"Be Strong and Courageous" Pt 2 of 2 - Thursday April 23, 2026

“Be Strong and Courageous” Pt 2 of 2:

God gave these words to Joshua after the passing of Moses. Reading the first chapter of Joshua, one might wonder what the new leader would face as he continued the task of leading the Israelites to Canaan. Three different times Joshus was told, “Be strong and courageous. Be strong and very courageous!” What would go through your mind if the Lord gave those words to you at the beginning of a day? Anxious? Nervous? Hesitant? Certainly, there’s cause to wonder is something bad about to happen.

 

Verse 9 says, “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.” Knowing the Lord has promised to be with us should bring great comfort, but as we walk through life, we’ll face unexpected and unknown things that cause concern.

 

Accepting a challenge, whether it’s a child going to school for the first time, a graduate heading off to college, moving out of your parent’s home, and living on your own, or beginning a new job can all be overwhelming for an individual. Facing the unknown can be scary, but sometimes facing what is known is worse. God knew what Joshua would face as he led millions of Israelites through the wilderness. It would be a trip where his faith would be tested.

 

“Be strong and very courageous” were words Joshua not only needed to hear, but they also needed to be relied upon every step of the journey. When you are lonely and afraid, ask God to give you strength and courage. When you’ve done everything you possibly can do in a given situation, know in your heart God is with you because He promised he would be. Be confident that He’s with you, even when you can’t hear his voice or sense his presence.

 

Sometimes you’ll feel alone, but you aren’t alone. He hasn’t forgotten or forsaken you. Remember, His plan for your life is still at work, even when nothing is making sense to you. God is faithful to his word. When facing adversity, he will help us “Be strong and very courageous.” Don’t ever give up! He’s with you because he said he would be.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

FW: "Be Strong and Courageous" Pt 1 of 2 - Wednesday April 22, 2026

 

 

From: Gerald Carnes
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 10:45 PM
To: Lowell Clyburn <lowell.clyburn@gmail.com>
Subject: "Be Strong and Courageous" Pt 1 of 2 - Wednesday April 22, 2026

 

“Be Strong and Courageous” Pt 1 of 2:

People refer to normal days as “uneventful.” This means nothing out of the ordinary happened. The adults went to work, the kids went to school, maybe there was afterwork or after school activities, but at the end of the day, everyone was home safe and sound. Soon it’s time to go to bed so everyone can get up in the morning for a repeat of the day before.

 

Normal days can be taken for granted if we aren’t careful. Coming home at the end of the day without any problems can also be taken for granted. Way to often life is lived routinely until the routine is disrupted. There are folks who left their homes this morning but returned with worry, stress, and uncertainty because of an unexpected crisis. That’s the twists and turns of living life. Some days are good, others not so good, and some downright gut wrenching.

 

After Moses died, the Lord appointed Joshua to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. The Lord told Joshua, “Everything I promised Moses, I pass on to you” (Joshua 1:3). Knowing the trip would be filled with trials, difficulties, and battles to fight, God gave this new leader some encouraging words, “Be strong and courageous; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you, I will never leave nor forsake you” (1:5-9).

 

These are comforting words from God the Father to one of his followers, but they are words the Lord gives to us each day of our lives. If we have a personal relationship with Christ, we can rely upon the Lord’s promise, “I will be with you.”

 

Joshua was told, “Be strong and courageous” four different times in the first chapter of Joshua. We are living in a day where battles, situations, and circumstances of life must be faced with spiritual strength and courage. We must determine to be strong and courageous in our decision making, our activities, the decisions we make, and the relationships we build or need to break off. Are you living each day knowing the Lord is walking beside you, leading you, or holding your hand? He said, “He’d never leave you.”

 

Pastor Carnes

"Are You Sure, Moses?" - Tuesday April 21, 2026

“Are You Sure, Moses?”

Driving to a place we’ve never been to before, thankfully we a choice of maps or a GPS to get us to our destination. However, sometimes new roads have been put in that the maps don’t show, while the voice in the dashboard is either saying “Make a U-turn” or “You’ve reached your destination.”

 

How do you feel when your trip is re-routed or delayed? Frustrated? Irritated? Angry? All three, plus more? Let’s go back a bunch of centuries and join the multitude of Israelites following Moses out of Egypt. When things don’t go as expected, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with emotion and maybe even fear. However, God often uses unexpected circumstances for our protection.

 

How many times have you been delayed because of a long train, and once across the tracks viewed a serious accident that took place not long before you got there? What about realizing you forgot your phone or some important papers after traveling a couple miles and had the need to return to get them? The point is, do we ever stop to thank God for the inconvenience realizing He has protected us from something we weren’t aware of?

 

This is what happened to the Israelites when they came out of captivity in Egypt (Exodus 13:17). The shortest route from Egypt to Canaan was along “the way of the Philistines” – a trade route that hugged the southeast shore of the Mediterranean Sea. That road led directly to the land of the Philistines. Through Moses, God directed the people to turn south into the Sinai wilderness to avoid encountering the war-like Philistines and be destroyed or driven back to Egypt.

 

Though the Sinai wilderness was inhospitable, the change in direction most likely saved their lives.  Unexpected events should be used as a way to thank God that EVERY EVENT works together for your good (Romans 8:28). John Blanchard states, “No Christian should feel under the circumstances because the circumstances are under God.”

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

"This is Our Time" - Monday April 20, 2026

Personal Note: Several weeks ago, the completion of book I wrote called, “This is My Story” was mentioned in a devotional and how it could be purchased. In recent days, a number of folks have emailed requesting the website where it can be ordered be listed again. Please know, I did not set the price, nor do I receive anything from the sales, and a bit surprised at the number that have been sold. If interested, click on the link below, check the “black & white” section ($39), scroll down to place your order, confirm book is ready to print, hit continue and go to shipping details and purchase. Several have asked if I’d sign the book and I’m happy to do so. I normally have extras on hand and if this is your desire, contact me and I’ll work out the details with you. Here’s the link for a private purchase: https://www.storyworth.com/book/this-is-my-story---gerry-carnes/order. 

 

“This is Our Time”

As dedicated followers of Christ we believe in a number of things about Him. Like, He makes no mistakes, his ways are better than ours, his thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and that he has a divine plan for our lives.

 

This is being written Sunday afternoon and I’m still on “overload” after teaching a lesson on Esther in my Bible Class at church this morning. If you aren’t familiar with this incredible story in the Bible, I encourage you to read it. It’s like many of the things happening in our world today were played out centuries before us and we’re reading the events of that story. Haman, the right-hand man of King Xerxes and from the line of the Amalekites which was a nomadic warring tribe and persistent enemies of ancient Israel.

 

After learning of Haman’s plan to annihilate all the Jews, Mordecai convinces his cousin, Queen Esther, to set a time to visit the king explaining Haman’s plan. This would be a dangerous move as no one was permitted to meet with the king without being summoned.  In fear of her own life, Esther agrees to meet with the king after praying and fasting to explain Haman’s plot. Mordecai encouraged Esther, “who knows but that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this” (4:14). Esther, a young girl, determined to do the right thing stating, “If I perish, I perish” (4:16).

 

This is a “thumbnail” briefing of an exciting story, but here’s what you need to see. Most agree our nation and world is not only divided, but in crisis. There are evil people in high places, hatred and violence in our streets, and movements across the land opposing God, the Bible, Christianity, and churches where the Bible is taught. Some would say, “We are living in a dark world that’s getting darker.”

 

I believe God has a plan for your life and mine, just like He did Esther. God chose your parents and chose your birthdate knowing you would be alive at this moment in history. We aren’t here by accident or miscalculation. Our time on earth was and is orchestrated by Almighty God “For such a time as this!” He has confidence in and believes in His followers to stand for holiness and do the right things. He expects us to love others, to pray for evildoers, and let our spiritual light shine so as to point an unbeliever to the Savior. This is an exciting time to be alive! “It’s Our Time!” Let’s not be afraid to stand for truth and righteousness. Like Esther, we have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

"What You Sow in One Season, you will Reap in another season" Pt 5 of 5: Friday April 17, 2026

“What You Sow in One Season, you will Reap in another season” Pt 5 of 5:

1. The Seasons of your life are beyond your control. - 2. They are often confusing. – 3. God has a purpose for every season. – 4. The Seasons of life include both Good and Bad times.

 

5. What You sow in One Season, you will Reap in another season: You don’t plant anything and immediately harvest the next day. You plant in the spring and harvest in the fall. Unfortunately, most of us aren’t good at waiting. We describe this as a “microwave mentality.” With new technology, even the microwave is too slow for some. We definitely are a “I WANT IT NOW,” society.

 

We read in the book of Malachi that if we give the Lord 10% of our earnings, He will open the windows of heaven and pour out his blessings. This sounds great. So, we put our tithe in and expect his blessings before we get home. Blessings for faithful tithing is a promise of God, but the blessing doesn’t always come immediately. This same principle applies to every aspect of our life. God knows what we need and the exact time to meet the need.

 

It’s like planting. You plant a seed one season, and you always harvest in another. A wise person said, “The bad habits you develop in the home and at school will carry on into your life as an adult, your marriage, and career.” Dr. Crawford Loritts said, “When you are born, you look like your parents, when you die you look like your decisions.” Destiny isn’t a mystery; it’s a series of decisions. For better or worse, we look more and more like our decisions every day.

 

The good news is that you are one decision away from a totally different life and lifestyle. My prayer is that God would give you the clarity, the conviction, and the courage to make that decision. The way you respond to things, both good and bad, definitely affects your future. Make a habit of deciding at this moment to DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING, (whether you feel like it or not). It’ll pay great dividends in the future, for you, your family, and friends.

 

“Let us not be weary in doing well for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” In other words, if we continue to do the right things and don’t give up. As parents, the way we act or respond in certain situations is setting a pattern for our children. Be careful because they are watching, learning  and imitating you’re behavior and reactions.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

"The SEASONS of life include both GOOD and BAD times" Pt 4 of 5 - Thursday April 16, 2026

“The Seasons of life include both GOOD and BAD TIMES” Pt 4 of 5:

1. The Seasons of life are beyond my control – 2. They are often confusing – 3. God has a purpose for every season.

 

4. The Seasons of life include both GOOD and BAD times: Life is full of contrasts. We experience mountains of joy and happiness, but also walk through the valleys of sorrow, and despair. We go through successes and we go through failures. We have winnings and we have losses. In weather there are four seasons, but in your life, there are many different seasons.

 

Solomon listed 28 different life experiences in Ecclesiastes 3:2-8. Here’s a few from the wisest man that ever lived; “There’s a time to be born and a time to die, a time to laugh and a time to cry, a time to find and a time to lose, a time to speak up and a time to be quiet (we often get these two mixed up).” We need the courage to speak up when we should and have the good sense to be silent when necessary.

 

Life is a combination of contrasting seasons. All sunshine and no rain make a desert. If you are truly following God with a desire to live as He wants you to live, every experience (season) in life has meaning and purpose in your life. This doesn’t mean you understand the season and some seasons will be disappointing and even painful. But in our walk of faith, we believe God’s ways are better than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We believe He is our High Tower and can not only see our future, but in navigating our future.

 

There was a popular song by Ray Stevens years ago called, “Everything is Beautiful in it’s Own Way.” It was a great song, but unfortunately, not everything is beautiful. Any type of disease is not beautiful, war is not beautiful, broken relationships are not beautiful, losing a loved is not beautiful.

 

Some of you are going through a season right now and it’s not beautiful. It’s ugly. Your finances, health, marriage, relationship with a friend, job, or something else is everything but beautiful. It’s the pits and you may be screaming, “God – why is this happening to me?” Stand firm with an obedient heart, keep your eyes focused upon Christ and know he knows and understands everything you’re going through. He’s even catching your tears. As the songwriter wrote, “I don’t know about tomorrow – BUT I KNOW WHO HOLDS MY HAND!” (Pt 5 Tomorrow: What you sow in one season, you will reap in another season).

 

Pastor Carnes

"God has a PURPOSE for Every Season of your life" Pt 3 of 5: - Wednesday April 15, 2026

“God has a purpose for Every Season of your life” Pt 3 of 5:

1. The Seasons of my life are beyond my control. 2) The Seasons of life are often confusing.

 

3. God has a PURPOSE for Every Season of your life: Throughout our lifetime we will experience seasons of loneliness, sadness, grief, successes, failure, illness, loss, and others. Romans 8:28 was mentioned yesterday. Here’s the Living Bible version, “We know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.” There are three important words mentioned, “working for” and “if.”

 

This promise is not for everybody. All things DO NOT work together for good for everybody in the world. They only work together for good for those who love God and are fitting into his plans. This means, you’re trusting Him with what you are doing. If you are a believer, nothing comes into your life that hasn’t been filtered by your heavenly father. Your life is not a random series of freak accidents and occurrences and circumstances that just happen.

 

God has an appointed time for everything. He never does things by accident. Does this include the bad, hard, and difficult times?” Yes! Understand this. God doesn’t have to plan all the problems in your life or mine. Nor does he have to plan the bad times. We do pretty well with the problems and bad things ourselves. Things happen because of our bad choices, allowing others to lead us down a wrong path, and ignoring the influence God wants to have on our life.

 

God does have a purpose however and can use every trial, heartache, and difficult situation to draw good out of it. That means every single event, no matter how dark, no matter how shameful, or how bad it is, God can bring good out of it. He doesn’t have to plan bad; but he can bring good out of bad!

 

The Bible doesn’t say all things are good because all things are not good! It says, “ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD” for those who give God all the pieces and say, “God, here’s my messed-up life, will you make good out of it?” Remember, God is more interested in your future than your past. He wants you to trust Him with the sins you’ve committed, the pain and suffering you’ve experienced and everything else. It isn’t to late to let Him make something good out of difficult times. (Tomorrow #4: Life’s Seasons Include Good and Bad).

 

Pastor Carnes