Strong and Courageous! 

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Joshua 1:6
 
Four times, in one chapter, Joshua is commanded to be strong and courageous.
 

• Spiritual strength is something that is built up over time. 

• It can’t be summoned up in a crisis.

• Joshua is already a veteran in the things of God.

• Courage looks to the future.

• Courage has faith in the strength already given.

• Courage says … ‘I can do this’

• Courage relies on the Strength Giver 

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

 

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He is the Rock! 

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Deuteronomy 32:4
 
Our God …
    the God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ …
        is the Rock from which all other rocks are defined.
 

• His works are perfect ……  No mistakes!

• His ways are just …… No arguments!

• A faithful God …… Unchanging!

• Does no wrong …… Pure Goodness!

• Upright …… Absolute Integrity

• He is Just …… Moral Purity

 
This is a Rock I can lean on through life’s challenges and crises!
 

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Hope as an Anchor 

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.   
Hebrews  6:19
 
We don’t think so much about having an anchor on board when it’s plain sailing.
 
But when the storm comes ….

• Is the anchor on board?

• Is it fit for purpose?

• Do you know how to use it? 

Using the hope we have …
        in all the promises God has made to us in Jesus …
                 is what enables us to see out the storms of life.
 
The anchor will find the rocks that undergird our lives and will hold us safe and secure.
 

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Masterplan or Master’s Plan? 

 

A man may have many plans in his heart. But the LORD's purpose wins out in the end.
Proverbs 19:21
 
We all cherish hopes and dreams about …
    our lives,
        health,
            family,
                careers,
                    relationships
                        etc.
 
Our prayers go up … we hope we’ve got it right …
    But God is sovereign over the affairs of men. 
            For the believer this is good news!
                God is working out His purposes … the bigger plan.
 
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

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Dig Deep! 

Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.  Job 7:7
 
Job was hit with colossal life tragedies in terms of family, business and health. 
It’s no surprise, therefore, that Job vocalises his feelings in terms of the verse above.
 
In times like this you need to dig deep …

and draw on what faith you have …

and look to God.

 
Job’s fortunes were restored … big time … and he lived to 140 years.
 
When the past hurts and the future is uncertain,

• we need to live one day at a time

• and count our blessings …

• and the change will come.

 
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Hab 3:17-18 
 
 

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