First Notes: Take Courage

Dear First Baptist Family,

One of my favorite episodes in the life of Jesus happened when His disciples were out on the lake. Jesus had sent them ahead of Him while He stayed behind to pray. The text suggests that the disciples were in trouble, as a storm had come along. The wind and the waves were strongly against them. 

Then they saw Jesus walking on the water to meet them. At first, they thought they were seeing a ghost. 

“Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid’” (Matthew 14:27, NIV). 

The wind and the waves of culture are battering the church right now. There’s lots of fear. We see political violence and lines drawn that contribute to polarization. Many Christians are wondering what it means to be a person of faith in times like this. 

I take courage from Jesus’ call to be courageous. He's still Lord of the storm. 

What kind of courage does He call us to?

The Courage to Forgive

At the Charlie Kirk Memorial service, it was truly an amazing moment when his wife, Erika, forgave the young man who killed her husband. She said that she was following the example of Jesus who forgave from the cross.

Then she said, “The answer to hate is not hate. The answer, we know from the gospel, is love and always love — love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”

It takes courage to forgive, but the courage doesn't come from within. It comes from beyond us in the power of God's spirit. Just as Jesus was able to forgive, we, too, can forgive. When we remember all that God has done for us, it puts everything in perspective. 

Christians in America must be known for our capacity for love and forgiveness, even if that is not mirrored throughout society. 

Is there someone that you need to forgive today? Is there a place in your heart that you have withheld from Jesus because of a grudge you refuse to lay down? 

Ask God to help you be courageous to forgive today.

The Courage to Pray

Jesus calls us not just to love our neighbors, but also to love our enemies. He said that we need to do good to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, and also to pray for those who persecute us. 

I find myself now more than ever praying for our country. I know that God is able as a strong deliverer and healer to call us back to His heart, change our behavior, and keep us together. 

But I don't believe that will happen apart from prayer.

Take some time today to pray for our nation and to pray for those who are different from you. Pray blessings on them. Ask the Lord to draw them close to the Father's heart.

The Courage to Love

Jesus left His disciples a command: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35, NIV). 

He knew that after He was gone, His disciples would struggle to love one another. So He sent the Holy Spirit to come and live with us to teach us how to love. The Bible says that when the Spirit is in residence in our lives, the love of God is broadly poured into our hearts (see Romans 5:5). 

We can't give up on love. God is love, so to give up on love is to give up on God. Our country needs us to be the people that Jesus created us to be.

When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he asked something boldly. “‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water’” (Matthew 14:28, NIV).

He stepped out of the boat, trusting Jesus. Even though he eventually sank, he knew the exhilarating experience of walking on the water with Jesus. 

Church, don't be afraid. Take courage. He is with us. He can help us to forgive, pray, and love. I am praying for you and I love you as well. 

Pastor Brent McDougal