Arise Courageous Christians

The alarm is buzzing and it’s time to wake up! Yes, many of us have been asleep. No, I’m not talking about sleeping in bed. I’m talking about that spiritual alarm going off in your life. Rise and shine, and I really mean it. We need to rise to the occasion and shine like we belong to the Mighty Creator of all that is, who has sanctified us to share His love with the rest of the world.

Matthew 9:37-38 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Don’t Hit That Snooze Button!

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

It’s easy to want to slumber and sometimes rest is necessary for recovery, but complacency can ruin us and take away our blessing. We don’t receive from sitting idly by, but rather by answering the call to live meaningful lives in the service of our Lord. Really though, what good are we if we’re committed to doing nothing? Or what about being completely committed to things that do not bear fruit? I’m not mentioning this to depress or shame you, but rather to encourage you. I don’t want you to squander your blessing. Not only that, but you are needed! You have a purpose, but having one and fulfilling it can be two very different things.

If I handed you a packet of seeds and I offered to pay you a fair wage to plant them, you have been given purpose, but until you sow those seeds into the ground, that purpose can not be fulfilled. However, if you plant those seeds into the soil, the reward is what follows. Now apply this to waking up spiritually. The alarm goes off, and if you roll over and fall back into a slumber, that time is wasted, and the reward that you could have received is passed on to someone else who is willing to answer the call. However, if you fulfill your call, God is going to bless you.

Matthew 24:45-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This is a call to be ready. Not just in our mind, but in our heart and in our actions. Don’t be lulled into a slumber spiritually. There is so much to do, and you are needed!

Better Than Coffee!

So you’ve decided it’s time to wake up. Great! If you’re like many, you need something as a pick-me-up so you’re not drudging around. Things like coffee, tea, or a good breakfast can help get us moving. It’s not just the consumption, but the process of moving around to prepare what we are about to consume. The same is true of spiritual readiness. There are certain motions we need to go through, such a prayer and reading scriptures.

Colossians 4:16 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Prayer is your opportunity to talk to the Master. He is the One who created you, and is the author and finisher of your faith (Heb 12:2). Speaking to Him is a great way to start your spiritual day. Just remember, good communication requires two parties, so be ready to hear from God.

Next, get in some study time with God’s Word. This is our manual for understanding God’s will for us, and arms us for those challenges we often encounter in life.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably worked on projects before and tried to do them without reading the manual, but then it became more difficult than it needed to be since we missed out on some of the fine details. The same is true in our spiritual life. We need to know the fine details to help us perform the various tasks at hand.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Be Courageous In Life

One of the hardest steps to pretty much anything is the first step. It’s taking that leap of faith into something unknown or maybe just uncomfortable. It’s okay though, because God is with you.

Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Every step you take towards your spiritual journey isn’t alone. At the very least, you’re taking that step with Jesus. He’s with you in your heart and He will never leave or forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

That’s quite the bare minimum. We are at the very least equipped by our Lord when we are willing to answer His call. That is amazing! However, I would encourage you to seek out other Christians who can share in your spiritual journey. There is strength when we share together in Christ.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Final Thought

This is it! This is your time to rise up and shine. There’s nothing that can stand in your way that God can’t take down. There’s no obstacle that can trip you up if you tread with Jesus. This is your time to fulfill your purpose in Christ. Not just for yourself, but for others as well. You are needed, and there is a blessing that will follow when you answer the call! Thank you for reading and God bless.