Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope, and hope does not disappoint us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Andrés Noriega

Many of us believe that our faith will grow best in favorable conditions, without any resistance, without any hardships or without being put to the test. But it is not like that. Fellow Christians in my country have often said that they would be better believers, more devoted and more faithful if they could live in a country where there is freedom of religion. They make a big mistake. Our thinking is wrong when we believe that our faith would grow if the circumstances were easier. Faith, like a muscle, grows as it is exercised. The inactivity, the calm, the lack of struggle can be more dangerous to our faith than the presence of persecution. It awakens in us the sense and reality of who we really are; it helps us, or should I say it forces us to depend on God.

A church without any struggle, hardship or persecution can easily fall asleep, become inactive and then lose the victory, because in order to gain a victory you need a battle.

True faith does not need favorable conditions of peace and prosperity. True faith needs favorable (yes favorable) conditions of persecution and trials. That is Paul's message in Romans 5 that is also his experience. And by the grace of God mine too. Therefore, rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:13).

[Judy Harder]

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God.  (Psalm 42:11)

Andrés Noriega

My wife and I were very confused when our third child was born - a baby without a hope of staying alive. Each day he lived was an agony.

We felt our world had been turned upside down. We were confused, upset and full of questions. The more so because I experienced a great revival in my church. People were saved, delivered from all kinds of addictions, healed from various kinds of diseases. The people in my church were glorifying God. So did I... until our child was born. "Why Lord? Why?" we cried.

The next eighteen days were like one long nightmare. We cried, we prayed, we fainted, we argued with God until we were left without strength. It was then that we realized that we were selfish, proud and stubborn. I thought I heard the voice of the mockers saying, "Doctor, heal yourself." So I said, "Lord, your will be done. If you decide to take my child it will not change my obedience to you." That very day a miracle happened ... the peace of God entered our hearts. We had won the battle.

PS : Late that night our child came back to life and has been healthy ever since. What a bonus.

What a secret. Put your hope in God and surrender to His love and sovereignty - even when "the miracle" does not take place.

[Judy Harder]

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

Andrés Noriega

Denying ourselves is a voluntary and conscientious act. We make a definite decision which is equivalent to a complete and absolute surrender to our God. In doing so, we accept His plan for our lives and hand over the control to Him. He can make changes in accordance with His plan and purpose for our lives. To deny oneself and follow Jesus does not signify losing or winning. It does not nullify oneself but rather opens the way to be raised to the most noble standard of God's plan for our lives. To follow Jesus has consequences. To take up a cross involves struggle. "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you," Jesus said. (John 15:24)  It means identification with Him who was crucified. But there is also another truth involved. "Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you will be overjoyed when His glory is revealed."

The ultimate consequence of following the Lord is not death by crucifixion, but life eternal through resurrection.

"I am the resurrection and the life ... and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 22:25)

[Judy Harder]

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

Andrés Noriega

Denying ourselves is a voluntary and conscientious act. We make a definite decision which is equivalent to a complete and absolute surrender to our God. In doing so, we accept His plan for our lives and hand over the control to Him. He can make changes in accordance with His plan and purpose for our lives. To deny oneself and follow Jesus does not signify losing or winning. It does not nullify oneself but rather opens the way to be raised to the most noble standard of God's plan for our lives. To follow Jesus has consequences. To take up a cross involves struggle. "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you," Jesus said. (John 15:24)  It means identification with Him who was crucified. But there is also another truth involved. "Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you will be overjoyed when His glory is revealed."

The ultimate consequence of following the Lord is not death by crucifixion, but life eternal through resurrection.

"I am the resurrection and the life ... and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 22:25)

[Judy Harder]

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.

(Hebrews 12:1-2)

Gustavo Figueroa

We know the loneliness which the great missionary David Livingstone experienced while serving the Lord in Africa. We also remember how Martin Luther spent his time in loneliness in a fortress, where he used this time to translate the Bible into the German language. No room for bitterness. "Lord, deliver me from this place so I can serve you better."  No, he served the Lord right where he was, despite the limitations.

And what about John Bunyan, confined to a prison for 10 years where he wrote his famous book, The Pilgrim's Progress?

Yes, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. From the Bible and from church history. People who lived by faith, not by sight.

At the same time we realize that sometimes we can live by sight and not recognize God's presence. We feel like the two men on the road to Emmaus, who thought they were walking "alone", while Jesus walked with them.

"...Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

(Luke 24:32).

There are numerous examples from the Scriptures and from history which tell us that a Christian will never walk the road of faith alone. Whatever the circumstances may be, even if our feelings or perception dictate the contrary, the Lord will be with us, in us and for us. Hallelujah!

[Judy Harder]

Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Antonio Garrido

One day a brother came to our home to learn how we reproduced cassette tapes from Bible studies. We not only told him how we did it, but also shared with him what a blessing this ministry had been to other Christians and non-Christians.

It had resulted in great encouragement for the Christians while many unbelievers accepted the Lord as well. While we shared these blessings, our brother started to weep.

He then told us, "I am so embarrassed. I received some equipment a year ago to do a similar job, but I have not used it at all yet. Now that I see how you use your old equipment, and what the results have been, I feel so guilty for not using God's provision. It could have saved so many people; it could have encouraged so many fellow believers; why did I not use God's gift?"

I sat down next to him and said, "You feel guilty - and maybe you are - but don't stop there. Make a fresh start and use what God has given to you."

Yes, we must take advantage of the time and gifts we have. Do not leave for tomorrow the things you can do today. "Make the most of the time."

[Judy Harder]

The subject of this Psalm, like in many other Psalms of David, is trusting the Lord when life is difficult.

Every time David's life is in danger, he trusts in his God, always thanking the Lord for His help in the past. That encourages him to also trust God for the present. Is He not the same, yesterday and today?

David

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The Lord be exalted!"
Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
(Psalm 40:1-3,16-17)

[Judy Harder]

Remember those in prison, as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.  (Hebrews 13:3)

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (Acts 12:5)

Remarkable Remarks -Presence of God

Nepalese Christian:

"Not, 'I was in prison and Jesus was with me,'

But, 'Jesus was in prison, and I was with Him.'"

Pastor Chen - Vietnam after five years in a re-education camp:

"Looking back, I can say that I experienced God's love in such a special way in the concentration camp, as I have not experienced at any other time in my life."

Pastor Mehdi Dibaj - Iran after his release from prison:

"God gave me the privilege to spend nine years in prison for His Name sake. They turned out to be the best years of my life, because what I had believed while free is what I experienced while in prison: Lo, I am with you always.

Also:

"It is better to stay in prison with Him, than in a palace without Him."

Also:

"Close to Jesus changes the worst prison into a paradise."

Remember those in prison, as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.  (Hebrews 13:3)

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (Acts 12:5)

[Judy Harder]

Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.  (Daniel 1:

Daniel

"What you learn as a child, stays with you always," says a Dutch proverb. Such as praying at bed-time and maybe the children's songs from Sunday School.

That is what the first chapter of Daniel is all about.

The youth of Israel who were deported from Jerusalem to Babylon should have become impregnated with a pagan spirit. They were to undergo a complete brainwashing. Not under pressure but voluntarily. If they were put into a concentration camp they would have resolved to remain faithful to God. Their Babylonian captors were aware of this and so they adopted another strategy. They offered the youngsters all kinds of privileges.

The goal was clear - to influence the spirit. The method was devilish.

1.       They exchanged their parental home for a palace. 

2.       They were given new names, for their own names reminded them too much of God. They received new names linked to the idols of Babylon. 

3.       They had different literature to read. Not about God but about the Babylonian religion. 

4.       They had a choice of different food, which had been offered to idols and so would render it unclean for the Israelites.

How would the young teenage Israelites react? Verse 8 provides the answer; they refused.

They had believing parents who had taught them about God. Because of their upbringing they dared to take a stand even though they were only teenagers. And God blessed them for their commitment. May God find many such young people in our days. Parents hold the key.

"What you learn as a child stays with you," even when things seem to go wrong.

Remember: God still has His hand on your children.

[Judy Harder]

Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. (Daniel 1:21)

Daniel

"The One enthroned in heaven laughs," says the poet of Psalm 2. God could also have laughed when Daniel 1:21 was written: "Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus"... 76 years later. Everything was aimed at changing the young Israelites into "real" Babylonians so that Israel as a nation would disappear. So that (and that was Satan's final goal) a Messiah could never come out of Israel. Therefore the brainwashing was an attempt to make them forget God.

In consequence Daniel must also disappear. That was Satan's plan. But according to God's plan Daniel must remain, as a man of God, as a proof of God's faithfulness, and as a hope for the future. And Daniel did stay. He came to Babylon as a young man of 14 and stayed till Cyrus became king, 76 years later.

Kings came and went - but Daniel remained. World empires rose and fell - but Daniel remained. That is history and Christian history at the same time. Satan cannot destroy Israel as a nation and neither can he destroy the Church of Jesus Christ. He can close churches; he can imprison pastors; burn Bibles and replace them with atheistic literature ... but the "Daniels" will stay.

For Jesus has promised that He will build His Church and the "gates of hell will not prevail against it."

Till Cyrus came ... the deliverance.

Till Christ came ... the Redeemer.

Therefore we can laugh, even through our tears.