Courage - Standing Tall - Trusting GodSample

My wife and I were missionaries on support from friends at one time. There was one day left in the month. We had imminent unpaid basic bills. That evening, we knelt by the bed and asked the Lord to help. We felt helpless and questioned our position as missionaries. No one knew of our crisis. The phone rang as we prayed. An acquaintance wanted to know how to give us, - wait for it - $1000. 40 years ago, that was a lot. We wept in joy and gratitude.

• God compares us to sparrows that He cares for in Matthew 10-29-31 Does this story remind you of a past test? Or are you this very hour desperate for His provision in some way? Take courage. "you are more valuable than many sparrows."
• Do you worry? Ha! Me too. But, it's been so fruitless, I'm finally beginning to catch on. Having written down my worries, a quick re-read reveals few worries actually amounted to anything! Well, worrying about public speaking or a job interview can be partially overcome. The old Boy Scout slogan "Be Prepared". But worrying about a confrontation, or having to speak in a small group, or meeting someone for the first time. These kinds have a wonderful fix-all promise from God to make you courageous. Mark 13:11 (image above)"say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit." So, don't worry beforehand. Cool? Cool!
• In 1964, a friend and I hitch-hiked from San Bernardino, CA to the World's Fair in NY (without a penny in our pockets (Mark 6:7,8-12) to share Christ and have fun. We were gone for 35 days. We needed courage when it was dark in Iowa and no cars were coming and many other times. We often "took courage" as commanded in John 16:33. Remember, courage doesn't just happen. It's a choice. You choose. The alternative isn't pleasant. Thanks for joining us in this reading plan!

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