Pastor's Corner

for Sunday 18th September
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Who or what are “them” referred to in this scripture? In this chapter Moses is telling the Israelites that they are going to cross the Jordan without him, and Joshua will lead them into the promised land. The promised land is still inhabited by other nations of people and the Israelites are going to have to fight for what God has promised them. I believe the “them” in this verse refers to anything that keeps you from the promises of God, and true fellowship with Him. “Them” are your fears, “them” are the lies of the deceiver. Telling you to remain paralyzed with fear, unable to fight for the promises of God in your life. 2 Tim 1: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. God’s word empowers us, and encourages us to have the strength to apply change to our lives. Instead of living defeated lives we can live in triumphant victory and hope. If you always do, what you always did, you will always get, what you have always gotten. When the fear of change is eclipsed by the pain of staying the same we are then ready to apply change to our lives. God wants to help us to better our lives, every area of our lives. This week I encourage you to have the faith to make a change, big or small, and see how God blesses it. Jake Thomas