Did you start out bold for Christ, but sometimes find yourself discouraged, overwhelmed by society's demands?  Sometimes we fail to see in the natural the unfolding of earthly situations in relationship to what God is doing in the spiritual realm.


If we want to hear God's voice, we have to be close enough to hear Him.  We can't be afraid of what people might think of us if they know we're identified with Him.  


Are you a risk-taker for Christ?  Or are you sitting on the sidelines, hoping someone else will do it.


Fear is best described by this acronym:  False Evidence Appearing Real.


Many times what we fear doesn't even happen.  We're wasting our energy, time and sanity on useless negative thoughts.


Be courageous for Christ.  After all, He hung on the cross for you.


2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

God is clear in His instructions to us.  We are to be set apart from the world, but this doesn't mean that we just hibernate in a cave, away from everyone.  In fact, God commands us to go into the world and make disciples in His name.  We are to seek out those who are lost and tell them about Jesus.


To be set apart means that God has His hand on us for a specific purpose.  Even though we may not be a preacher or in the ministry, our ministry is in the day to day living.  We are set apart for His purpose.  He will build character in us so that when it's time for us to 'go on the frontlines' we will be ready.


Don't get drug down by the evil in this world. Set yourself apart and listen to what God is calling you to do.  It could be as simple as walking across the street and inviting your neighbor over for dinner!


Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

This is what God is doing for us right now.  Fighting our battles.  Moving unseen obstacles.  Those who are Christians, who are living for God, this is the hope we have each day.


There are probably things going on in your life right now that you're not even aware of.  There are dangers ahead that God is stepping in and fighting for you.  There are obstacles that God is working to remove, right now, to get you to the destination ahead.


Little faith is not a permanent label.  Even if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing is impossible for you.

Think about it.  If we  have little faith, then little glory is seen through us.


He's fighting for us right now, don't discount this.  Whatever obstacles are in your way, He knows how to move.


Mark 11:23 - "Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him."

Suffering and pain are real.  People that are affected by tragedies are real people; they have real pain, and real tears.


Tragedy originated as sin.  When?  In the garden of Eden, and it is still present today.  None of us are exempt from the tribulations and natural disasters that come upon the world.


You'll hear some say that out of tragedy comes hope, something purposeful.  But, like me, if it's you that are going through the tragedy, it's hard to find purpose, even hope.


A friend of mine was recently murdered and it's hard for me to find the answers to all this. It's easy to be angry and ask why.   She was a Christian and a good person, but somehow this happened.  There is so much evil in this world.  Jesus warns us that in the end times, it will get worse.  


But, as a Christian I can remember my sister in Christ, who is now in Heaven and have hope that I will see her again.


The biggest challenge will be for her family and friends that will miss seeing her here on earth.


God is always near; don't ever forget that.  He can heal the broken hearted, the abandoned, the lost.  


Psalm 34:18 - "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

The definition of intentional is deliberate, calculated, conscious, intended, etc.  


Most of us intentional in our every day lives, but to what?  Are you intentional on your daily tasks?  Are you intentional with your family?  What about God?  Are you living with a premeditated purpose in loving and obeying Jesus?

When you're basing your life on anything other than living intentionally for God, you cannot live life to the fullness.  God created us to be in fellowship with Him.  When we do not have that relationship with God and are not living the way that He wants us to live, our lives are out of sync with reality.  Our desire should be to please God by doing what He wants us to do.

Be intentional today.  It should be every Christian's desire to live actively and intentionally for Jesus.  Be the best representative of Jesus that you can be.  He is worthy to be worshiped.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Encouragement is necessary to our walk of faith.  Without encouragement, hardships become meaningless.  Life can be difficult at times.  People all around us are fighting depression and discouragement daily.  It is sometimes impossible to recognize that there is meaning in things that seem next to impossible to grasp.  Without encouragement, we feel unloved.


Encourage each other; remind each other that God loves us and will never leave us.  


Encouragement is like oxygen in the life of a church.  It keeps hearts beating and hands inspired to serve.


This life is but a glimpse of the life to come if you are a Christian.  We have so much to be thankful for, so encourage those around you today!


1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

There are hundreds of Christians being persecuted around the world, this very minute, for proclaiming that they know Jesus.  Could we do that?  If someone pointed a gun to your head and asked if you believed in Jesus, what would you do?


That is a little extreme for our country, but others around the world are going through this every day.


Be ready, every day, to stand up for Jesus.  He hung on the cross for you, died for you, and rose on the third day, all for you.  What are you willing to sacrifice for Christ?  It may not be to lose our lives, but it could be to stand up and tell your neighbor, co-worker, someone on the bus or plane, about Jesus, and what' He's done for you.


Don't be ashamed of our God!


Luke 9:26 - "For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of Him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the father and of the holy angels."

We've all been there....times when God doesn't meet our expectations.  What do you do?  Do you challenge God and think to yourself (well, I could find a faster resolution, or I'll just figure it out on my own)?  Or, do you trust Him?  Truly, trust Him?


God's Will won't always make sense to us.  Sometimes we even wonder if He's listening to our cries.  Be encouraged, friends.  We may not understand why now, but someday we will.


Let go and let God take over.  Trust Him, don't challenge Him.


Psalm 27:5 - "For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock."