Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24 (CSB)
2. Train
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.
1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV)
3. Preach
Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27 (CSB)
“…Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 (CSB)
1. Courageous People Experience God’s Power
The men of Israel retreated in the place they had gathered for battle, but Eleazar stood his ground and attacked the Philistines until his hand was tired and stuck to his sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops came back to him, but only to plunder the dead. After him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had assembled in formation where there was a field full of lentils. The troops fled from the Philistines, but Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.
2 Samuel 23:9-12 (CSB)
2. Courageous People Do A Lot With A Little
These are the names of David’s warriors: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the officers. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men that he killed at one time.
2 Samuel 23:8 (CSB)
3. Courageous People Encourage Others
At that time David was in the stronghold, and a Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David was extremely thirsty and said, “If only someone would bring me water to drink from the well at the city gate of Bethlehem!” So three of the warriors broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem. They brought it back to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord. David said, “Lord, I would never do such a thing! Is this not the blood of men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three warriors.
2 Samuel 23:13-17 (CSB)
4. Courageous People Glorify God
They brought it back to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord. David said, “Lord, I would never do such a thing! Is this not the blood of men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three warriors.
2 Samuel 23:16-17 (CSB)
5. Courageous People Seize God-Given Opportunities
Benaiah son of Jehoiada…went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. He also killed an Egyptian, an impressive man. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went down to him with a club, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear.
2 Samuel 23:20-21 (CSB)
What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives. Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:1-8 (NLT)
1. I Live Under Attack
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Romans 8:31 (NLT)
2. I Live Under Attack But God Is With Me
The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.
Exodus 14:14 (NLT)
Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! We escaped like a bird from a hunterâ€s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!В В Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:6-8 (NLT)
I remember this as I pour out my heart: how I walked with many, leading the festive procession to the house of God, with joyful and thankful shouts.5 Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:4-5 (CSB)
2. Look Beyond
I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs praying to God who gives me life.
Psalm 42:7-8 (NLT)
My God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you—even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.
Psalm 42:6 (LB)
3. Look Forward
But, O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!
Psalm 42:11 (LB)
4. Look Up
For you are God, my only place of refuge. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I mourn at the oppression of my enemies?3 Oh, send out your light and your truth—let them lead me. Let them lead me to your Temple on your holy mountain, Zion.
Psalm 43:2-3 (CSB)
Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 43:5 (CSB)
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you. Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me…”
Isaiah 49:15-16 (CSB)
4 Reasons why 2019 will be your best year ever…
You have…
1. Fantastic Favor
“…Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me…”
Isaiah 49:16 (CSB)
2. Compelling Connection
“…Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me…”
Isaiah 49:16 (CSB)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:28 (CSB)
3. Constant Concern
“…Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me…”
Isaiah 49:16 (CSB)
Also, the hand of God was in Judah to give them one heart to carry out the command of the king and his officials by the word of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 30:12 (CSB)
s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!В В Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.