DATE: SUNDAY 8TH JULY 2018
THEME: BE COURAGEOUS.
MEMORISE:Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24
READ: Joshua 1:1-9
1Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
MESSAGEIn the kingdom of God, o be courageous is to have the spiritual, emotional and moral willpower to speak and act without fear in the face of distress or concerns over a threat or challenge being faced. Courage is a cardinal virtue that is required to handle any godly leadership position or spiritual assignment. To underscore the importance of courage, saying like "fear not", "bee strong" and "be courageous" were used in several passages of the Bible to encourage God's appointed leaders. For example, God commanded Joshua to be strong and to be of good courage four times in Joshua chapter one alone. In Daniel 10:19, a heavenly being encouraged Daniel saying, "Fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong". God also encouraged Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Zerubbabel, Jeremiah, Peter, Paul and several others in similar fashion. The Lord will support you, encourage you and grant you the fortitude to overcome every obstacle and challenges of life in Jesus' Name.
Moreover, God often instructs His children, especially leaders amongst them, to embark on assignments that are new and great, unprecedented, unbelievable, unrealistic and practically impossible by any natural means. The nature of God's assignments usually strikes fear, doubt and confusion into people's hearts, making it difficult for them to proceed with such tasks without first receiving divine support and encouragement. Courage therefore derives from the hope and assurance of the divine presence in such circumstances. This was what prompted Moses in Exodus 33:15b to say:
"If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."
Confronted with the impossible task of leading the Israelites to the Promise Land, he hinged willingness to move forward on the assurance of God's presence. David also singlehandedly ran through a troop because God was with him (2 Samuel 22:30). I pray that God's presence will see you through your present challenges and catapult you to your breakthrough in Jesus' Name.
Courage is demonstrated in various ways, such as leading God's people against their enemies, proclaiming the gospel to others, and exercising the authority of God's kingdom in your sphere of influence. God gives strength to His people and enable them to be courageous by giving them faith , God proves Himself faithful to His faithfulness enable His people to trust in Him for sustenance in everyday life. Children of God are created to be the head and not the tail. You were created to take charge as a leader wherever you find yourself. You therefore need to be bold, strong and courageous because that is your heritage in Christ.
PRAYER POINT:Father, help me to overcome every craving in me that will lead to spiritual death in Jesus' Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicle 9-10
Acts 24: 1-21
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: TRUST AND OBEY.
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
