Dunamis

 

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Deuteronomy 31:6

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Joshua 1:9

“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.”

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?”

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Being strong and courageous is not always the problem. Staying focused on God—and not every small problem that erupts into our lives—that is often the greater challenge.

We fret over so much: our finances, our car, our home, our family near and far, our church family, our community, our nation, and the world. Then we add the illnesses that develop from the stress of these burdens, along with naturally occurring sickness. Life brings many moments when we are unsure how to respond.

Let me say this clearly: it is never a bad choice to pray.

God will help us with difficult problems. He will calm our souls just as He calmed the raging sea. We must make our Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—our focal point.

A focal point is the center of attention, interest, or activity. It is the area designed to draw the eye—a fireplace in a room, the main subject in a photograph, the central issue in a discussion.

Center of attention.

Focus.

Core.

Heart.

Highlight.

Nucleus.

Pivotal point.

Centerpiece.

When we put God as our focal point, it is like wearing blinders to the world and its many distractions. Not ignoring reality—but refusing to let distractions rule our hearts.

1️⃣ The Strategy of “Going Before”

(Deuteronomy 31:6 & Joshua 1:9)

These words were spoken during a terrifying transition—the death of Moses and Israel preparing to enter the Promised Land.

God did not simply say, “Be brave.”

He said, “I will personally go ahead of you.”

This is covenant language. Warrior language. You are not stepping into battle alone—you are backed by the might of Heaven.

In Joshua 1:7–8, courage is tied to meditating on God’s Word. Biblical courage is not a feeling you muster up. It is the byproduct of aligning your mind with God’s truth until His promises become more real than your problems.

2️⃣ The Identity of Safety

(Psalm 27:1)

David wrote this during a time of extreme vulnerability.

He declares:

The LORD is my Light — He drives out darkness.

The LORD is my Salvation — He rescues.

The LORD is my Fortress — He protects.

Theology is meant to redefine who you are. When God is your Light, fear loses its power. When God is your Fortress, trembling becomes unnecessary.

David’s secret?

“One thing I ask of the LORD…” (Psalm 27:4)

Single-minded devotion.

When God is your only goal, fear loses its leverage.

3️⃣ The Anatomy of a Sound Mind

(2 Timothy 1:7)

Paul wrote to Timothy during persecution and intense pressure.

God has not given us:

A spirit of fear

But He has given us:

Power (Dunamis) — effective spiritual strength

Love (Agape) — selfless, steady love

Self-discipline (Sophronismos) — a sound, stable, controlled mind

Fear creates mental fog. The Holy Spirit creates clarity.

Paul also says to “fan into flame” the gift of God (2 Timothy 1:6). That means we actively choose to walk in what we’ve been given.

When fear strikes:

Declare: This fear is not from God.

Redirect: Shift your focus from the giant to the Warrior who goes before you.

Discipline: Make decisions based on God’s promises—not your emotions.

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When facing doubt or fear, consciously choose to trust that God has already paved the way. Replace worry with the certainty of His presence. Let His power replace personal weakness.

These scriptures unite in one powerful message:

Overcome fear and anxiety by relying on God's constant presence and strength.

He goes before you.

He stands with you.

He fills you with power.

Make Him your focal point—and the rest will fall into proper perspective.

🙏 Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You are our Light, our Salvation, and our Stronghold. Forgive us for allowing distractions, worries, and fears to become our focus. We confess that sometimes we give more attention to our problems than to Your promises.

Teach us to fix our eyes on You. Help us to trust that You go before us, fight for us, and never abandon us. Replace our fear with Your power, our anxiety with Your peace, and our confusion with a sound and disciplined mind.

Calm our hearts as You calmed the sea. Strengthen us for every transition, every uncertainty, and every unseen battle.

Fan into flame the gifts You have placed within us. Let courage rise—not from ourselves—but from Your Spirit within us.

We choose today to make You our focal point.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

✨ The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,

And the power,

And the glory,

Forever and ever.

Amen.

BELIEVE.

OBEY.

BE BLESSED.

AMEN.

BOBBA 💛

Love, Penny