Fear vs. Courage

Fear vs. Courage

Are you a “What if....?” kind of person? Those two words can lead many of us down all kinds of paths that eventually result in discouraging and disabling fear. Fear may be one of the biggest reasons why we, as a group in general, accomplish so little. Is there any wonder why the most common command in all of the Scriptures is “Do not fear.” I’m sure it plagues all of us at times, some more than others. At the root of fear is a heart that does not trust God, that He is who He says He is and that He will do all that He says He will do. If that is true—that the root of fear is a heart that does not trust God—then the way to victory over fear is complete confidence, trust, and belief in God and His love for you. A heart that fears not is a heart that is convinced it is loved. I John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear....” Once we really understand, not with our minds but with our hearts, that God loves us with an everlasting love and that he is a faithful God, our heart is infused with courage. Why courage? Because we can say with confidence:

Romans 8: 31-39: If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, [nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That kind of conviction in God’s love brings courage to our lives. And just what is courage? Courage is the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. It comes from the Middle English corage, from Anglo-French curage, from quer, coer heart, from Latin cor all of which refer to the heart. Courage rises out of a heart that believes “it can”, even when everything around it is screaming “it can’t.” Courage isn’t necessarily something we’re born with or that we inherit. I believe it’s something that develops over time as we grow in our confidence of who we are in Christ and our confidence that “If He’s for us, no one can be against us.” Courage is needed when we face the unknown, but it is also needed when we face the known. Courage is based on a heartfelt conviction that God is working all things in our lives for His glory and our good.

So how do you fill in the blank of your “What if” questions? I hope you can say, no matter what happens, my God loves me and will be faithful to carry out all of His purposes for me.

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2008/12/over-our-heads.html

Check out Beth's blog if you need a little encouragement today.

God bless

Proverbs 31:10

Proverbs 31:10

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. NIV

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. NAS

A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies. ASV

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. ESV

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. NKJV

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. KJV

Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels. Holman Christian Standard Bible

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies. NLT

A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. NRSV

A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. RSV

I want to give some definitions for the bolded adjectives of the word wife listed above.

Noble--1 a: possessing outstanding qualities 2: of high birth or exalted rank 3 a: possessing very high or excellent qualities or properties b: very good or excellent 4: grand or impressive especially in appearance 5: possessing, characterized by, or arising from superiority of mind or character or of ideals or morals

Excellent--very good of its kind : eminently good

Worthy--1 a: having worth or value b: honorable , meritorious 2: having sufficient worth or importance

Virtuous--having or exhibiting virtue b: morally excellent: chaste

Capable--having attributes (as physical or mental power) required for performance or accomplishment: having or showing general efficiency and ability

Good--of a favorable character or tendency: virtuous , right , commendable: kind , benevolent: competent , skillful: loyal

These are all wonderful descriptions of what we, as women, should desire to be—noble, excellent, worthy, virtuous, capable and good. We should have character qualities that are marked by excellence, virtue, competence, kindness and goodness but what I just realized is that is not exactly what the original meaning of the word may be trying to get across. The Hebrew word used here is lyx, transliterated chayil. It’s definition is as follows: 1. strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army: a. strength: b. ability, efficiency: c. wealth: d. force, army. Interestingly, it is a word used 243 times in the Old Testament with an overwhelming majority of times referring to armies, army, forces, strength, valiant, valiantly, and valor. In the NAS, about 183 of the times it is used in a context of being strong and courageous warriors, whether valiant warriors or armies. As Beth would say, “Stay with me here,” the only time it’s translated excellent in the NAS is in reference to women, it calls Ruth a woman of excellence and the two references in Proverbs, 12:4 and 31:10. It is translated nobly when it is used of daughters in Proverbs 31:29; again of the 243 usages, only there is it translated nobly.

Ok, so what’s the point of all this? For too long, we as women have been taught that our role is to be the meek and mild one, waiting to be called upon to get into the action. I want to take exception to this. I think this goes right along with the Ezer theme, which, by the way, is also translated poorly in Genesis 2:18. We are to be strong and courageous warriors, fighting side by side with our men for the gospel and our families. There’s no room for cowardice and fear, a woman of valor fights valiantly for what she knows to be true and believes in. She’s out there alongside of her man, in the battle of living, whether it’s helping with the home, finances, or the good fight of faith. Now that’s a real woman, strong, courageous, valiant and capable. Ready to enlist?

Who is Mary of Nazareth? Part 4--Application

Who is Mary of Nazareth? Part 4--Application


So here we are, we’ve reviewed this important event in Mary’s life and now we need to answer the question, “Is there anything here we can apply to our lives?” I would like to make four points of applications, I’m sure you could come up with more.

1. Mary knew her God and we can know God. Mary’s most important identity was not in being the mother of Jesus—although that was an important aspect of her life. Her most important identity was in being a follower of the Most High God. It was this identity—this knowledge of her God that carried and supported her through everything that would come her way—from the ridicule and rejection of being an unwed mother to the searing grief and pain she experienced as she watched her son beaten and crucified. Through it all, her knowledge of God and her identity as a follower of Him sustained her and gave her hope for the future.

Now I can say with confidence that God will never call any of us to be the mother of His Son, but He may call us, and more than likely will call us, to handle some very difficult circumstances in our life. Maybe it will be the death of a spouse, child or parent, a prodigal, health issues, financial struggles, infertility, or divorce, but we can be sure that some difficulty is going to strike at some point in our lives. How are we going to respond? I hope we can respond like Mary—"I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." We can and will respond that way if we make knowing God our passionate pursuit. Mary never had a copy of the Scriptures. She learned only what was passed down to her. Frankly, we are without excuse. Most of us have multiple copies of the Bible in a variety of translations. We have at our fingertips Bible Study tools, Bible Studies, books, Christian Radio; the list goes on and on. We just need to realize the importance of being like Mary—passionately pursuing a deep and intimate knowledge of God.

2. Mary was invaded by the Holy Spirit and we have been invaded by the Holy Spirit. Only one woman in all of humanity would be chosen to bear the Son of God, yet each one of us, as followers of Christ, has been invaded by Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13-14: And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

Mary’s invasion produced the physical human body of Christ. Our invasion produces the mind of Christ and His character—the fruit of the Spirit—in us.

3. Mary considered herself a bond servant of God and we can and should consider ourselves as bond servants of God. As I meditated over this idea—“That a bond servant is someone who is absolutely dependent—the [master] having a full claim, the [servant] having a full commitment. The servant can exercise no will or initiative on his or her own.” It hit me that this is what Paul was talking about when he referred to himself as a bond servant of Christ. But as I studied it further, the early disciples in Acts, James, Peter, Jude and John all refer to themselves in this way. Even more interesting, Paul refers to Jesus as a bond servant of God in Philippians 2:7, “but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant.” That attitude inspired His prayer in Luke 22:42, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." We, too, should have that kind of total submission to the will of God for our lives. Like Mary, “Whatever you want, I want. Have your will and way in me.”

4. Mary was called “highly favored,” but can we be highly favored? As I was studying that word in the Greek, I realized it is only used one other time in the New Testament. Charitoo [khar-ee-to'-o] appears in Ephesians 1:6. Interestingly enough, it is actually is referring to us, those of us He has made “acceptable through the One He loves.” In that same chapter, it says we have been “blessed,” “loved,” “predestined,” “chosen,” “adopted,” and “lavished upon by grace.” If that’s not being “highly favored,” I don’t know what is!! If you are a follower of Christ, you, too, are highly favored. Now that’s something to get excited about!! That’s really good news!!

Mary really is someone to whom we can look with great respect. She knew her God and she considered herself His bond servant willingly submitting to the Father’s will. Mary knew her God, believed her God and had the confidence in Him that brought hope and joy to her even in a very difficult circumstance. That’s a life worth modeling ours after—a woman of faith called upon by her God to simply trust and obey.

Who is Mary of Nazareth? Part 3

Who is Mary of Nazareth? Part 3

(Mary has heard from the angel Gabriel that she is going to have the Son of the Most High and has gone to visit her elderly relative, Elizabeth, who is herself expecting a “miracle” child.)

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers. Luke 1:46-55

In these verses, we hear Mary’s Song of Praise to her God. Her spirit rejoiced in the news and its confirmation. The word used for rejoice here is not the most commonly used Greek word used for rejoice in the New Testament. The word for ‘rejoice’ in verse 47 actually means “to exult, leap for joy, to show one’s joy by leaping and skipping, denoting excessive or ecstatic joy and delight. Often spoken of rejoicing with song and dance.” This was the joyous response of a young teenage girl getting the best news of her life. She was ecstatic, possibly even leaping and jumping, as she praised her God, rejoicing over the awesome work God was doing in her life. But more importantly, this song also helps us get a view of why God had highly favored her in the first place. In these words we see reference to at least 12 different Old Testament passages. Here was a young woman who knew the Scriptures—yes, she was a theologian, even in a culture where girls weren’t given the privilege of formal education. She hadn’t just heard the Scriptures; she had meditated upon them, treasured them in her heart and memorized them. She was intimately familiar with the words of Hannah, Moses, King David and the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. She knew the history of her nation and God’s faithfulness to Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Daniel and the people of Israel. She knew that with God, nothing is impossible. All of His promises would prove true. He is faithful, loving, compassionate and intensely jealous for the hearts of His people. She knew He is the Sovereign God who established all kings and kingdoms by the word of his mouth—the God who raises up and brings down. In a culture where women had few opportunities to learn, she had made it a priority in her life to learn the Scriptures. Because of that, she knew her God. She had passionately pursued knowing Him, and when she was called upon to become the mother of the Most High, she was ready for the job. Her theology was the driving force behind her response—"I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." She was a bond servant of the Most High God ready and willing to do whatever He asked of her.

So how can we take these truths and apply them to our own lives....

To be continued.

Who is Mary of Nazareth? Part 2

Who is Mary of Nazareth? Part 2

(Mary had just been visited by the angel Gabriel telling her she was going to have the Son of the Most High. In the following verses, we see her response to this news.)

Luke 1:34-38:

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Her initial response was “How can this be, I’m a virgin.” But I think by Gabriel’s response we can be certain it was not a question filled with disbelief or doubt...she was not doubting that she would have a child, she just wasn’t sure how it was going to happen since she was a virgin and she seemed to believe the message would be fulfilled sooner rather than later. So Gabriel proceeds to fill her in on the details of the how—"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” I like the Greek word for ‘come upon,’ it means to “arrive, invade...resting upon and operating in a person.” Once she understood the “how”, she answered, "I am the Lord's servant." Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology helps us to understand what she is really saying. The Greek word for servant here is actually the female equivalent of a male bondservant.

In the New Testament, doulos [dou'lo"] is frequently used to designate a master's slave. The term points to a relation of absolute dependence, in which the master and the servant stand on opposite sides—the [master] having a full claim, the [servant] having a full commitment. The servant can exercise no will or initiative on his or her own.

That’s how Mary saw herself. In essence she was saying, “Lord, I am your handmaid. Whatever you want, I want. I’m yours and you can do anything you want with me.” Total submission. No other questions necessary...no more answers needed.

The next section of this passage tells us of a teenager hurrying off to visit her elderly, pregnant relative, Elizabeth. There are a lot of unanswered questions—did she tell her parents? Joseph? Did anyone go with her? Did she tell anyone where she was going? How did she make the trip? But the one thing we know from the next few verses is that Elizabeth confirmed the news that Gabriel had given Mary. “Blessed is the child you will bear!..Why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Though wonderful, the news Mary received was traumatic...it would change her world. When you really stop and think about it, who was going to believe her story? Would you believe your daughter if she came to you with that story? There is so little physical evidence in the first few months of pregnancy. But did you notice that “by the way” statement there about her relative Elizabeth? Isn’t it just like our good God to provide someone to share in Mary’s joy, her belief in the impossible and to confirm that she was indeed going to be the earthly mother of the Son of the Most High.....

To be continued.

Who is Mary of Nazareth? Part 1

Who is Mary of Nazareth? Part 1


(I was asked to give the devotional talk at our Christmas Tea a year ago. I want to share the text of that devotional over the next several blogs.)

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers. Luke 1:46-55

These were the words of Mary of Nazareth as she praised her God: the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Notice I said as she praised her God. Mary had a relationship with God that was personal and real. I would like to take a look at this young girl to determine why, during one of the most uncertain times of her life, as pregnant and unmarried, she was able to turn to God in praise and respond with the words you just read.

Mary is one of the many women in Scriptures who has a great deal to teach us. Yet, as a follower of Christ, raised in a protestant denomination, I feel she has been largely ignored. Often the only time we really think of her is during the Christmas and Easter holidays. At Christmas, she is the mother of the promised savior. We think of her near her due date riding on the back of a donkey, giving birth in a stable, and being visited by shepherds. At Easter, she is the mother who watches in horror as her son is beaten and crucified.

But who was this Mary of Nazareth? Can we find insight into why God chose her, above all the other young Jewish women, to be the mother of His Son? And more importantly, can we apply what made her God’s chosen one to our lives today? I think we can by looking at the very familiar Christmas story in Luke 1 starting with verse 26.

Luke 1:26-28: In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

In the opening lines of Mary’s story we discover a few important details:

1. “She was a virgin, pledged to be married”—She was engaged or ‘betrothed.” Betrothal was more like our marriage than engagement. Although there was no physical intimacy, the relationship was legally binding, and an actual divorce would be necessary to break the agreement. It was usually arranged by the parents. The fact I really want to impress on you is that betrothal agreements were usually made soon after the onset of adolescence, so Mary was probably only 13-14 years old.

2. She was visited by an angel with a message. Not just any angel, but Gabriel—the bearer of God’s-news. Before he shared his news, he called her highly favored. Think of that for a moment....he calls her highly favored and she hasn’t done anything yet...she’s not even pregnant! Realize this, she was highly favored, not because she was the mother of the Son of God, but because of who she was...a follower of the one true God. The other piece of information Gabriel gives Mary is that God is with her. The realization of that fact—that God is with her—would carry her through the unknown and unexpected events which would define and surround her life.

Reading on:

Luke 1:29-33: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Mary was obviously afraid. She may have been trembling, shaking, she may have taken a few steps back, or she may have even fallen to the ground—but whatever her response, her fear was apparent to Gabriel, because he repeats himself—“Don’t be afraid, you have found favor with God.” Why was she troubled? Why was she talking to herself—the Greek word there looks very much like the word dialogue—about this messenger and his message? Mary lived in the Inter-Testament time when God had temporarily stopped talking. Zechariah 7:11-12 tells us that the hearts of God’s people became hard as flint and they would not listen to God’s prophets. Amos 2:11-12 tells us that God had commanded his prophets to stop prophesying. So God had stopped speaking...for about 400 years. I have little doubt that Mary wasn’t expecting an angelic encounter that day. The visit and the news were totally unexpected, and she was greatly troubled. Imagine yourself in her position—a very young teenager, alone—suddenly confronted by an angel who’s telling you not to be afraid and that you’re going to have a child. Greatly troubled—I’m sure if it was me, I would have been scared to death! Furthermore, this child was not going to be just any ordinary child, but the Son of the Most High!! All young Jewish women wanted to be the mother of the Messiah, but I’m not sure if they anticipated how and when they would receive the news. Here Mary stood—hearing for the first time the news that would not only change her life, but lives in the ages to come. God’s plan of redemption would come through—humanly speaking—the life of a young 13 or 14 year old girl.

We hear those words now and think of her—much like the serene scenes we see on the front of Christmas cards. But with the sounds of those words Mary lost her reputation, her dreams, the respect of her family and community and the trust of her future husband. Those were powerfully strong words—life changing words. I doubt if she had even begun to realize the full implication of those words for her. Little did she know of the cost of being the earthly mother of the Messiah....

(To be continued.)