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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Bold (emotionally) (08/30/07)
God's Boldness is a Gift for All Living Creatures

Moses sent spies over to the land that God had given the Israelites to see how strong the people were who inhabited the land. Caleb and Joshua boldly reported to Moses and the people of Israel (Numbers 13: 26-33), "The land is rich, flowing with milk and honey we should attack and seize the land."
The other eight men who were with Joshua and Caleb complained, "If we attack we will die, the people who live there are strong and their villages are well fortified."
Caleb and Joshua tore their clothes, shouting to the Israelites, "Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
God rewarded the boldness of Caleb and Joshua. They were the only two out of the ten men who actually got to enjoy the land God had given the Israelites. The others, because of their lack of faith died, never enjoyed the new land. Through God's blessing of Joshua and Caleb we see that God rewards those who are bold for the Lord.
In Matthew verses 14:25-32, the disciples see Jesus walking on the water. They are terrified and cried out in fear.
However, Peter calls to Jesus, "Tell me to come to you on the water."
Jesus says, "Come."
Peter boldly got out of the boat and began walking on the water. A strong wind blew on the water and Peter's boldness faltered. When Peter's boldness changed to fear he began to sink in the water. Peter cried out in fear as he began to sink in the water, "Save me."
Jesus reached out, saving him while also admonishing him, "You of little faith. Why did you doubt?"
God not only allows us to become bold so we can follow him, but he also gives boldness to animals, too. In Reader's Digest, I read about a story where a 7-year old cat, named Libby became a seeing-eye cat for a 14-year old yellow lab named Cashew. Cashew is blind and deaf. Libby leads Cashew throughout the day protecting Cashew from bumping into objects. The cat leads the dog to her food everyday. Libby even sleeps with Cashew never leaving Cashew's side except when the dog goes for a walk with her masters. Who is bold enough to care for a 14 year-old blind and deaf dog? Who is bold enough to train a cat to care for a blind and deaf dog? It has been said, "You can't train a cat." Yet, this cat filled with boldness does the seemingly impossible every day without any direction from anyone.
God gives humans a boldness to help them overcome their problems here on earth. When we are bold, seeking to look for the positive, we can rise to new levels of peace and happiness as Caleb and Joshua did when they entered the land of Canaan. In our boldness we can perform miracles as Peter did. But if we are weak our ability can diminish. We saw this as Peter faltered and began to sink in the water.
Yet God is the boldest of all. He gives us the ability to rise above our problems. He boldly gives man the freedom to choose his path or any other path. When we choose his path we find peace and happiness. When we choose any other direction away from God we find discord and strife. God in his boldness not only gives direction, insight, and knowledge to humans but also gives animals special knowledge, surpassing human intelligence, demonstrating his love and care for them.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
09/09/07
The best part of this is the story of Cashew--I wonder if you might give this piece a bit of a "makeover" and concentrate on that section, perhaps making a story out of it? It's a great object lesson!
Allison Egley 
09/09/07
This is good. I like how you focused on Peter's faith and boldness rather than his lack of faith towards the end.

I would have picked one of these stories and focused on it. Make it your own. Add your own flavor to it rather than just telling us what the Bible says. I'd also recommend leaving and extra line of space between paragraphs. It makes it easier on the eyes. :)

I liked hit a lot. Good job. Keep writing.
Beth LaBuff
09/13/07
It's amazing how much the Bible has to say or show about boldness. The stories you've picked are great examples. You have some good thoughts in your devotional writing. Thanks!