Would you like to have spiritual boldness?

You don’t need an expensive seminar or weekend conference to gain spiritual boldness.

There have been some good books written on developing boldness and confidence but the best advice on the subject. . .was written thousands of years ago.

Developing spiritual boldness is not an outside job. . .but rather. . .an inside work.

Ephesians 3:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).”

Our 24/7 access to our Heavenly Father. . .was made possible by the blood of Jesus on Calvary’s cross.

2 Corinthians 3:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

If you watched any of the Olympic competition. . .perhaps you caught the  track and field events with the 100M and 400M hurdles. 

The runners sprint. . .clearing a number of hurdles. . .before sprinting again to the finish line. 

In other words. . .they face a number of hurdles or obstacles on their way to victory.

Everyday. . .you and I have hurdles. . .obstacles we have to overcome if we want to be successful in life and effective for the Kingdom.

Gail Devers, a three-time Olympic champion and member of the National Track and Filed Hall of Fame, said:

“In my race, there are 10 hurdles, but in life, there is always a hurdle. There is always something you gotta get over, and it's what you do, you know.”

Let’s look at seven hurdles you have to clear to gain the victory in life.

Giving is important to God. . .that’s why it should be important to us.

In fact, God sets giving apart from going to church. . .praying. . .even living a righteous life.

Genesis 8:22 in the King James Version says:

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

As long as the earth exists there will be temperature changes. . .cold and heat which establish the seasons of the year.

God is clearly saying that day and night. . .a separation of time will exist as long as the earth remains.  A time for working and a time for resting.

These are things that are so integral to our daily lives that to doubt their probability would be ridiculous. 

Yet, it is interesting to note that the very first thing listed in Genesis 8:22 is sowing and reaping.

Have you ever had a cell phone, iPad, computer or other electronic toy wear down or out?

When this occurs you can send the electronic gizmo back to the manufacturer where it will be refurbished according to the manufacturer’s specifications . . .making it as good as new. . .at least, according to them.

Sometimes we need to be mentally and spiritually refurbished. . .sending us back to our manufacturer. . .Creator. . .for a makeover. . .do over or get over. . .whichever is more appropriate and needed.

If you have renovated an older house…you know it’s a process of changing those things that need changing.

You replace the old flooring with a new, more updated look and style.

You replace the old electrical wiring with new. . .to eliminate static interference from your electronics and to prevent the cabling from overheating and creating a fire hazard.

You replace the outdated exterior and interior wall colors with new vibrant colors and textures.

You replace the old appliances and furniture with new. . .to reflect changes in time and your taste.

The same parallel is true when we renew our minds.

We've got to take out the old way of thinking and put in the new.  This is how we become successful and victorious in Christ.  We take out the old and bring in the new.

Several years ago I came across the 10 Commandments of Success written by Charles M. Schwab, the steel magnet of the late nineteenth and early 20^th Century who founded Bethlehem Steel.

I taught his ten commandments on a Rich Thoughts For Breakfast teaching I did about three years ago.

As I read over what I had previously written. . .I was given a clear word from the Lord to expand this teaching and share it on SUNDAY NITE LIVE.

What you’re about to read is the 10 Commandments of Success greatly expanded with fresh Holy Spirit revelation.

Based on his lifestyle, I find it ironic that Schwab chose the term “commandments” to describe his success strategies.  His lifestyle was anything but that of a godly man.  Yet, back in that day, doing the godly thing was more the norm in American life than in today’s society.

Schwab was a brilliant businessman.  In 1908, he took a major risk and had Bethlehem Steel begin construction of the H-bean which revolutionized building construction and made possible the age of the skyscraper.

As I read Schwab’s 10 Commandments of Success. . .I was stirred to give them a scriptural foundation and commentary.

In order to be successful as an Olympic athlete. . .you must keep on keeping on.

In other words. . .you must be persistent in your daily routine everything from diet to exercise. . .to a constant vision of seeing yourself crossing the finish line in whatever category that might be … with your hands raised in victory.

Perseverance is in the New Testament 32 times and its most frequently translated as:

“patience; endurance; patient waiting”

The term literally means “remaining under” or standing firm despite opposition.

In life, we will face many challenges. . .and adversities.

Human nature will want you to rationalize that other people seem to have it easier than you. . .and in some cases, you may be right.

But the Bible says that joy is based not on an absence of difficulty but on discovering your gifts and using them for the benefit of the Kingdom of God.

Booker T. Washington said:

Have you ever been in a serious thunderstorm. . .or maybe even a hurricane or tornado?

I’ve never been in a tornado but I have been through a couple of hurricanes and many serious thunderstorms.

During our time in Texas. . .it was not unusual to have thunderstorms with 60-70 mile an hour winds and frequent lightning strikes.  I remember one storm where there were over 1,000 lighting strikes in an hour.

When serious storms come up. . .we’re looking for a safe place. 

How would you react if you were in the middle of the sea when a violent storm arose?

Mark 4:37 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.”

The disciples and Jesus were crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm began to rage.  The disciples were frightened, fearful and faithless in the midst of what they perceived to be a potentially, deadly situation.

“Father, in the name of Jesus, I command this Holy Spirit led-seed to go where I tell it to go. . .to do what I tell it to do. I speak that it will not return void.  In the strong name of Jesus, by the authority of the Word in Matthew 16:19 which says that whatever is bound on earth is bound in heaven. . .I bind any and every hindering spirit that would seek crop failure for the precious seed that I’m sowing.

"The Word says in John 16:23 that whatever I ask in your name. . .you will give it to me.  Father, just as a farmer expects a harvest from the seed he sows into the ground. . .I’m claiming my mega harvest over the seed that I’ve sown.  I’m standing in expectation for an immediate bumper crop harvest.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.”

Are you discouraged today. . .for any reason?

Have you been fighting discouragement about your family, job, health or anything else?

If you have. . .take heart.

God is on your side even in your weakness.

He’s for you when you stumble.

He’s for you even when you grumble. . .though He doesn’t like that very much.

Are you so discouraged that it makes you want to quit?

The next two statements should make you shout and send glory bumps all over your body.

First, God not only loves you. . .but He wants to help you right now.

Hold your hands up. . .what do you see?

Something to cover your mouth when you yawn. . .something to eat with. . .something to comb your hair with. . .something to help you work . . .something to help you play.

When God looks at your hands, He sees unlimited potential for blessings, miracles, and prosperity.  We already have that authority as believers!

John 3:35 says:

“The Father loved the son and placed everything in his hands.”

When the soldiers came to take Jesus captive in the Garden of Gethsemane, the first thing they did was to bind his hands.  Why?

. . .those hands had made mud, placed it on the eyes of a blind man that allowed him to see instantly.

. . .those hands took the five loaves and two fishes from a young man and fed thousands of people.

. . .those hands had been laid upon a great host of people who found His healing touch brought instant relief to their sick and suffering bodies.

. . .those hands  stopped a funeral procession. . .touched the body of a young boy and gave his mother great joy and him a new life.

. . .those hands had resurrection power -- but so do yours.