In a darkening world, it is good to remember that we follow a Savior who came to suffer to do God's will. We must face this world with courage. WE CAN with God's help when we are filled with His thoughts and His Spirit.
5. WE ARE…
The only ones who can get humanity
to heaven
Being prepared to be The Bride
of Christ in heaven…forever
To rule and reign in heaven with
Jesus ( 2Tim. 2:12)
Joint-heirs with Jesus ( Rom. 8:17)
To judge angels in heaven (1 Cor. 6:3)
6. BECAUSE OF WHO WE ARE
American culture increasingly hates
us (Matt. 10:22)
“The amount of anti-Christian
hate on Twitter the same day
Christians were massacred is
stunning and chilling” D. French
Liberal, pro-LGBT, pro-choice,
atheistic America sees us as the
enemy.
Note: Many people hated Jesus, too!
7. CALLEDTO SUFFER
“Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus
will suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have
overcome the world.” ( John 16:33)
“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one
who stands firm to the end will be saved.” ( Matt.10:22)
Christians go through the Great Tribulation—but we win!
8. COURAGE
Christian courage is the
willingness to say and do
the right thing regardless
of the earthly cost
The cost may be physical,
emotional, relational, legal or
financial—-or all of the above.
Courage is highly valued in the
Bible and seen many faithful
people.
9. COURAGE INTHE WORLD
Courage is indispensable for
both spreading and
preserving the truth of
Christ.
Jesus promised that spreading the
gospel would meet resistance:
"Then they will deliver you to
tribulation, and will kill you, and you
will be hated by all nations because
of My name" (Matthew 24:9).
10. COURAGE INTHE CHURCH
And Paul warned that, even in the
church, faithfulness to the truth
would be challlenged:
"I know that after my departure
savage wolves will come in among
you, not sparing the flock; and
from among your own selves men
will arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away the
disciples after them" (Acts
20:29-30)
11. DAILY COURAGETO
Tell your boss you won’t lie on the business report
Take the initiative to be reconciled with your spouse
Tell an abusive relative you forgive them
Get angry and speak up when you see others abused or attacked
Respond gently to a false accusation or verbal attack
Share the Gospel at work, pray for the sick, cast out a demon!
12. POWER OF GOSPEL SHARING
The seventy-two returned with joy
and said,“Lord, even the demons
submit to us inYour name.” So He
said to them,“I saw Satan fall
like lightning from heaven.
See, I have given you authority to
tread on snakes and scorpions, and
over all the power of the
enemy. ( Luke 10:18-19)
No wonder the devil—the god of
this world hates us.
Darn Witnessing Christians!!
13. THE PROBLEM
The Gospel must be shared to be of any use to others
Most Christians are “closet Christians”—-afraid to share their
faith
Silencing Christians is part of the devil’s SOP
The Gospel must be preached and demonstrated in power for
the Kingdom of God come to earth ( Lord’s Prayer)
“Fear & discouragement rob us of our real identity and our
current and future destiny.” ( Jason Chin)
14. SILENT CHRISTIANS
Enabled Hitler to persecute Jews
Enabled church-going farmers to abuse slaves
Enabled sexual predators in Hollywood, Congress, the military and the
business community to humiliate and emotionally scar thousands of innocent
girls and women
Enable the sale of pornography on cable TV and in stores
Allow Freemasonry to go unchallenged among Christians
Are silenced by fear and intimidation!
18. HOWTO GET COURAGE
Live close to God:“…the righteous are bold as a lion" (Prov. 28:1) .
Put your hope in God: "Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you
who hope in the LORD" (Psalm 31:24).
Be Filled with the Spirit: “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began
to speak the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31).
From prayer: "On the day I called,You answered me;You made me bold with
strength in my soul" (Psalm 138:3).
From example of others: "Most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because
of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without
fear" (Philippians 1:14).
19. GOD’STHOUGHTS
“And do not be conformed
to this world, but be
transformed by the
renewing of your
mind…” ( Romans 12: 2)
20. ABIDING —>RENEWING
Train yourself to talk to God and think His thoughts as often as you
can each day! ( 3 TIMES A DAY MINIMUM)
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ( (Phil. 4:8)
“"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you
wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against
you.” ( PS. 119:11)
21. WE ARE… WHAT WETHINK
The frequency and intensity of our thought patterns
determine the direction and outcome of our lives.
Biblical thoughts produce biblical results
Thoughts that contradict the Bible are THIEVES AND
LIARS!
Dwelling on anger, fear and discouragement is like
leaving the front door open at night. You WILL be robbed
and others will lose what you could have given them.
22. POWERFUL BIBLICALTHOUGHTS
I am God’s hand-picked child whom He loves passionately.
I am not condemned in any way by God (Rom.8:1)
God enjoys my company. I enjoy His Presence. (Ps. 16:11)
God is always with me and for me! I am always safe. (Matt. 28)
My Father longs to be gracious to me..” ( Is. 30:18)
Everyone I meet needs me desperately to share and demonstrate
His love, power and salvation for them.
25. HOWTOTRAINYOUR MIND
Carry 3x5 cards with scriptures that tell you who you are.
Memorize them! Sing them! Write on bathroom mirror.
Carry 3x5 cards with key prophetic words you have received
Record the above and make into a soaking music to play on your
phone/tablet
Take these “Gos-pills” at least three times a day to ward
off anger, fear and discouragement.
26. LOVE DISPLACES FEAR
Cannot focus on love and fear at the same time
Fear is self-focused. Love is God & other focused
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…”
(1 John 4:18)
27. CHOOSING LOVETO KILL FEAR
Soak in the Father’s love for you as His child
Worship and thank Him profusely
Ask God how He sees & loves that person you need
to engage
Allow God to fill your heart with His love for that person
Focus on God loving them through you with no concern
for “success”—just love well!
28. PRAY TO BE FILLED
WITH HIS LOVE
His perfect love will defeat
the fear and
discouragement the devil
uses to rob us of the
amazing, abundant life God
has for us.