God Speaks!

Does God speak to you? Do you hear His voice in your heart, your spirit, your mind? I do. That is, if I listen. I was reminded a few days ago by my husband, John, that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason! If you truly are Christ's and want to hear from Him, you sometimes have to stop talking and just listen!

God usually talks to me about the same thing from many different sources. The more I hear the same thing, the more I know He wants me to learn it, and remember it. This time it started when our Care Mińistry team, CrossRoads, from Church held our annual banquet in July. The scripture was the theme for our group moving forward. It was Joshua 1:9. "This is my command, be strong and courageous! This is mentioned over and over in Joshua as The Israelites moved into the promised land.

A few days later I read in Deuteronomy 31:6 that Moses said to Joshua.....be strong and courageous! In the next week our Life Group Bible study at Church was on Joshua. Yes, again, be strong and courageous! Right after that two people posted posters on Face Book with Joshua 1:9. By now,be strong and courageous was becoming "my verse."

I have no doubt God was teaching me as only He can! I love when He does this. Since I accepted Him as my Savior 30 some years ago, He has forgiven me, turned my life away from what I was, and secured my place in Heaven. By His blood shed, and His resurrection I have been redeemed. I know by that,

that when I am confronted with the same scripture over and over, I need to learn it, understand it, and live it.

Strong means muscular power, mentally vigorous,great moral power, and mighty and unwavering. Courageous means bold, confident, and fearless. Obedience to God's word gives the success and the victory to live strong and courageous. It is God's power, not mine. Whatever makes me afraid He will deliver me from, so I can be strong and courageous. Strong in today's world also prepares me to be strong in character, and to stand for what God says is right. The world's views are not what God says in His word. Too many say the Bible is just words men wrote. I have to be strong and bold to stand up to those lies of satan.

I am being watched, not only where I live, but now on social media. What does that world see in me and how I live life? Am I holding on to what God says or what is easy and safe? God is teaching me to be alert mentally and spiritually and ready for the enemy. The world needs to see Bible believing Christians as strong and courageous in Christ!

The reason for that strong and courageous demeanor is because of Christ living in us. His absolute care is absent from the lives of those who reject Him. "So don't be afraid, little flock for it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom," Luke 12:32.  It's a free gift. Take Him into your heart, accept His sacrifice on the cross for your sins, and turn from those sins. If you accept Him into your life, you will have His care so you can be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Again Joshua 1:9. God speaks....are you listening?