There are moments when God calls us forward even when we feel uncertain, unprepared, or afraid. https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/21/strong-and-courageous-moving-forward-in-obedience-and-faith/ In Joshua 1:6–9, God repeatedly tells Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” But Joshua’s courage was never supposed to come from confidence in himself. It came from knowing God had made a promise, God had given His Word, and God would be with him wherever he went. The same is true for us. We may not know everything waiting around the corner. We may face responsibilities that feel bigger than us, decisions that make us uncomfortable, or circumstances we never expected. But we can still move forward in faith. Courage grows when we remember God’s promises.
Courage grows when we stay grounded in His Word.
Courage grows when we choose obedience over compromise.
Courage grows when we remember that God is with us. You don’t have to see the entire road ahead to take the next faithful step. Be strong. Be courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Read the full post today. #BeStrongAndCourageous #Joshua1 #FaithOverFear #TrustGod #ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #WordOfGod #Faith #Courage #Obedience #ChristianEncouragement

Daily Devotion: Joshua 1:9 “Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for I, the LORD your God, am with you wherever you go.” Have you ever felt that life is becoming so overwhelming that you lose courage? It is a struggle many of us have to deal with when things get complicated. However, in Christ, we find hope that all will turn out well in the end. God did not give us a spirit of fear and trepidation, through the sacrifice of His Son we received courage and a firm belief that our lives are in His capable hands. 1 Timothy 1:7: “For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.” We therefore have a responsibility to be His messengers on earth; to carry His word to the masses directly or simply by way of the example we set. We may feel that people judge us or that they make fun of our beliefs, we may even fear that we are in danger of death if we continue to proclaim God’s love to the world. We should never fear or despair, for God will, in His time give us the words and He will protect us from those who speak out against us. Psalms 27:14: “Trust in the LORD. Have faith, do not despair. Trust in the LORD.” Haggai 2:4: “But now don’t be discouraged, any of you. Do the work, for I am with you.” Are you ready to face the world as a believer, without fear, without trepidation, but with courage and faith? #Joshua1 #Godspresence #Faith #messengersofGod #Discipleship

Daily scripture: Joshua 1:9 NIV 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.” https://bible.com/bible/111/jos.1.9.NIV #Joshua1 #HolyBible #havecourage #Godiswithyou

#8 Holy Wit – Sidecar Reflections Be Strong and Courageous (I Am With You: Courage Rooted in God’s Nearness – Joshua 1:6–9; Joshua 10:25) The sun had barely cleared the horizon, but Joshua was already awake. Not because he was eager — because he couldn’t sleep. Moses was gone. The man who spoke with God face to face, the one who raised his staff and seas obeyed, the one whose presence alone seemed to steady a restless people — gone. And now the weight had settled, fully and unmistakably, on Joshua’s shoulders. Outside, the camp was beginning to stir. Thousands of lives, generations of promises, a land across the river filled with cities that would not welcome them — all of it waiting. The Jordan still ran where it always had. The enemies were still armed. The people were still people. Joshua did not need a motivational speech. He needed courage — the kind that does not come naturally when the task is bigger than you. That is when God spoke. Not to flatter him. Not to reassure him about his leadership potential. Not to remind him of his résumé. “Be strong and of good courage.” God did not deny the danger. He did not minimize the fear. He commanded courage anyway — because courage, in Scripture, is not a feeling you wait for. It is an obedience you step into. And then God told Joshua why. “For to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” The courage Joshua needed was not rooted in his ability to conquer, but in God’s faithfulness to keep His word. The land was not a gamble. It was an oath already sworn. Joshua was not being asked to invent the future — only to walk into what God had already promised. But God pressed further. “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law…” Here is where courage often surprises us. God ties bravery not to bold action, but to careful obedience. Joshua is warned not to drift, not even slightly, from the word already given. No shortcuts. No improvisation. No creative detours. Sometimes the bravest thing a leader can do is refuse to adjust God’s word to fit the moment. Then comes the line Joshua would carry with him for the rest of his life. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed…” God does not say, Try to be brave. He does not say, It’s understandable if you’re overwhelmed. He says, I have commanded you. Fear and dismay are not treated as unavoidable emotions, but as temptations to forget something essential. “For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” This is the heart of the matter. God does not promise Joshua an easier path. He promises Himself. Years later, after battles have been fought and enemies defeated, Joshua stands before his men — and now it is his turn to speak. “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage…” What once had to be spoken to Joshua is now spoken through him. Courage grounded in God’s nearness does not end with the individual; it becomes testimony. Joshua does not point to his own experience, his own grit, or his own victories. He points to what the LORD will do. That is how biblical courage works. It is received before it is repeated. Learned before it is taught. The story of Joshua reminds us that God’s people have always stood at impossible thresholds — rivers uncrossed, enemies entrenched, futures uncertain. And God’s answer has never been to remove the danger first. His answer has been His presence. Be strong. Be courageous. Not because you are enough — but because I am with you. And that, Scripture insists, is enough. ________________________________________ #HolyWitBibleStudy #GordonMcGinnis #IAmWithYou #Joshua1

#8 Holy Wit – Bible Study Be Strong and Courageous (I Am With You: Courage Rooted in God’s Nearness – Joshua 1:6–9; Joshua 10:25) Scripture Reading (NKJV): Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” Joshua 1:7 “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” 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.” Joshua 10:25 “Then Joshua said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.’” ________________________________________ 1. Courage Grounded in God’s Promise, Not Personality Joshua’s charge begins not with strategy, temperament, or self-belief, but with promise. The command to be strong and courageous is anchored in what God has already sworn. The land is not a possibility to be earned but an inheritance to be received. Joshua is called to act boldly because God has already acted faithfully. Biblical courage is never self-generated confidence; it is trust in the settled word of God. Joshua 1:6 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1%3A6&version=NKJV Genesis 12:7 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+12%3A7&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 2. Courage Expressed Through Obedience In verse 7, courage takes a surprising form: careful obedience. Strength is not defined as reckless boldness but as steadfast submission to God’s revealed will. Joshua is warned not to drift — not even slightly — from the law given through Moses. This teaches us that true courage is not independence from God’s word, but dependence upon it. Prosperity, in biblical terms, flows from alignment with God’s instruction, not from daring innovation. Joshua 1:7 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1%3A7&version=NKJV Deuteronomy 5:32–33 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+5%3A32-33&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 3. Courage Commanded Because God Is Present Joshua 1:9 brings the heart of the matter into full view. Courage is not merely encouraged; it is commanded. Fear and dismay are forbidden, not because the situation is safe, but because God is near. The Lord does not promise Joshua ease, but presence. “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go” transforms danger into duty and uncertainty into obedience. The nearness of God is the decisive factor. Joshua 1:9 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1%3A9&version=NKJV Exodus 33:14 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A14&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 4. Courage Learned, Then Taught By Joshua 10:25, the command that once pressed upon Joshua’s own fears now comes from his mouth to others. What God spoke into Joshua, Joshua now speaks into his people. Courage rooted in God’s presence is contagious. Leaders who trust God’s nearness train others to do the same. Notice that Joshua does not promise personal triumph; he points to what the LORD will do. Courage matures when it becomes testimony. Joshua 10:25 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+10%3A25&version=NKJV Psalm 27:1 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+27%3A1&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 5. From Joshua to the People of God These commands were not preserved for Joshua alone. The pattern holds throughout Scripture: God calls His people into difficult obedience, then grounds that call in His abiding presence. The courage God commands is always courage He supplies. The same God who stood with Joshua stands with His people still. His nearness does not eliminate battles; it guarantees His faithfulness in them. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+41%3A10&version=NKJV Matthew 28:20 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A20&version=NKJV ________________________________________ Reflection Questions 1. How does God’s promise to Joshua reshape your understanding of courage in uncertain situations? 2. Why does Scripture connect courage so closely with obedience rather than with bold initiative? 3. What fears are confronted by the promise, “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go”? 4. In what ways might your own trust in God’s presence strengthen others? ________________________________________ Prayer Points 1. Thank God that His commands are always joined to His promises. 2. Ask for strength to obey God’s word without turning to the right or the left. 3. Pray for courage rooted in God’s nearness rather than confidence in yourself. 4. Ask that your trust in God would encourage and steady others. ________________________________________ For further study (NKJV): Deuteronomy 31:6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+31%3A6&version=NKJV Psalm 118:6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118%3A6&version=NKJV Hebrews 13:5–6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A5-6&version=NKJV ________________________________________ #HolyWitBibleStudy #GordonMcGinnis #IAmWithYou #Joshua1

Daily scripture: Joshua 1:9 NIV 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.” https://bible.com/bible/111/jos.1.9.NIV #Joshua1 #nofear #underthebloodofJesus #Bible #Christianity #faith #trustGod

RHEMA FOR LIFE Friday, 18 July 2025 By Apostle Daniel MK THEME: DESTINY IS FOR THE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS (PART 2) TEXT: Joshua1 vs 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 whithersoever thou goest. You have to be courageous in journey of destiny because there are many things that will confront you inorder to hinder you. Being Courageous means you must fearless, bold enough to confront the battles and challenges that come your way. When you are not courageous you will accept anything life and the world throws at you. You need courage that defiles the opinions of men, courage that defiles the fear of failure or making mistakes. The fearful can't face anything that confronts them in this life, there are things you endure but the are also things you confront or face head on, you must fight. When you are fearful you are defeated even before you stand in the battle front. What you don't want you don't watch, what you don't confront will confront you and defeat you. Its takes the strong and Courageous to do the will God, not to turn aside to the left or the right. Its courage to turn away from the direction of the multitude to follow what God has said to you. The righteous are as bold as the lion, a lion does retreat for anything. You boldness or Courageous must not be in the flesh but energized by the Spirit of God. CONFESSION I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus therefore, i am as bold as a lion, I don't retreat or surrender at anything that confronts me in Jesus mighty name AMEN Further studies: Proverbs 30 vs 30, 2 Timothy 1 vs 7

RHEMA FOR LIFE Thursday, 17 July 2025 By Apostle Daniel MK THEME: DESTINY IS FOR THE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS TEXT: Joshua1 vs 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 whithersoever thou goest. Destiny is the journey of the strong and the courageous, and not the weak and feeble. If you faint in the day of battle your strength is little. We don't gather strength in the day of battle but in the time of peace when you can train and prepare for the battle. When God said be strong; it means you are steadfast and unmovable always standing by what God has commanded you. Every journey of destiny begins what God has said to you. What God said is what keeps you and encourages you. You must not allow satan to move you away from the revelation God has given you. What God has said to you is your strength in the journey of destiny. The opinions of men, their criticism or persecution must make you change your mind over what God said. Your Journey of destiny end when what God said is fulfilled, when you loose sight of what God said to you, you have lost the direction of your destiny. CONFESSION I am steadfast, unmovable always standing by what God has said, I am not moved by the opinions of men, their criticism or persecution in Jesus mighty name AMEN Further studies: 1 Corinthians 15 vs 58, proverbs 24 vs 10, Ephesians 6 vs 10 DOMINION LIFE EMBASSY

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua1:8