"The Heros of the Bible did not emerge from a cookie-cutter factory. They were all unique and distinctively different. The world is full of mimics. Fearing the opinions of others, we fall into the rut of conformity. We need mavericks. When I read the Scriptures, I see pages full of mavericks. They would not let the culture or the times define them. They refused to fit into a religious box, even if it was an acceptable box for most folks. What made them mavericks? Faith. They weren't afraid to leave a country, walk on water, confront false prophets, rebuke kings or pray for miracles.
Warren Wiersbe noted, "Believing God means standing up and facing an impossible challenge without fear of what might happen when we obey God's will." That's the attitude of the courageous. Look at the multiple examples in the Old Testament."
(Excerpt from the book "Courageous Living - Dare To Take A Stand" By Michael Catt from Chapter 1 "The Courage To Get Going" (Nashville B&H Publishing Group, 2011) that was taken from the Decision Magazine 12-2011 published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. - Colassians 2:8 NLT
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. - Matthew 20:28 NLT
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. - Galatians 5:13 NLT