Joshua 1:8-9
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

We are encouraged twice to be "strong and courageous." It takes courage to face the challenges that life presents each day. God warns us that the tasks he assigns us will take courage.
The LORD's precepts are neither difficult nor tedious to those who put their trust in the LORD's word. His commands are neither unattainable nor impractical.
We must immerse ourselves in God's word, focus on His promises, rely on His truth, and follow the commands of Christ, knowing that He is with us.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Tim. 2:5-6

Today's Thought
We have all been chosen to be disciples of God, to spread the Good News concerning the coming of the Kingdom. We might be afraid that we are not up to the task, much as Jeremiah was. But just as God spoke to Jeremiah promising to help him, He is with us as well. Without the witness of the early disciples, we would not know of Jesus. Without our witness, how will future generations come to know Jesus? What will others think about us? But God is by our side helping us, giving us the words we need at the right time.

Today's thought
No matter how hard we try, we will never be able to comprehend how great
God is because we are not God and He is. Always keep in mind that trying to emulate God was the original and most serious sin. We should make an effort to learn more about God because He wants us to know Him, but we will never fully comprehend Him or match His intelligence. All sin stems from the desire to match God's perfection and the consequent loss of reverence and awe for Him. We should be humble enough to recognize that, despite our best efforts, we can never match God's majesty, righteousness, wisdom, or holiness on our own, instead, we should strive to emulate God's righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful loving kindness. This is simultaneously thrilling and annoying. However, the assurance that one day we will resemble Him and perceive Him in His tru form remains (1 John 3:2-3). In the same way that He will know everything about us, we will know everything about Him. (1 Cor. 13:11-12).

Thought for the day:
Everything is as simple as pie. God cherishes us. He is the source, the architect, and the creator of love. Because he first loved me, I love Him. I know how to love because He has taught me how. He made me to look and act like Him, which allows me to love. He is where love begins, what sustains it, and where it comes to an end. Because He loves, I love first, last, and always.

It's just some harmless chitchat. The Wise Teacher tells us that talking about other people is neither small nor safe. Its effects are huge, and the damage it does is terrible. Instead, it's much better to try to make peace and make up for wrongs.

HOW THE STORY OF ISAAC POINTS TO JESUS:
1) Both Isaac and Jesus are "beloved sons" who have been long awaited and are born in miraculous circumstances (Genesis 22:1)
2) Both sons carry the wood that is to be the instrument of their death on their back. (Genesis 22:6)
3) In both cases, the father leads the son, and the son follows obediently toward his own death. (Genesis 22:3)
4) God provides the sacrifice, which Abraham says will be a lamb. (Genesis 22:8)

Jesus was also an innocent son who went willingly up the mountain to be crucified.