Strong & Courageous - "Michael W. Smith" off the “Project” album, 1983

Описание: Musical Devotion 11/23/2019 https://www.jmoljax.org/

It was 1983 when the Michael W. Smith “Project” album came out. I wore this and his MWS “2” albums out while attending “Ichthus Bible Training Center” for two years in 1984-1986 right before I joined the Army.

Early this morning in my sleep a song in my thoughts that relates to the “Project Album” which kept going over and over in my mind. When I woke up and went to my PC and listened to this particular song and looked up the Bible text it refers to: Joshua 1:1-9:
“1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, 2 Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
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. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

As the text says Moses had died and the people needed a leader, they were confused, tired from being in the wilderness for 40 years; they lacked trust in God and were weak and cowardly as I feel many times in my life.

God chose Joshua, just like he has chosen every man that has accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior to stand and be counted to LEAD our families, friends, take roles at their church, to be in MINISTRY whether being a custodian as I have been or a Pastor it does not matter if it is what God has called you to do! Do it with all your might! God will hold you even when you fall, because you will but get back up and stand.

Be Strong and Courageous in all you have responsibility over leading with the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit backed by time in God’s word. I have had my times of weak and cowardly, don’t get me wrong; I have to deal with the old man self every day, almost every breath and it takes a MAN to take the mantle to lead men and to keep encouraging them to stand in the Lord,.

Asa young man being pulled in many different ways, this song helped keep my sights on the call. BELIEVE ME, I am not perfect, far from it, but I live to serve my God and His Son who saved me from a life of prison and shame to be a father and servant.

MEN (teens to Seniors), Be Strong even if you think you are weak, take your role one minute at a time, live victory to victory and learn from defeat but do not let Satan the victory over you as you have a Savior who already has paid the price for you to stand before the Father and call upon His promises.

This promise in Joshua 1:1-9 was for Joshua but stands today as a promise to you and I men; that God will be our standard if we step out and lead His children (your family, your children, your co-workers, you Sunday School class, you Bible study or small group, your job) everything you touch will be blessed. I encourage you to test God on His promise and see if it is not life changing, bringing meaning into your life like you never knew before (just ask the men in “The Man Cave” our small group, as you can NEVER be too young or old to be “Strong and Courageous”.
It does not matter what we were, it matters what we will be. A quote from Joel Osteen’s book “Your Best Life Now” that I have used since 2000 reminds me “I am what I am today because of what I believed about myself yesterday, I will be tomorrow what I believe about myself right now!”

From 1983, Michael W. Smith off his “Project” album, “Be Strong and Courageous”! Remember, the Bible has 365 Strong & Courageous verses, one for each day, such them out and stand on them!