What steps can you take to "take courage" as Bartimaeus did? The Moment Jesus Spoke Courage “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called the blind man. ‘Take courage!’ they said. ‘Get up! He is calling you.’” (Mark 10:49) Step 1: Tune Your Ears to Jesus - Bartimaeus was surrounded by noise, yet he recognized the single voice that mattered. - Daily Bible intake positions the heart to recognize that same voice (John 10:27; Romans 10:17). - Set aside undistracted time to read, listen, and yield to what Scripture plainly says. Step 2: Cry Out in Faith - “When he heard that it was Jesus…he began to cry out” (Mark 10:47). - Faith expresses itself audibly and openly—confessing need without shame (Psalm 34:6). - Speak Scripture aloud; verbalize dependence on Christ rather than silently nursing fear. Step 3: Persist Despite Opposition - “Many rebuked him to keep quiet, but he cried out all the louder” (Mark 10:48). - Courage grows when truth is voiced louder than discouragement. - Identify any voices—internal or external—that contradict God’s Word, and answer them with Scripture (2 Corinthians 10:5). Step 4: Rise Immediately When Called - “Throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus” (Mark 10:50). - Prompt obedience proves trust. Delayed response drains courage. - Release whatever “cloak” hinders quick obedience—comfort, habit, reputation (Hebrews 12:1). Step 5: State Your Need Clearly - Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). - Articulating need aligns the heart with God’s provision (Philippians 4:6). - Present specific requests, anchored in promises already revealed (Matthew 7:7-8). Step 6: Believe and Receive - “Go, your faith has healed you” (Mark 10:52). - Courage is inseparable from believing God is both able and willing (Hebrews 11:6). - Continually affirm His faithfulness aloud—“The LORD is my helper; I will not fear” (Hebrews 13:6). Step 7: Walk the New Road with Jesus - “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road” (Mark 10:52). - Courage matures through ongoing discipleship, not a one-time moment. - Commit to consistent fellowship, service, and witness, allowing each step of obedience to reinforce the next (Colossians 2:6-7). Daily Practices That Sustain Courage - Memorize courage-building verses (Joshua 1:9; Psalm 31:24; 2 Timothy 1:7). - Journal answered prayers, recording how God met past cries for help. - Share testimonies of Christ’s faithfulness, strengthening both speaker and listener (Revelation 12:11). Following Bartimaeus’ pattern—hearing, crying out, persisting, rising, declaring need, believing, and following—invites the same “take courage” reality into every believer’s walk today. |
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