After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying:  “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Joshua 1:1-2 REFERENCE Joshua 1:1-9 Bereavement is a state of being deprived of someone or something. It is a term mostly used to describe the state of someone who has lost a loved one to death; and it generally portrays a sense of loss. Joshua was in a state...

Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. Ephesians 5:1 (AMPC)   REFERENCE Ephesians 5:1-10 (AMPC)   “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is a term used to describe a child that exhibits similar character, similar qualities, or imitates his/her parents. To imitate someone is to behave or copy the way the person behaves. Paul in this passage admonishes believers to be imitators of God by following His example; i.e. to be similar to Him in speech, deeds and in character, so what He represents becomes second nature to the believer.  ...

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  Ephesians 6:16 REFERENCE  Ephesians 6:10-17 Apostle Paul in this passage, urges believers to stand in the strength of the Almighty by putting on the whole armor of God (one of which is the ‘shield of faith’) in order to resist Satan’s attacks. A shield is often used to intercept attacks or blows; it is held in the hand or mounted on the wrist or forearm. In medieval times, it was almost foolish to go into hand to hand combat...

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1 REFERENCE Psalm 46:1-11 Trouble is anything that gets you worried and agitated; it normally brings discomfort, inconvenience, anxiety, fear and discouragement. In John 16:33 Jesus said: “…In this world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So whether you expect it or not trouble always comes, but you can rejoice in the truth that Jesus HAS (past tense) already overcome the troubles in the world for you and stripped it of its power to harm you. Many Christians don’t want...

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12-13 REFERENCE Philippians 4:12-19 Human beings have been known to do impossible things whenever they set their minds to it. If you believe you can do something, your mind will find a way to do it. Where there is a will, there is a way. What you believe sets the limits for what you become....

The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Gideon replied “Pardon me, my lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:14-15 REFERENCE Judges 6:1-16 Self-doubt is a lack of confidence in yourself and your abilities. It gives you a million reasons why you should not dare, why you are not built or fit for greatness, why you will fail at an endeavor, why you should play it...

The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Gideon replied “Pardon me, my lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:14-15 REFERENCE Judges 6:1-16 “All your life they will tell you no quite firmly and very quickly. And you will tell them yes.” – Nike Advert. You may be wondering to yourself, “If I have been told ‘no’ by an employer, how do I then say ‘yes’, do...

So, why can't I likewise change what I feel about Nineveh from anger to pleasure, this big city of more than a hundred and twenty thousand childlike people who don't yet know right from wrong, to say nothing of all the innocent animals?" Jonah 4:11 REFERENCE Jonah 4:1-11 Our hearts are like soil samples in God’s hand. He plants His seed and the condition of our heart determines the outcome. The heart is what you actually need for your mission or your call in life. Having looked at the story of Jonah and all the struggles he went through we...

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.  And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice." Jonah 2:1-2   REFERENCE Jonah 2:1-10 God is always working within and around our clumsiness  and accomplishing His purposes through them. Just like He did with Jonah. God kept him and preserved him in the belly of the fish in spite of his disobedience. Right in the midst of our struggle, our pain and discomfort God preserves and keeps us for the assignment because He also doesn’t...

But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. Jonah 1:4-5 REFERENCE Jonah 1:1-15 There is usually a cost to willful disobedience to God’s will. By his willful disobedience in answering God’s call, Jonah put his life and those...