--Courage --

'Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.'

--John Wayne

'Courage! I have shown it for years; think you I shall lose it at the moment when my sufferings are to end?

--Marie Antoinette
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'Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die.'

--G. K. Chesterton

--COURAGE ~

"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour." (John 12:27)

--Jesus Christ -

'The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.'

--Oswald Chambers

'Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.'

--Augustine

'The meekman is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather, he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is, in the sight of God, more important than angels.'

--A. W. Tozer

-Courage/ Salvation ~~

Andrew Meekens, an elder in the International Evangelical Church of Addis Ababa, was one of those who died on November 23, 1996, when a hijacked jet ran out of fuel and crashed near the Comoros Islands.

According to survivors of the crash, after the pilot announced he would attempt an emergency landing, Meekens stood up and spoke, calming passengers on the Ethiopian Airlines flight. Meekens then presented the gospel of Jesus Christ, and invited people to respond.

A surviving flight attendant said that about twenty people accepted salvation, including a flight attendant who did not survive the crash.

We preach as dying people to dying people.

--Beacon (1/97)
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"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

---The Foundation of Courage~~

-"I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
--Hebrews 8:12 NIV

~~"Therefore, there is no no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1 NIV).

-"God justifies those who have faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:26 NIV).
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-For those in Christ, these promises are not only a source of joy. They are also the foundations of true courage. You are guaranteed that your sins will be filtered through, hidden in, and screened out by the sacrifice of Jesus. When God looks at you, he doesn't see you; he sees the One who surrounds you. That means that failure is not a concern for you. Your victory is secure. How could you not be courageous?

--The Applause of Heaven/Max Lucado

--A Godly Response to Criticism
---Proverbs 15:31-33 / Humility~

-"The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.
He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom.
And before honor is humility." ~~

No one likes criticism, but encountering some is inevitable, so we need to learn how to respond in a godly way. Although you might be tempted to become defensive or angry, remain calm and listen. The words may hurt, but great benefits come to those who carefully consider what is said.

If we refuse to accept reproof, we'll limit our potential for Christlike character development and spiritual growth. Some of life's best lessons come through difficult experiences. If God allowed the situation, you can be sure that He wants to use it in transforming you into His Son's image. Whether the criticism is valid or not, whether it's delivered with kindness or harshness, your goal should always be to respond in a way that glorifies the Lord. Remember that you are responsible only for how you handle yourself, not for how the other person is acting.

When a criticism comes your way, be quiet and listen until the other person has finished. Make direct eye contact to show attentiveness and respect.. When your critic finishes, thank him for bringing his concerns to your attention, and tell him that you will consider what he's said. Ask the Lord if the accusation is valid. Let Him search your heart and either affirm your innocence or convict you.

Every rebuke is an opportunity from God. It's a chance to let your Christian character shine by showing love to your critic. If he is angrily attacking you, your respect and kindness become a powerful testimony. Criticism is also an occasion to humble yourself and accept the Lord's correction.~~
--IN TOUCH~