Be Strong and Very Courageous

This should be a great year for you. You will be learning things that you never knew before and sharing your knowledge with others. This year is the start of a whole new part of your life; a brand new adventure full of excitement and challenges, new friends and new things to do.

I don't have a bunch of advice, except to say, "Do what you know is right, even if it's a hard thing sometimes."

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


"Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Josh 1:7-9)

"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. " (Eph 6:10-20)


No where in the Bible does it say that we are to do what is hard, to go against the evils in the world, alone. In fact, Ephesians 6 says to "take up the whole armor of God." To arm yourself with the "breastplate of righteousness...shield of faith...helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit," and to do all this through prayer and supplication. Furthermore, we are not expected to know the truth without the work of the Holy Spirit. So, where do we get the breastplate and the shield, the helmet and the sword? The Word, of course. You will find the truth and the full armor to "do what you know is right, even if it's a hard thing sometimes" from Genesis 1:1 to Revelations 22:21. Not only this sweetness will you have, but you will be strengthened in this fight, for "Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." So, "be strong and of good courage" today as you put on the full armor of God.