Joshua 1:9:“Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage (brave); be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed (distressed): for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (wherever you go).”

Courage can sometimes be hard to muster up, especially when we feel that God is calling us and leading us in a path that we have never trod.
We have a burning in our heart to accomplish something that we have no idea how or where to begin, maybe it is starting a ministry, or an outreach.

Maybe it is even witnessing to family or friends and being unsure of how you will be received by them.

Everyone is a little scared when we first step out in faith.

When asked, many pastors will gladly tell you that they still battle nervousness on occasion.

I spoke with one many years ago when I did live preaching, asking advice about how to overcome the nervousness of speaking in front of a congregation and his response to me was this: “The day you quit being nervous is the day something is wrong.” He went on to tell me how he still got nervous on occasion and some of the lessons he had learned along the way.

And rightfully so, none of us want to ever get out of the will of God, nor do we want to be disobedient in the calling in which to he has called us.

So what do we do?

First off, God will never send any of us out unequipped.

This is why God encouraged Joshua after the death of Moses, that he would now lead the children; God would be with him, he just had to remind himself of that when he felt some of those emotions and fears rise up in him, setting themselves against the call on his life and his service to God.

The most detailed example of this, that I have found, is when God gave instructions for all that should be built for the worship and service of Him.

This passage is at the end after he had given precise measurements, colors, details, and fabrics, stones, woods that would be required in the building.

So the instruction had already been given, now to the builders.

Exodus 31:1-11: “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of tribe of Judah:

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise (conceive, come up with) cunning (skillful) works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in the carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,

And the table and his furniture (fittings, fixture etc.), and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,

And the altar of burnt offering with all is furniture, and the laver and his foot,

And the clothes of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office,

And the holy anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holt place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.”

Think about that, they were given special skills specifically for the jobs they were to do and it truly was all of it, as you can read.

They were individually given the wisdom and skill of many craftsmen.

Every account in the Bible of God sending a person with a specific task to be completed also tells us that they were also given the instruction and knowledge from God as needed to complete that task.

Noah is another wonderful example.

The same is true for our gifts and calling, God puts that burning in our heart and then he directs us and equips us as needed.

We usually become aware of our callings as God works in our hearts and it will always be something that is so close to your heart. Such as if you are called to preach, you seriously are consumed with the Bible, it’s like a love and a hunger to study, to know more, to understand more, it doesn’t feel like a burden it feels like your greatest joy.

As I have said in posts past, if it is like an outreach or specialized ministry, the group that it pertains too will have a special place in your heart, hearing their stories make you weep endlessly and your heart burst with compassion and a desire to ease those burdens.

God works in all areas of human existence, the possibilities are endless, but when you feel it you will know.

Pray, seek his guidance and confirmation and wait on that instruction and then he will open every door that you need to walk through.

And that could very well be many, ever notice that most churches have multiple programs and services?

It all starts with a person’s obedience to the prompting of God to go forth and obedience produces growth and that growth produces abundant fruit.

And with the growth of anything, there will be pests along the way, trying to dissuade and discourage that growth.

Just as he encouraged Joshua to not focus on those things which tried to hinder the way, to only focus on him. We also need only to focus on God and he will take care of the rest.

Surrender completely to his leading, his guidance and be obedient to his prompting in your spirit and the call on your life will be fulfilled.

We are vessels, and as vessels we are not tasked with the where, when, how, and what of it all.
Just trust God daily, do not get caught up in next week, tomorrow, or even today.

Simply trust that if he is bidding you, he will make the way.

Philippians 2:13:” For it is God which worketh in you both to will and do of his good pleasure.”

That takes the pressure off of us, because it is not us.

Hebrews 13:20,21: ” Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that good shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Make you perfect (complete) in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom the glory be for ever and ever. Amen.”

Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

We have to start the journey on that road before we ever know here it may lead.

Love & Peace to you until next time!

Thank you for reading and spending some of your time with me!

Φλογιζω NBJ2026/ Rev. N Brown Johnson