Strength and Courage

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

Winding Roads

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.

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.

May your year be filled with love, joy, peace, and courage. And please share below your word or verse of the year for 2023 if you have one.

     Webster’s New World Dictionary, 2nd college ed. (1984), s.v. “courage.”

Photo by Jason Leung - Unsplash

Light Shines in the Darkness

Have you experienced the aurora borealis, better known as the northern lights? These glowing lights appear in the clear skies of several northern countries. Alaska is the best place to view them in the US from late August through mid-April between 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

Most commonly, the light glows green or white, but may appear pink or red. I’ve seen pictures with yellow, blue, and purple too.

The aurora borealis shines light that may be seen in the darkest hours of the year, and Christ came to reveal God’s light to us in our darkest hours.

As I read the following verse earlier this week, I considered the birth of my Savior and Lord. The reference to light guides us through the story of our Lord’s birth.

Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
Psalm 112:4a, NLT

Shepherds kept watch over their sheep at night when an angel appeared.

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
Luke 2:9, ESV

An angel brought them the good news that their Savior was born. The shepherds hurried to find this miracle baby.

Eight days later, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to be circumcised. A righteous man, Simeon, took the baby in his arms and praised God.

I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!
Luke 2:30-32, NLT 

Simeon prophesied Jesus was the light.

Also, light shone in the darkness and led the way for wise men from the east to follow a bright star for many miles to worship the King.

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:9b-10, ESV

Christ is the light who shines in the darkness. He led lowly shepherds and mighty wise men to Him by revealing His light. He continues to shine His light through us and leads us on our way.

Have you submitted your life to the Lord? If not, this Christmas could be your merriest one ever if you surrender yourself to Him.

Allow Christ to not only fill you with His light but with His hope, peace, joy and love.

Shine through us, Lord. May we honor You in what we say and do.

Merry Christmas!

Attack Lies With Truth

In writing fiction, the main character should begin their journey believing a lie. In my current work in progress, the lie my heroine, Lanie, clings to resulted in her turning from her faith in God.

My hero, Luke, also believes a lie, but he remained strong in his faith—until Lanie moved back to the small town where the series takes place. He thought he’d dealt with his past after they parted ways. He had forgiven her, but bitterness nags at his heart when he sees her again.

I can’t imagine walking away from the Lord as Lanie did. But I have dealt with bitterness—resentment toward someone when I didn’t know the truth about the situation. And how many people have hurt me because I misinterpreted what they said?

When I considered whether I should retire, a coworker told me it was time. What? Did she want me gone? I wondered if she felt I was too old to continue working. This bothered me for a few days, and I prayed against the bitterness growing inside of me. I then realized she may have meant I’d worked hard, and it was time for me to relax and enjoy my golden years.

Why do we do that? The lie of believing the worst.

What other lies do we tell ourselves? We may not think we have much to offer, but here are four verses declaring what God says about us if we’ve surrendered our lives to the Lord.

When disheartened by the lie that God doesn’t love you—

You are Christ’s friend, and He loves you dearly. 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down
his life for his friends.
John 15:13 (ESV)

When frustrated, thinking you’re not good enough—

You are the temple of God, and the Holy Spirit lives in you.

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that
God’s Spirit dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)

When discouraged by the lie that God can’t use you because of your past—

You are free from condemnation. 

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)

When dejected and feeling like a failure—

You are God’s workmanship. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

What overcomes those lies we believe? Truth! And where do we find the truth? In God’s Word.

May God’s Word fill you with joy today as you look to Him for truth.

Photo by Uday Mittal - Unsplash

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