March 18th
Today’s Reading
Joshua 1–2, Psalm 37, 1 Corinthians 3
⸻
Scripture Focus
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7–9 NLT
“Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!”
Joshua 1:18 NLT
“For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og… No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! … For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.”
Joshua 2:10–11 NLT
⸻
Reflection
My sweet sister,
It’s no secret that I was saved while I was incarcerated. I spent a whole year of my life sitting in the dorms of the jail, reading God’s Word. When it was time for me to be released, I was very fearful. I didn’t trust myself, and I didn’t know what was going to happen to my life. At least in the jail, I knew I was safe—sitting on my bed, reading God’s Word, and leading other women to Christ.
The day before I was released, I was praying and asking the Lord to meet me and tell me what to do. I knew I would be stepping into a whole new life—a life walking with God.
And the verse of the day was Joshua 1:9…
Be strong and courageous… meditate on My Word day and night… and you will be prosperous and successful in all you do.
I have held onto this verse as my life verse.
I had many challenges before me.
But in my heart, I always knew—if I stay in God’s Word, obey His Word, and follow His instructions, I will be successful.
And now, 32 years later, I can attest to the truth of this.
So what does it look like to be strong and courageous?
What are some of the things we need to be strong and courageous in?
Being strong and courageous is not about personality—it is about obedience rooted in trust.
God didn’t tell Joshua to feel strong…
He told him to choose strength through obedience.
Here are some ways this shows up in our daily lives:
⸻
1. Being strong to obey God’s Word—no matter what
“Do not deviate… to the right or to the left.”
•Choosing God’s way when it’s harder
•Saying no to sin when it would be easier to give in
•Standing on truth even when others don’t
👉 Strength is staying aligned with God when everything pulls you away.
⸻
2. Being courageous to trust God with the unknown
Joshua was stepping into territory he had never led before.
•Walking into new seasons (like you did when you were released)
•Not knowing the outcome—but moving forward anyway
•Trusting God is already there before you arrive
👉 Courage is moving forward without having all the answers.
⸻
3. Being disciplined to stay in the Word daily
“Study this Book… meditate on it day and night.”
•Opening your Bible when you’re tired
•Feeding your spirit before your flesh
•Letting God’s Word shape your decisions
👉 Strength is built in daily consistency, not occasional moments.
⸻
4. Being courageous to live differently
Rahab recognized God—and chose Him—even when her whole city didn’t.
•Living set apart
•Speaking about God boldly
•Choosing faith over fear of people
👉 Courage is choosing God even if you stand alone.
⸻
5. Being strong in seasons of fear and discouragement
“Do not be afraid or discouraged…”
•When emotions feel overwhelming
•When life feels uncertain
•When the past tries to define you
👉 Strength is not the absence of fear—it’s refusing to let fear lead.
⸻
6. Being courageous to believe God’s promises are for YOU
•Not going back to your old life
•Believing God could truly transform you
•Walking out a new identity
👉 Courage says: “God’s Word is true—even for me.”
⸻
7. Being strong to keep going for the long run
•Staying faithful when it’s no longer “new”
•Continuing in obedience year after year
•Holding onto God’s Word through every season
👉 Strength is endurance in obedience
God didn’t just say “be strong”…
He gave the reason:
“For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
That changes everything.
You’re not being asked to be strong alone.
You’re being invited to walk with the One who is strong.
Lesson for Me
Being strong and courageous is not about how I feel—it is about how I choose to live.
If I stay in God’s Word, obey His instructions, and trust Him in every season, I will walk in the life He has already prepared for me.
I don’t have to fear the unknown, because God is already there.
I don’t have to trust myself, because I can trust Him.
I don’t have to figure everything out—I just have to stay aligned with His Word.
True strength is obedience.
True courage is trusting God enough to follow through.
⸻
Examine My Heart ❤️
Ask yourself…
•Am I obeying God’s Word fully, or am I allowing myself to “turn to the right or to the left” in certain areas?
•What is God asking me to step into right now that requires courage?
•Am I meditating on God’s Word daily, or only when it’s convenient?
•Where has fear or discouragement been influencing my decisions?
•Do I truly believe that God is with me wherever I go?
•Am I living like God’s promises apply to me personally?
⸻
Application
Today I will choose to:
•Spend intentional time in God’s Word and meditate on it
•Obey what God is showing me—even if it’s difficult
•Take one step of faith in an area where I’ve been hesitant
•Replace fear with truth by reminding myself: God is with me
•Walk in confidence, not because of who I am—but because of who God is
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord,
Thank You for Your Word that guides me, strengthens me, and gives me courage.
Thank You that I am not walking through life alone—you are with me wherever I go.
Help me to stay rooted in Your Word daily. Give me the strength to obey You fully and the courage to trust You in every unknown place. When fear tries to rise up, remind me of Your promises. When I feel weak, remind me that You are my strength.
Teach me to walk in obedience, to stand firm in truth, and to live boldly for You.
Let my life be a testimony of Your faithfulness, just as You have been faithful to me all these years.
I choose today to be strong and courageous—not in my own strength, but in You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
⸻
Journaling Reminder ✍️
Sit quietly before the Lord.
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
Write what you sense Him saying—begin with:
“My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…”
Keep writing until your thoughts begin to slow.
Then go back and read what you wrote.
Hold onto His words today.
Today’s Reading
Joshua 1–2, Psalm 37, 1 Corinthians 3
⸻
Scripture Focus
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7–9 NLT
“Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!”
Joshua 1:18 NLT
“For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og… No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! … For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.”
Joshua 2:10–11 NLT
⸻
Reflection
My sweet sister,
It’s no secret that I was saved while I was incarcerated. I spent a whole year of my life sitting in the dorms of the jail, reading God’s Word. When it was time for me to be released, I was very fearful. I didn’t trust myself, and I didn’t know what was going to happen to my life. At least in the jail, I knew I was safe—sitting on my bed, reading God’s Word, and leading other women to Christ.
The day before I was released, I was praying and asking the Lord to meet me and tell me what to do. I knew I would be stepping into a whole new life—a life walking with God.
And the verse of the day was Joshua 1:9…
Be strong and courageous… meditate on My Word day and night… and you will be prosperous and successful in all you do.
I have held onto this verse as my life verse.
I had many challenges before me.
But in my heart, I always knew—if I stay in God’s Word, obey His Word, and follow His instructions, I will be successful.
And now, 32 years later, I can attest to the truth of this.
So what does it look like to be strong and courageous?
What are some of the things we need to be strong and courageous in?
Being strong and courageous is not about personality—it is about obedience rooted in trust.
God didn’t tell Joshua to feel strong…
He told him to choose strength through obedience.
Here are some ways this shows up in our daily lives:
⸻
1. Being strong to obey God’s Word—no matter what
“Do not deviate… to the right or to the left.”
•Choosing God’s way when it’s harder
•Saying no to sin when it would be easier to give in
•Standing on truth even when others don’t
👉 Strength is staying aligned with God when everything pulls you away.
⸻
2. Being courageous to trust God with the unknown
Joshua was stepping into territory he had never led before.
•Walking into new seasons (like you did when you were released)
•Not knowing the outcome—but moving forward anyway
•Trusting God is already there before you arrive
👉 Courage is moving forward without having all the answers.
⸻
3. Being disciplined to stay in the Word daily
“Study this Book… meditate on it day and night.”
•Opening your Bible when you’re tired
•Feeding your spirit before your flesh
•Letting God’s Word shape your decisions
👉 Strength is built in daily consistency, not occasional moments.
⸻
4. Being courageous to live differently
Rahab recognized God—and chose Him—even when her whole city didn’t.
•Living set apart
•Speaking about God boldly
•Choosing faith over fear of people
👉 Courage is choosing God even if you stand alone.
⸻
5. Being strong in seasons of fear and discouragement
“Do not be afraid or discouraged…”
•When emotions feel overwhelming
•When life feels uncertain
•When the past tries to define you
👉 Strength is not the absence of fear—it’s refusing to let fear lead.
⸻
6. Being courageous to believe God’s promises are for YOU
•Not going back to your old life
•Believing God could truly transform you
•Walking out a new identity
👉 Courage says: “God’s Word is true—even for me.”
⸻
7. Being strong to keep going for the long run
•Staying faithful when it’s no longer “new”
•Continuing in obedience year after year
•Holding onto God’s Word through every season
👉 Strength is endurance in obedience
God didn’t just say “be strong”…
He gave the reason:
“For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
That changes everything.
You’re not being asked to be strong alone.
You’re being invited to walk with the One who is strong.
Lesson for Me
Being strong and courageous is not about how I feel—it is about how I choose to live.
If I stay in God’s Word, obey His instructions, and trust Him in every season, I will walk in the life He has already prepared for me.
I don’t have to fear the unknown, because God is already there.
I don’t have to trust myself, because I can trust Him.
I don’t have to figure everything out—I just have to stay aligned with His Word.
True strength is obedience.
True courage is trusting God enough to follow through.
⸻
Examine My Heart ❤️
Ask yourself…
•Am I obeying God’s Word fully, or am I allowing myself to “turn to the right or to the left” in certain areas?
•What is God asking me to step into right now that requires courage?
•Am I meditating on God’s Word daily, or only when it’s convenient?
•Where has fear or discouragement been influencing my decisions?
•Do I truly believe that God is with me wherever I go?
•Am I living like God’s promises apply to me personally?
⸻
Application
Today I will choose to:
•Spend intentional time in God’s Word and meditate on it
•Obey what God is showing me—even if it’s difficult
•Take one step of faith in an area where I’ve been hesitant
•Replace fear with truth by reminding myself: God is with me
•Walk in confidence, not because of who I am—but because of who God is
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord,
Thank You for Your Word that guides me, strengthens me, and gives me courage.
Thank You that I am not walking through life alone—you are with me wherever I go.
Help me to stay rooted in Your Word daily. Give me the strength to obey You fully and the courage to trust You in every unknown place. When fear tries to rise up, remind me of Your promises. When I feel weak, remind me that You are my strength.
Teach me to walk in obedience, to stand firm in truth, and to live boldly for You.
Let my life be a testimony of Your faithfulness, just as You have been faithful to me all these years.
I choose today to be strong and courageous—not in my own strength, but in You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
⸻
Journaling Reminder ✍️
Sit quietly before the Lord.
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
Write what you sense Him saying—begin with:
“My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…”
Keep writing until your thoughts begin to slow.
Then go back and read what you wrote.
Hold onto His words today.
Type your new text here.
Type your new text here.