Cups of Courage

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. ⁹ Fear the Lord, you, his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing,” 

Psalm 34:7-9.

Pictured at the left is a favorite Christmas gift I received from a niece (my youngest, Annabelle, a student at Grace College; she also writes a blog What Life Really Is). With that gift, I also received an inspiration, something I think God may have put in my heart. The cup reads, "Strong & Courageous," stating the Bible reference:

Joshua 1:9

“… Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you 

wherever you go.” 

These snippets as shared below are encouragements and challenges, which God, the Lord Jesus, the Christ (Messiah), has shared with me for my walk of faith through these turbulent times, and thus may be to others as well.

First Cup of Courage

Upon rising each morning, I voice a prayer, "Good morning heavenly Father, precious Lord Jesus, sweet Holy Spirit. Here it is yet another first day of the rest of my physical existence. So left here to be a salt spreader and a light bearer of Your eternal truth through these turbulent times. In so being, "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of heart be acceptable in Your sight" (Psalm 19:14). Likewise, the works of my hands, the steps of my feet, the hearing of my ears, and the seeing of my eyes, as I go about my day in sharing Jesus attentive to the Holy Spirit's leading. That’s the real purpose of my physical existence more so than merely going after material wealth and temporal possessions. 

Second Cup of Courage

As we come to the end of another calendar year also comes those resolutions. Whether or not we keep such perhaps depends upon the discipline of the individual. As a Christ-follower, at this time of year, a hymn that was written by Palmer Hartsough always comes afresh to my mind. The first verse of five reads, "I am resolved no longer to linger, Charmed by the world's delight; Things that are higher, things that are nobler—these have allured my sight." From the Bible consider Colossians 3:2, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

Third Cup of Courage

And so, the calendar says it's the end of another year; what follows is not for us to see or know. Time is continuous until God says no more, and then it becomes eternity. Whatever we do now will it merely count for this time alone, or for eternity? As the apostle James puts it, "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.' Otherwise, you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil," James 4:14-16 (NLT). Consider also Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Hence, whatever is done or said, may it be for the glory of God.

Fourth Cup of Courage

It was my defining moment losing my job, the company closing its doors. A time, after a time, when the Lord set me straight: that a job/career should not be something merely to pad a financial portfolio to enable one to take his/her ease and gallivant the lands and seas; surely there's a higher purpose. And that of the Hollywood craves, and sports, movies, and TV, as such were my fantasies.  Instead, let me consider a job as God's provision of support laboring for His Kingdom here on earth. Hence, as the apostle Paul defines it, "I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done," Philippians 3:7, NLT.

Fifth Cup of Courage

Blessed to bless. Having finished my meal at Cracker Barrel, it was time to pay the bill. Having a Cracker Barrel gift card, paying the bill was an easy thing to do. Before doing so, however, in recognizing there would be a balance, I searched the store to see if there was something else I could buy – something more practical – other than food.

Finding nothing other than a Chunky Bar, I took one of those and proceeded to pay my bill.

"You have $8.23 remaining on the card," said the cashier. "Should I write that on your receipt?" she asked as she proceeded to do so.

"No," I said, "use that remaining balance toward the next customer's bill?"

"Are you sure?" the cashier asked.

"Yes," I said, and then added, "Anonymous."

Anonymous, I thought upon exiting the store. Of course, since I hadn't an idea who the next customer would be; and they didn't know me. Nevertheless, I found myself whispering a brief prayer that the person/s whom I believe I would bless with my blessing would come to know Jesus – the greater blessing indeed.

Sixth Cup of Courage

A Bedtime Prayer:

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I know the Lord my soul will keep.

But should I pass before I wake,

I know the Lord my soul will take.

Having trusted in Jesus, I and all who have done so,

Have received His John 3:16 promise: Life is forever.

One's choice now determines the where.

And Jesus is the only reason for living in this time:

This Good News we're to share.

Seventh Cup of Courage

How depressing and distasteful it can be wading through the murky, stagnant sea of this corrupt, dark world, which has been deteriorating, as recorded in the Bible, since Genesis chapter three.  But having recognized the real world – the forever one – the wading can be done with joy and gladness, knowing Jesus, the Christ (Messiah); He has gone before us and yet walking with us, guiding and protecting us all the way. Hence, realizing His presence, we also recognize a higher more purposeful ambition and call. That of sharing the Good News of Jesus, under the direction of the Almighty Three-in-One, to rescue people from the deterioration that is to come, that they may live their life anew in God's Kingdom of everlasting light, peace, and harmony.

Eighth Cup of Courage

Leviticus 25:8-13 gives instructions for the year of jubilee the Israelites were to observe.

The Life Application Study Bible notes, “The Year of Jubilee was meant to be celebrated every 50 years. It included canceling all debts, freeing all slaves, and returning to its original owners all land that had been sold. There is no indication in the Bible that the Year of Jubilee was ever carried out. If Israel had followed this practice faithfully, they would have been a society without permanent poverty.”

The Jesus-centered Bible notes, “Through the Year of Jubilee, God asks his people to risk their lives to trust him. Jesus does the same thing by asking his followers to trust him with the basics of life because they know he loves them (Matthew 6:25-34).”