(part 2)
I also noticed the Lord was continuing to surround us with other previously mentioned themes ~ such as how God is WITH US (as mentioned in the “Awesome confirmations” link above) – “He is WITH US and will SHOW US what to do” – and that He WILL NOT FAIL US (as mentioned in part 3 of last message). The following 2 timely devos from Joyce tie all these together with the previous words about not fearing – saying that even if we don’t understand what God is doing or what’s going to happen – all we really need to know (to resist and overcome fear and be strong/courageous) is that He IS WITH US and WILL NOT FAIL US.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God Is with You
by Joyce Meyer – July 10, 2014
Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes WITH YOU; He WILL NOT FAIL YOU or forsake you. —Deuteronomy 31:6
If we know by faith that God is with us, we can take on any challenge with confidence and courage. We may not always feel God’s presence, but we can trust His Word and remember that He said He would never leave us or forsake us. In Joshua 1:1–3, God called Joshua to a great challenge of leadership— taking the children of Israel into the Promised Land: “…Moses My servant is dead. So now arise [take his place], go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them…. Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses.”
…As soon as God gave this news to Joshua, He immediately assured him: “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I WILL BE WITH YOU; I WILL NOT FAIL YOU or forsake you. Be strong (confident) and of good courage…” (vv. 5–6). Later in this same scene, God encouraged Joshua again, saying, “Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God IS WITH YOU wherever you go” (v. 9). Basically, God was saying to Joshua, “You have a big job to do, but don’t let it intimidate you. Fear not. Do not be afraid, because I WILL BE WITH YOU.”
In the Bible, THE BASIS FOR NOT FEARING IS SIMPLY THIS: GOD IS WITH US. And if we know God’s character and nature, we know He is trustworthy. WE DO NOT HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO; SIMPLY KNOWING HE IS WITH US IS MORE THAN ENOUGH.
Trust in Him: Are you tempted to be afraid when you see the awesome responsibility God has given you? I encourage you not to run, but to stand firm, trusting God because HE IS WITH YOU.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Practice the Presence of God
By Joyce Meyer – posted July 12, 2014
And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. —Exodus 33:14
This was God’s reply to Moses when he asked about the particulars of the mission he had been given and how he could get to know God better. God simply assured Moses that HIS PRESENCE WOULD BE WITH HIM and give him rest. This was considered by God to be a great privilege. To Him, IT WAS ALL THAT MOSES REALLY NEEDED.
What was true for Moses is true for you. AS MUCH AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW GOD’S PLANS AND WAYS FOR YOU, ALL YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW IS THAT HIS PRESENCE WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER HE SENDS YOU AND IN WHATEVER HE GIVES YOU TO DO. (both devos – Copyright, Joyce Meyer Ministries)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After noticing this theme again of God assuring us that He is WITH US and this is all we need, Sunday morning, our worship pastor exhorted the worship team with this same message about not being disturbed by our circumstances, but remembering and focusing on the fact that God is WITH US and IN US and that’s all we need!!! I knew God was continuing to confirm!!! I also saw these additional confirmations (among others):
Don’t throw away your confidence, as THE ONE WHO PROMISES WILL NEVER FAIL YOU. ~ Mark Chironna
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who GOES WITH YOU. HE WILL NOT FAIL YOU nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (on my daily calendar)
Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I WILL NOT IN ANY WAY FAIL YOU nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:5-6
I leave you today with this blessing from JHM as we continue to walk out our destiny in obedience to God by faith and not by sight:
And Now May The Lord Bless You And May The Lord Keep You. And May The Lord Make His Face To Shine Upon You. And May The Lord Give You His Peace. May God Take You Through The Problem To The Provision. May You, With Bold, Relentless Faith, Go Straight Through The Problem And Receive The Promise Of God. Let This Day And The Days That Follow Be Days Of Triumph And Victory Because God Is A Faithful God Who Will Never Fail You. In Jesus’ Name, We Receive The Answer. ~ JHM blessing
Let’s continue praying each other through!
Laura
