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speak courage into people

NOTE: I will post the notes from other speakers from www.innovatechurch.us conference later this week.

Francis Chan is one of my favorite speakers in all the world.  Yesterday was the 2nd time that I have heard him in person, and one of the statements that he made won't get out of my mind and is really close to my heart already.  He said something like this:

Speak encouragement into people's lives but also speak courage into their lives.

That is big.  A big deal as well.  For lots of years I have known that one of my callings in life is to encourage people.  There are many, many people who encourage me, yet there are few people speak and inspire courage in my life.  Courage means simply living with purpose and boldness.  The Bible is full of people who lives with courage.  Are there many people around you who live with courage?  Or are there more people who live discourages and rarely speak out or step out in courage.

The way that our God is going to be seen is when people get bold and live with courage.  That may be in living differently or in confessing sin or in trying something big.  Lots of things are courageous but few people really live with courage.  I have a desire to inspire courage in people's lives.  I want to live with courage.

Here are some God thoughts on this idea of living and speaking courage:

2 Timothy 1:7 (nlt) --- For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (nlt) --- So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Joshua 1:7 (nlt) --- Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.

Psalm 27:14 (nlt) --- Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 2:12 (nlt) --- We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.

Here is my final thought on the deal of speaking courage.  I believe there are far to many people (including me) who live sacred Christian lives, seeking to please God and we call that living by faith.  Does that make sense?  It is time to leave our fear behind and live with courage and all the time speak courage into people.  Speak about God.  Tell stories of faith and courage.  Inspire people to know that we serve a big, good and able God looking for people who will live what He says.

Speak courage into people around you.  Make that choice.  Make a difference.  And see what God will do next!

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