Being Brave

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – (Joshua 1:9, ERV)

Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take. – (Joshua 1:9, MSG)

 

This is the reminder that my heart needed to hear this morning, as I am not one to step down nor tap out from anything. Finding myself in a position where I really have no choice, it takes His strength to stand down, step back and rest. Discouragement is probably my greatest foe, as I am unable to do the very things I desire to do the most. Courage and strength are not always running into the battle to fight on the front lines, as at times, the most courageous move we have to make is to remain behind to rest and recover. I know that He is with me every step I take, and that has to be from where I draw my strength. May we ever seek the Lord to be our strength and courage, trusting that He will be present with us wherever we are asked to go.

 

We are commanded, 

Have courage, be strong;

Choose not be afraid,

Of what might go wrong.

For the Lord our God,

Is mighty to save;

He will be with us,

To make our hearts brave.

Don’t be discouraged,

In the Lord, take heart;

He will be present,

His courage impart.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You command us to be strong and courageous in You. Thank You that we need not fear nor be discouraged, as You will be with us, always. Forgive us for allowing discouragement or fear to enter in based on what we see and teach us to trust You with our hearts and not with our eyes. Grow Your strength within us so that we may be fearless in You. Show us how to love those around us in a way that encourages, strengthens and dispels fear. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to be strong and courageous in Your strength, knowing that You are with us every step that we take.

 

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; …write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 3:3

Called to Serve

We are not called to be people who think we are better than anyone else, but rather we are called to see the value in all, and to serve. Jesus came to love and serve and offer new life to all whom He encountered. He did not expect fanfare nor honor, despite the reality of who He was. Instead, He humbled Himself and sat beside sinners, loved lepers, protected prostitutes from persecution, and demonstrated to all, what it means to serve rather than be served. As followers of Christ, we are called to go and do likewise.

 

People who think they are better than others will be made humble. But people who humble themselves will be made great. – (Matthew 23:12, ERV)

But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. – (Matthew 23:12, NLT)

“Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.” – (Matthew 23:11-12, MSG)

 

The greatest aspiration that we can have in life, is to make our life count for Christ. We are each created with a plan and a purpose. If we walk out the purpose for which God intended, then we will stand out in Him – through humbly serving the One who strengthens and grants us the grace to do the very things to which we have been called. May we wake each day with ears to hear and hearts that are ready and willing to serve.

 

The way to stand out,

is to choose step down;

to reach out and love,

those who need be found.

We are called to serve,

to follow Christ’s way;

in humility,

love others each day.

No one can be great,

knocking others down;

great is in lifting,

those who need be found.

Let us choose to serve,

be humble and kind;

show God’s love and light,

as hope is defined.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to show us what it means to humble oneself and serve. Thank You Jesus, that as You served and humbled Yourself, You gave light and life to all who trust in You. Thank You Father that Christ’s humility brought Him to Your right hand, where He is seated on His rightful throne, granting us forgiveness and grace. Forgive us for not seeing ourselves through Your lens – either too highly or not as enough – for either way, we are not honoring You. Teach us to trust You and who You have intentionally created us to be, so that we would go forth and serve as we are called. Let our lives count for what matters to You. Show us how to love others in such a way, that hearts are drawn unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we choose to humbly serve others, just as Jesus served all whom He encountered. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up. – James 4:10