Author: Clay City COCCC Member

In the parable of the sower, Matthew 13:22, Jesus warns us not to let the world cause us to lose our focus on the Word:

²² He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul tells of his focus on the prize set before him (Philippians 3:14):

¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The Greek word translated mark is skopós – the root of our word “scope.” To bring something off in the distance into clearer focus we often rely on a scope; for example a sighting scope to better view the beautiful creatures of the air.

As we run our race we must stay focused on the cross lest we become bogged down in the thorns of life.

The smallest gesture of kindness can go a long way in spreading God’s message.

An old Chinese proverb goes something like this:

“If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”

In Galatians 6:10 we find the following:

¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Acts of kindness, no matter how small, are expressions of our faith and love for Jesus. If nothing more we can always lend a helping hand in prayer.

In the hustle of  life can we still find time to offer a pleasant word to a stranger? In Mark 1:40-42 we read of Jesus being moved with compassion to heal a leper.

⁴⁰ And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. ⁴¹ And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. ⁴² And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

Although we do not have the power to heal the physical body we can still be moved with compassion to offer pleasant words to those in need of healing. In Proverbs 16:24 we read of the power of pleasant words:

²⁴ Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Let us make every effort today to offer pleasant words to those who cross our path as we hustle through our busy day. Perhaps, some kind soul may do the same for us.

In Joshua 1:6-9  God spoke to Joshua the following words:

⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. ⁸ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. ⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Those words spoken thousands of years ago remain true even today. Joshua, strong and of good courage, lead God’s people across the Jordan River and into the promised land. We, strong and of good courage, are to lead God’s people into the promised land – Matthew 28:18-20:

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

God has set before each of us the world and we are to be strong and of a good courage. A strength and good courage built on our faith in the strength of God.  A strength and good courage built on our faith in the scriptures. A strength and good courage built on the presence of God in our life. However you reach out to the world to evangelize to the lost be strong and of a good courage.