GBC Community Update: Be strong and of good courage

​Good morning.  Things are feeling more like fall- cool, crisp mornings and warm afternoons. I love this time of year and also the seasons. They are a reminder to me of how God is working in all kinds of circumstances and situations.
 
 
Oasis@Midweek starts up again September 27
Oasis@Midweek for this season is starting up again next Wednesday with a special celebration.  We will have a pizza supper starting at 6pm and go on from there as we celebrate camp and are reminded of what it means to be STELLAR.  This event is for kids JK to grade 6 who are invited to join us from 6:30pm to 8pm for an Oasis Camp themed evening of music, games, life lesson and this week our youth group leads which means our popular drama.  O@M is not just for those who went to camp but for all who would like to learn how to ‘shine Jesus light’ and be STELLAR.
 
 
Gospel music concert coming to Crestwicke
For fans of gospel music, there is a concert this Sunday at 6pm at Crestwicke Baptist Church featuring the Watchmen Quartet.  Details are in the attached poster.
 
 
Thought for the day: Be strong and of good courage
Who is a hero of yours? One of mine is King Robert the Bruce of Scotland. I have a painting of him in my office and would love to tell you about this remarkable man.  From the Bible, most of you will likely know it is a selfless hero-Joshua.  After Joshua took over when Moses died, he needed encouragement. As with Robert the Bruce who had a quiet but resolute faith in God so to did Joshua.  When the people were afraid and needed assurance from God (as did Joshua), their leader went to God.
And God answered.
In Joshua 1, we see the command, “Be strong and of good courage” repeated three times.  Verse 9 says:
“Have I not commanded you? BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
It’s worth noting that God actually commanded Joshua to be STRONG and of GOOD COURAGE. It isn’t a request of God or some mere suggestions but it’s a command.
We can learn from this. 
Instead of fearing, God encourages us to be strong and be courageous. But what does this mean?  It means that we should not stay weak. We must be strong in the Lord. That means we need to obtain strength from our Supreme Eternal God.
Being strong isn’t enough but we must also be courageous. Being courageous means that we should have the confidence to do what God wants us to do. Though things may not seem to go your way, being courageous means that you are able to move forward as you trust God.
God wants us to have a different kind of courage, the kind Joshua showed, to have the courage to do what is right and proper in God’s eyes.
So, be strong and courageous, you can definitely overcome fear through the Lord and that will change a LOT of things in your life.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris