HOW BOLD IS YOUR HEART?

Post date: Feb 13, 2018 2:31:04 AM

“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes. How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this; you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. What a sick heart you have, says the Sovereign Lord to do such things as these, acting like a shameless prostitute.” Matthew 12:33-37; Ezekiel 16:30. I know you are bold and strong in your own ways but boldness is not a measure of the things we see; it is not always having a strong heart or being fearless, but it is having the courage to stand up where and when others are sitting down, to remain when others are leaving the scene; it is having the courage to speak nothing else but the absolute truth where and when others have decided to adopt silence as the golden rule and damn all the consequences thereafter; it is having the courage to say no when others are saying yes to that which is morally wrong, destructive and unacceptable before the Almighty; it is having the courage to stand up for the one true God in the name of Jesus Christ publicly knowing you will definitely pay a price thereafter. That was how true and bold and strong Stephen was in his heart before he displayed the courage to stand up openly.

In all circumstances, courage is not the absence of any form of fear but the determination to trust only on God beyond the obvious in that particular circumstance and to stand with Him always till you see the confirmation of His words, open the doors, and grant you victory and success for your trust, patience and true determination in that situation. Do not be deceived, even the strongest, bravest, wisest and most knowledgeable amongst us have some fear lurking around them and had been proven weak in heart. While fear causes one to discontinue, to keep back, to stop or outrightly reject the offer, a bold heart will accept the challenge while trusting only God and not his or her muscles, knowledge, friends, or connections for the result. Apostle Paul, with all his life accomplishments, excellence, extraordinary grace and ability had feared; but he was bold in the heart to still continue in ministry, He said on one of his mission trips: “When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.” 1 Corinthians 7:5-6. God will give you this boldness.

The disciples of Jesus Christ also had feared after Christ was crucified and buried; driven by fear of starvation and idleness, they unanimously followed Peter to source food for their next meal and Christ visited them on the spot after providing the meal: “Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? Yes, Lord, Peter replied, you know I love you. Then feed my lambs, Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: Simon son of John, do you love me? Yes, Lord, Peter said, you know I love you. Then take care of my sheep, Jesus said. A third time he asked him, Simon son of John, do you love me? Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you. Jesus said, then feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17. These same disciples acting in fear locked themselves up in the upper room until the Holy Ghost came upon them that faithful day to instill boldness in them and to open doors for the ministry despite their fears and the impending opposition. We are told that only fools say in their hearts, there is no God, such thoughts breed corrupt actions, wickedness, oppression, rejection of what is morally right and rise to continuous evil. These are people who say they are strong and bold in heart, wise, and exposed, but before God, they are fools and very fearful. The bold in heart will seek God, acknowledge Him and follow Him courageously. For prayers, Click here