Article by Sarah Freymuth
Staff Writer | November 1, 2022
When we are strengthened in the Lord’s Spirit, God gives us an outpouring of boldness to help fulfill our purpose. We can face the things that make us tremble, like telling a teammate about Jesus or standing up for what we believe on social media despite the backlash.
What truly matters? What others think of us, or what God thinks?
He is always for us and knows what makes us nervous. But, He’s promised never to leave us alone. God equips us to face our fears with His strength and comforting presence. There is nothing the Lord brings us to that He will not be with us in. He is our refuge and strong tower, our firm foundation and an ever-present help in times of trouble. We can take these truths into our seemingly impossible situations and breathe boldness into them.
With God, we can be bold.
“Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness.” -2 Corinthians 3:12
When we know that we know that we know, nothing can come between our faith and our Creator. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, it’s only the beginning of a vibrant, ever-growing relationship that shapes us into His image. The more we get into His Word and let it nourish our mind and spirit, the more we can fall back on the verses we need in the moments we need them. As we spend time with God in prayer, listening to Him and presenting our needs, the closer we get to His heart. The more we serve the world as the hands and feet of Jesus, the more hope we offer people who desperately crave it.
“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” -Acts 4:13
It’s a rough world. Temptations abound, cultural norms stand opposite to what God says, and we are constantly distracted by the temporal things that clamor for our attention: status, influence and power. As the world spins seemingly out of control, we can stand firm, fixed on God’s unchanging truth. We can be a voice of truth and love, boldly proclaiming the better way in Christ. Our teammates, neighbors and friends need someone to stand up for what’s right, and the more we’re infused with the eternal ways of God, the more confident we can proclaim what truly matters.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” -2 Timothy 1:7
Jesus placed a high value on relationship. He took great care in conversing with those who society saw as outcasts, and He was drawn to those who knew their need for saving. We have the incredible opportunity to follow in His footsteps and strengthen our relationships with those God put in our sphere of influence. Strengthening our faith includes discipleship, which is walking alongside a teammate or peer and pointing them to Jesus in every area of life. We grow together; it’s God’s design. When we can sharpen one another in faith and remind each other of our identity in Christ, we encourage each other to live boldly for the Kingdom.
“I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.” -2 Corinthians 7:4
As we walk with God, we will be shaped into the image of His Son. Our eternity is sealed; we have great confidence that God has us in His hands and we will one day be with Him forever. Until then, we can live out this truth with boldness and courage.
We are God’s beloved. We have His Spirit within us. We have boldness and strength.
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9
God is with you, wherever you go. Go out for Him today, into a world that is waiting to be transformed. He will give you what you need. You are loved, you are valued, you are bold.
Question: Where have you become fearful? How can you bring God into those fears and live in boldness with Him?
Challenge: Go through
The FOUR with a teammate and show them their need for Jesus today.
We want you to grow deeper in your faith and be confident to guide others as you seek to make disciples. Check out the E3 Discipleship Training to get tangible steps for making disciples and learn how to bring others on the journey.