Do you have a tendency to worry about things?  Many people use the word “worry” as a descriptive in conversations.  A friend might say, “I’m just worried about such and such…”  Do your thoughts venture toward concerns for things still ahead?  If so, Jesus has an answer for you.

“So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes.  Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing?  Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”  Matthew 6:25, 32-33

A courageous spirit does not spend a lot of time worrying about things that are still ahead; worry robs our energy.  It isn’t a fruitful use of our time; it’s passive and keeps us from accomplishing things that really need our attention.  Besides, worry can make us physically ill and that translate in my practical thinking that if I don’t worry I will probably live longer.  We try to control and take on too much.  God cares about the details of our days.  Oswald Chambers said it this way, “It is not only wrong to worry, it is unbelief; worrying means we do not believe that God can look after the practical details of our lives, and it is never anything but those details that worry us.”  I wonder if the reason we worry is because we have left God and His wisdom out of the picture.  Hmmm…

We need to be good stewards of our resources and plan for the future; plan wisely.  Carelessness in our stewardship can be avoided.  God has placed people all around us with wisdom and resources who can help us prepare for the days ahead.  So, do your part and plan for tomorrow, but don’t worry.  Make a wise choice to have a courageous spirit; choose not to worry and live a full life, today.  Today is a gift from God, so rejoice and be exceedingly glad!

Our level of courage will determine whether or not we “live big.”  Most people say they want to courageously walk through new doors of opportunity and embrace change, but few will ever make the decision to do so.  Change is frightening.  Safety calls to us and tries to keep us from the bigger and deeper life God has prepared for those who love Him.  God rewards our faith-filled lives; a desire for safety tries to stand in the way of our faith.

God has big plans for us; those dreams fill our hearts and thoughts.  It’s all God-breathed and it comes with our Hope–Jesus.  Our faith must be confidently placed in God’s love and character.  We have to apply our faith in courageous ways in order to live out these big plans from God.  Don’t allow fear or the desire for safety to stand in your way.  When you know God is leading you to step out to embrace the new; use your faith and “live big” in Christ.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11  “And it is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6

Billy Graham once said, “Courage is contagious!  When a brave man (woman) takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.”  As we get around other people who are busy listening to God and living for the truth of His love, our backbones grow in strength.  Truth, God’s Spirit, flowing courageously from others is inspiring.  I guess each of us better ask ourselves, “Is my courage contagious?”

If we are not courageously thinking and acting upon our convictions about God’s love and principles, then we may be stifling or even grieving the inspiration of the Spirit. Our spirits were created to be fueled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, our spirits must be producing the Holy fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, thoughtfulness, and self-control…Galatians 5:22) that spills forth and reveals courageous and confident living in God’s love for all.   It takes great courage to release the fruit of the Spirit in this world.  You know what I’m talking about.  It takes great courage to choose to love some folks.  It takes great courage to remain peaceful when all hell is coming against our lives.  Our courage is not based upon our strength; it is based upon the powerful truth of the Spirit. That makes us responsible to get into agreement with the Spirit, doesn’t it?  So, let’s stiffen our backbones and be courageous and contagious in this world.  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”  2 Timothy 1:7 

It takes a courageous spirit to live among the challenges of our days, doesn’t it?  The spirit of the world intends to lead and expects us to obediently follow; demands our worship.  Courageous decisions are in demand if we are going to be Christ followers.  If Christ calls us to take a courageous stand for Him, we need to get ready for war.  Expect it.  The battle with fear is just around the corner and it is a doozy!

People sometimes get the idea that courage is the absence of fear.  On the contrary, courage is making a decision and taking action in spite of fear.  Many times Jesus said, “Fear not.”  That tells me that although fear was present, Christ followers were not to act on that fear.  Instead he or she was to “be” courageous.  Fear comes to stop us; Christ comes to lead us past it.  When we identify that Christ is calling for us to act courageous in the midst of a situation, he is expecting to rise up in us and bring His strength on our behalf.  Oh, and Christ intends to win; he has overcome the world. So, use your faith, cast down the fear, and connect with Jesus.  It’s how we follow and worship the Most High.

“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.”  Deuteronomy 31:6   

Creativity is the activity of our God; Creator of all things.  Therefore, our “inner circle” needs to have creative influencers.  In other words, you need to include highly creative people in your circle.  These folks will bring a wonderful portion of God’s creative Genius–Christ–to your inspired visions and efforts; expanding a good vision to a great reality!

I love surrounding myself with creative people; the sky is the limit with these folks.  Their motto is: pull out the stops and dream BIG in Christ!  Personally, I can be somewhat creative.  That is not good enough when it comes to manifesting a creative vision or project from our God.  Why?  God loves the “family” context; enjoys when His family works together. The Spirit brings inspiration and power as we connect to Christ in one another. Therefore, we need to include creative people in our inner circle who will add and build to our ideas and plans.  If you are not especially creative, don’t worry.  Simply invite creative people to join your efforts.  It is exciting to work together in manifesting the inspired work of God in this world.  The Church–the Creator’s family–ought to be the most creative people around. So connect!

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.  He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.  He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see…everything was created through him and for him.”  1 Colossians 1:15-16 

I have been seeking to encourage you to understand the value and importance of the people within your “inner circle.”  Carefully choose the people you allow to influence you.  Within that circle you need a great mentor.  Christ wants to be your Ultimate Mentor; one on one times with Jesus cannot be replaced.   However, God also brings mentors who will help to bring growth and development to you and your life dream.  Let’s look at an example from the Bible.

Every Christ follower is also required to be a leader or mentor of others; it is how the Good News is spread throughout the world.  Elijah was the mentor of Elisha (1 Kings 19; 2 Kings 2)).  It was God’s plan to spiritually groom Elisha through this strong prophet, Elijah. What types of things did Elisha learn through this connection?  Elisha began to understand his leadership call in life, how to wait patiently for the right leadership timing, and the necessity for surrender to divine Lordship.  It is the way we grow and develop into all God is calling us to be as His people.  A mentor is someone who takes a great interest in you and is willing to share and release things in his/her realm of spiritual influence to allow you to grow in character and develop as a leader. Be careful when choosing your mentor; choose someone who really models the love and grace of God. An immature and self-serving mentor is of little value in your inner circle, because he/she will halt your spiritual progress. 

When Elijah had completed everything God had intended him to do on earth, he said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” Elisha said to Elijah, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.” (2 Kings 2:9)  In the will and purposes of God, Elijah’s spirit rested upon Elisha as he continued living a powerful life in connection with God.

The Holy Spirit gives every believer amazing spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:4).  These gifts are unique and diverse.  I like to think of them as complementary gifts.  You might ask, “Complementary to what, Mary?”

The gifts God places within the people around you are to be complementary in their relationship to you.  As well, your gifts are to be complementary in relationship to others.  God works in different ways; the gifts we each have also work in different ways.  We need to make sure we bring people with diverse gifts into our inner circle.  Warning!  The enemy is very crafty; great as a Liar.  Many times the enemy will stir up your soul by getting you to second guess the intentions and motives of the people around you; to get you to be jealous of the spiritual gifts of others. People who can offer you pros and cons to your thinking are valuable to you.  Celebrate them; avoid feeling threatened.   Don’t buy in to the work of the enemy; he’s divisive and doesn’t want God’s gifts to unite.  Why?  Because there is great power in that place.  So, be excited about the gifts people around you have and find a way to allow them to personally help you to grow and develop.  Your life is about “your” journey.  No one can take or rob you of your value and place in God’s kingdom.

God views us as many pieces of love that should fit together to make one in Christ. The Bible says it this way, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” 1 Cor 12:7 

Agape–the pure and passionate love of God–seeks to heal everyone who pursues our Maker.  This love has been given to those who believe in the human manifestation of Love–Jesus.  Jesus lived the passion and now teaches us how to love.  We, too, must live to release the passion.  It is essential, therefore, that we spend time with passionate people; people who love God, as well as love and value other people.

Frankly, when we say we love and belong to God and we cannot even love the people around us with whom we disagree, we are babies in agape.  We need to learn from people who better understand God’s love.  Let’s look closely at the people around us. If we choose to spend time with some who are more mature in living agape, we will grow and flourish.

“All who love me will do what I say.  My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” John 14:23 

Acquaintances are nice.  Friends are better.  We all need to surround ourselves with people who really care for us and want us to succeed in life.  The people in your “inner circle” need to be chosen carefully.  As we recently discussed, bringing folks in who have experience to share will make your circle powerful. The people who will make your circle solid are those who have a heart for God; people who are built on the Rock.

God desires to be first in our lives; life came from God.  Therefore, when you invite people into your inner circle, make sure he or she is a person who has placed God first in his or her life. They will serve as role models in their relationship with God.  Remember, your inner circle is made up of people who are going to help you become all that you were created to be; they celebrate your potential and are willing to make the journey with you.

So, be very selective with whom you allow to influence your life.  You need people who place God first and uphold His values.  These people will ignite your faith and hold you accountable to the necessary spiritual growth and development.  If you surround yourself with people who have no passion for God; your dream will dwindle.