COURAGE

Wordly Definition:  
The ability to do something that frightens one.  Strength in the face of pain or grief.

Biblical Definition:  
The Bible teaches that we are to take courage from the fact that He never leaves us or forsakes us.  ... Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  With God, you can face your fear.  
You are not alone.


ENCOURAGE

Wordly Definition:
give support, confidence, or hope to (someone)

Biblical Definition:
to strengthen or stimulate

Simple Definition:
to fill someone with courage

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In/With My Daily ...
Faith
"Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!"
[ Psalm 27:14 ]

Be excellent and dedicated in representing the truth as well as good over evil, just like your favorite super hero!  Read/Learn/Absorb more knowledge about developing courage in your faith and especially your character (follow Jesus' lead).  Pray for courage to represent who Jesus stands for.  Pray for strength in defending Jesus Christ and being an ambassador of Him -
the One who defeated the grave!

Family
"Everyone helped his neighbor, And said to his brother, "Be of good courage!" 
[ Isaiah 41:6 ]

The word encourage means to fill someone with courage.  To open them up and pour it into their heart.  What type of people do you have around you?  Cynical and pessimistic people will drain you of your courage, but confident and faith-filled people will encourage you.  Support the children in your life and neighborhood with love and encouragement - they may need to experience a little Jesus in their life today (yes, through you!).

Friends
"And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns.  When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage."
[  Acts 28:15 ]

Have you ever planned something that you believe in (like a party or a bible study?) and you hope people show up?  And when they do, don't you feel encouraged?  We need to support one another for good causes (like a charity walk, or event, a birthday, etc. ), especially with our walk with Jesus.

Finances
"Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged Moses concerning Israel.  Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed."
[ 1 Chronicles 22:13 ]

Finances can be a daunting, negative topic.  Even so, it is important and there is hope!  Be courageous and set up a budget for yourself, stick to it and see where you end up in 6 months!  In a year!  Work hard at being dedicated to simplifying your life/finances:  tithe, pay off debt, and save - it is then that you will experience financial peace.

Food
"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
[ Joshua 1:9 ]

With God, you can face your fear.  If you are trying to make good, healthy food decisions throughout the day, but find yourself falling into the pits of tempations of routine or certain key failure times of the day, change up your routine/menu to involve healthier foods and yummy new recipes.  

Fitness
"What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?"  
Do you know that God is for you?
[ Romans 8:31 ]

Our human nature can take comfort in daily routine (both good and bad routines).  There are so many hours in a day.  I encourage you:  Replace these pits of temptations throughout your day with encouraging times of excercise, new workout groups and the Word of God.  Do not be discouraged, but be encouraged by His Power in your life.  Invite God into your decision-making.  It is up to you to make your choices!  Do not let your bad routines define you!  Change them!  Focus on living a clean and healthy life.  Saying "no" to a temptation, is saying "yes" to a healthier and successful you!

Fun
"What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?"  
Do you know that God is for you?
[ Romans 8:31 ]

If we watch too many movies or social media of celebrities who show us that "fun" is partying, drinking, drugs and unfulling sex, then I encourage you to change your channels!  Replace these choices (get rid of them!  I promise you:  if you replace your bad choices with a good documentary or a fun workout, healthy cooking class, Pickleball group after work or bible study group, you WILL overcome your old temptations and forget about them!  Believe it!  It's up to you to change your social calendar.  I encourage you:  fill your calendar with healthy, happy, and fun things to do!  
Be thankful for these groups and
give your glory to God, for He is for you!
You are never alone!

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References
1) Life Applications Study Bible
2) "5 Powerful Principles About Courage In the Bible" - ViralBeliever.com, -- Contagious Faith Delivered Daily
3) Written by Christie Lynch

The  Chronology of  Christ's Crucifixion  & Resurrection
Thursday
Jesus and the twelve disciples come into Jerusalem from Bethany, to partake of the Passover Meal

Passover is observed on the 14th of Nisan every year (Leviticus 23.5). Jesus and His disciples partook of the Passover in the early evening of the previous day. (Days are calculated from sunset-to-sunset, not midnight-to-midnight.)

Jesus ate an early-evening Passover meal with His disciples.
After the meal, the walks with His disciples towards the Mt. of Olives. 
Jesus was betrayed by Judas at the olive grove in Gethsemane, arrested and brought before the high priest, Caiaphas. 

Friday
Trial ends at daybreak.
In the morning, Jesus was brought before Pilate the governor.
Jesus was crucified and dies around 3PM
Jesus' body was placed in the tomb at twilight
Annual Sabbath begins at sunset.

Insert Verse above and Read the Chapter
"For when  Jesus was on the cross, I was on your mind." 
​
Saturday 
This was the first annual Sabbath or high-day - the first day of Unleavened Bread.
Tomb is guarded and secured .

Sunday 
With the annual Sabbath now over, the women bought and prepared spices
for anointing Jesus' body..... stay tuned...! 

Prayer, Dear Jesus, Easter is not just a story. History.  It's your story.  You are real.  You are the Son of God. You are God.  Keep filling me with your gift of faith and finding trust in my design to know you and be saved!! Save from what?  Saved from myself!
 I am God's masterpiece on Earth, to take over Jesus' mission after this crucifixion. 
Use me and let me Glorify YOU! 
Amen.

"40-Days of Excellence" Journal
CHALLENGE
We invite you on a quest to dig deeper and learn about the meaning of the death and resurrection of Friend Jesus.  Over the next 40 days (of this Lenten season), join us in this Journal Challenge.  You may want to "give something up" (we recommend noise in your life:  social media, limited news time, etc.).  Instead of focusing on what you can't have, let's focus on what we CAN HAVE walking with Jesus through the prophets and disciples through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Here is What To Do
1) Start by scheduling quiet time into your schedule every day for 40 days.
2)  Get a Journal and entitle it:  "40 Days of Excellence"
3) Get your Bible out (or use the YouVersion Bible app) and write out the questions and scripture mentioned in the our blogs, (you can go back and review the blog posts)
4)  Around Day 30, journal what the characteristics of BEcoming an EXCELLENT Christian can look like in your life.

We promise you, this will be one of the most enriching studies you can do.
BE dedicated, set boundaries, and you will discover
EXCELLENCE in ​Jesus, Others and Yourself. = JOY!!

Please Note:  If you are joining us well into the 40 Day Challenge, like God, we will meet you where you are at!  
​No stress.  No worries.  We're just happy you are coming along for the journey. 
xo Christie and Sandi

BE Excellent In Him
Why is today GOOD?
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that might die to sin and live to (His) righteousness.   By his wounds you have been healed."  1 Peter 2:24 

Wow. I deviate from John's story today because of the clarity and truth of this verse from Peter, one of Jesus' disciples.  Peter actually lived through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus,  his friend, his teacher, his mentor, his King.  

During these final days for Jesus on Earth, just like us but for the first time, Peter witnessed in entirety why Jesus came to the Earth.  

WHY is today GOOD?  Because a little more than 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ took our sins to the cross, where HE died and shed his blood for our sins, was buried for our sins and on the third day God raised him to life. If we trust Him by faith and repent our sins, God will forgive us, heal our hearts, and give us a new life with him for eternity. - Franklin Graham

THAT's why it is GOOD!  Praise God! 

Q: If we trust Him by Faith and repent, HE takes away our sins.  Do you?  Have you? Don't worry about your pride in admitting guilt about things you have done and left undone.  Jesus is our advocate and takes ALL of your burdens to the cross today and EVERY day.

Q: Have you watched the Passion of the Christ?  Do it.

Prayer:  Dearest Jesus.  You died for my sins today.  WANTING to die for ME. May I never forget the true meaning of Easter.  "For when He was on the cross, I was on His mind."  Amen
​
"40-Days of Excellence" Journal
CHALLENGE
We invite you on a quest to dig deeper and learn about the meaning of the death and resurrection of Friend Jesus.  Over the next 40 days (of this Lenten season), join us in this Journal Challenge.  You may want to "give something up" (we recommend noise in your life:  social media, limited news time, etc.).  Instead of focusing on what you can't have, let's focus on what we CAN HAVE walking with Jesus through the prophets and disciples through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Here is What To Do
1) Start by scheduling quiet time into your schedule every day for 40 days.
2)  Get a Journal and entitle it:  "40 Days of Excellence"
3) Get your Bible out (or use the YouVersion Bible app) and write out the questions and scripture mentioned in the our blogs, (you can go back and review the blog posts)
4)  Around Day 30, journal what the characteristics of BEcoming an EXCELLENT Christian can look like in your life.

We promise you, this will be one of the most enriching studies you can do.
BE dedicated, set boundaries, and you will discover
EXCELLENCE in ​Jesus, Others and Yourself. = JOY!!

Please Note:  If you are joining us well into the 40 Day Challenge, like God, we will meet you where you are at!  
​No stress.  No worries.  We're just happy you are coming along for the journey. 
xo Christie and Sandi
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