Do Something

Sometimes a good question can change things. It was so with four lepers who lived in Israel. Times were as bad as it gets because Samaria was besieged by an enemy starving the Israelites. Four lepers sat outside the city walls, and one asked a startling question, “Why stay here until we die?” (2 Kings 7:3). He reasoned that if they tried to get into the city, there was nothing but famine. If they continued to stay where they were, they would also die. Why not try something crazy? He suggested that the four march headlong into the enemy’s camp and see what happens. The worst they could do would be to kill them. They would die anyway; why not die trying to do something worthwhile?

Did the lepers know they would be successful? Did they have the assurance they would be better off? Absolutely not! They did, however, know they had to try. As evening fell, they got up and ventured toward the enemy camp. However, as they walked, God “caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army” (2 Kings 7:5-6). When the lepers arrived at the camp, it was utterly deserted. God had made the steps of four lepers sound like a mighty approaching army.

God intervened on behalf of the four lepers. He didn’t tell them what he was going to do. God still does this when we step out in faith. Our resources are limited, but God is never limited. Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing is too difficult for God.

When God tells you to act, he will go with you. One of the reasons I like this story is that it shows God will use anyone—even a leper. God put the restless spirit inside these fellows and honored their courage. Is God calling you to step out and do something for him? You may be fearful or unsure of what to do, but the inner voice says, “Do something!”

 

God Knows the Way

 

The daily news of the horrible Russian aggression against the Ukrainian people is entirely unsettling. Putin is another Hitler emboldened by the absence of strong leadership in the free world. The Nazi leader’s annexation of Austria in 1938 and the Sudetenland a few months later went unopposed. With each step of naked aggression, the world was parlayed by the fear of provoking World War II. The naïve voices of world leaders proclaimed that is all the German leader wanted, but that lie was exposed when he attacked Czechoslovakia in March of 1939. And yet, still, no one stood up to the ruthless dictator. The world hoped for peace and sought it through appeasement. Everyone was afraid of provoking an all-out war. This all worked to Hitler’s advantage because he was given so much time to continue to grow stronger. Then in September 1939, the Nazis invaded Poland, and World War II began.

Remember, every time a dictator like Putin gets away with his murderous schemes, it inspires another half dozen dictators worldwide to do the same.

Ukraine will not be the last country that Putin will try to take. He will take country after country unless he is stopped. The Ukrainian people know who Putin is, and that is why they are willing to die to defend their country.

The Biden Administration, under immense pressure, finally stopped buying Russian oil only to try and buy it from the Venezuelan dictator, Iranian Mullahs, and the Saudis, all the while refusing to open up the Keystone pipeline and drill for oil. The US President and the Europeans seem completely helpless in dealing with this crisis.

The events we are watching are frightening. The only way I get through the day is by asking God to help us and help the Ukrainian people. The most important thing we have today is our relationship with God. The fact that we know God and love him gives us hope even though the world is upside down. Job instructs our faith with these words: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

 

 

Seeing the World Through God’s Eyes

Can you remember a time when you were terrified? I remember once in Cordoba, Argentina, driving home by myself late at night. I had mistakenly taken a risky route that I only used during the daytime, but it was too late when I realized what I had done. I noticed some guys playing soccer in the middle of the street, so I slowed to a near- stop. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with fear when I saw guys running toward my car with bars in their hands. I sped forward, causing several to dive out of the way. As I finally exited the danger, I felt my heart beating in my chest. I had narrowly escaped peril. 

Once David, a seventeen-year-old shepherd on a mission for his father, saw the entire Israelite army frozen in fear. A colossal of a man was challenging them to send out just one warrior to fight. No one dared to answer the challenge. That was because Goliath was almost ten feet tall! Can you imagine him trying to come through one of our doors? Even his weapons were intimidating. His spear was near fourteen feet, and its tip weighed about sixteen pounds. It was a guided missile when launched by his mighty arm. The chain mail suit that he wore weighed around 150 pounds.  David inquired why no one answered his defiant call to fight.

Once David volunteered to fight the giant, they tried to suit him with the latest armor and weapons, but he refused, preferring to use what he was used to using. They had served him well, fighting off wild animals who attacked his flock.

David wasted no time facing off with the Goliath. No one ever showed more courage than David did on that day. When Goliath came out to David, he said, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” He taunted David, “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” (1 Sam 17:43-44).

David boldly responded, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Sam 17:45-38).

As David ran toward the Philistine, he put his hand into his bag, took out a stone, and let it fly. The stone struck the Philistine right between the eyes, and down he came. Everyone was surprised, but not David; he completely expected to defeat this enemy.

What was David’s secret? Where did he get the courage to fight Goliath? How could he face an enemy with all the odds against him? The answer is that he knew how powerful his God was, and he knew God would help him. David took the first steps, but God used David’s competency and gave him boldness. The story still inspires us even today because it’s true, but beyond that, this is the way battles are won today—by trusting in God.

Stand Tall

 

Standing tall is not easy, especially when it can cost you something. In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he urges him to stand tall and be courageous in the face of opposition. Timothy was pastoring in Ephesus; it was a tough assignment. There were strong personalities there that opposed his leadership. He was not Paul with an iron will and lion personality. Timothy was timid and reserved but loved God. Paul never belittled Timothy, nor did he try to convince him to change his personality. He accepted him as he was. However, the apostle encouraged Timothy not to be fearful, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Tim 1:7).

 Paul’s example of standing tall is seen in his description of himself as “his prisoner” - that is, the Lord’s prisoner!’ He was in Rome in Caesar’s dungeon, but he saw himself as Christ’s prisoner. So when he told Timothy to stand tall, Timothy did it.

There are many places we need to stand tall and be unashamed of our faith in Christ regardless of what people think of us. Consider how powerful your testimony is at work when you give your employer an honest day’s work and refuse to be lazy or dishonest. Consider how much your light shines when you share your own story of Christ’s transformative power to change your life with others. You stand tall when you refuse to walk on by the person who needs your help. Still yet, standing tall in our home with the people who know us best may be the most difficult of all.

I believe the area that gives us the greatest credibility is our authenticity in our home. Does our attitude reflect a servant’s heart? Are we growing and maturing? How do we treat those we love? Are we willing to acknowledge our own inadequacies? If we are not—then we are only fooling ourselves. If we are God’s servants, he will help us, and those who love us will respect us. The Gospel has the greatest impact when it is lived out. He who stands tall in the world first stands tall in his own home!

If you really want to grow and mature as a faithful follower of Christ, then examine your life. What faults and weaknesses do you refuse to acknowledge? What outrageous behavior do you justify with flimsy excuses? Once you have signaled out your areas that need the most work—own them without deflecting blame to anyone else. Then ask God to give you the insight to deal with your faults. Having done this is only the beginning, but it is a step in the right direction. No matter how great your testimony outside your home is, it is empty and invalid if it does not have your family’s endorsement.

 

  https://boydbrooks.com/

Courage

Courage is the ability to face pivotal moments in life with boldness and fortitude. Most people think of courage as a great feat performed before thousands of spectators. That rarely happens, as when David accepted Goliath’s challenge and fought him before all the army. However, most people perform feats of courage in absolute obscurity.  Sometimes having courage means we are willing to face problems squarely and not run from them. When we acknowledge our mistakes and determine to do the right thing, that is the essence of courage.

Stephen, found in the book of Acts, was such a man of courage. He lived and died with no regrets.  He lived unintimidated by those who wanted to silence him, and he remained faithful and committed to his faith to the end. When his enemies made it clear they would do whatever was necessary to suppress his voice, Stephen never flinched. He maintained his witness in the face of fierce hatred and barbaric treatment. 

Luke says that Stephen was a man full of God’s grace and power (Acts 6:8). He understood God’s goodness, and it affected the way he treated people.  In fact, Stephen became a channel of God’s power and love to those around him. He generously shared with others, and consequently, lives were touched. God’s power works through his grace.

Stephen did not write the book of Hebrews, but he probably could have.  Hebrews, more than any other book in the New Testament, declares the supremacy of Christ.  It presents Christ as our savior and high priest.  Stephen announced the message of Hebrews in his talks in the synagogue before Hebrews was ever written. The Holy Spirit anointed his powerful debates. Stephen pointed to a savior who is for everyone, and his death replaces all animal sacrifices. The same man whom the Jews crucified was none other than Jesus Christ. That message met with resistance because Stephen’s arguments were solid and irrefutable, which caused more animosity toward him.

Stephen was brought before the highest court of the land and given a chance to defend himself, but instead, he only articulated even more clearly that Jesus was the savior. Stephen’s sermon was his death warrant.  He was willing to stand true to his faith because he was committed to the truth.  As Stephen finished his final words, his enemies came after him like a lynch mob. 

Imagine this extraordinary scene.  Stephen’s enemies have all been sitting very piously in their places as he gave his last speech.  He never gave it in self-defense; it was instead a summation of God’s wondrous grace working in history among the nation of Israel.  As Stephen came to the end of his discourse, he indicted those rebellious leaders who rejected his message for their unbelief.  They could take no more, so they covered their ears and yelled at the top of their lungs as they rushed toward him.  His enemies then took hold of him; they dragged him out of the city and threw him down.  Each man took stones in hand to cast at him. 

Every time we see Christ in heaven, the scriptures give us a picture of Jesus seated at the right hand of the father, but on this occasion, Jesus is standing.  Jesus stood up in tribute to the courageous faith of Stephen.  While they were hurling stones to kill Stephen, he never begged for mercy but instead prayed to God that this sin not be held against them (Acts 7:60).  He prayed as Christ had prayed on the cross, and he showed us how to live and die with courage.