Be Strong and Courageous

This Our opportunity to meet outdoor face to face last weekend and to fellowship as the community of God was so encouraging and refresh-ing.We look forward to our journey to the end of this pandemic and to a resumption of many things that we considered simple -normal -things we took for granted.Joshua 1:6-9—6“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.8Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For theLordyour God is with you wherever you go.”Be strong and courageous.God is with you wherever you go."And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age".God has promised to support us, to protect us, to empower us."For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength"."If God is for us, who can ever be against us.Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?"Be strong and courageous!God's word is a powerful encouragement to us.It is a fountain of strength; a shield; our armour."The sword of the Spirit -the word of God"."For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword."God's word is the means through which we can know God -His will -His purpose -His intent.Joshua was given the instruction above directly by God as he prepared to lead the nation of Israel into the promised land.He was commanded to, "Study this Book of Instruction continually.To meditate on it day and night so you will be sure of everything written in it."We need to know what God has communicated to us.We need to read, to study, to meditate daily.We need to immerse ourselves in His presence, to surround ourselves in His being, to learn about His purpose, will and intent through His word.We're made complete as we follow Jesus, are discipled and disciple others, and as we learn to share the love of God. God's word provides instruction, blessing and knowledge of Him, which enables us to follow, disciple and share.Our obedience, driven by knowledge we gain through His word, brings Him glory.I'm praying you will be able to know God better by committing to time with Him in His word. Let's be strong and courageous.

Let's Follow, Disciple, Share

Michael Toohey