Bold and Brave (II Timothy 1:7)
 
II Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
 
Albert Ball was born on 14th August 1896 in Nottingham and died on 7th May 1917. In his youth, Ball was considered a gifted child, he tinkered with engines, electrical equipment, and had an extensive knowledge of firearms. Ball served in the U.K. Royal Airforce as Air Commadore of World War I. He joined the army upon the outbreak of the war in August 1914. By October that year, he had been promoted to Second Lieutenant the same month. On October 15th, 1915, he obtained his Royal Aero Club Certificate and requested a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. His request was accepted, and on January 22, 1916, he was awarded his pilot's beret. He quickly established himself as an ace of great daring. Rapidly proving himself a natural fighter pilot; invariably flying French Nieuports, which he constantly tweaked in seek of improved maneuverability. On May 7, 1917, British aircraft from the 56 Squadron, including Albert Ball's, encountered German fighters near Douai in France. Albert Ball's aircraft was spotted flying upside down out of a cloud, crashing near a village. He survived the initial crash but died soon thereafter. Albert Ball was only 20 years old when he was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. His parents collected his Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery, from King George V on July 22, 1917.
 
Psalm 27:14, Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Through all his fears and concerns, David gives a challenge to himself and to us when we tend to float from faith to fear. We are to wait upon the Lord and be of good courage. He will strengthen us when we do this. This word "wait" is an interesting word. It comes from the Hebrew word qavah {kaw-vaw'} which has some interesting meanings. It means "to stretch" as one stretches out a rope. It means "to endure or remain." It also means "to thread" like a spider that threads its web. It means "to look eagerly" or to "hope." When it comes to our patience, we are to stretch it. Our hope is to be in the Lord, and we are to eagerly wait for Him to work in our life, give direction, and care for our needs. A spider shows great patience and care as he remains occupied in spinning his web. We too, are to carefully keep ourselves occupied, as we wait for the Lord to give us direction or as we eagerly await His Second Coming. Waiting is also difficult because we wonder if God hears us and knows our needs. Does God understand the urgency of our circumstances? God knows all about us, but He wants us to learn to wait upon Him. G. Campbell Morgan said, "Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means first of all, 'activity under command.' Secondly, it is readiness for any new command that may come. Thirdly, it is the ability to do nothing until the command is given." Learn to wait on the Lord.
 
Isaiah 41:10, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
 
Fear thou not; for I am with thee. ... The presence of the Lord in our lives offers us comfort. He tells us to not be afraid because He is with us. We are not alone. This is a third principle that helps us to overcome our fears. God is with us! In fact, the name for Jesus, Emmanuel, means "God is with us." That truth is repeated over and again in the Scriptures (Isaiah 43:5; Deuteronomy 20:1; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 23:4; 46:7; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6). Our faith in God's presence in our lives will enable us to cope with fears.  That is the kind of faith that will enable you to conquer your fear. He is with you and He keeps His promises. Thank God for the presence of the Lord in our lives!

• Jonah was not alone in the whale's belly.
• Daniel was not alone in the lions' den.
• Joseph was not alone in the Egyptian prison.
• Jeremiah was not alone at the bottom of the pit.
• David was not alone when he was pursued by King Saul.
• You are not alone if you know the Lord as your Savior.

 
I will strengthen thee ... We are able to conquer the fears that plague us with the strength that God provides for us. He promises to strengthen us for whatever trial that comes our way. That is usually the way the Lord works. He usually does not remove the trial. He gives us grace, courage, and strength to go through the trial, which in turn, helps us to mature. God said, "I will strengthen you." This word "strengthen" is from the Hebrew word 'amats {aw-mats'}. It not only has the idea of being strong, it also means "to be courageous, alert, bold, determined or hardened in heart, to make persistent or stubborn." God is our source of strength. Psalm 138:3, In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Ephesians 3:16, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Ephesians 6:10, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Colossians 1:11, Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
 
I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. We are able to conquer fear in our lives, not only because God strengthens us, but He also helps and holds us when we are unable to overcome our trials and fear. He promises to help us.

• God helped Israel to conquer the city of Jericho.
• God helped Gideon to conquer 135,000 Midianites with only 300 men.
• God helped Daniel to discover and interpret the dream of the king.
• God helped Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to boldly take a stand against idolatry when their lives were at stake and He protected them when they were thrown into the fire.

 
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​Courage in the Book of James (James 1:12; 5:7-8)
 
James B. Hume was born on the 23rd of January 1827 and dies on the 15th of May in 1904. Hume was a miner, trader, and lawman in California after the Gold Rush began, but he left his mark on history as a Wells Fargo Detective who captured stagecoach robbers such as Black Bart. In 1860, He took a job as a deputy tax collector for El Dorado County, California. He began his career as a lawman in 1864 when he was appointed City Marshal of Placerville, California. the same year, he was hired as an undersheriff of El Dorado County. In 1871 Wells Fargo & Company hired him as a detective, and when Black Bart robbed a coach in November 1883, Hume hunted him down and arrested him after months of collecting evidence against him for his crimes in other towns. In 1885, Hume and John N. Thacker published a report called The Robbers Record where they recorded details of 347 robberies on Wells Fargo Stagecoaches and trains between 1870-1884. They provided detailed descriptions of 205 robbers to aid law enforcement. James Hume, the “Legendary Lawman”, became known as, "The Sherlock Holmes of the Wild West" and continued to work for Wells Fargo until his death in 1904.
 
James 1:12, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Can blessing come from temptation? James says, "Yes!" The word "blessed" is from the Greek word makarios which means "happy or blessed." It carries the idea of great inner joy and satisfaction. It is the same word used in the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5 and could be considered an addition to the list of beatitudes. The word "endureth" is from the word hupomeno {hoop-om-en'-o} which means "." The word "temptation" is from the Greek word peirasmos {pi-ras-mos'} which means "a trial." How is a man blessed? He endures temptation. What does this mean? Let's look at the word "endureth" which comes from the Greek word hupomeno {hoop-om-en'-o}. This word means " to remain, to patiently, persevere, to endure with calmness and bravery courageously endure, wait, and remain through a trial or test; to stand your ground or persevere." This person overcomes the temptation through the power of Jesus Christ. He will not quit no matter how hard the load is to bear. He has the same type of attitude as Jonas Salk. Jonas Salk attempted 200 unsuccessful vaccines for polio before he came up with one that worked. Somebody asked him one time, "How did it feel to fail 200 times trying to invent a vaccine for polio?" This was his response: "I never failed 200 times at anything in my life. My family taught me never to use that word. I simply discovered 200 ways how not to make a vaccine for polio." Keep in mind, our victory is in Jesus Christ!
 
James 5:7-8, Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. [8] Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. James says, "Be patient!" This is a command and therefore, our duty. The word "patient" comes from the Greek word makrothumeo {mak-roth-oo-meh'-o. It comes from two Greek words, makros which means "long," and thumos, which means "anger." This word means "to be long-tempered or to be of a long spirit, to not lose heart, to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles, to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others." It describes the attitude of self-restraint that does not try to get even for an offense or when a wrong has been done to them. Makrothumeo refers to patiently enduring difficult people while hupomone, another word for patience or endurance, means to patiently endure trying circumstances. James challenges us to "stablish our hearts." The word "stablish" comes from the Greek word sterizo {stay-rid'-zo} which means "to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix; to strengthen, make firm; to render constant or confirm one's mind." This word has the idea of resoluteness, firm courage, and an attitude of commitment to stay the course no matter how severe the trials. Sterizo comes from a Greek root word which means "to cause to stand or prop up." James was exhorting those about to crumble under the load of persecution to prop up themselves with the hope of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to run away from our problems. The return of the Lord should cause us to stand unmoved by our troubles.
 
Elijah was not afraid to shine the light of God's truth into Ahab's eyes. He was a man of courage and conviction because of his close relationship with God. God gave Elijah great courage to deliver a dreadful message to a ruthless, God-hating king and queen. Israel was plagued with a bad king but blessed with a great prophet. Ahab sinned with defiance and boldness. Elijah reproved with boldness. It was the best of times and the worst of times. Elijah spoke with authority because He spoke the Word of God. Elijah was a man of strength and beauty. His concern demonstrates his compassion for the dead boy and his grieving mother. He strains for a miracle that has never occurred, the raising of a dead person. Elijah believed God could do it. When lightning strikes in the same place twice, it can bring out the worst, but also the best in people. It can bring out their faith, hope, love, and courage.
 
Whatever God puts before us we need not fear but walk forward by faith. God told Joshua to be strong and courageous and do not get sidetracked from doing my will (Joshua 1:6-9). Fear will cripple our effectiveness for God if it is not dealt with. The fear of man brings bondage, and the fear of God brings blessings. What do we do when we feel overcome by fear? We are to take it to the Lord because God always has an answer when we take our fears and concerns to Him. Isaiah 41:10, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, 1 will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. II Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
 
Points to Ponder:
You can be a courageous soldier for the glory of God if you will follow him by faith.
Courage is trembling obedience.
May we obey Him always.
Do what God commands.
 
Questions to Consider:
In what situation do you need to move with courage, trusting the Lord and His Word?
Do you need to take a stand?
Do you need to make restitution to someone you have wronged?
Do you need to decide to obey God's will?
 
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Antidote for Anxiety (Deuteronomy 31:6)
 
Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
 
Captain Robert Hugo Dunlap was born in Abingdon, Illinois, on 19th October 1920 and died on 24th March 2000. He served in the United States Marine Corps. He was a congressional medal honor recipient. He graduated from Monmouth College in May 1942 with a degree in Economics and Business. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on March 5, 1942 while still a student at Monmouth. He was called to active duty in May 1942 and transferred to the Officer Candidates Class at Quantico, Virginia. He underwent parachute training and was assigned to the 3d Parachute Battalion. On February 22, 1945, while leading his squad through heavy small arms and artillery fire in an assault on a strongly defended enemy position, Sergeant Allen and his men became isolated in front of his platoon which received heavy casualties, including the Platoon Leader. Advancing to 1st Lieutenant in April 1943, he took part in the invasions of Vella LaVella and Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. He returned to the United States in March 1944 to join the 5th Marine Division. On October 2, 1944, he was promoted to Captain and became Commanding Officer, Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines. The day after the Iwo Jima landing, Dunlap led his company through a hail of artillery, mortar, rifle and machine gun fire uphill toward a series of steep cliffs and enemy-held caves. When finally the volume of enemy fire became too intense to advance, Captain Dunlap held up his company and crawled alone approximately 200 yards forward of his front lines, while his men watched in fear and admiration. From this position at the base of a cliff, about 50 yards from the Japanese lines, Dunlap spotted the enemy gun positions and returned to his own lines to relay the vital information. He worked without rest for two days and two nights under constant enemy fire, skillfully directing attacks against the almost impregnable enemy positions. On February 26, Dunlap was shot in the left hip and evacuated from Iwo Jima. The Medal of Honor was awarded by President Harry S. Truman to Captain Dunlap in ceremonies at the White House. He retired with the rank of major on December 1, 1946. Major Dunlap passed away on March 24, 2000, and was laid to rest in Warren County Memorial Park in Monmouth, Illinois.
 
Many of us claim to have faith in God, but we are reluctant to act upon that faith in moments of decision. That takes courage. We look to men and women of faith such as David, Daniel, Deborah, Elijah, Esther, and the Apostle Paul and yearn for the boldness which inspired them to do great things for God. They had fears of their own. Their greatness was due to their willingness to trust God to help them do what was right. That’s real courage. Courage lies at the heart of every spiritual champion. You might not have to fight a giant like David, go in a den of lions like Daniel, or risk your life to save a nation like Esther, but you may face a common dilemma like Harry.
 
Always remember, God is with you. You’re going to battle some violent opposition; you might be tempted to retreat. But remember, God is with you. You’ll face overwhelming odds; you’ll be incredibly outnumbered. Fear would be your natural response. But hold onto this promise God is with you. This fight is not going to be over in fourteen minutes or fourteen days; there’s no quick solution. When you think it’s taking too long, remember, God is with you. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
 
I can imagine Moses pleading with the people about God’s care, concern, and comfort for them. “He never left us while we were in the wilderness. He never forsook us but always provided what we needed. Why on earth should you fear now?” Now as then, the worse the days get, the more God is with you. The harder the trial, the closer He moves toward you. Are you feeling crushed? He is rushing toward you to stand by your side and help you. When you’re going through hardship, or when you’re heavyhearted and burdened, God rolls up His sleeves and moves toward you in a way that’s unlike any other time. It doesn’t matter if you can see Him working. His approach may not cause you to feel any different. But it’s the truth--God is right there with you. The harder the days get, the closer He leans in so you can hear His voice. Sometimes it feels like God backs away from you when you hit hard times, but that’s not true. Psalm 34:18, The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Is your heart heavy today? God is with you. He is always with you
 
Points to Ponder:
Courage is not the absence of fear, but boldness in the face of fear.
Anytime you fear, remember God is always near.
 
Questions to Consider.
How have you experienced God’s presence in hard times?
What comfort do you draw from this truth today?
 
Prayer, Father, for all of us who daily need to renew our confidence and faith in You, help us now to lay hold of Your promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us. Help us to speak and live fearlessly because we are aware we are in Your presence. Lord, You are with me. I am never alone. Is there any greater assurance that I should not fear? Your promise stands, spoken over and over again in Your Word and satisfying Your followers throughout thousands of years—You are with me. I commit this truth to my heart right now. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray, amen
 
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You Can Conquer Your Giants (I Samuel 17:36–37)
 
I Samuel 17:36–37, Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
 
Benjamin Vernon Lilly was born sometime in the winter of 1856 and died on 17th December 1936. Lilly was a “big game hunter” who referred to grizzly bears as “varmints”.  Nicknamed “Ol' Lilly”, he was a notorious big game hunter, hounds-man, and mountain man of the American Old West. As a kid, Lilly learned to track and hunt bears and cougars in the Louisiana Wilds. In the early 1900s he killed hundreds of black bears, cougars, and grizzlies in the west and southwest. He was considered to be one of the toughest mountain men of all time. He is credited with killing the last wild grizzly in the vast Gila Wilderness. It is estimated that he killed between 600 to 1000 mountain lions in his lifetime. He was known to fight in hand-to-hand combat with bears and cougars using a self-made bowie knife, nick-named, "The Lilly Knife.” He was quoted as saying: "Anyone can kill a deer, but it takes a man to kill a varmint." Cougars and bears used to be considered varmints.
 
These verses tell us of the classic match up between the Israelites and the Philistines. These two peoples were long-standing enemies who showed up often on the field of combat to do battle. For them, the contest was always about one thing: which people would serve the other. History tells us that battles such as this were often decided by having each side choose their bravest and strongest warrior. These two men would then meet between the opposing forces and fight to the death. When the contest was ended, the side that lost would become the servants to the victor. This seems to be what was happening here in the Valley of Elah,
 
Every soldier was terrified. No one knew how to respond to the challenge presented by Goliath. Defeat seemed inevitable.
David alone believed victory was possible and the giant could be beaten. To Israel’s leaders, and even his family, this made no sense. David was just a boy with no military experience, while Goliath was a huge, battle-tested warrior, even given the title “champion of the Philistines”. Drawing on his own experiences, David knew God had delivered him from lions and bears. To him, facing Goliath was no different than overcoming the ferocious enemies he had already defeated. Armed with this simple faith, David achieved a surprising victory! David could be bold, because he believed in God’s power and trusted the Lord to be with him in every battle (Psalm 23:4). But in order to achieve victory, David also needed to put his faith into action, stepping out to face Goliath on the field of battle.
 
David’s actions teach us that God can use our trials to prepare us for future battles. Each lion and bear David faced was a step in his spiritual journey, strengthening his faith and courage. When we face difficult situations, no matter how daunting, they are opportunities for spiritual growth. They are the training grounds where our faith is stretched and strengthened. David’s victory over Goliath was not a sudden burst of courage but the result of a faith built over time through smaller battles. Our own faith journeys are similar. By facing our lions and bears with trust in God, we prepare ourselves for greater victories ahead.
 
When we look back at the way that God has worked in our lives in the past, it encourages us to trust Him for the present and the future. The Lord never changes, and He is always faithful to keep His promises. Rather than allowing our present circumstances to discourage us, we should look back on His provision and realize that He will never leave us. When everyone in Israel's army was afraid to answer the challenge of Goliath, a shepherd who had brought food for his brothers was happy to take up the task. David had learned to trust God while defending His sheep, and He recognized that his faithful God could handle any challenge, just as He had before.
 
David had a track record with God. David had experienced the power of God in his own life, and he knew that the Lord could turn weakness into power.  While caring for the sheep, David had killed a lion and a bear, and he knew that the Lord could deliver him out of the hand of Goliath. It’s as though he sees Goliath as just another animal attacking God’s flock! David had seen how God was faithful in the past - He knew how God was going to be faithful in the present. David put his faith into practice and faced Goliath. He knew the battle belonged to the Lord and he ran into battle. Every one of us should regularly stop and look back at God's work in our lives. We should both remind ourselves and tell others what He has done. This is one of the key building blocks of a strong faith in Him. The more we think and talk about His provision and help in the past, the more we will trust Him in the future. It is always a mistake to focus on the giant problems rather than the all-powerful God who solves them.
 
Our “lions and bears” may be financial struggles, health issues, broken relationships, or personal failures. When problems seem overwhelming and challenges appear impossible, we can feel there is no way to gain victory. However, everything changes when we start thinking like David, basing our actions on our relationship and experiences with God and having faith that we will triumph in Him. God is looking for people who believe Him and His Word, are willing to act in simple faith, and put their belief into action. He will be with you and help you defeat the giants in your life!
 
Questions to Consider: 
What past victories can you remember to strengthen your faith today?
What are your own “lions and bears?”
How might God use these trials to build your faith?
 
Points to Ponder:
We can trust God to show Himself strong just as much in our day as He did in the past, He has not changed.
If we forget what God has done for us, we will be filled with fear when it comes time to face a giant.
The greater the obstacles in front of us seem to be, the more important it is for us to look back on what God has done for us.
Faith and obedience go hand in hand, like David, trusting God means stepping out boldly, knowing He will bring victory in every battle.
 
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I know you are all-powerful and are more than able to defeat the giants in my life. I know that You are with me in every battle I face. I put my faith and trust in ou for the victory, I Jesus name, Amen. 
 
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Brave Heart (Proverbs 4:23)
 
Proverbs 4:23, Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
 
Wiliam “Bigfoot” Wallace was born on 3rd of April 1817 and died on 7th of January 1899. William Wallace was a Texas Ranger and an American folk hero. William Wallace was said to be a descendant of the Scottish highlanders William Wallace and Robert Bruce. Wallace fought with the Texas Army against the invading Mexican Army near San Antonio in 1842, volunteered for the Somervell and Mier expeditions, and joined the Texas Rangers during the Mexican War. In the 1850s he commanded, as a captain, a ranger company of his own, fighting border bandits. During the Civil War, he helped guard the frontier against The Comanche Indians. The later years of his life were spent in South Texas in the small village named Bigfoot. He liked to sit in a roomy rawhide-bottomed chair in the shade of his shanty and tell the stories of his career.
 
One scene in the movie “Braveheart” where all the clans come together at a place called Stirling to confront the invading English army. The ragtag Scots, which were made up of farmers and old men, are heavily outnumbered with vastly inferior weaponry. Grouped across a long green field is the mighty English heavy calvary and scores of infantries and archers. Many of the clans begin to leave, not wanting to throw their lives away for their Scottish lords. When Scots are about to retreat, William Wallace asks the crowd why they won’t fight, a man says, “Because if we fight, we die.” At which point Wallace says, “Aye, fight and you may die. Run and you’ll live—at least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!”  That scene never ceases to put courage and bravery in the hearts of the viewers Perhaps, it’s because we all want to live for something bigger than ourselves. And nothing is bigger than living for Christ because living for Him is about dying to self, the world, and its material ambitions, for a far better cause. John tells us in I John 2:17, And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
 
God makes it clear to us in His new covenant, the New Testament, that we can now accept His unconditional, perfect love through faith. He has placed His Holy Spirit in each of us who have accepted love. The very fact that Jesus called the Holy Spirit our Helper indicates that we are dependent on Him to provide each of us a Brave Heart, so stay in contact with Him.  
 
Over the years, there have been seasons of difficult, painful valleys. The valley is a difficult place to be. Yet, through the years, I’ve learned that God often speaks the most clearly in the valley. (Or maybe we are most likely to hear Him speak here.) Leadership is challenging and there will be times when the team will not always be compliant. There is a great responsibility placed on the shoulders of leaders. Leaders are stewards of people. No leader ever wants to be categorized as lacking in bravery However, there will be situations in which a leader will feel they lack bravery. One can learn valuable lessons from brave leaders when they are in dire straits. Through the years, I’ve learned and have grown in the Lord.  With the Lord’s grace and strength, He has sustained me in the valleys. There are many ways one can be characterized as a brave leader. Here are a few of those ways.  

1. Choose a direction. Brave leaders are willing to determine the direction their team needs to go. He or she is willing to commit to a vision. Brave leaders do not let their team wander aimlessly.  

2. Make decisions. Brave leaders are not afraid to make a decision. They know that indecision is detrimental to the team.
 
3. Make good on your word. Brave leaders can be trusted. When they say they will do something, they do it. They make good on their word even when doing so is unfavorable to them. Brave leaders can be trusted.  

4. Take the blame. Brave leaders do not point fingers.
 
5. Hold team members, and yourself, accountable. Brave leaders are not afraid to hold their team members accountable. Certainly, the conversation is sometimes uncomfortable. But they break through the discomfort, knowing that accountability is best for everything, including themselves.  

You do not have to wait until you feel courageous to be a brave leader. Bravery is not a feeling. It is the result of action. You can feel frightened and still be a brave leader. Choose a direction. Make decisions. Make good on your word. Take the blame. And hold team members, and yourself, accountable. Be a brave leader.
 
During the valley, there are 1,001 responses pulling our hearts and minds. We could be worried, hopeless, or critical. The only safe response, however, is to walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit, our Comforter, will lead, guide, and comfort us all as we need it. Yield to Him and seek His leadership. The darkest seasons of life are when we most need the grace and leadership of the Lord and the promises of His Word. May we all grow in His grace as well. His grace is sufficient, in the valley and in all other seasons of life.
 
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Our Partner in Prayer (John 14:16–18)
 
John 14:16–18, And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
 
Jesus promises to send us a Helper who will be with us forever. In Romans 8:26, the Holy Spirit seals our relationship with God and counsels us on how to pray. The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter or our Parakletos. It comes from the Greek word parakaleo, a verb which means "to encourage." The Greek word for advocate is parakletos. The word "para" means "along side" and "kaleo" means "to call." John was the only one who used this term in the New Testament. The "parakletos" was the one called alongside to assist, help, defend, or intercede on the behalf of another or to give counsel. The advocate counseled, coached, and championed the cause of another in court. He was a helper, supporter, and a witness giving favorable testimony. The parakletos was also one who lent his presence to his friends. In a military court martial, the officer who defended the accused soldier was called the prisoner's friend. The parakletos was also called in to help in a situation with which a man by himself could not cope alone. The Lord is our friend too. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and helps us to cope with life.
 
Jesus promised that we would not be left alone—that a Comforter, the Holy Spirit—would come and dwell with us forever. This happens at the moment that we are saved. Though we are to surrender to God’s leading so that we can be filled with the Spirit, we do not need a second baptism to get more of Him in our lives. Instead, we need for Him to have more of us. This is vital to every aspect of our lives and walk with God. Sometimes we feel that we should come to God only when we have a need. However, prayer is about intimacy with the Father. If the Lord gave us whatever we wanted as soon as we asked Him, we would not be able to understand the preciousness of our relationship. Perhaps we would fail to learn the importance of developing patience and dependence on God. When we have been praying for a long time about something and don’t feel as if our words are going anywhere, that is not the time to quit. A better approach is to pray through those situations so we understand what the Lord is teaching us through our circumstances. God listens and hears our requests, and His Spirit is our constant companion—even when we cannot “feel” His presence or involvement in our lives. Instead of ceasing to pray, we must call on the Holy Spirit to help us persevere.
 
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. He is the source of truth and communicates truth to His own. He helps us to understand the truths of God's Word. He never leads us to contradict God's Word. When people claim that the Spirit led them to do something that contradicts God's Word, they are in error and possibly deceived. God is not the author of confusion and will not lead us to contradict the clear teachings of His Word. The world does not know the Holy Spirit, see Him, or receive Him. Radio or television waves go unnoticed without a radio or television because we are not tuned into them. The lost are not naturally in tune with the Holy Spirit. They have no spiritual life and walk in darkness. The Spirit of God is speaking to men, but they don't listen. When they start paying attention, God can work in their lives. Jesus promised that He would not leave us "comfortless." This word comes from the Greek word orphanos which means "orphans or without a father." It was used of disciples or students without the presence of a teacher. Jesus promised to not leave us desolate or alone. We are not to be left hopeless, helpless, or abandoned. Because of the Holy Spirit, we are given the ability to do great things for God.
 
When Jesus used the word truth to describe the Holy Spirit, it was the equivalent of saying, “You don’t need to worry that He will lead you astray or that He will lead you wrongly. You can depend upon Him and you can trust Him.”  Many believers have a hard time following the leading of the Holy Spirit because they can’t see Him or physically hear His voice, but the Holy Spirit will always guide you to where you need to be. He is the Spirit of Truth! You can be sure that when the Holy Spirit nudges your heart to do something, it is the right thing to do. When He puts a thought into your mind, it is a right idea. When He guides your spirit, He knows something you don’t and is trying to lead you on the best possible path through the obstacles in your life. He is always the Spirit of Truth, and as the Spirit of Truth, you can rely on the fact He will never mislead you.
 
POINTS TO PONDER:
When answers are slow in coming, ask the Holy Spirit to help you persevere in prayer.
As you yield to the Holy Spirit who dwells in your heart, you will find power to do what God calls you to do.
 
PRAYER: Father, I praise You that I can at anytime, anywhere, and under any circumstance come to You in prayer. My desire is to keep walking continually with You, so that my prayer may be the natural expression of my life with You. In Jesus name, AMEN.
 
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Courage, Convictions, and Confidence in the Lord (Daniel 3:16–18)
 
Daniel 3:16–18, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
 
Samuel Colt was an American inventor, industrialist, revolutionary gun maker, and businessman who founded Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company and began the mass production of commercially viable revolvers. Colt was born on the 19th of July 1814 and died on 10th of January 1862. In his early days, Colt's ambitious inventions were met with failure, including a pistol and underwater mines that didn't work and nearly crippled him financially. However, in 1836 his business would rapidly improve. Colt's new 5-shooter "revolving gun" was granted its first patent on February 25, 1836 (later numbered 9430x). Later on the gun was re-patented with the number 1304, dated August 29, 1836, and protected the basic principles of his revolving breech-loading, folding trigger firearm named the Colt Paterson. Years later, in 1847, after several remodels and innovations the Colt Revolver caught the eye of Captain Samuel Walker of the Texas Rangers. Walker had acquired some of the first Colt revolvers produced during the Seminole War and saw first-hand their effective use as 15-man unit defeated a larger force of 70 Commanches in Texas. Walker wanted to order Colts for use by the Rangers in the Mexican-American War, so he traveled to New York City in search of Colt. He met Colt in a gunsmith's shop on January 4, 1847 and ordered 1,000 revolvers, but on certain terms. Walker wanted the new revolvers to hold 6 shots instead of 5, have enough power to kill either a human or a horse with a single shot, and be quicker to reload. Colt obliged his requests and invented the first 6-shooter ever.
 
There is help for those who may be enduring some trials in these days. We live in a world that is becoming increasingly unfriendly toward God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, Christianity and the born-again believer. Let’s look back in time to ancient Babylon, to a kingdom that was also unfriendly toward God and His ways. We will look in on three young men with backbones of steel, who would not bend, bow, budge, or burn. I want to watch them as they endure their furnace of affliction.
 
One of the greatest victories in British military history was Admiral Horatio Nelson’s triumph at the Battle of Trafalgar. Before the battle began, Nelson dressed in his full regalia with all of his medals and decorations showing. When some of his aides suggested that Nelson remove or at least cover his medals to avoid becoming a target, the gallant admiral refused. “I won these distinctions in the face of the enemy,” Nelson replied, “and I shall wear them in the face of the enemy.”
 
When the British ships were in position, Nelson had signal flags hoisted on the HMS Victory that read “England expects that every man will do his duty” and the conflict began. Nelson was struck by a bullet during the fighting and died shortly after the battle, but his courage inspired his men, and they triumphed over the enemy. The outnumbered British fleet sank or captured twenty-two French and Spanish ships without losing a single one of their own, and British naval superiority was established.
 
Courage is contagious. While we should be willing to do what is right even if we must do it alone, it is far easier to stand with others in the battle. Our courage is not just for our own sakes—it also helps others do what they should. We need to be firmly committed to our principles, and be willing to stand for them regardless of the consequences.
 
Our help comes from the Lord who made Heaven and earth. Recognize your source of strength and help is in our Lord. This is important because people tend to look to other things for strength only to find it is not there. Your help and strength are not found in your proficiencies, popularity, plans, possessions, people, or power. That which is going to meet your needs is found in the Lord, for He knows your need and knows how to meet it. We are weak. We struggle with fatigue and sleep. We struggle with failure and stumble. When it comes to our Lord, it is a different matter. He does not struggle, He does not stumble, and He does not sleep. You can rest in the fact that a sovereign Saviour watches over you.
 
When we go through the fire with Jesus, He will be honored and we will grow as a result (I Peter 4:14). In that fire, we will see Him in a new way. He will be more precious and we will be more determined than ever to be different from the world around us and to take our stand for Him despite the consequences we may face. There are times when we are faced with the fire! Sometimes, if we were honest, we would have to admit that we backed down instead of facing the flame. Maybe that describes you! If so, you can come to the Lord today and get forgiveness for that things and take your stand with Him.
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I know strength and help comes from You. Thank You for giving me courage under fire when serving You gets hard. Help me to continue to stand for You in life’s fiery trials. In Jesus name, Amen.
 
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This morning’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study. You can view this study in its entirety by sending an email to [email protected] and requesting this Bible Study.   
 
Our Standing Before God (Ephesians 1:4-7)
 
Ephesians 1:4-7, According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
 
Understanding the riches we have in Christ. The hidden riches of Christ are available to you and me, but to find them, we have to open the letter of Ephesians. It is here, in this letter, that we find the description of the riches we have in Jesus Christ. Christ's death on the cross appeased the requirements of His Father, in that it abolished sin once and for all. We cannot fully fathom all that Christ has done for us but Scripture teaches that through His death, we’ve been redeemed, forgiven, justified, and reconciled.
 
We are redeemed! In redemption, the sinner stands before God as a slave to sin who has been given his freedom. Romans 6:22, But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Now that we are no longer enslaved to sin, we can serve God thereby producing fruit unto holiness. Who we serve determines the fruit we bear. Whatever we do in life results in fruit. If we sin, there will be the resulting fruit of sin. If we live for and serve the Lord, there will be a resulting fruit.
 
We are forgiven! In forgiveness, the sinner stands before God as a debtor whose debt has been paid in full and forgotten. Ephesians 1:7, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; The price of salvation is extremely high. price includes the blood of Jesus Christ. No wonder Peter calls it the "precious blood of Christ" (I Peter 1:19). This opens the door of salvation to everyone. Some think they are too great a sinner to be saved. But no one is too great a sinner for the grace of God. God's grace can save any sinner. "The riches of his grace" are so great that God can through His grace redeem any sinner who comes to Him for salvation.
 
We are justified! In justification, the sinner stands before God as condemned sinner who has been declared righteous. Romans 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Salvation is through Jesus Christ. This is great news for the believer. Salvation removes forever the Divine condemnation upon the saved one for their sin. When a person trusts Christ as Savior, the condemnation is forever removed immediately.
 
We are reconciled! In reconciliation, the sinner stands before God as an enemy who has become God’s friend. II Corinthians 5:18, And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; Reconciliation is a work of God through Jesus Christ. Reconciliation involves the whole work of the Gospel. It all revolves around Christ. Leave Him out and you will not have any reconciliation.
 
An old Navajo Indian who became rich when oil was found on his property. He took all the money and put it in a bank. His banker became familiar with the habits of this old gentleman. Every so often, the Navajo would show up at the bank and say to the banker, “Grass all gone, sheep all sick, water holes all dry.” Without a word, the banker would take the old Navajo into the vault, show him several bags of silver dollars, and say, “All this is yours.” The old man would spend about an hour stacking up the dollars and counting them. Then he’d return the bags to their places, come out of the vault, and say, “Grass all green, sheep all well, water holes all full.” It is amazing the change that comes over us when we simply review our resources and count our blessings. That is where true encouragement is found—in an honest accounting of the Father’s limitless resources and blessings, made available to us in Christ.
 
Are you enjoying your inheritance? Every morning, when the sunlight opens our eyes, our first thought should be, “I’m a child of the Father! I’ve been chosen by Him to be a member of His family! His peace, His joy, and His love are my legacy, my inheritance—and I can draw upon His riches every moment of every day, no matter what my circumstances may be.” We do not have to live a life of defeat in sin. We can live a victorious Christian life, a holy life, blameless, having a good testimony.
 
Prayer, Father, thank You for always seeing in me what others may never me and for giving me the strength and desire to serve You. Help me to utilize these truths for the purpose of ministering to others. Please show me how I can actively and passionately engage in the ministry opportunities You have sovereignly placed around me. Give me eyes to recognize these opportunities, a heart dependent on You, and a desire to come alongside people in my life to help them to grow into a deeper relationship with You.
 
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Shut the Door…Keep Out the Devil (Ephesians 4:27)
 
Ephesians 4:27, Neither give place to the devil.
 
There is a story told of a Haitian man who sold his home during a of financial crisis. Because he desperately needed the money, he was willing to let his house go at an incredibly low price with only one stipulation: he was to maintain ownership of one single, solitary nail on the wall in the living room. The fellow who purchased the home agreed to these terms and signed the contract. Months later the poor Haitian man recovered from his financial collapse and tried to move back into his home. The new owner refused to negotiate with the former tenant. The Haitian fellow proceeded to “occupy” his one nail by placing a dead dog on it. The contract legally confirmed his right to do so. The odor and stench was so bad that the new homeowner sold the property back to the man at a lesser price than he originally paid. 
 
Today I want to talk to you about doing all you can to keep every door shut to the enemy, so he is unable to find easy access into your life. Paul told the church at Ephesus to “Neither give place to the devil.” When we leave just one area of our life, just one nail, under the ownership of Satan, we are subject to the vile and wicked contaminants of the world. Giving him “place” always comes at a price. What may seem like a good deal initially will end up costing us much more than we are willing to pay. Sell out to the Lord and give Him all of your life. 
 
Sinful anger shows up first in a sharp tongue. But as someone has said, "The quickest way to cut your own throat is with a sharp tongue." Even righteous indignation can sour and become sinful, so we should prioritize our lives by getting over our anger by the end of the day, preventing the sun going down upon your wrath. If we don't control our anger, we will give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). This means we will give the Devil opportunity to lead us into sin. Prolonged anger leads to the sins of resentment, bitterness, and hatred. Any unchecked anger gives Satan a place in our lives.
 
The fire of anger, if not quenched by loving forgiveness, will spread and defile and destroy the work of God. According to Jesus, anger is the first step toward murder (Matthew 5:21-26), because anger gives the devil a foothold in our lives, and Satan is a thief and a murderer (John 8:44). Satan hates God and God's people, and when he finds a believer with the sparks of anger in his heart, he fans those sparks, adds fuel to the fire, and does a great deal of damage to God's people and God's church. Both lying and anger "give peace to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27).
 
The word place carries the idea of "opportunity." When we fail to put off the old and put on the new we give Satan an opportunity to gain ground in our life. We can be certain that he will take advantage of every opportunity that we give him. I have learned that the enemy is always looking for ways to sabotage anything that is of significance to the overall plan of God. This is not a suggestion; it is a command. If you’ve ever come under spiritual assault and found the devil in the middle of your affairs, you know that it’s much easier to stop the enemy at the doorway than to try to find a way to extract him once he has found an access point to worm his way into an area of your life. If the door is closed, you’re already in good condition. If it’s locked because you are living a life of holiness and obedience, you are even in better condition. But if you are living loosely, you need to know that the door is not only unlocked; it is likely standing wide open, literally inviting the enemy to come in and wreak havoc in your life! Unrighteous anger opens the door of your life so that the enemy can come in and wreak havoc! Satan is a hideous enemy who seeks to destroy and devour you (I Peter 5:8). If there were a lion loose in your neighborhood, I’m sure you’d lock all your doors at night! Sinful anger leaves your door wide open against the lion roaring for souls! If you don’t want a lion loose inside your house, you’ve got to deal with your anger Scripturally!
 
It is possible to be both good and mad, but we must deal with it promptly, carefully, and biblically, so that the enemy does not gain a foothold in our lives. Satan does not like people. He hates us with a strong hatred. His sole interest is to deceive us, degrade us, distress us, and then destroy us. Born again believers are no longer Satan’s suckers; we are his deadly enemies. He fears as well as hates us. He keeps up the pressure of his opposition. But we must not give in. Paul said, "Neither give place to the devil." It is not that the devil is afraid of us personally. Rather, he is desperately afraid of the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Satan never knows when we will enter into all that is available to us; when we will become filled with the Spirit and triumphantly wage battle in his realm. Paul expected that we will live triumphant lives. We are not to give place, ground, or opportunity to the devil.
 
If your walk is to match your talk, then don't give Satan ground in your life. Refuse to give him a foot-hold in your heart. He will build strongholds in areas of our lives if we yield to him and to sin. If you do not conquer anger, then bitterness can become intrenched in your heart. If you surrender your thought life to lust and hate, he will endeavor to corrupt your thoughts continually with the raids of temptation. Satan can make things look attractive and desirable and distort the truth, camouflaging the evil. If you give him room to corrupt your appetites, he will pressure and tempt you to take things into your body that will harm you or hurt your testimony for Christ. Sinful habits that develop in our lives are the result of little daily surrenders we make one at a time. Sinful addictions will turn your heart away from the Lord and you will end up grieving the Holy Spirit.
 
His various names display the fact that he is wicked, wily, powerful, subtle, devious, and cunning. We must know our enemy. Paul has already mentioned "the Devil" in Ephesians (Ephesians 4:27). His Greek title, Diabolos, means "slanderer." He opposes. He accuses. "Satan" in Hebrew means "adversary." The following are other titles:

• "The Devil" (Matthew 4:1; 13:39; 25:41; Revelation 12:9, 20:2)
• Satan is head of the demons and his lieutenants (Ephesians 6:12; Job 1:6; Luke 11:18).
• "The serpent" (Genesis 3:1, 14; II Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9; 20:2)
• "Beelzebul" (Matthew 10:25; 12:24, 27; Luke 11:15)
• "The prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11)
• "The god of this age" (II Corinthians 4:4)
• "The wicked one" (Matthew 13:19; I John 2:13)
• "The dragon" (Revelation 12:9)

 
There are times when anger is called for, but we are to guard against sinning when we become angry. Anger causes us to either react, lash out and hurt others, or else it motivates us to right wrongs and correct injustices. There is right anger or what may be called justified anger. However, a justified anger is always disciplined and controlled; it is always limited to those who do wrong either against God or against others. The distinguishing mark between justified and unjustified anger is that a justified anger is never selfish; it is never shown because of what has happened to oneself. It is an anger that is purposeful. The believer knows that he is angry for a legitimate reason, and he seeks to correct the situation in the most peaceful way possible.
 
Points to Ponder:
The believer is to strip away the garment of anger.
Do not give Satan any advantages by going places and keeping company with those who would encourage yielding to temptation.
 
Questions to Consider:
Can you think of an area of your life that is currently under attack because you have left a door open?
If you can identify such an area, what will you do to close that door?
 
PRAYER: Father, I invite You to enter into my heart and inspect to see if I have left any open doors that would make it easier for him to find entrance into my life and circumstances. Help me live a life of obedience so I can shut every door to deny him access. Please, open up my understanding as You shine the light of Your Word into my life. Help me detect and deal with areas of disobedience that may become open doors the devil uses destroy my life. In Jesus name, Amen!
 
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​Faithful Stewards (I Corinthians 4:1-2)
 
I Corinthians 4:1-2, Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
 
When he was appointed as the pastor a church in Cambridge, England, in 1783 Charles Simeon was delighted. The people of the church did not share his joy. Many of the prominent members of the church opposed his convictions on reaching the lost with the Gospel. To show their displeasure they locked their pew boxes during the service and left them empty so that those who came to hear Simeon preach had to stand or sit in the aisles. Eventually God began to work, and Simeon’s ministry had a powerful influence on the nation of England and the world through his efforts to encourage missionary work. During the dark days of opposition Simeon wrote: “In this state of things I saw no remedy but faith and patience.... It was painful indeed to see the church, with the exception of the aisles, almost forsaken; but I thought that if God would only give a double blessing to the congregation that did attend, there would on the whole be as much good done as if the congregation were doubled and the blessing limited to only half the amount. This comforted me many, many times, when without such a reflection, I should have sunk under my burden.” Opposition does not mean that we are doing things wrong—often it is evidence that we are doing things right. If we allow ourselves to be deterred from doing anything unless we have complete approval, it is certain that we will never accomplish anything of value. Rather than being discouraged by opposition, we should take comfort in God’s faithfulness and keep on doing what is right.
 
It has been said that the best ability is availability. This especially speaks of Christian service. When God looks you over for a place of service the first and foremost qualification is faithfulness. God is not impressed with fame, fortune, and flashiness, but for faithfulness.
 
Our service for the Lord is like one of these two following examples:
1. Fireworks are spectacular and impressive but short-lived. The flashy fireworks really show out for one day and they do not last.
2. A pastor told his young son to wait on a certain corner in town to be picked up. The preacher was quite late, but the boy was still there waiting. The preacher asked his boy, 'How long would you have waited.' The boy answered, 'Until you came for me.' The boy said a mouthful about faithfulness. Let us be faithful until the Lord comes to pick us up.
 
Every pastor would love to have faithful church members. Be faithful in your duties, your offering, and your attendance. It is not fabulous that impresses, but faithfulness.
 
1.  Ministers are ministers of Christ. The word "minister" means an under-rower. It refers to the slaves who sat in the belly of the large ships and pulled at the great oars to carry the boat through the sea. Christ is the Master of the ship and the minister is one of the slaves of Christ. He is only one of many under-rowing servants. Remember also that slaves in the belly of the ship were bound by chains. They were allowed to do nothing but serve the master of the ship. The minister is a bound slave of Christ: he exists only to row for the Master. He does not and cannot serve anyone else.
 
 2.  Ministers are stewards of God. The word "steward' means the overseer of an estate. The steward was always a slave, subject to a master, but he was placed in charge of the other slaves throughout the master's house or estate. He controlled the staff and ran the whole operation for the master. He was set over others, yet he himself was still a slave of the master. His work was not closely supervised; therefore, he had to be trustworthy and responsible. Every minister is to be esteemed highly for his work's sake. He is only a servant of God's, but he is the servant whom God has made steward over His household, over His church and His people. He has been honored by God. He has been made responsible for the great truths of God's Holy Word. The minister does not deal with perishable things such as money and possessions, but with the eternal things of God Himself, the eternal truths that God wants proclaimed to the world.
 
3. Ministers are required to be faithful. This is the one essential for the minister. There is no other requirement of him. The minister is not required to be eloquent, brilliant, intelligent, loaded with ability, or successful. He is required to be faithful. The minister is not required by God to be an administrator, counsellor, visitor, door-greeter, or socializer, although these are important qualities in ministry. The minister is required to be faithful in ministering the mysteries of God. He is held accountable and shall be judged for how well he ministers the mysteries of God. The minister of God must be faithful to his call. Believers are not to judge ministers, thinking and talking about the gifts and abilities of one over another. They are not to think too highly of a minister nor too lowly. They are to count ministers for just what they are the servants of God.
 
God’s Word reminds us that “every one of us shall give account of himself to God Romans 14:12, So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. II Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. This speaks of rewards for faithful service, not to salvation. At this judgment, I Corinthians 13:3, And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. The test of our works is not one of quantity but quality. As stewards of Christ we have been entrusted not only with various material possessions but also with time, talents, opportunities, and all the blessings of His glorious Gospel. Luke 12:42-43, And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Luke 16:12, And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? The greatest reward, of course, will be simply to hear Him say in Matthew 25:21, … Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Revelation 22:12, And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
 
Points to Ponder:
Do not let not being able to do it better keep you from doing what you can.
Our responsibility is to be faithful and obedient to Christ and leave the rest to Him.
This is what will really count when the Lord comes
 
Questions to Consider:
Can our Christian profession be trusted?
Do you do your best when you perform your tasks?
What is the Holy Spirit asking you to be faithful about?
 
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