February 11, 2023

Strength and Courage

February 11, 2023

Last month I shared that my word for 2023 is courage and my verse is Joshua 1:9.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (NKJV)

To remind me of my word and verse for the year, I ordered this cup. (Notice my cat, Paka, looking out the window at the bird feeder!)

I enjoy a homemade mocha most mornings while focusing on God’s Word, praying, or writing.

Along with my word and verse, last month I posted this acrostic created using the word courage, reminding me of areas to focus on to draw closer to the Lord in 2023.

Call upon the Lord with both big and little decisions.

Open my heart to Him in worship.

Unite with others for fellowship and accountability.

Remember the Lord is always with me.

Allow God’s love to lead me—not fear.

Grow in His Word.

Endure through the hard times and never give up.

Three weeks ago, the Lord directed me to step out in strength and courage to incorporate five of the seven letters above by doing one thing—joining a women’s Bible study. This Bible study is fifty miles away from my home. And if you remember from my last blog post, driving is not my favorite thing to do.

Which five letters? O—open my heart to Him as we gather together in worship; U—unite with other women for fellowship and accountability; R—remember the Lord is always with me even while driving; A—allow God’s love to lead me and not fear on the long trek; G—grow in His Word through participating in the Bible study.

Fortunately, after thirty miles, I’ll join a couple of other ladies and ride with them the rest of the way. And God will be with me ALL the way. Even while driving on the Interstate.

Although it’s a long way to travel, I’m looking forward to meeting new people and growing closer to the Lord through this time of study with other ladies.

I hope your 2023 is off to a good start and you’re growing closer to the Lord too. May He lead you into the truth of His Word and guide you with strength and courage to fulfill His plan and purpose for your life.

Top Photo by Greg Rosenke - Unsplash

LuAnn K. Edwards

January 14, 2023

Winding Roads

LuAnn K. Edwards

January 14, 2023

For the past three years, I’ve chosen a word and Bible verse to focus on during the new year. This year, my word is courage, and my verse is Joshua 1:9.

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines courage as the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful, instead of withdrawing from it; quality of being fearless or brave; valor.

I dislike driving. The older I get, the more difficult it becomes. And the Interstate is the worst with people flying by me at fifteen to twenty miles per hour over the speed limit.

This week I had an eye doctor’s appointment. A drive that could have taken me twenty-five minutes took me at least ten minutes longer by avoiding the highways, and it was worth it to me. But I’ve found that I don’t care to drive the back roads either. Here in Tennessee, the roads I often drive on are hilly, narrow, and winding with drop-offs along them. Not wanting to drive causes a problem when I need to go somewhere or meet with someone.

I need to face this difficult situation before I become a hermit. I need courage. Fortunately, I know the Lord promises to be with me wherever I go. My strength and courage grow in knowing He is by my side.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God
is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9, NKJV

I need courage in other areas of my life, too, but I’ll spare you that list. Below, I created an acrostic, using the word courage, of areas to work on to draw closer to the Lord in 2023 and to develop more courage in my life.