The Notes

This coming Wednesday night, November 18, 2026, we look at the idea of change.  Not every likes change; in fact, many people dislike change very much.  But God created and ordained change, not just for the seasons, but also in our lives.  Join us this week at 6:00 p.m. for an uplifting message and some mid-week encouragement for the soul.  

If you can't join us in person, you can always participate through our Facebook page.  We go "live" at 6:00 p.m., and you will have a front row seat.  If you can't join us live, there are 3 ways to watch the message later - on Facebook, on YouTube, or here on our website. (the "Past & Future Messages" page).  Watch anytime!  

This week, November 11, 2026, happened to be Veterans Day, so it was the perfect opportunity to focus on courage and bravery.  Our national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, concludes with the phrase, "the land of the free, and the home of the brave."  President Ronald Reagan took those words and famously said, this is the land of the free because of the brave.  He was right, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to our service personnel and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.  Their bravery in facing battle is inspiring, and so is the story of another warrior in the Bible - Joshua.   He was chosen to be Moses' successor, to lead the people across the Jordan River and into the land of Canaan, the Promised Land.  He had huge shoes to fill and we get a sense of his apprehension in the number of times he is reassured - to "be strong and courageous" in the next chapter of his life.  First, Moses delivers that message in Deuteronomy 31:6, and then God tells Joshua the same thing. . . three times.  (Read Joshua 6:1-9). 

Joshua was going to need courage for the tasks he would face.  We think of him as leading the battle of Jericho, but he led more than one battle.  He led an army into multiple battles, ultimately defeating 31 kings.  He needed bravery to meet his destiny and to encourage ex-slaves to fight, wanderers to settle. 

He would face tough issues in leadership as he had to be viewed as the legitimate leader to succeed Moses.  Moses led Israel for 40 years; he was loved, admired, respected, and had developed trust. He was a true leader.  Joshua had been a dissenter at one point, only he and Caleb had previously urged the people to get into Canaan, but the other 10 spies convinced the people that they could not do it.  Now with Moses gone, he would have to be trusted to be followed.  It’s hard to step into those shoes.  Hard to be accepted.  Trusted.  We like to say the respect is earned.  So Joshua faced a lot going forward, and that is why God told Joshua to "be strong and very courageous," – 3 times - just as Moses had already done.  

We may not be facing a military battle, but we each face our own battles in this life.  We can have courage and bravery for each challenge when we understand that those qualities exist in our lives not based on our own abilities, but because of God.  It's courage in God’s abilities to win the war, not ours.  It's bravery based on knowing God is with us, we aren't going through it alone.

Isaiah 41:10 - “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Our ability to face an unknown future comes through belief in those words - and that is faith.  It's not blind faith either. It is faith based on all the stories of the  Bible.  Stories like David defeating a giant.  Stories like Joshua's battle when the walls come falling down.  Stories like Moses leading Israel across the Red Sea.  God does the impossible.  It's Him, not us.  Likewise, our success in this life isn’t because we’re great; but because God is.  Philippians 4:13 tells us “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

No matter what you face in this life, do it without fear and with courage because God is with you. 

Psalm 27:1 – “The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid?  The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”

Romans 8:31 – “What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Those are verses to hang onto in challenging times; they remind us that God is our defender, He is with us, we are not alone.
Ultimately, Joshua led Israel for 28 years. He died in Canaan at the age of 110 and was buried there, in the Promised Land.

Joshua led the crossing of the Jordan River at flood stage; he led the battle of Jericho and many other battles; he led the the establishment of the Israelites in Canaan.  He led the divisions of land, established cities of refuge, and led in celebrating Passover.  His final act was to lead the people to renew their commitment to God … to serve Him and be devoted to God.  (Read Joshua 23-24).  Joshua said in Joshua 24:14-15 - “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

We all have to make that same decision.  We have to decide to serve God, and then follow through.  

We also have to be brave in sharing our faith.  

Jesus directed us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, to make new disciples.  The Apostle Paul did that, and his words remind us that it takes bravery to be a witness for Jesus.  He wrote in Ephesians 6:19 - “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”   The disciple Peter prayed in Acts 4:29 that God would “enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”  We need to pray the same prayer so that we, too, can share the Gospel.  

2 Corinthians 3:12 – “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.”  Because God is on our side, we can live with hope.  We can claim victory is ours.  Let’s share our faith and tell our stories with boldness.  Be brave and courageous.  God is with  you!

This world needs a Christian uprising, to stand for what is right and to be bold in living as a witness for Jesus Christ.