Joshua 1:9

Overview:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Application:
Candy, stop being fearful! God has commanded you to be strong and courageous. Don't be overwhelmed, discouraged and stressed out (dismayed)! Why? Because the LORD (Yahweh, Jehovah, the proper name for God), is always with me wherever I go. This promise was made to Joshua, but is relevant for me today. Just as Yahweh had marching orders for Joshua upon entering the Promised Land, I have marching orders too. They are: (1) I must meditate on God's Word continually and be talking of it continually. There is no substitute for being in the Word. No such thing as ministry apart from the Word. Can't be too busy doing "ministry" to be in the Word - can't have one w/o the other. Ministry done w/o the empowerment of the Holy Spirit will be deflated; it will quickly run out of gas since I've not put fuel (God's Word) into it. God promises to bless His Word - not bless all my vain attempts to look good in His eyes and the eyes of others. (2) I must be strong even when obedience seems impossible, and when outside influences are trying to side-track me from that obedience. As I take that step of faith forward in obedience to Him, I will find that the opposition/problems I dreaded will fall away, as the Holy Spirit gives me the faith needed to be obedient. So....what am I worried about??!!