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Faith-Stand Bible in a Year : Isaiah 1–2; Galatians 5 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. John 19:40 John 19:38–42 Desmond Doss enlisted to serve in World War II as a non-combatant. Though his religious beliefs prevented him from carrying a gun, Doss ably served as a combat medic. In one battle, he withstood intense and repeated enemy fire to pull seventy-five soldiers in his unit to safety after they had been injured. His story is told in the documentary The Conscientious Objector and dramatized in the film Hacksaw Ridge. A roll call of the heroes of Christian faith includes such courageous characters as Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Peter, and Paul. Yet there are some unsung heroes like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who risked their standing with the Jewish leaders to take Christ’s crucified body and give Him a decent burial (John 19:40–42). This was a bold move from a fearful, secret disciple of Jesus and another, Nicodemus, who had previously dared to visit Him only at night (vv. 38–39). Even more impressive is that they took their faith-stand before Jesus rose victorious from the grave. Why? Perhaps the manner of Jesus’s death and the events that immediately followed (Matthew 27:50–54) crystallized the fledgling faith of these fearful followers. Maybe they learned to focus on who God is rather than what man could do to them. Whatever the inspiration, may we follow their example and exhibit courage to take risks of faith in our God—for others today. Reflect & Pray In what ways have you lived courageously for your faith in Jesus? What can you do differently that might show your faith to the world? Courage [is] not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. Nelson Mandela 
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Mandela said it well. I can think of a few times that I took a stand and spoke up, and was shaky inside, but God always came through in the situation. Once was when the DA asked us if we were willing to testify against a well known mean vindictive young man in our area. When we agreed to do it, he asked if we were sure. He said, "You do know who this man is and what he is capable of doing, don't you?" I replied, "Do you know our God, and what HE is capable of doing?" The DA just looked at me in amazement. BTW, the man moved out of state rather than face prosecution. A coincidence? Nope, God at work in our lives! Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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I have never been afraid to stand up against the crowd. It didn't make me Ms. Popularity but how my Higher Power sees me is far more important. Abracadabra 
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Discernment is necessary to not confuse greatness of courage with pride.
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