DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT: FORCEFUL PEOPLE #4

It is wonderful what strength of purpose and boldness and energy of will are roused by the assurance that we are doing our duty. -- Sir Walter Scott
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Matt 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

WE MUST HAVE DARING IF WE ARE TO BE FORCEFUL PEOPLE
As we continue in our study of Forceful People, let us remind ourselves of the reason behind our four principles that is essential to being forceful people; Jesus said that from the days of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of Heaven could only be seen in the light of prophecy, but now it is PREACHED and DEMONSTRATED, by people who are pressing into it, with a zeal and eagerness resembling VIOLENCE or DESPERATION, to get rid of SIN and all satanic powers that are trying to destroy God’s people.

The previous principles were DISCIPLINE and DETERMINATION, our third is...

DARING: This is actually boldness, the taking of risks in a spectacular or unconventional way… “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. -- Acts 4:29-31. We need to be DARING, in order to lay hold of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The followers of Jesus needed boldness to witness and speak for Him. The Holy Spirit came upon them and at once they were empowered for ministry. Throughout our Christian lives, we too need to pray for boldness to overcome our fear of embarrassment, criticism or persecution in our communities. God’s grace through continued fillings of the Holy Spirit will help us to win souls for Jesus with boldness.

If we are to lay hold of the Kingdom of Heaven, we too need to begin to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are freely available to us today! Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good -- 1 Cor 12:7 ... implement the gifts of Wisdom, Healing, Miracles, Word of Knowledge, Discernment of Evil spirits, Faith, Prophecy, Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues, as we forcefully advance the Kingdom of Heaven in great daring for the glory of God!

In order to conquer, what we need is to dare, still to dare, and always to dare. -- Georges Danton

Loving Father, help me to be a daring Christian, one that would witness boldly for Jesus, and in His name help me to implement the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are available to me, that I might win souls and forcefully advance the kingdom of heaven. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.