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Bold as a LION
By Jason Adrift
Pro 28:1 "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as
a lion."
I wanted to share something on this verse. Mostly because boldness is something
I see lacking in the lives of a lot of people, and sadly in the lives of many
Christians as well. We debated weather you should use boldness in witnessing,
well I still think that depends on the situation, but the one place that's
really not up for debate is boldness in our faith in Christ Jesus.
I know so many of us are caught in the lie of fear that we often forget to be
bold in Christ Jesus. We forget we're not all alone in this world, and that God
is with us. How many of us are just one bad day away from giving it all up? One
harsh word, or one fear realized from losing our faith?
We don't need to live our lives like that anymore though.
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Phl 4:19 "But my God
shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus." |
Who better to know what we need than God?
When we lack faith, when we live our lives in fear, we spiritually tie God's
hands from working in our lives. Jesus probably taught faith more than anything
else I can think of. How many times did He say "if you follow me", or "have
faith". He did very few miracles and healed very few people without faith from
people involved. And faith is simple once you get used to it. It's a baby step
in the right direction is all. It's knowing God has got your back when there's
trouble coming. It's being stubborn to the call of fear.
One of my favorite quotes is from Dune (I prefer the David Lynch movie, but it's
in the book too)
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I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain. |
And from scripture:
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2Ti 1:7
"For God
hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of
a sound mind." |
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1Jo 4:17 "Herein is
our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:
because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but
perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that
feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first
loved us." |
My favorite example of the boldness we need to carry in us is the
example of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Who's ultimatum it was to either turn away from
God and worship Nebuchadnezzar's gods or to burn in a furnace.
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Nebuchadnezzar asked,
"Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't respect my
gods and refuse to worship the gold statue that I have set up? I'm
giving you a second chance - but from now on, when the big band strikes
up you must go to your knees and worship the statue I have made. If you
don't worship it, you will be pitched into a roaring furnace, no
questions asked. Who is the god who can rescue you from my power?" |
I like the answer they gave from the King James Version:
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Dan 3:16 "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar,
we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be [so], our
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king.
But if not,
be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor
worship the golden image which thou hast set up." |
Wow, you talk about boldness. Even if God didn't save them they
were still going to be loyal to Him anyways. We have problems with faith because
of concerns about our jobs, because of our broken hearts, because of family
issues, but these guys were facing certain death and they were not moved in
their faith. I ask myself, what would I do if I were in that situation. I thank
God I haven't been in it, but till that day I'll always maintain my faith in
Him. My Boldness in Him. What have you got to lose? If all your fears were
realized tomorrow could you do anything about it? So rather than let your fear
control your life let God control your life.
Be bold as a Lion!
Just felt I had to share this message with you guys...
Love ya's
Jason
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