Posted by: missionventureministries | April 22, 2026

ASKING AND SEEKING GOD’S WAY – Matthew 7:7-8

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 

Seeking guidance the biblical way means coming to God in prayer, asking for wisdom, and then walking in obedience to what you already know from Scripture. The Bible presents guidance as something God gives to humble, trusting hearts, not just as a shortcut to the answer we already prefer. 

So how do we achieve this? 

  • Pray honestly and specifically for wisdom, because God gives generously to those who ask. 
  • Search Scripture for principles that apply to your situation, since God’s guidance never contradicts his Word. 
  • Seek God with your whole heart, not half-heartedly or only when you are desperate. 
  • Be ready to obey the next clear step, because guidance often comes as you act on what you already know. 

Matthew 7:7-11 teaches that the Father is good and responsive, so believers can ask, seek, and knock with confidence. James 1:5 says that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God, who gives generously, and it will be given. Proverbs 3:5-6 adds that we should trust the Lord rather than lean on our own understanding, and he will make our paths straight. 

God often guides believers to an answer through His Word (Psalm 119:105). Our reading might take us to a passage that deals with our specific situation, or it might reveal a principle that applies. God can also speak a clear message directly to a person’s heart. The key is to believe that the Lord is going to guide you, and then to live out that faith (Mark 11:24). 

The process of seeking guidance is often slow. We are wise to be patient, because running ahead or manipulating circumstances can be a costly mistake. Our omniscient, sovereign God “acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4). Those who seek direction will receive, that’s a promise (Matthew 7:7-8). 

The Holy Spirit guides decisions by leading believers into truth, reminding them of Jesus’ words, and producing character that aligns with God’s will. His guidance never contradicts Scripture; it works through Scripture, prayer, wisdom, conviction, and sanctified judgment rather than random inner impulses. 

Jesus said the Spirit would teach, remind, and guide his followers into all truth. That means the Spirit’s guidance is anchored in what God has already revealed, not in new revelation that overrides the Bible. 

The Spirit often guides by bringing Scripture to mind at the right time, helping you discern motives, and giving wisdom for choices the Bible does not name directly. He also shapes your desires as you “walk by the Spirit,” so your decisions increasingly reflect God’s character. 

Any supposed leading should be tested against Scripture, because the Holy Spirit will not tell you to do something contrary to God’s Word. That is why biblical discernment includes prayer, Scripture reading, and checking counsel rather than trusting feelings alone. 

In a practical example, if you are choosing between two good options, the Spirit may guide through peace, conviction, wise counsel, and the fruit that choice would likely produce. The goal is not merely to “feel led,” but to choose in a way that honors Christ and advances God’s kingdom. 

The biblical pattern for decision-making is: pray, read Scripture, seek godly counsel, examine your motives, and wait with patience if needed. This keeps you from rushing ahead while also preventing passive hesitation when God has already made the next step clear. 

Here is a simple prayer: “Lord, show me your way, not just the way I want. Give me wisdom, correct my motives, and lead me into what is pleasing to you.” That kind of prayer fits Psalm 25:4-5 and James 1:5 well. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | April 15, 2026

GOD’S WORD HEALS – Psalm 107:20

“He sent out His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave.” (Psalm 107:20) 

Psalm 107 describes people suffering because of foolishness and sin, crying to the Lord, and then being delivered. Verse 20 is the climax of that rescue: God sends His word, heals them, and delivers them from what would have destroyed them. The point is not merely that words are comforting, but that God’s word carries power to save. 

It means that God responds to human distress with effective, life-giving intervention; He sends His word, heals, and rescues from death or ruin. The verse follows a pattern where people cry out in trouble, God delivers them, and they are called to thank Him. 

The “word” in this verse is not just information; it is God’s commanding, active speech that accomplishes what He intends. We see where God’s word can restore, repair, and preserve life, whether the need is physical sickness, spiritual brokenness, or a situation that is headed toward destruction. The verse says that God heals and delivers from “destructions,” so the point is rescue from real danger, not just comfort in a vague sense. 

This verse teaches that God is able to restore bodies, souls, and situations that seem beyond repair. It also reminds readers that healing and rescue come from the Lord’s initiative, not from human control or merit. The appropriate response in the psalm is gratitude, worship, and testimony about God’s goodness. 

The psalm first celebrates God’s deliverance in real-life trouble, and then invites faith that God still restores today as we read in the central themes: 

  • God hears cries for help. 
  • God’s word is active, not passive. 
  • Healing and rescue come from the Lord, not human strength. 
  • The proper response is gratitude and praise. 

Therefore, when people reach the end of their strength, God’s word can bring healing, rescue, and restoration, showing that His command is active, powerful, and able to restore what is broken; Psalm 107 repeats a clear pattern that when people are in trouble, they cry out to the Lord, He delivers them, and then they are called to thank Him. The section around verse 20 describes people suffering because of their foolish and sinful ways, so the healing is tied to God’s mercy toward repentant people rather than human strength. 

Psalm 107:20 applies today as a reminder that God still meets people in distress with His word—bringing healing, guidance, conviction, comfort, and rescue in ways that reach both body and soul. It also calls us to respond the same way the psalm does – cry out to the Lord in trouble, trust His help, and give thanks when He delivers. 

For an individual, this verse encourages taking God’s promises seriously when life feels broken, because His word is portrayed as active and life-giving. It can speak to physical illness, emotional wounds, spiritual confusion, or destructive patterns, while keeping the focus on God as the one who heals and restores. The verse does not reduce God’s work to a formula, but it does teach that His word is not empty; it is one of the ways He brings help and wholeness. 

Psalm 107:20 also outlines the way we should pray; instead of only asking for relief, we are invited to ask God to send His word into our circumstance. That means reading Scripture, praying it back to God, and trusting Him to apply it wisely and powerfully. In the flow of the psalm, healing comes after the cry for help, so the verse reinforces dependence rather than self-reliance. 

A simple takeaway is that when life is falling apart, God’s word is still able to bring light, healing, and rescue. 

The whole Psalm teaches that no situation is beyond God’s reach – wandering, bondage, sickness, and storms can all become occasions for His mercy. The proper response is gratitude and public testimony about what He has done. 

The main take away is that no form of trouble is wasted when it drives you to the Lord, because Psalm 107 treats distress as a doorway to deliverance and gratitude. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | April 8, 2026

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A CLEAR CONSCIENCE? – Hebrews 13:18

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. (Hebrews 13:18) 

The Lord has given us a conscience for our protection. To develop and trust this warning system, we must be committed to taking certain actions:  

  • Apply the Word of God. As you put into practice “the perfect law that gives freedom” (James 1:25 NIV), your conscience will grow stronger because you know God’s heart better. 
  • Arrive at decisions through prayer. Instead of making a choice because it sounds good, bring every issue to God in prayer. 
  • Agree to obey God. When you desire to function God’s way, you’ll consistently ask, what does He want me to do? This practice will enable you to discern and follow the Spirit’s lead. 
  • Acquire sensitivity to the Spirit’s conviction. As believers, we are no longer condemned, so we must recognize the difference between conviction and condemnation. The Spirit always shows us exactly what in our life requires repentance; He doesn’t give us a sense of vague guilt. 
  • Abandon yourself to God’s will. Commit daily to be a “living sacrifice” and your conscience will steer you closer to the Lord. As you renew your thinking, you’ll “test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2). 

As Christians, we are to keep our consciences clear by obeying God and keeping our relationship with Him in good standing. We do this by the application of His Word, renewing and softening our hearts continually. We consider those whose consciences are weak, treating them with Christian love and compassion. 

Our consciences can remain clear as we continually confess our sin to God and trust that the blood of Jesus is sufficient to make us right with Him. We continue to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). We trust that, in spite of our imperfections, God delights in us and in His transforming work in our lives (Philippians 2:13; Romans 8:29). 

Jesus said, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). We live with a clear conscience by refusing to wallow in the failures that God has forgiven. We stand confident in His promise that, “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). 

In conclusion, a person with a good conscience lives and behaves according to a God-given moral code of excellence; he or she possesses upright inner convictions and is able to discern between right and wrong. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | April 1, 2026

THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS

Was the prophecy of Jonah fulfilled?

Jonah 1:17 and Matthew 12:38-40

By: Mission Venture Ministries
Prophecy versus Tradition

TimelineThreeDaysThreeNights

As Jesus tells us in (Matthew 12:38-40) “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40 for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth “

Was the prophecy of Jonah really fulfilled in the burial experience of Jesus? According to the conventionally accepted chronology of events, it was not.

The customary chronology places the crucifixion on Friday morning and the burial on late Friday afternoon and the resurrection on Sunday morning. Thus, according to the traditional view, the body of Jesus was in the tomb only one full day (Saturday) and two full nights (Friday and Saturday). However, Jesus said His body would be in the tomb three days and three nights.

Jesus said all Messianic prophecy had to be fulfilled in Him, and we should believe that He meant every fact of every Messianic prophecy. Otherwise, it could be disputed that He was not the Messiah.

Let us think about the events in the last week of Jesus’ life to see if we can find some indication that will solve this dilemma. Perhaps the best place to begin is with the Scriptures. In (Mark 15:42) it says that the crucifixion took place on “the day of preparation before the Sabbath.”

This verse has led most people to believe that the crucifixion took place on a Friday since the Jewish Sabbath is Saturday. And that theory has in turn led to the conclusion that the crucifixion had to take place in 33 AD because that is the only year in the general time period of Jesus’ death when the day of preparation (14 Nisan on the Jewish calendar) fell on a Friday. In the year 31 and 32 AD the 14th of Nisan fell on a Monday.

Let us look at the Jewish Calendar.

A careful study of Jewish calendar will show that it is presumed that the day of preparation in the year of Jesus’ death had to fall on a Friday. Such a statement is based upon Gentile lack of knowledge about Jewish feast days. (After much research I have found that the 14th of Nisan falls only on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday, starting at sundown the day before and ending at sundown on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday). Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31 states: “and there was evening and there was morning.” Therefore the Jews start their day in the evening. 

Please check this out for yourselves at this web site:

            http://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/calendar/

What the Gentile church has failed to recognize over the centuries is that the first day after Passover (15 Nisan) is a feast day, or “high day” because it is the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is therefore considered to be a Sabbath. Read Numbers 28:16-18. Verse 18 clearly indicates that the first day after Passover, Nisan 15, is to be observed as a Sabbath – and so it has been throughout Jewish history to this day.

Now, the Gospel of John makes it clear that the Sabbath after the crucifixion was not a regular Sabbath; rather, it was a feast day Sabbath, marking the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Consider the words of John 19:31 – “The Jews, therefore, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.”  

Again, the point of all this is that Jesus did not have to be killed on a Friday in order for His crucifixion to precede the Sabbath because there were two Sabbaths during the week of His crucifixion, depending on what day of the week the high feast day fell on. If the 14th of Nisan fell on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, there would be two Sabbaths in a week. If it fell on a Saturday, they there would only be one Sabbath in a week because the High Holy Day of the 15th of Nisan would fall at the beginning of the following week. Saturday is the least common day of the week for the 14th of Nisan to occur.

Take the year 30 AD for example. In that year the 14th of Nisan, the Passover day in which Jesus would have been crucified, fell on Wednesday, April 3rd. The next day Thursday, would have been the high feast day, and therefore it would have been a Sabbath.

Thus, if Jesus was crucified in the year 30, He would have been crucified on Wednesday and buried that evening before the high feast day Sabbath began. His body would have remained in the tomb for three days (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and three nights (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday), just as He predicted. That means His resurrection would have taken place on Saturday evening, April 6th. To the Jew, that would place the Lord’s resurrection on Sunday, the first day of the week, because the Jewish day begins at sundown. 

LET US TAKE A LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING CHART

3days3nightsgraphic2 new

NOTE: Here are some clues in the Scriptures that the crucifixion week had two Sabbaths.

In Mark 16:1 it says:  “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.”

In Luke 23:56 it says: “Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”

There seems to be only one explanation of the apparent contradiction in these verses.  After resting on the high Sabbath – Thursday, the ladies bought the spices on Friday and after preparing them, they rested again on the regular weekly Sabbath, on Saturday, before proceeding to the tomb on Sunday morning. This explains how they could have bought the spices both before and after the Sabbath. They bought the spices after the high Sabbath on Thursday, and before the regular Saturday, which would have been on Friday.

Why did the women buy the Spices?

Let us take a look at the verses in the Gospels. 

FIRST: in Matthew 27:57-61

Jesus Is Buried 

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.  59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away.  61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.   

Here we see were Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sitting opposite the grave however, Matthew does not refer to them buying any spices. 

SECOND: in Mark 15:42-47

Jesus Is Buried

When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead.  45 And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on to see where He was laid. 

Here again we see Mary Magdalene and the Mary the mother of Joses and there is nothing said about spices until after the Sabbath was over. 

Mark 16:1-2 says: When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.  2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

THIRD: in Luke 23:50-56

Jesus Is Buried 

 And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man 51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; 52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. 54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes and on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. 

Here we see the women who had come with Him from Galilee, they see the tomb and how His body was laid and then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. There were restrictions according to Jewish customs of what they were allowed to do on a Sabbath, so they probably rested on the High Sabbath according to the commandment and most likely prepared the spices on Friday. (We do not know how long it took to prepare the spices, but it must have taken some time. In addition, they needed to prepare for the regular Sabbath.)

Luke 24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 

It is interesting to note that only Mark and Luke record the women buying and preparing the spices to anoint Jesus.  

FOURTH: we take a look at John 19:31-42

Care of the Body of Jesus 

 Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; 33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. 36 For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.”  37 And again another Scripture says, “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.” 38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. 39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.  40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. 

Here we see Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus taking care of Jesus’ body according to the Jewish customs and there is no mention of any of the women being there. 

In the day of Jesus, Jewish society was very structured. Every aspect of life was precisely defined and controlled by religious beliefs. This included burial rituals.

The Bible is even very clear on this matter. John 19:38-40 is very precise in indicating that Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus prepared Jesus’ body in the manner of the Jews for proper burial. This procedure involves extensive wrapping of the body, while including a lot of myrrh and aloes that would get placed between the various layers of cloth. Specifically, John 19:40 says, that “Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.”

In preparing a body for burial according to Jewish custom, it was usually washed and straightened, and then bandaged tightly from the armpits to the ankles in strips of linen about a foot wide. Aromatic spices, often of a gummy consistency, were placed between the wrappings or folds. They served partially as a preservative and partially as a cement to glue the cloth wrappings into a solid covering.

In both the ancient and modern procedure, and in the description of the custom, the head was never wrapped in such a way and the face would remain uncovered. It is very likely that the neck and upper shoulders were also not wrapped in the linen strips.

The spices, the myrrh and the aloes, may have been placed dry or in the gummy consistency mentioned above. If they were placed dry between the various layers and folds of the linen, in the case of Jesus, it would not seem that we would still have the ‘glue’ effect mentioned above. However, in addition, a semi-liquid unguent such as nard was initially used to anoint the body. The effect of this would be to cause the powdered myrrh and aloes near the body to strongly adhere to the body and to the layers of linen. Outer layers of myrrh and the aloes might have remained as a dry powder.

The point being made here is that in either case, this complex and involved wrapping of many narrow strips of cloth would naturally have stuck together so strongly as to effectively make a relatively rigid ‘cocoon’ around the body.

The head and hair were anointed with the nard unguent, but the powdered spices do not appear to have been applied to the head or face. A small separate ‘face cloth’ or ‘napkin’ was generally placed on the face or around the head. John 20:7 refers to this separate cloth, so this aspect of the custom was definitely used regarding Jesus. Rather than ONE piece of cloth, certainly at least two separate pieces are described here.

Several points should be noted. A HUNDRED POUNDS (about 75 pounds in today’s equivalency) of myrrh and aloes were applied during the burial preparation. Jewish custom did not involve using a single cloth, but rather a number of long strips of linen that were tightly wrapped many times around the body. The presence of the myrrh and the nard would have made the burial clothes become extremely rigid. The burial clothes were never extended to cover the head or face but only wrapped the body.

So why Were the Women Going to Anoint Jesus?

Could it be that these women maybe did not have the opportunity to witness Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus prepare the body for burial as we read in the Gospel of John? Matthew, Mark and Luke only make reference to: Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock.

Could it be that  Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; – Mark 15:46 and that he then waited for Nicodemus to come with the spices to prepare Jesus’ body for proper burial? They might have laid Jesus’ body in the tomb just with the linen cloth to keep it safe until they could prepare His body for burial.

Since the women apparently did not witness these things, they wanted to anoint Him the first opportunity they had, so that is why they went and bought and prepared spices. The other thought is that they might have wanted to place additional spices around the body in the tomb so there would be a sweet fragrance around the body of their beloved Jesus. Their mind was on the lifeless Jesus and this would be the last opportunity they could do to honor Him with a final loving gesture. The thought of Jesus coming to life, had probably not crossed their mind, and if it did, it was something very difficult for them to understand; however, they would believe when they finally saw the resurrected Savior.

We note in John 12:1-3 that Mary, Lazarus sister, anointed Jesus six days before His death: “Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

And Jesus acknowledged this in John 12:7 “”Leave her alone,” Jesus replied.” It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” 

Note: As already observed, nard was one of the spices used in the burial of the dead. 

The Grave Clothes Tell a Tale.

The tomb was empty, however his burial clothes where there. Luke tells us in chapter 24:12 that Peter bending over, saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.  In John we read in Chapter 20:4-8 The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; 5 and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. 6 And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself.  8 So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered and he saw and believed.

John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, looked over to the place where the body of Jesus had lain, and there were the grave clothes, in the form of the body, empty, like the empty chrysalis of a caterpillar’s cocoon. One could only imagine that what they saw was enough to make a believer out of anybody. I believe that the first thing that stuck in the minds of the disciples was not the empty tomb, but rather the empty grave clothes, undisturbed in form and position. 

Another Validation by the Jewish Historian Josephus.

A fascinating fact that also indicates that the resurrection probably occurred in 30 AD is to be found in the writings of Josephus, the first century Jewish historian. He says the last Jubilee that was celebrated in the land (before the Roman conquest in 70 AD) began in 27 AD.

That date most likely marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, for His ministry was a symbolic fulfillment of the Jubilee promises. This is indicated by the scripture that Jesus read in the synagogue in Nazareth when He launched His public ministry (Luke 4:16-24 & Isaiah 61:1-2):

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.

It is commonly agreed that the ministry of Jesus lasted 3 ½ years. A launching date of 27 AD to coincide with the Jubilee year would place His death in the spring of 30 AD – a year in which the Passover week had two Sabbaths.

Review of the Order of Events Regarding the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus

1) Jesus and His disciples ate the Passover meal on Tuesday evening Exodus 12:6-10 (which was already Wednesday, the 14th of Nisan in the Jewish calendar) in the Upper Room on Mount Zion.

2) After the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples departed the Upper Room and walked to the Garden of Gethsemane in the Kidron Valley between the Old City and the Mount of Olives.

3) Jesus was betrayed and arrested Tuesday evening. His various trials lasted throughout Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

4) Jesus was crucified at about 9:00 am on Wednesday morning. At noon, darkness filled the land. At about 3:00 pm Jesus died.

5) Jesus was buried on Wednesday about sunset.

6) The two Mary’s waited until after the high Sabbath on Thursday to purchase the spices for the anointing of Jesus’ body. They bought the spices on Friday, prepared them, and then rested again during the regular Sabbath before returning to the tomb on Sunday morning.

7) The resurrection of Jesus occurred near sunset, exactly three days and three nights after burial, fulfilling the sign of Jonah and authenticating the sign He gave of His Messiahship. The resurrection was discovered on Sunday morning when the women returned to the tomb.  

One More Question to be Considered . . .

What did the two disciples on the road to Emmaus mean when they said, “Today is the third day since these things happened?”

Does the phrase “the third day” in Luke 24:21 contradict Christ’s promised sign that He would be three days and three nights in the grave? What events are being referred to as “since these things happened”?

It’s logical to question how it could be the third day, when Christ was in the grave for a full three days and three nights as He had promised in Matthew 12:39-40. In Luke 24, the two disciples referred to Sunday as being the third day since “all these things” (Luke 24:14) happened. There were other things the Jews and Romans did after Christ was buried. Notice what Matthew included about their actions:

“On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, ‘Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise.” Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, “He has risen from the dead.” So the last deception will be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.’ So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard” (Matthew 27:62-66).

Christ had already been buried nearly one whole day when these things were done. The last things the Romans and Jewish leaders did were to seal the tomb and place soldiers on guard around it. Christ died on Wednesday afternoon at about 3:00 pm. So the tomb was sealed on Thursday, the day following that Day of Preparation. Apparently the disciples were including these events in their reference to the things that had taken place. Counting from the securing of the tomb and the setting of the guard, Sunday would have been the “third day” since “all these things” happened.

Does it Make a Difference?

Prophecy and its fulfillment validate Jesus as who He said He was – namely, God in the flesh. Prophecy and its fulfillment also validate the Bible as the inspired Word of God. Prophecy must be fulfilled precisely, not approximately.

The precise fulfillment of prophecy regarding the First Coming of Jesus is our assurance that all the prophecies regarding His Second Coming will also be fulfilled completely to the last detail. God will not overlook or forget anything. He is true to His Word and He keeps His promises.

 

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DISCLAIMER MVM

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Posted by: missionventureministries | March 25, 2026

TO LOVE IS TO OBEY – 1 John 2

“And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (1 John 2:3) 

In context, John is giving a concrete assurance test for believers: genuine knowledge of God is evidenced by a life of obedience to His commands. This is not teaching that obedience earns salvation, but that obedience is the visible fruit of a heart that has already been saved and knows Christ. 

Critical to understanding this passage is the connection between “knowing” and “keeping” as seen in the Old Testament. The Jewish people were called to show their belief in God through obedience to the Mosaic Law. Even during that time, obedience was the result of faith, not the object of faith. Hebrews chapter 11 offers clear evidence of those godly people throughout the Old Testament who lived by faith, obeyed the Lord, and were recognized for it. Faith was, and is, essential to knowing the Lord. 

1 John 2:3 sits at the start of a new section in the letter where John moves from doctrine to tests of authentic Christian life within the community. 

Verses 1–2: John has just spoken of Jesus as our righteous advocate and atoning sacrifice when we sin; assuring believers that forgiveness is available in Christ. 

Verses 3–6: He then introduces an “obedience test”: truly knowing God is evidenced by keeping His commandments; whoever claims to know Him but does not obey is a liar, while the one who keeps His word shows that God’s love is perfected in them and should “walk in the same way in which He walked.” 

The evidence of someone knowing God, and fellowship with Him is that he does keep His commandments. A simple, loving obedience is a natural result of fellowship with God. 

So obedience to God in verse 5 is a kind of barometer, a measure, or our love for God. Just as small children learn to combine love and obedience in their relationship with their parents, so we grow in the same understanding in or relationship with God. The relationship between love (faith) and obedience is a key theme in the letter written by James (James 2:14-26). 

In 1 John 2:7–11: John immediately specifies that the central “commandment” is the old yet new command to love one another; love for fellow believers shows one is in the light, while hatred shows one remains in darkness. 

In Verses 12–14: He pauses to reassure his readers (children, fathers, young men) that they really do belong to God, grounding them in forgiveness, knowledge of the Father, and victory over the evil one. 

In Verses 15–17: He adds a “worldliness test” – do not love the world or the things in the world, because the desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride of life are passing away, but whoever does God’s will abides forever. 

And in Verses 18–27: He introduces a “truth test” concerning the antichrists and false teachers, emphasizing that those who truly know God abide in the apostolic teaching about the Son and the Father and are taught by the Holy Spirit. 

1 John 2:3 is therefore the doorway into a cluster of assurance tests – obedience, love, and doctrinal fidelity meant not to unsettle true believers but to distinguish genuine fellowship with God from empty claims. 

A person who has put trusting faith in Christ is expected to obey (1 John 2:5), but whether or not they do is still up to them. Therefore, give thought today as to how your obedience to God reflects your profession of love for God. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | March 18, 2026

MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE – John 10:27-28

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28) 

Jesus’ death was divinely appointed. It is only through Him that we receive salvation. “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:14). Furthermore, Jesus makes it clear that it wasn’t just for the Jews that he laid down His life, but also for the “other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16). The “other sheep” clearly refers to the Gentiles. As a result, Jesus is the Good Shepherd over all, both Jew and Gentile, who come to believe upon Him (John 3:16). 

Only the Lord’s true sheep follow and obey Him because they know and recognize His voice as Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). 

Verse 27 expresses personal intimacy between the shepherd and his sheep. In the first century, a single sheep pen held multiple flocks, so it was essential for the sheep to know and recognize their own shepherd’s voice. There had to be an unmistakable familiarity between sheep and shepherd for the sheep to feel safe and know which voice to follow. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). Knowing the Lord’s voice indicates experiential knowledge through a relationship with Him. 

Hearing Jesus’ voice speaks of those who listen with obedient attention, this kind of listening results in faith. Paul taught the Romans, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17). One primary way we hear the Lord’s voice is through the Word of God. By hearing His voice in Scripture, we get to know Him, and knowing Him produces faith, and that faith causes us to follow and obey. 

When Jesus talks about His sheep it also affirms that there are false sheep. True sheep know, listen to, and obey the Good Shepherd’s voice; false sheep pay no mind. My sheep also communicates the reality of our union with Christ because, “whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17). We belong to our Good Shepherd (John 17:6). 

Of His sheep, Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:28–30). Those who belong to the Good Shepherd belong to God the Father. They are His forever. Jesus laid down His life on the cross to give His followers eternal life, and they are safe in His sheepfold for all eternity (John 6:37, 39; 17:2, 9; 18:9). 

These sheep have heard the call of Christ to enter the sheepfold. By grace, the Good Shepherd has saved them through faith, and now they belong to the family of God forever (Ephesians 2:1–10). They are those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus and recognize His voice.   

So how do we hear and recognize His voice? We hear His voice when we spend time in Bible study and quiet contemplation of His Word. The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to recognize His voice and His leading in our lives. Employees at a bank are trained to recognize counterfeits by studying genuine money so closely that it is easy to spot a fake. We should be so familiar with God’s Word that when someone speaks error to us, it is clear that it is not of God. 

Therefore, by comparing what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize God’s voice. As the Bible teaches; “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:38). 

The more you know Him through His Word, the easier it becomes to distinguish His voice from your emotions. You can hear His voice. You can recognize His voice. Take the time to check out what you are hearing by the Word and godly counsel from others who know God, and He will shine light on His path for your life! 

“Listen,” Jesus says in the Book of Revelation (3:20), “I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with Me.” We are invited to listen to the voice of our shepherd and to hear His voice, to open the door and to follow Him. And when we do, we discover that there is nothing else that we shall want, when the Lord is our Shepherd. “For His goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6) Amen. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | March 11, 2026

WALKING WISELY – Ephesians 5:15-17

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17) 

Paul’s call to live wisely and purposefully as Christians in an evil age is because the Lord wants us to walk wisely so we can enjoy the blessings He longs to give us. 

Ephesians 5:15–17 calls Christians to live wisely, use time purposefully, and align life with God’s will in a morally dark world. 

“Be careful how you walk” (v. 15). Unless we deliberately choose to guard ourselves, we will simply do what comes naturally without thinking through our actions. Paul urges believers to pay close attention to how they live; since a Christian’s life should not be casual or careless. It means to pay close attention to your way of life, not drifting or living on spiritual autopilot. He contrasts a careless, worldly walk with a wise walk that is intentional, holy, and alert to spiritual dangers around us. 

“Make the most of your time” (v. 16). God has entrusted each of us with the time and opportunities to participate in His plans for us. But we are tempted to squander our time and energy on other pursuits without considering what our heavenly Father may have in mind for us. We need to live with wisdom, not folly: since “unwise” and “foolish” describe a life that ignores God; wisdom means aligning daily decisions with God’s character and truth. Redeem the time means “making the most of every opportunity” treating every day as a chance to honor Christ in a world that often opposes Him. It means treating each moment as something costly that can be invested for God rather than wasted on futility.   

“Understand what the will of the Lord is” (v. 17). In its broadest sense, God’s will for us is that we would each become the person He created us to be and that we’d do the work He has planned specifically for us to carry out (Ephesians 2:10). Knowing this, we should evaluate our choices through a spiritual “filter” and ask ourselves if they’ll further our Father’s purposes. We are to seek God’s will rather than drifting or guessing. Believers are called to intentionally learn and do “what the Lord’s will is,” through Scripture, prayer, and the Spirit’s guidance. God’s will is focused on glorifying Christ by helping people understand the call to salvation and forming a united church that demonstrates His wisdom; therefore, our daily choices should serve this greater purpose.                   

One way to pray this passage is: “Lord, help me walk wisely today, use my time for what matters to You, and understand and obey Your will in each decision I face.” 

In practice, these verses call us to regularly examine our habits, media, relationships, and decisions in light of Scripture. We need to intentionally use our limited time for things that help us and others follow Jesus, worship, service, love, and witness, rather than letting comfort or distraction rule our schedule. 

We need to seek God’s will through His Word, prayer, and the Spirit’s leading, asking how your decisions can honor Christ and build up His people. 

So how do we redeem the time in practice – Seize God-given opportunities: look for chances to obey, love, serve, share the gospel, encourage others, and grow in Christ, especially in ordinary moments that are easy to overlook. It means intentionally using every moment and opportunity in a way that honors God, instead of letting it be wasted or taken over by evil influences. 

And verse 17 commands believers not to live in spiritual foolishness but to actively seek and obey God’s revealed will in every area of life. 

In essence, these verses teach us that the Lord wants us to walk wisely so we can enjoy all the marvelous benefits that He’s promised in His Word and longs to give us. Therefore, let’s commit to make each and every day count for Jesus Christ instead of merely living for ourselves. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | March 4, 2026

THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM – Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10) 

To begin, we need to understand what it means to “fear the Lord,” since the term describes an awesome reverence for God that moves us to acknowledge Him as the sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth as we submit to Him, and walk in obedience. The result of such a response will be the acquisition of wisdom. 

When we commit ourselves to living for God’s purposes rather than our own, we will gain greater understanding of Him. The Holy Spirit will enable us to see circumstances and people from His divine perspective. This kind of wisdom reaches beyond human perception and gives us discernment to follow God’s plans for our life. Knowing that He always works for our best interests, we are empowered to walk confidently through both good and bad times. 

In simple terms, it means that a right, reverent fear of God as in respect, awe, and submission to Him, is where true wisdom starts. And more specifically, it includes recognizing God’s holiness, power, justice, and love, and seeing Him as the rightful Ruler over your life. 

So, what does that entail? 

It means a heart attitude of awe and submission as you take His words seriously, hate what He calls sin, and want to live in a way that pleases Him. 

You admit your dependence on Him in seeing that you need His mercy, guidance, and wisdom more than your own understanding. 

Wisdom is about seeing reality as it really is, and reality begins with God as Creator, Judge, and Savior. If He is ignored or treated lightly, everything you build in life rests on an uneven base. It puts your heart in the right posture; it corrects your self-reliance, because without fear of the Lord, you trust your own understanding, feelings, or the world. With wisdom, you start asking, “What does God say?” and “Will this please Him?” That shift makes your decisions wiser over time. 

Wisdom is not just being clever; it is living righteously, it shapes moral judgment. A healthy fear of God makes you weigh the consequences of sin, value His commands, and choose the path that leads to life rather than destruction. And, as your reverence and love for God deepen, your wisdom grows, because you’re constantly aligning your thinking and choices with who He is. 

Fearing the Lord brings many blessings in this life and the next as key blessings include: 

  • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge/wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 15:33), is the doorway to seeing life and God correctly. 
  • Fearing God “enables a person to avoid evil” and is described as “hatred of evil” (Proverbs 3:7; 8:13; 14:16; 16:6). 
  • “The fear of the LORD adds length to life” (Proverbs 10:27). 
  • “The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). 
  • “Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always” (Proverbs 28:14). 

In short, Proverbs presents the fear of the Lord not as a crippling fear but as a reverent, obedient posture that God delights to bless with wisdom, moral clarity, protection, stability, and enduring well‑being. 

When we know and obey God, the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom that reaches beyond human perception. 

If you truly revere the Lord, you will listen for His directions and heed His warnings. A desire to honor and please Him will motivate you to turn from poor choices and seek to live in obedience. The result will be wisdom beyond human understanding, because you only start to see life rightly when you first see God rightly, and respond to Him with this kind of reverent, obeying love. 

As one of my favorite verses states: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | February 25, 2026

TOUGH LOVE IN THE BIBLE – Proverbs 13:24

“He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” (Proverbs 13:24) 

“Tough love” is an expression that is generally thought of as a disciplinary measure where someone is treated rather sternly with the intention of helping him or her from continuing to walk along a dangerous path. 

We need to understand that in a biblical sense, that the chastening hand is always controlled by a loving heart. As the wise King Solomon said, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him” (Proverbs 13:24). The Bible has much to say about tough love, particularly in Proverbs and Hebrews. 

To fully understand the importance of why tough love is sometimes necessary, we first need to understand the magnitude of the spiritual fight that is a significant part of the Christian life. Satan and his host of demons will make every attempt to knock us off the path of our spiritual journey, continually tempting Christians to give in to their sinful nature (1 Peter 5:8). As Christ told us, “broad is the road that leads to destruction” and many will be on it (Matthew 7:13). A strong dose of tough love may be the most appropriate recourse to help one get off the road of destruction, especially if they have been on it for a while. 

Unfortunately, however, parents in particular, often vacillate when it comes to setting boundaries and applying tough love. Granted, firm disciplinary measures can be as unpleasant to the parent as they are to the child; that’s why it takes wisdom and courage. However, when we continually shield loved ones from the consequences of their errors, we often deprive them of the opportunity for the growth and maturity that could possibly eradicate their problematic behavior altogether. Additionally, we eliminate any incentive someone might have for change when we hesitate to save them from themselves. As the writer of Hebrews aptly informs us, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). 

In Hebrews we see whom God disciplines: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son” (Hebrews 12:5–6). We are to endure hardship as discipline, for God is treating us as sons (verse 7). If we are not disciplined, then we are not His “true sons” (verse 8). Additionally, the one receiving the discipline needs to see the sin that caused the correction the way God sees the sin. Our holy God is offended by sin and cannot tolerate it (Habakkuk 1:13). 

Tough love is often necessary because, as fallen humans, we have a tendency not to respond to gentle taps on the shoulder. Our heavenly Father will do whatever is necessary to conform His children into the likeness of Christ, as He predestined us for this very reason (Romans 8:28–30). Indeed, this is what His discipline is all about. And the better we understand His Word, the easier it will be for us to accept this. God will administer whatever amount of tough love is necessary so that our behavior will line up with our identity in Christ. Likewise, this should be a parent’s motive when correcting the behavior of a wayward child. 

In essence, the verse teaches that loving parents do not withhold discipline, because consistent correction is part of genuine love and care for a child’s growth. 

Modern application centers on loving, consistent, non‑abusive discipline that shapes character, not on “beating” kids. Here are some examples: 

  • The “rod” should be seen as authority, boundaries, and guidance that protect and direct a child, like a shepherd’s staff, not as a license for harshness or abuse. The heart of the verse is that failing to correct and guide a child is unloving, because it withholds what they need to grow in wisdom and self‑control. 
  • Explain expectations ahead of time and repeat them calmly and consistently, so discipline never feels random or tied to your mood. 
  • Choose thoughtful, proportionate consequences. Match consequences to behavior: time‑outs, loss of privileges, extra chores, or making restitution (replacing a broken item, writing an apology) often work well for everyday issues. 
  • Correct promptly and calmly, not hours later and not in anger; if you are too upset, step away, pray, and come back when you can act in self‑control. 
  • After consequences, reassure your child with affection, words like “I love you too much to let you keep doing that,” and, if you’re a believer, brief prayer together. 
  • Treat discipline as training: talk about better choices, role‑play how to handle similar situations next time, and praise specific good behavior you see. 
  • Model repentance yourself: if you overreact, admit you were wrong and ask forgiveness, showing that even parents live under God’s loving discipline. 

In short, a modern, faithful way to live Proverbs 13:24 is to exercise steady, loving authority that corrects wrong, teaches right, and keeps the relationship close while you shape your child’s heart toward wisdom. 

And always remember to pray and ask God to give you His wisdom, found in Scripture and to help you lovingly bring the issue that needs correction to their attention in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26). 

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Source: Parts taken from GotQuestions.org

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Posted by: missionventureministries | February 18, 2026

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS – Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9) 

This verse is a well‑known encouragement God gives to Joshua as he prepares to lead Israel into the Promised Land; it is a book of transition in leadership from Moses to Joshua because Moses had passed away. 

God is speaking to Joshua right after Moses’ death, calling him to lead a new generation into Canaan, with battles and unknowns ahead. The command to “be strong and courageous” is repeated several times in the chapter, showing that courage here is not about personality but about trusting God’s presence and promises in the face of fear. 

The verse ties the command directly to God’s presence: Joshua is not to be afraid “for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Many Christians today apply this as a reminder that, in seasons of transition, loss, or intimidating responsibility, God’s unshakable nearness is the reason they can move forward without giving in to fear or discouragement. 

God repeated “be strong and courageous” to Joshua because Joshua was stepping into a huge, intimidating calling and needed deep reassurance that God’s presence was enough. 

Joshua was replacing Moses and leading a nation into hostile territory, so fear and inadequacy would have been very real for him; repeating the command underlined that courage was not optional but essential. The repetition tied courage directly to God’s promise “I will be with you,” reminding Joshua that his strength must come from God’s presence, not from his own personality or abilities. 

As a leader, Joshua needed visible confidence to obey God’s directions (even when they seemed strange, like the Jericho strategy) and to stand firm when people questioned him. 

The repeated phrase models a pattern for believers – when God calls someone into difficult obedience, he often reinforces the same truth again and again so they will not give in to fear but keep trusting Him. 

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the determination to move forward despite it. Joshua faced a monumental task. The prospect was daunting, and fear could have easily paralyzed him. However, God’s command to Joshua was clear “be strong and courageous.” 

In our own lives, we too are called to confront our fears. Whether it’s pursuing a new career, facing personal trials, taking on a challenging situation or standing up for our beliefs, courage is essential. We are reminded that God’s presence is our anchor, providing the strength we need to push through the storms of life. 

The assurance that “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” is a profound promise. It means that we are never alone in our struggles. God’s omnipresence is a source of comfort and empowerment. Just as He was with Joshua, guiding and sustaining him, He is with us, offering His unfailing support. 

This divine companionship transforms our perspective. Challenges become opportunities to witness God’s faithfulness. When we feel overwhelmed, we can lean into His strength, knowing that His power is made perfect in our weakness. This realization fosters a deep sense of peace and resilience, allowing us to navigate life’s uncertainties with confidence. 

Being strong and courageous is not a one-time act; it is a daily commitment. Each day presents new opportunities to exercise our faith and trust in God. It is in the small, everyday decisions that we cultivate a heart of courage. By consistently choosing to trust God, even when the future is unclear, we build spiritual resilience. 

Prayer and reflection become vital practices in this journey. They allow us to stay connected to God, to seek His guidance, and to find solace in His presence. Through prayer, we lay our fears and anxieties before Him, allowing His peace to guard our hearts and minds. 

Applying the principles of Joshua 1:9 to daily life involves integrating faith, courage, and reliance on God into your routine. Here are some practical steps to help you embody these principles: 

  • Begin each day with time for prayer, asking God for strength and courage. Reflect on the verse and how it applies to the challenges you anticipate for the day. 
  • When confronted with difficulties or decisions, remind yourself of Joshua 1:9. Instead of succumbing to fear or anxiety, take a deep breath and trust that God is with you. Remind yourself that God’s presence is by you as you navigate your tasks and interactions. This can provide a sense of calm and assurance. 
  • Regularly thank God for being by your side. Gratitude helps build a positive outlook and reinforces your trust in God’s continuous presence. 
  • Make it a habit to seek God’s wisdom through regular Bible study. The scriptures provide insights and encouragement that can fortify your faith. And surround yourself with a community of faith who can offer support, share their experiences, and provide encouragement. 

We should be of good courage because God is our protector and defender (Psalm 46:1). We don’t have to be afraid because we are secure in the Father’s love (1 John 4:18). When God is for us, nothing can stand against us (Romans 8:31), and nothing can separate us from His great love (Romans 8:35–39). 

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you (Jeremiah 29:11). While the promise of Joshua 1:9 was specific to Joshua, the principle is affirmed elsewhere in Scripture as applicable to all believers today. God calls us to live courageously, without fear, knowing that God is with us at all times. It is He who has defeated the enemy and who now offers His children rest. So, follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you remembering to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). 

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