Home of the Brave

‍Today I went for a walk around my neighborhood to think and pray.  I try to get in thirty minutes a day walking and praying.  I can focus better on my prayers when I walk and pray out loud.  As I was walking and praying, asking Yahweh for wisdom, I passed a house.  I have passed it many times before.  I take it that the resident of the house is a former service person because out front they not only have an American flag but also, they have two yard flags, one honoring those who served and one for the Marine Corps.  Today I noticed they had added another yard flag.  This red, white, and blue flag had the words, Home of the Brave.  America is a people who are unafraid to stand up for their freedoms.  Our freedoms are important to us.

As I continued to walk and pray, I found myself thinking about that phrase, Home of the Brave.  You know for a born-again believer heaven Is the Home of the Brave.  God’s Word constantly tells His followers to stand up, stand firm, and be bold, act like men.  We have been given all of Jesus’ authority and the responsibility of the ministry of reconciliation.  We have been given the Holy Spirit with all the wisdom and power of our Heavenly Father.  We are equipped and admonished to be fearless in the presence of evil and darkness.  We do not do this in our own strength and understanding.  We can only do it through faith, prayer, and the working of the Holy Spirit.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 6:10

I am reminded of the early church of Jesus in the book of Acts.  They were persecuted, beaten and imprisoned.  Yet they boldly prayed for steadfastness to continue in the work which Jesus had left them to accomplish.  They were motivated by their love for Jesus and commitment to Him.  Read about it in Acts chapter 4.

“To carry out all that Your hand and Your will and purpose had predestined (predetermined) should occur.  And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly, while You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs and wonders through the authority and by the power of the name of Your holy Child and Servant Jesus.   And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage.”Acts 4:28-31[The Amplified New Testament]

Jesus has provided everything we need to resist and overcome the darkness which surrounds us.  Let us not fail to utilize the resources He has given to us.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Let us abide boldly in the presence of Jesus, filled with His grace as we fearlessly face daily opportunities, empowered with His love.

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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Because Jesus loves us,

Bro. Hugh Folds

Matthew 6:33