Shecaniah is not a household name but it was common in ancient Israel. At least a half dozen people are named Shecaniah in the Old Testament. This unknown Bible leader teaches deep and abiding lessons that every Christian can learn from. You want to know this man. Continue reading Monday Memo – Shecaniah
Tag Archives: courage
A Call for Courage in the Pulpit
Preaching is the finest task a man can do. There is no more demanding work than that of a dedicated spokesman for God. The task is too important to be left to last-minute-find-a-sermon-on-the-internet kind of preachers. The preparation is hard and the presentation exhausting. To be sound, preaching must be done with courage.
Sound gospel preaching demands courage.
The time for men willing to stand and speak plainly is now. It takes little or no courage to preach the trends of today. Few people will complain of preachers who sound more like television variety show hosts or who seem to craft their preaching after a stand-up comic somewhere. However, men who call sin what it is and point out sin in their communities and even in their churches are not terribly popular.
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Paul’s carefully worded, inspired advice to Timothy speaks plainly to us today. Continue reading A Call for Courage in the Pulpit
Fear
I thought I’d take a slightly different direction this morning and talk about a common problem: fear. Actually, I’m going to suggest you visit another site for a great article on dealing with personal fears. This guy is not a preacher and I am not sure where he stands on spiritual matters but I came across his post and thought I suugest you read it. You can find it at Terry Starbucker.com, Ramblings from a Glass Half Full. The article is called, “A Frank Talk With My Friend Fear.“ I hope you enjoy it.
Where the Battle Rages
While preparing for this Sunday’s lesson from the story of David and Goliath, I noticed a verse that had escaped me in the past. Since time will prevent me from discussing this little nugget I thought I would post it here.
“The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.” (1 Samuel 17:3)
When studying a Bible passage it’s useful to ask why a given sentence or verse is in the Bible. Why would the Holy Spirit put it there? I asked that question and struggled with the answer. It didn’t seem to be just a nice, pretty description of the geography. It seemed to cry out for a deeper meaning or purpose.
Perhaps the Spirit is reminding us that the valley is where the battle rages, both for David but also for you and me. To the Philistines and the Israelites the mountains were places of safety. They could assemble in the peaks and crags without fear of assault. But the valley was wide open and full of danger. So long as they remained in the mountains they were safe. But they were also stagnant and unmoving. If they remained ensconced among the rocks they would be safe but they would never gain the victory over their godless enemy.
Only the maligned man of the sheep, David, was brave enough to venture into battle in the valley. When he did, empowered by God, he was victorious!
The real battles in our lives are fought in the valley. As long as we remain hidden and quiet we will never gain the kind of victories for which God has prepared us. It takes a depth of spiritual courage to confront our enemies, our habits, our thoughts and our sins. Yet it is when we face them in the valley that victory is gained.
Where would Israel have been had David not run quickly to face the enemy of God’s people (1 Samuel 17:48)? Where can we be when God’s people today show the same courage in the face of their spiritual enemy.
Rise up! Face your fears and claim the strength of God to defeat those that oppose him and you! Get to the valley now!
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Monday Memo – Joshua
There he stood – in charge – and scared to death. His model and mentor had just died and now he was left to pick up the pieces. He stood on the very edge of greatness and the precipice of failure. Had had been tapped to lead 2 million nomads into a land where they would settle into homes and cities and begin a located life of ease. Their new found homes would be theirs only so long as they were obedient to Jehovah and therein lay the problem. They had never been consistently faithful.
Joshua had followed Moses since he was a young man. We first met him in Exodus 17:9 as valiant military man who fought against Amalek. He is given the credit, at least in part for that victory (Exodus 17:13).
Next, Joshua ascends the mount of God (Sinai) with Moses. There Moses meets with Jehovah and receives the Law (Exodus 24:13).
Joshua was joined to Moses and served him dutifully (Exodus 32:11). He was offended for Moses when some men in the camp prophesied and sought to silence them (Numbers 11:28). And of course it was Joshua, appointed as one of 12 men to spy out the land of promise in Numbers 13:16.
Now, Moses is gone. Aaron and Miriam were gone. The three had been the very visible leadership of Israel. Now, all eyes are on Joshua to complete the 40 year journey from Egyptian bondage to the land of milk and honey.
Joshua was given a simple charge by God: “Be strong and be courageous…” (Joshua 1:6-9). Three times he is told to be be strong and courageous. The task ahead was difficult and a weaker man would fail.
God ensured that Joshua had what he needed for success. The Lord promised Joshua that he would be with him just as he had been with Moses (Joshua 1:5) and would fulfill his promises. The word of the Lord was true. Joshua led the people into Canaan with a mighty hand and settled his people in the promised land. As promised, God was with Joshua every step of the way.
Today, you stand as Joshua did, charged by God to accomplish great things in your own life. You may not lead 2 million people into a new land but you will lead your own family, your own office or business, your own neighborhood. Jesus promised to be with you always (Matthew 28:18-20) and help you accomplish every Godly task.
Therefore, as God said to Joshua, “Be strong and be courageous.” Pause now and ask God to help you through the trials and struggles of this week. He will be with you and you have nothing to fear!