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This was awesome spoke right to me in regards to the fear. My fears paralyze me. I only wish I had the courage of a child sometimes. You know that is why our children become better computer users than us older folks, they are not afraid to push any button.
There are so many ways that we need to remember to be child like. In our learning and thirsting for the word of God, and also in our couragous actions versus paralyzing fear. |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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| Mike, great post! I've heard it said that courage is ultimately the absence of self, laying aside everything in favor of what matters most. |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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| Great Post there Mike.. |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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| Greater is he............... |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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Great reminder of where the courage comes from, Proph...
Thank you Megan, David, glad the thoughts expressed here blessed you. Isn't it awesome that the same exact message that first blessed the author can also bless the reader?? LOVE this place....
Becks, fear tends to do that... you are no different. For years (at least the ones I was coming to church) I was a lump in the pew. BUT at least....that time spent in the pew was something of an investment. Had I not been there, doing NOTHING but listening and thinking, I likely wouldn't be HERE now. Soooo......although the "pew warmers" aren't exactly accomplishing much for God at the moment, let's not drive them out of the church entirely due to their "dead faith" (faith w/o works). Always glad to hear from you Becky, you are walking a difficult road. Few have a faith as tested and "real" as your own. Bless you sister!
Pastor Dan, I REALLY like that! |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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| Mike - We all should be like the Lion from the wizard of OZ and ask God for more Courage! |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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My regular prayer is for enough courage to face the trials and tribulations without fainting. to be Brave enough, under fire, to encourage others to follow him |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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The Word FEAR = [Means to Respect] ...so it is... What Beliefs We Invest in ! What do We Fear ?
The Bible has many verses ...Fear This.. & ...Do not Fear That.
Store Treasures in Heaven...not things that Rust etc.
We are to Fear God's Commands Only...which would Mean to Become a Hero like those in The Book
of Hebrews....God Gives those Hero's 2 Thumbs Up ! Crowns Them !
That is Most definitely the Kind of Men, [Son's of God], Children of [His].....People of Courage !
I always say Do Not Bet Your Money on a 3 legged Horse to Win a Race.
Faith has No Element of Gambling in it at All ! |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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| Whenever I have to do something that causes fear, I take a deep breath and say Ok Lord, it is up to you to get me through this. One of my biggest fears was getting up in front of the congregation to sing on the praise team, yet once I gave it to God and He helped me to do it, it has been one of the biggest blessings of my life. |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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"Faith has No Element of Gambling in it at All !" Amen Michael! Deb, conquering fear, or anything else, in God's strength, gives me the greatest electric charge of pure energy and joy that I have ever felt. I can definitely identify with you! |
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| October 09, 2008 |
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| Mike this was indeed an awesome blog....There are truly so many examples of heros of faith in the bible..From Genesis to Revelation..Oh we could take a stroll down the Hebrews Hall of Fame, and they all would say the same thing....They had to DO something to show their faith in the True and Living God. Great Blog...I was blessed ;o) |
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