Be Strong and Courageous

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.  Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

- Joshua 1:6-9

Father God, thank You for the assurance of Your Presence in me.  Thank You for Your encouraging Word.  Lord, when You say You will be with me, I can count on You. This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

[Journal entry: February 2, 2012]

A Doer More Than a Hearer

For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

- Romans 2:13

To God, obedience to the law is more important than hearing the law.  God has a different scale in measuring righteousness.  Ours is way too different from His. What credit is it to the man if he hears the law but do not obey it?

Am I a hearer or a doer of the law?  It is futile if I hear the law yet I do not obey it.  By God's grace and by the Holy Spirit's empowerment I am able to hear and obey the Word of God.  I should not just be a hearer, but also a doer of God's Word.

Father God, help me to live out Your Word in my life that I may be a doer more than a hearer.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

[Journal entry: June 13, 2011]

God Loves, God Hates

There are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely.  I hate all this," declares the Lord.

- Zechariah 8: 16-17

 God hates evil. He wants us to love truth and peace just as He loves it.  God sets the things we are to do, and He wants us to obey Him.  If we obey, He has promised to reward us.  If we obey, we are giving Him the glory.  God is faithful in keeping His promise, but we are also to do our part: obey Him.  God loves truth and peace. We are to do the same.

[Journal entry: December 16, 2011]