It had been a difficult week and I had very specific prayers being answered. One day a name kept coming to mind. I respected this person but had never met them. During a distraught moment, I googled and sent a message. Within 15 minutes I had a reply to meet with this person. What I thought I went to talk about was taken over by the Holy Spirit. This person asked one question - out of the blue - and then his whole look changed. He said, "the Holy Spirit is wanting me to tell you to be bold." We talked another hour. On my way to work I cried all the way because of how God had showed up and showed off. As I walked into my office my phone was ringing. I answered an unknown number which I don't do. A Jehovah Witness was sharing a scripture with me that affirmed my morning. The week before I had boldly spoke up about something heavy on my heart and I know it was not of me. I was shocked, myself, at that confidence! I knew the Holy Spirit had given me the words.
That weekend we went out of town, unexpectedly, and visited a church who happened to have a guest speaker that day. It was one of those times that even though neither of us was supposed to be there, God knew we were supposed to be there at the same time. He had a message to share and I needed to hear it. When the sermon started, my feet began tingling, unlike anything I had ever felt. It was so strong that I knew it meant something, so I asked God. I know some of y'all think I am crazy but I believe I got a reply! The speaker had started his sermon and looked out and said, "God wants you to be bold!" Even Mike turned to me, wide eyed! I have never been bold. I tend to be quieter in big groups, meetings, etc. I have not had the desire to be bold. I don't like how some boldness comes across and it does not lift people up. What has God shown me this week? I am to stand up for what is right and be bold, with God's help! 2 Corinthians 3:12, "Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold." With Him, bold is good!
I learned that Acts is full of boldness given when the speakers were tempted with fear! Paul and Barnabas “spoke out boldly” when the Jews publicly reviled them (Acts 13:46). In Iconium, they were opposed, “so they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord” (Acts 14:3). Apollos spoke “boldly in the synagogue” (Acts 18:26). Paul taught in the synagogue “and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). Paul was imprisoned, he spoke “boldly” to King Agrippa (Acts 26:26). While Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he continued “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31).
When we are convicted that something should be said boldly we will have the courage. We will also feel a sense of urgency to get us moving. Ephesians 3: 12 tells us, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Jesus has promised this in Romans 8: 38-39. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." NOTHING separates us, including fear!
So fear was what was keeping me timid. Fear was present because I was forgetting how God can show off and I was forgetting all of His promises. If He is directing us to be bold, He will give us the boldness! Philippians 1: 19, "for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." Ephesians 6: 20, "for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
Is God calling you to be bold? Join me in praying to be filled with the Spirit. Even when our palms are sweating and our hearts are pounding, God's promise remains to fill our mouths by the Spirit. Matthew 10: 20, "for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." You know what else God has shown me, that the day I spoke up boldly, it was not me, but my Father speaking through me. I got to be part of a miracle!
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