Be Strong and Courageous

             This past weekend, I had the privilege of teaching at Louisville Bible College.  It was a small class, ranging in age from early twenties to 85.  Some were working on their first Bible College Degree, one was working on a master’s degree, and one was retired but still wanted to keep learning.  They all had two things in common:  they loved God and they wanted to serve Him.

            As I taught them about some of the legal risks and potential dangers that the Church faces today, we all agreed that regardless of the risk, the Mission must be supreme.  We may mitigate or reduce risks throughout our lives by being “shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matt. 10: 16) but there will always be those times when we must choose to do what we know is best for the Mission, regardless of the consequences.  I think that’s what Peter meant when he said, “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5: 29).

            That doesn’t mean that we put our heads in the sand and ignore the issues around us.  That means that we face them head-on, doing what we can to limit them, but knowing that the Holy Spirit is at our side to guide us through whatever comes. 

            We need men like those that I had the privilege of teaching.  Men who are sold out to Jesus and want to serve Him well. Men who, regardless of their age, are looking for those places where God wants them to not only serve but to lead.  Good leaders are sometimes hard to find.  Joshua 1 tells us what kind of qualities a good leader needs.

            Today’s churches need leaders who are strong and courageous because they know and trust God to lead them and the congregation that they serve.  They must be willing to get out of their comfort zones, just as Joshua did, to think outside the box or go wherever God leads them.  Then, when they hear the calling of the Holy Spirit, they must be obedient.  When God sets a course, He’s got our backs, so we must be willing to follow.  There will be times when any leader may become discouraged, but God is present in both the good and bad times.  He will not forsake us.  Finally, a good leader can rally and unify those around him, just as Joshua did with the Israelites. 

            If these men that I met this weekend are an example of the Church’s future, Christ’s message is in good hands.  They just need to continue to be “strong and courageous” following where God leads.  The same is true for all of us.  God will be with us wherever we go, all we have to do is “trust and obey.”

Joshua 1

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