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CURRENT RADIO SERIES The Source of Our Strength   CURRENT TV SERIES Unchained

His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. --Psalm 112:2 One of the great problems in our country is the breakdown of the family. And the chief contributing factor to families breaking down is the absence of fathers as a result of divorce or disengagement. It’s essential that fathers wake up from their complacency and embrace their God-given roles. There’s a spiritual battle raging around us, and our kids and grandkids are targets of the enemy! So it’s your responsibility and mine to faithfully teach children to stand firm in Christ Jesus. We can’t just tell children how to live a life of faith, we have to show them. Let me give you a poignant illustration. A man and his young son were rock climbing and they came to a dangerous part of the trek. The dad paused for just a few moments to consider the path choices before them. And the little boy looked up to his father and said, “Dad, choose the right path because I’m following after you.” You see, your choices don’t just affect you…they impact the lives of all who follow after you! Your children are watching you to learn how to successfully navigate the dangers of this world…and how to be prepared for eternity. There’s no greater responsibility apart from following Christ.   WE CAN’T JUST TELL CHILDREN HOW TO LIVE A LIFE

The Value of Courage

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:7–8

Peter was supremely confident of his commitment to Jesus. Even when the Lord Himself told Peter that before the rooster crowed the next morning he would three times deny Jesus, Peter scoffed. He said that he would be willing to even give his life before he would turn away from Christ. Yet, when the pressure was on after the arrest of Jesus, Peter did exactly what he had vowed never to do and denied even knowing Jesus in an effort to keep from being arrested and put on trial with Him. His courage failed in the moment of testing, and he did not do what he knew he should have done.
Before we condemn Peter too strongly, we must remember that there are times when we too have failed to take a stand. Though there are often multiple reasons for such failure, one of the central issues is whether we allow ourselves to be dominated by our fears or whether we respond in courage, regardless of the cost. In Measure for Measure, William Shakespeare wrote, “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”
Our courage is not grounded on our abilities and gifts, but on the presence of God. We have His unfailing promise to always be with us. With God to fight our battles for us, there is nothing we should fear.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If we are focused on the presence of God, we will find the courage to do right no matter what comes.