BE BOLD- Daily devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: SOS 4 -6
BE BOLD Saturday, November 27, 2010
MEMORIZE: “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1) READ: John 10:10-15 Besides correct application of God’s Word to situations, another indispensable tool of a shepherd is boldness. David acknowledged God’s presence with him as the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23:4) No leader can achieve without boldness. It takes courage to follow God. It takes courage to obey God. Anyone who lacks courage will be full of fear. If you are afraid, you cannot take any progressive stride. A hireling fears and hides when the sheep is confronted by wolves because he thinks of his safety before anything else. A shepherd on the other hand is bold and resists any wolf even at the detriment of his own life. In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep”. A true shepherd is not afraid of danger. Some pastors or leaders are not available when their members are in distress; but that is when you should be with them to stand with them in faith, and prayer and guide them properly. You cannot allow a strange beast to take advantage of your flock. You must fight all intruders and send them packing. This takes boldness. Your ability to be bold in the face of danger enhances your power base. Some leaders are so chicken- hearted. Every little situation gets them into a panic. 2 Timothy 1:7 says the Spirit God has deposited within you is never afraid but bold. Where is your courage? Do you know that even great leaders suffer from fear? One outstanding leader with a great congregation in Bible times who lacked boldness was Joshua. As near perfect as he was, Joshua was afraid. He was afraid to stand in Moses’ shoes. He was afraid when he realized that he was asked to finish the assignment that his predecessor Moses, with all the anointing to open and shut Heaven could not finish. He was afraid whenever he thought of the sudden promotion he got from servanthood to national leader with millions under him. He was afraid when he remembered he was called to lead a recalcitrant and impossible congregation who were capable of revolting and stoning their leaders to death. Why are you afraid? Do not look at the nature of the assignment. Do not look at the size. Do not look at the fierce looking faces. Do not focus on the situation of lack of resources. Focus on the One who has called you. He will see you through. Ask for the Spirit of boldness to manifest in every area of your life from today. ACTION POINT: Father, thank You for giving me the Spirit of boldness. Help me to express Your courage over every situation confronting me.  N. B Have you registered your support for www.10millionexercisebooks.com project? Join us today to eradicate illiteracy in Nigeria.