Take Courage

   If Paul Harvey were to have given an account of Paul’s journey to Rome, it may have gone something like this…

“…the Lord stood at his side and said,

‘Take courage;

for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem,

so you must witness at Rome also.’”

~Acts 23:11

“There we found some brethren,

and were invited to stay with them for seven days;

and thus we came to Rome. 

And the brethren… (came) to meet us;

and when Paul saw them,

he thanked God and took courage.” 

~Acts 28:14,15

   And so it was that Paul travelled to Rome where, surrounded by friends, he shared the Gospel and lived happily ever after.

   But God did more than just speak to Paul; He stood by his side.  What crisis would Paul have encountered that he would have needed such a measure of courage as God would provide?

   Thus began a series of predicaments, each one intense enough to require a significant amount of courage to endure…  Stay tuned as we take a closer look at… the rest… of the story…

Courage in the Face of a Death Threat:

Bright and early the very next morning, 40 Jews vowed together to refuse food or drink until Paul was dead. (23:12-15)

Courage in the Face of a Narrow Escape:

Paul’s nephew overheard their plot.  He ran and told Paul, who instructed a centurion to inform the commander, who arranged an escort of 200 soldiers by night to bring Paul, along with an official letter, directly to Caesarea. (23:16-35)

Courage in the Face of False Accusations:

The Jewish high priest and elders brought accusations against Paul in the court of Felix, the governor.  (24:1-9)

Courage in the Face of Exposing the Accusers’ Motivation:

Paul spoke in his own defense, identifying the point of contention between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. (24:10-21)

Courage in the Face of a Lengthy Imprisonment & Manipulation:

Paul remained in custody for 2 years, often summoned by Governor Felix to discuss the Gospel. As a glimmer of hope turned to fear in the realization that his life and career would be affected, Felix attempted to manipulate for an opportunity to accuse Paul of bribery. (24:22-27)

Courage in the Face of Publicly Dividing Religion from True Faith:

As soon as Festus, the next governor, took his seat on the tribunal, the Jews brought accusations against Paul with renewed vigor.  Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor and allow them to assume the judgment process.  But Paul, as a Roman citizen, appealed to the highest court of appeal, which had the potential of identifying Christianity as different from Judaism. (25:1-12)

Courage in the Face of Waiting:

Paul’s case continued to gnaw at Festus’ mind.  As he relayed his experience with Paul and the Jews, the curiosity of King Agrippa was piqued. (25:13-22)

Courage in the Face of Addressing the King:

King Agrippa made a showy appearance, requesting a firsthand account of Paul’s defense.  (25:23 – 26:1)

Courage in the Face of Boldly Presenting the Gospel of Salvation:

Paul presented his defense before King Agrippa by way of relaying a testimony of his life experience before, during, and after his initial encounter with Jesus, all the while clearly presenting the Gospel.  Paul boldly invited the King and all who were present to become Christians. (26:1-32)

Courage in the Face of Relationship to Authority:

Paul, along with a group of prisoners, was placed under a centurion’s charge for the journey to Rome by ship.  Due to inclement weather, the voyage became increasingly dangerous.  Meanwhile, Paul and the centurion developed a relationship of mutual respect and trust. (27:1-13)

Courage in the Face of Fear:

A typhoon overwhelmed the sea with such severity, that those aboard abandoned all hope of being saved.  After an angel stood before Paul assuring him that no life would be lost, he relayed the message to his shipmates, instructing them to ‘keep up your courage’.  In the face of fearing for their lives, the 276 men made faith decisions, trusting on the hope Paul presented. (27:14-38)

Courage in the Face of Destruction:

Protocol required that the prisoners be killed in case escape was imminent.  But the centurion overruled in favor of Paul’s faith.  The ship struck a reef and began breaking into pieces, but every man made it safely to shore. (27:39-44)

Courage in the Face of Ascribed Power:

Safely ashore on the island of Malta, the kind natives kindled a fire to offer warmth.  As Paul added wood to the fire, a deadly snake latched onto his hand.  The superstitious natives immediately assumed him a murder until he shook the viper off without being harmed, altering their view of him from a murderer to a god. (28:1-6)

Courage in the Face of Temporary Relief:

Paul extended to the natives of Malta the hope of the Gospel through healing prayer and healing. (28:7-10)

Courage in the Face of Preparing to Take Courage:

After 3 months, they again set sail toward Rome. (28:11-14)

   From the moment God instructed Paul to ‘take courage’ until it is recorded that he ‘took courage’, Paul’s life was turned upside down.  Each of these various experiences heightened the potential for Paul to become discouraged. 

·        Paul’s hope was firmly established by God.

·        Pauls actions were based on God’s promise.

·        Paul’s strength to endure was sourced

in complete dependency upon God.

·        Paul’s authority to lead those around him

was attributed to God’s blessing.

   But the first mention of Paul actually taking courage was not until he was in Rome surrounded by the brethren who rushed to meet him.

Why?

   Did he attribute God’s appointed courage for God’s purpose?

   Was the courage which God had prepared for him a precise portion of courage uniquely designed for Paul to face a particular task?

   Could it be that he remembered why the Lord sent him to Rome in the first place?

“…the Lord stood at his side and said,

‘Take courage;

for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem,

so you must witness at Rome also.’” ~Acts 23:11

   Did God’s gifts of courage which he received throughout the journey prepare Paul to accept the courage to face God’s purpose for him in Rome?

Does God offer courage to me for specific purposes?

Courage to Face Temptation: 

I Cor. 10:13

Courage to Speak and to Serve: 

I Peter 4:11;  II Thes. 2:16,17

Courage to Grow Together in Faith: 

Acts 16:5

Courage to Stand in the Wake of God’s Power Over Enemies: 

Deut. 31:1-6;  I John 4:4

Courage to Face Catastrophic Calamity

          Psalm 46:1-5

Courage to Pray with Thankfulness: 

Phil. 4:6

Courage to Encounter Trials: 

James 1:2-4,12

Courage to Be Perfected in Love: 

I John 4:16-18

Courage to Walk:

          Psalm 37:23,24;  Psalm 41:12

“Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord.”

~Psalm 27:14

…and now you know… the rest… of the story…  Good day!

It's not the size of the dog..

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight;

it’s the size of the fight in the dog.

When you think of ‘the fight’ as applied to Biblical personalities,

do you think of David slaying Goliath?

or of Gideon with his 300 men conquering thousands?

or of Moses leading millions through the parted Red Sea?

How about others in ‘the fight’, the ones less famous,

who also acted with courageous valor in obedience to God.

The fight of plotting and wits

“And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, ‘Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.’  But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, ‘Yes the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.  It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went.  Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them…  Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men, ‘I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before… When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath…’”  ~Joshua 2:1-11

The resourceful fight

“After him came Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad; and he also saved Israel.”  ~Judges 3:31

The passionate fight

of brute strength

“When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him.  And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands.  He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand 
men with it." ~Judges 15:14,15

The fight of tremendous risk

“And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.  Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.” ~2 Samuel 6:11

The fight to value godliness

over expectations

“Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  But Judas Iscariot… said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?’  …Jesus said, 
‘Let her alone…’” ~John 12:3

The vigilant prayerful fight

for hope beyond death

"Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.  And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died… So Peter arose and went with them… all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.  But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’  And she 
opened her eyes…”  ~Acts 9:36-40

Each of these fights were won

not because of any super-human strength,

amazing skills, or remarkable intellect.

Each fight displayed God’s miraculous power

through acts of submission, obedience, trust,

and an intensely focused passion for God.

Sticks and Stones

“Sticks and stones may break my bones,

but names will never hurt me!”

Do children still chant this taunting ditty on playgrounds today?

When I was a kid, we did.

For enhanced effect,

hands were placed on hips

and faces mocked disdainful expressions,

playacting confidence in hope that

we were faster than the ones we were provoking.

Arriving at the pre-established 'base'

without being tagged by those we taunted

meant that we won.

Suddenly, the chasers became the ones being chased

and the giggling and taunting songs

began all over again… and again…  and again…

until the bell rang

and recess was over.

What was it about sticks and stones

that portrayed such potential for power and domination?

We never actually used any sticks or stones,

nor did we ever intend to break anyone’s bones.

And I, for one, have vivid memories

of other children calling me names ‘for real’

which hurt my child-sized heart very deeply;

I still remember some of the insulting names to this day.

No less was the intensity of my feelings

if my friend was ever bullied by insults

which attacked her identity.

Somehow, I sensed

the intangible, unseen power of a name,

whether spoken with kindness for the purpose of encouragement

or wielded as a weapon.

The few times I assigned a derogatory name to someone,

a shadow of regret overwhelmed me

and I felt such sorrow.

These childhood memories poured over my heart

like refreshing spring water

as I pondered the following passage of Scripture…

“Elijah came near to all the people and said,

‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? 

If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’

… Now let them give us two oxen, 

and let them choose one ox for themselves

and cut it up, and place it on the wood, but put no fire under it;

and I will prepare the other ox and lay it on the wood,

and I will not put a fire under it. 

Then you call on the name of your god,

and I will call on the name of the Lord,

and the God who answers by fire,

He is God!’

“…they prepared (the ox)

and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying,

‘O Baal, answer us.’ 

But there was no voice and no one answered. 

And they leaped about the altar which they made.

“It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said,

‘Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god;

either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey,

or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened.’

“…Elijah the prophet came near

[to the altar of the Lord made of sticks and stones

which was drenched with water] and said,

‘O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel,

today let it be known that You are God in Israel

and that I am Your servant 

and I have done all these things at Your word. 

Answer me, O Lord, answer me,

that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God,

and that You have turned their heart back again.

“Then the fire of the Lord fell

and consumed the burnt offering

and the wood

and the stones…” 

~I Kings 18:20-40

To Bear the Stretcher

To come before God on someone's behalf

is a multifaceted experience. 

It reveals my helpless estate,

my lack of strength or ability to offer help in any other way,

and my utter dependency upon Jesus,

the source of comfort and healing.  

Humility is so... humbling. 

Jesus tells me to make my requests known to Him

and holds the promise of peace

that is way beyond my capability to understand (Philippians 4:6,7).

As I was praying for a friend,

the paralytic man of Mark 2:1-11 came to mind. 

This man had friends who knew that

their only remaining hope was to somehow

bring their friend into the presence

of the One who could offer healing, newness, life. 

But the crowds... it was so difficult. 

The crowds of people,

crowds of emotion,

crowds of inadequacy,

crowds of "what ifs",

crowds of reminders of my helplessness.

The creative means; a hole in the roof. 

The  mode of transport; muscles, sweat and tears. 

The goal; to do whatever it took to lay him at Jesus' feet. 

They didn't tell Jesus what to do;

their wordless action

displayed their barebones trust in Jesus alone. 

Jesus equated the power to heal

with the power to forgive sins

..."Which is easier?" (vs.9)  

One reminds us of the other

and vice versa. 

Yet ultimately,

it is not the healing or the forgiveness

that causes us to fall prostrate before Him in awe and wonder

and ascribe all glory and honor to Him...

…it is being in His presence

that is so unfathomable,

so amazing,

so indescribable.

As I read through the list of names of friends and relatives

to whom prayers had been requested,

and realized that each of those names

had likely extended the same request

in their fervent desire on my friend’s behalf

to their friends and church families,

I was overwhelmed with awe at the power of prayer.

So there we were,

on our knees before the Holy Creator and Sustainer of Life

... together. 

To think that He hears us

and speaks comfort and guidance

and yes, even healing,

into our beings. 

It was God's completely adequate gift of faith to us 

that bore the stretcher

and laid my friend at the feet of our Savior

... adequate because of who He is.

Father, words cannot express our hearts

when we bring our friend to You. 

We cry out for your Holy Spirit to intercede for us

with groans too deep for words (Romans 8:26,27),

knowing that You are entirely trustworthy. 

Please encourage our friend, and us, as only You can. 

In Jesus' precious name,

amen.

Path of Least Resistance

"The path of least resistance is what makes rivers run crooked."
~Elbert Hubbard (June 19, 1856 - May 7, 1917)


"The path of least resistance and least trouble is a mental rut already made.  It requires troublesome work to undertake the alternation of old beliefs."

~John Dewey (October 20, 1859 – June 01, 1952)

Path of Least Resistance

habit

fashion

the easiest way

characteristic practice

In physics, the path of least resistance

is the route which offers the least hindrance for forward motion

by an object where more than one potential pathway is present.   

For example,

water flowing downhill follows the path of least resistance

as it is pulled downward by gravity. 

Barriers may be placed in the path of least resistance

forcing the flow of water to a higher energy state

as a result of the increased resistance.

This allows the formation of potential wells,

where potential energy can be stored.

Love is not

the path of least resistance

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;

love does not brag and is not arrogant,

does not act unbecomingly;

it does not seek its own, is not provoked,

does not take into account a wrong suffered,

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things. 

Love never fails…

…Pursue love."

~I Corinthians 13:4-8,14:1

A Lion Has Roared!

Warm fuzzy socks and wintery jammies…  check.

Snuggled up in comfy chairs near the fireplace…  check.

Armed with bowls of munchies and remote control…  check.

             …ready?

*click*

Skipping ahead past the theme song and initial formalities (blah, blah, blah)

we launched directly into…  *dun-dun-dunnnnn*

the scary bad guy suspenseful part!

The eerie bluish glow of darkness prevailed over the innocent townsfolk;

ominous music infiltrated the very core of our imaginary souls

until we shivered deliciously under our cozy lap blankets.

Throughout the one hour and fifty-three minute action-packed blockbuster,

the ultimate weapons in the grasp of villainous hands demanded a call to action. 

There was only one man powerful enough to avenge, to conquer, to prevail…

Suddenly,

bright lights streamed and triumphant music resounded

as the superhero appeared out of nowhere,

knocked the thugs into a lifeless heap,

stopped the contraption of destruction,

foiled the evil plot, kissed the girl and saved the universe!

Hurray!!!

*click*

Ah, such feelings of exuberance…

We both talked at once amid buoyant laughter,

recounting the “best parts” and imitating our favorite quotes.

We finally survived the emotive roller coaster ride

through fear, elation, intrigue, laughter, suspense, sadness,

confusion, victory, jubilation, satisfaction, relief…

Of course, we were on the superhero’s side all along;

after all, he represented all that is good and wholesome

and helpful for society and the universe.

Now, we can hardly wait to watch it all over again

with friends who haven’t seen it yet; it will be so fun to see them squirm.

We will try with all of our might to not reveal the “good parts”,

all the while smug in our knowledge of the triumphant ending.

O.k.  That was fun,

and (you guessed it) that was only a pretend superhero.

The next ones are real.

They were not incredibly masculine

or injected with empowering liquid from another planet,

nor were they armed with indestructible weaponry….

God gave them words to speak

…divine words…

and they obeyed.

Isaiah prophesied during the tumultuous rising of the Assyrian empire

and the waning influence of Israel.

He spoke boldly of the rescue of God’s people (Isa. 35:9; 41:14),

the rise and fall of reigning kings (41:2)

and of the redemption and deliverance of God’s people (52:7)

both for then and for eternity.

Although quite timid by nature (Jer. 1:6),

the Lord assured Jeremiah that he would be given

strength and courage (1:18; 6:27; 15:20) to make him fearless as he served God.

In anguish, he obediently spoke God’s truth.

Ezekiel faithfully imparted the truth of Jerusalem’s impending destruction  (Ezek. ch1-24)

to the Jews, urging them to live at peace with God throughout their exile,

and that God’s promise of restoration and a future was filled with hope (ch33-48).

Daniel’s visions revealed God triumphant,

the Most High God, Ruler of mankind (Dan. 5:21).

He and his close friends refused to bow before anyone but God alone.

He stood, unharmed, among hungry lions.

His friends returned, unsinged, from the fiery furnace.

Hosea declared God’s judgment on Israel through the mighty Assyria (7:11; 8:9; 10:6; 11:11).

For 38 years, Hosea relentlessly prophesied to an obstinate people.

He obediently married an adulterous wife in order to represent God’s relationship with Israel,

called to attention the failure of his people to acknowledge God in their idol worship,

and proclaimed God’s compassionate hope.

Joel identified the drought and devastating plague of locust

as an indication of the eminent and awesome day of the Lord (Joel 2:31).

Repeating his ominous message of judgment to the angry faces of rebellious people (1:2-13),

he, nevertheless, called them to repentance.

Amos vigorously relayed God’s message of justice and righteousness (Amos 5:24)

to a check-the-ritual-box-then-do-what-we-want people,

calling them to God’s grace (5:4-6:14)

and reminding them of their commitment to God’s covenant .

Obadiah proclaimed God’s wrath on Edom’s hostility (vs10) and pride (vs12),

 the deliverance of Israel and the triumph of God’s kingdom (vs17).

There are others, also, to whom God gave super strength and super courage

for the purpose of relaying the prophetic messages of

His Truth

to the enemies, to the rebellious, to the unworthy.

“A lion has roared! 

Who will not fear? 

The Lord God has spoken! 

Who can but prophesy?”

~Amos 3:8

My strength and courage are also sourced

in the same All-Knowing, Ever-Present Almighty God.

“Whoever speaks is to do so

as one who is speaking the utterances of God;

whoever serves is to do so

as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies;

so that in all things

God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,

to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.” 

~1 Peter 4:11

Laughter

There is nothing quite like

laughter with old friends,

comfortable, easy laughter,

a natural extension of longtime friendship…

..a friendship

tested by trials,

established through tears,

enabled by encouragement,

secured in trustworthiness,

…a friendship

sharing likeminded direction,

rejoicing in a common hope,

investing in prayer,

praying in faith,

dependent in forgiveness,

believing in Love.

“Beloved, let us love one another,

For love is of God…”

~I John 4:7

An Attractive Resistance

A delightfully steamy aroma ascends

Mmmmm…  so delicious!

Hands reach cautiously

tapping ever so gently

against the sides of the cup

Hot!... too hot.

Hands jerk away

shaking off the sudden searing pain signals

A fitting reaction to

an attractive resistance

…and there it sits

Taunting enthusiastic eyes

as a foreseeing pallet awaits

longing for just a small taste

to take in the fullness of its flavor

to satisfy the longing for its encouragement

to fulfill the anticipation of enjoyment

Cleverly

using a folded cloth

hands determine to captivate

this alluring deliciousness

A wary mouth

hovers as closely as possible

yet remains standoffish

not daring to close the distance

until reassurance of safety

is decided
defined
declared

Waves

ripple across the surface

as lips gently blow

with hope of fast-forwarding

the cooling process

Just a sip…

Hot!  … too hot.

Mouth jerks away

blowing and licking off the sudden searing pain signals

A fitting reaction to

an attractive resistance

Yet inviting messages

unceasing in their tactical advances

continue to streamline aromatic appeal

accentuate hopeful potential

entreat creative methodology

…insistent that there is value

in steady pursuit

to attain the goal

to take in its warmth

to ingest its goodness

to treasure its flavor

… even at risk of being burned

And so it is

with friendship

"A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity." 

~Proverbs 17:17