Renewal
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NASB95)
Read more...
Question Your Emotions Not God’s Unfailing Love
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you—even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42:5-8
Read more...
Let God’s Peace Rule
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Read more...
Rahab
Read more...
Be Strong and Courageous
Joshua was Moses’ personal assistant. Joshua was on Mount Sinai with Moses when God gave the Ten Commandments and all the instructions for constructing the Tabernacle. Joshua would accompany Moses when Moses went to the Tent of Meeting to talk with God face to face. Joshua witnessed firsthand everything that Moses experienced as the leader of the Nation of Israel and had a front-row seat to the things God did for Israel.
Then came the day that Joshua became the nation’s leader and was given the very daunting assignment to cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land God gave to the Children of Israel.
Can you imagine the overwhelming feelings that Joshua must have felt? Maybe he even wondered how he was going to be successful following a great leader like Moses.
During Joshua’s installation as the next leader of Israel, Moses told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” Deuteronomy 31:6. After Moses passed away, the LORD repeated the same statements directly to Joshua in Joshua 1 (see verses 5, 6, 7 & 9).
The responsibilities you have been given in this life more than likely don’t require you to lead a great nation. However, they are just as important, and there can be times when you feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped. Just like Joshua, God promises never to leave us, commands us to be strong, courageous, and to fear not.
Hebrews 13:5-6, Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Ephesians 6:10, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
2 Timothy 1:7, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
As you go through your daily routine of life, you are never alone. God goes with you. Spend time in His presence. Spend time in His Word. He will give you direction, strength, and ability to be successful.
Be strong and courageous,
Pastor Tom