I Want You to Have Raw-Oyster Courage

I grew up in a small South Texas town. We Texans sure do love to use colourful phrases instead of common words. For example, when we describe someone who is courageous, we might say, “He’s double-backboned.” Or we might use another of my favourites: “He’s as brave as the first man who ate an oyster.” Now that’s courage!

The older I get the more convinced I become that each generation needs folks who are willing to be the first to swallow an oyster . . . including this generation. We continually face the daunting temptation to compromise our convictions. To bow to the pressure of our peers. To cower in the face of intimidation and remain silent . . . when instead we should speak the truth courageously. The fact is, being a godly man or woman in our godless society requires courage. Raw-oyster courage.

Daniel was a brave and godly young man who was brought to the very centre of pagan Babylon and yet he continued to grow as a courageous and righteous man. As you join us for his story on our current broadcast, you’ll learn how to stand firm in your faith. You’ll grow encouraged to pray passionately. You’ll be inspired to speak the truth, regardless. Daniel’s life will also remind you—or perhaps teach you for the first time—the magnificent truth that God is completely sovereign.

Experience some of the most familiar events in the Bible from an entirely new perspective. I hope that you’ll agree with me that, through the sovereignty of God, a godly woman or man with raw-oyster courage can make a difference in this generation. I pray that person will be you . . . just as Daniel was God’s man for the moment so long ago. But that was then; this is now.

Copyright © 2014 by Charles R. Swindoll. All rights reserved worldwide.

Posted in Christian Living.

Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading programme in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.

పాస్టర్ చార్లెస్ ఆర్. స్విండాల్ దేవుని వాక్యాన్ని నిర్దిష్టంగా, ఆచరణాత్మకంగా బోధించడానికి మరియు అన్వయించడానికి తన జీవితాన్ని అంకితం చేశారు. ఆయన టెక్సాస్‌లోని ఫ్రిస్కోలోని స్టోన్‌బ్రయర్ కమ్యూనిటీ చర్చి వ్యవస్థాపక కాపరియై ఉన్నారు, అయితే చక్ యొక్క శ్రోతలు స్థానిక సంఘ పరిధి దాటి వ్యాపించి ఉన్నారు. 1979 నుండి క్రైస్తవ ప్రసరణలో ప్రముఖ కార్యక్రమంగా, ఇన్‌సైట్ ఫర్ లివింగ్ ప్రపంచవ్యాప్తంగా ప్రసారమవుతోంది. డల్లాస్ థియోలాజికల్ సెమినరీకి ప్రెసిడెంటుగా, అలాగే ఇప్పుడు ఛాన్సిలర్ ఎమెరిటస్‌గా చక్ యొక్క నాయకత్వం క్రొత్త తరం స్త్రీపురుషులను పరిచర్య కొరకు సిద్ధపరచడంలో సహాయపడింది.