BOLDNESS: Of the John Wayne kind!

GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY: John 16:8-11; other topics - Attitude, Commitment, Conviction, Courage, Fear, Right (opposed to wrong)

The Six Shooter was an extremely popular western, broadcast on NBC radio from 1953-54. Jimmy Stewart starred as Britt Ponsett, a Texas plainsman.

On one broadcast (“Duel at Lockwood”; 3/21/54 - Radio Spirits) Britt called a young tough’s bluff … even though it was possible the kid might be faster.

A teen-aged killer went after The Six Shooter in a town called Lockwood … he bragged to everyone if he ran into Ponsett he’d kill him. Well Britt showed up one day; the outlaw heard the quiet gunman had come to town, so he sent a messenger to warn Ponsett he was on his way. Ponsett didn’t wait … he rode out on the trail and waited for the kid on the trail.

The gunman found Ponsett sitting on his horse waiting for him; he asked, “Who are you?” He said, “Britt Ponsett” and laid a shotgun over his saddle as the tough started to draw. And in his signature style he drawled, “How come you're stopping? Go ahead, draw!”

The bully was so flabbergasted he couldn't find his courage; he never showed his face in the region again.

Fantasies concerning life and its living are common to all people … one of mine is stepping toward the next illogical, irrational, relativistic humanist or atheist and saying, “Go ahead, draw” as I lay the sword of the Lord across my saddle horn.

In my vision the rascal doesn’t turn and run; instead he comes under conviction, drops to his knees and pleads for God’s forgiveness.

Clearly, there is a present need for more boldness amongst the Body of Christ. Jesus didn’t die in order for us to become doormats for every godless heathen we encounter. After all, Jesus was no wimp! [Luke 19:45-47; John 2:13-17]

I fear many of our brothers and sisters have become so fearful of the world and its minions they’ve rendered themselves powerless in the battle for souls.

Britt Ponsett, Christianity, Courage, Discipline,
Illustrations, Jimmy Stewart, Sanctification,
Sermons, Texas Plainsman, The Six Shooter

OMNIPOTENCE: The Mother of all power!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VALUE AND SUBSTANCE: [Mark 6:37]

The story is told of a gifted musician who, with his violin, was able to sway an enormous number of music lovers. One day he played and played, manipulating his audience on till their enthusiasm reached its zenith. Pausing, he held his instrument aloft, and then smashed it over the back of a chair.

The people were enraged. They jumped to their feet as one and briefly surged toward the master-player for destroying the violin that produced such unearthly sounds, such glorious music. But there stood the musician, calm and serene.

When the audience’s rage abated, he said quietly, "I know how you feel, but I want to teach you a lesson. Do you see the shattered violin? Well, it only cost fifty dollars!”

Picking up another, he continued, "Now I am going to play on this instrument, my most treasured violin, costing me some fifty thousand dollars. By my action, which you’ve condemned, I want to teach you that music is not in the instrument, but in the player.” And then he played on the second violin. And there was no discernable difference in the music.

In the hands of a master, the cheap violin produced strains equal to that of the costlier instrument. We are
slow to learn music is not in the instrument but in the Player. It makes little difference to the Lord (who is the Creator of all true harmony) whether the violin of your life is worth a trifling or a fortune.

It isn’t what you have but what He imparts which counts. Why, He can take mere nobodies and use them in a mighty way! "Little is much, if God is in it.” The miracle of the loaves proves He is supreme at multiplication.

Source: Lockyer, Herbert, “The Ten Strings’” Union Gospel Press (nd) 28,29; edited for use.

Courage

IT’S THE WAY YOU THINK! [John 16:8-11; other topics - Discipline, Sanctification

The Six Shooter was an extremely popular western, broadcast on NBC radio from 1953-54. Jimmy Stewart starred as Britt Ponsett, a Texas plainsman.

On one broadcast (“The New Sheriff”; 6/10/54 - Radio Spirits) Britt called a bully’s bluff … even though his gun was several feet away on a dresser.

In his signature style, Stewart (as Ponsett) told the tough he could draw his gun anytime he wanted. The surprised crook stammered, “B-b-b-but you a-a-a-ain’t got your six-shooter.”

Ponsett stepped toward the thug and drawled, “Things might not work out the way you think they will.” The Six Shooter’s bold confidence made the rascal turn and run.

Fantasies concerning life and its living are common to all people … one of mine is stepping toward the next illogical, irrational, relativistic humanist and saying, “Things might not work out the way you think they will.”

Only in my vision the rascal doesn’t turn and run; instead he comes under conviction, drops to his knees and pleads for God’s forgiveness.

Clearly, there is a present need for more boldness amongst the Body of Christ. Jesus didn’t die in order for us to become doormats for every godless heathen we encounter. After all, Jesus was no wimp! [Luke 19:45-47; John 2:13-17]

I fear many of our brothers and sisters have become so fearful of the world and its minions they’ve rendered themselves powerless in the battle for souls.

Britt Ponsett, Christianity, Courage, Discipline,
Illustrations, Jimmy Stewart, Sanctification,
Sermons, Texas Plainsman, The Six Shooter