Online Devotions: Live Boldly In Christ

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Live Boldly In Christ

May 7 (Isaiah 50:7-8)

But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. (ESV)

It is foolish to court trouble, but it is also cowardly and, dare I say it, unchristian to flee from it in fear. You follow the Lord. You have acknowledged before God and men that Jesus is your savior. The Holy Spirit dwells within you. That is a powerful biography, and it is yours. So what does it mean?

For one thing, it means God is your helper and you will not be disgraced. You can set your face like flint and be bold. In fact, you can say to your troubles and fears, your obstacles and difficulties, “Bring it on!” It means that you can face anything…anything…in complete confidence that you have the strength you need and it is not your own, but that of the Lord your God.

There are advantages in this life to following Jesus, you know. The Christian life is not just about what happens in eternity. Oh, you may be persecuted for it and suffer more mightily than those who revel in their sin, but unlike them, you have genuine power and a true reason for boldness. So get out there and live like the son or daughter of the living God that you actually are!

Lord, I have lived too timidly. Worse yet, I have sometimes confused timidity with humility and gentleness and mistakenly believed it was what You wanted. Forgive me. Help me to go forth boldly, contend with all that opposes me, and do all in the strength of Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 2017 by Steven R. Perkins

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History of Online Devotions

In January of 1999, I began the Online Devotions with the teens of the church we were attending. Each week they would receive a verse of Scripture, a short reflection, and a prayer. Over the years others subscribed to this email list, and soon the Online Devotions were going out to people across the country and beyond.

In 2007 I published in book format a collection called Desert Days: Forty Devotions for Men.

After suggestions from several readers, I launched in 2010 the Online Devotions blog. Devotions are still available each week by email, and if you would like to subscribe, please indicate so in the comment box.

As I have always said, if one of these devotions touches you, you can be sure it was from God. If one leaves you flat, then there was too much of me in it.