Where does bravery start?

When do you start to feel brave? Is it at the moment you are confronted with an obstacle or is it something you are born with - a "brave" gene?

Max Lucado makes an interesting point in his book, Fear Not. He says, "Biographies of bold disciples begin with chapters of honest terror."

Just read that sentence again... 

Today, when we read the biographies of brave disciples, we forget that many of them began their steps of faith by stumbling and being afraid. Take any number of the brave disciples as your litmus test and you will see what I mean.

Simon Peter - did he start out brave? No ways.

Thomas - how brave did he feel after Jesus died? He didn't even want to hang around with the disciples anymore.

Thaddeus?

Bartholomew?

Philip?

Even Old Testament characters weren't always brave.

Gideon - was he keen for a Godly challenge? No on your life!

Moses - he wanted Aaron to go instead of him.

Our biographies may not start with much fanfare, but as we bravely hang onto the Gospel, let us pray that God equips us for his great Kingdom work.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Brave Faith

"I don't want an easy faith, I want a brave faith.
I want a faith that takes risks, that asks questions, that experiments,
that evolves, that thrives amidst change and obeys amidst doubt.
I want a faith that engages both my heart and my head,
a faith that operates out of love, not fear, 
a faith that leaps when it needs to and crawls when it has to.
I want the kind of faith that moves mountains precisely because it is small:
small enough to need, small enough to grow,
small enough to surrender to a God that is much bigger than it will ever be.
I don't want an easy faith." - Rachel Evans

There are so many things about this prayer that make me want to live a better faith.  How are you feeling about your faith today? Even if you are feeling a little 'weaker' than you want to, why not ask the Spirit to fill you with bravery.

Having a brave faith is not about having all the strength or answers, but rather about trusting that Jesus has already got those areas covered. It is our job to put our hand in his hand and to walk forward, one step at a time.

1 Corinthians 16:13 -  "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

Be brave today and may God's Spirit go with you.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

You can be a Jason

In Acts 17 we read the story of Jason, who helped Paul and Silas when they were travelling through Thessalonika. We don't know much about him, except that he was brave enough to host "wanted men". The disciples were trying to keep a step or two ahead of the hired thugs, that were trying to drive them out the city - and Jason played a key role in sheltering them for a while. For me, he is an unsung hero of the New Testament. His actions may not seem to be that courageous, but for me they were brave. It was this bravery that nearly got him killed (read the story in Acts 17 to see what I mean).



“A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.” - R.W. Emerson. 

God may not call you to do something that will make headlines, but even our simple act of obedience may be the bravest thing we do today.

Thought: You can be a 'Jason' today!

Living in Grace
D3LM3