Thursday, August 04, 2005

A CHECKLIST FOR COURAGE

Good day dear friends:

We continue to study courage as a mark of Christ's disciple.

Here is our study guide for today:

Thursday: Let us read Hebrews 13:1-6. What do you read there that speaks to your heart and to your needs? What more can God share with you to have you become the person God wants?

Here is that text in The Message format:

Hebrews 13:1 Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. 2 Be ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! 3 Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. 4 Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex. 5 Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," 6 we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?

This particular version of the Bible is written in the form of a novel. You can read this passage in other versions and I would recommend that, to compare what the original language intended. Today's passage is presented in a way that explains clearly what a disciple should be willing to do:

1. Use love to stay on good terms with each others.

2. Be ready to give the hungry and the needy a helping hand. The author even says some of us "have extended hospitality to angels without knowing it."

3. Treat prisoners as if you had been one.

4. Treat victims of abuse as if you also had suffered abuse.

5. Honor marriage in a sacred way; keeping your vows.

6. Be thankful for the material goods you have; don't kill yourself wanting more.

7. Live your life in a courageous way knowing "God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," 6 we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?

Examine your life. Which of the above seven needs our attention? What does our life need to be the disciple Christ intends?

PRAYER: Thank you loving God for being always with me. Thank you for the passage from today that speaks of what I should be doing for You and Yours. Give me courage to live my life in a way that makes a positive difference in the world today. I pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

e.v.