More Courage

You have less resources with you.
You have more required of you.

2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines.

3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
- 1 Samuel 17:2-3

4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.

5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels

6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back.

7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.
- 1 Samuel 17:4-7

10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.”

11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
- 1 Samuel 17:10-11

16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.
- 1 Samuel 17:16

24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
- 1 Samuel 17:24

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Hebrews 12:1-2

Courage isn’t suppressing your fear. Courage is elevating your joy.

8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;

9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;

10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.

12 We are not withholding our affection from you
- 2 Cor 6:8-12

The evidence of real courage is not self-confidence, it’s self-sacrifice.

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Mixer

What is the number one thing on your bucket list?

Discuss/Reflect

In this week’s episode of As Normal As Weird Can Be, Pastor Jared & Mike Foster talked about the importance of self-care.

1.     How are YOU doing? Take a minute to check in with your thoughts, your heart, and your body.

2.     What is one self-care practice you did today?

3.     What is one way you can implement self-care every day? Share with your group, when and where you will begin these self-care habits.

Sermon Questions

1.     Many of us have felt the pressure of this ‘season of scarcity’ in the last two months.  This new series challenges us to find abundance in a time of scarcity.  What can you do to live this out in your own life?

2.     Just like David, you might feel like all you’ve got in your toolbelt are three smooth stones.  How can we best use our limited resources; not be hindered, and step up with perseverance (Hebrews 12:1-3) during this uncertain time?

3.     Instead of putting on a brave face, or ignoring our fears, we need to look to Jesus as the source of our joy.  What practical ways can you make sure you are focusing on Jesus to find joy in your current circumstances?

Go Deeper

There have been several seasons in my life when I felt like I was literally walking through a thicket of thorny bushes.  At the time, I did not know why, and I certainly did not fully understand where God was. There have also been moments when I cried out to God (with fist in the air) asking Him where He was.

The Bible is full of stories that show us that God’s perspective is so much greater than our own. In Genesis 21, we learn about a broken man and his seemingly infertile wife, who He blesses with a son, and then promises as many descendants as stars in the sky.  (Remember, Sarah didn’t raise her fist, but she did laugh).   In John 4, He invites a disgraced adulterer to be the one to witness to her fellow villagers that she has just met the Messiah by a well.  

The bottom line is God sees the bigger picture, even when we cannot.  In Hebrews 12:2 we are reminded to “Fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”  I’ve gone through pain I still don’t have answers to, but I have also gone through pain and thanked God for the outcome. God knows where we are going, and we only see where we have come from. Take your eyes off your circumstances and instead focus on the picture God has drawn for you through Christ.

(Jaden Duncan)

Suggestions to Serve

Good Neighbor Drop-N-Drive | The Church at RB | Thursday 10AM-2PM

Prayer

Popcorn pray as a group.

Reminder

If you or someone you know is struggling, our counseling ministry is taking new appointments via zoom to help navigate these unusually challenging days.

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