Joshua 1:6 (NLT)

Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.

Deuteronomy 31:7 (NLT)

Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land.

Deuteronomy 31:16-17 (NLT)

16 The Lord said to Moses, “You are about to die and join your ancestors. After you are gone, these people will begin to worship foreign gods, the gods of the land where they are going. They will abandon me and break my covenant that I have made with them. 17 Then my anger will blaze forth against them. I will abandon them, hiding my face from them, and they will be devoured. Terrible trouble will come down on them, and on that day they will say, ‘These disasters have come down on us because God is no longer among us!’

Joshua 1:7-9 (NLT)

7 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. 8 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. 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 1:1-3 (NLT)

Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

Why read the Bible?

1. It's God's message to you, and it is perfect.

Psalm 19:7-9 (NLT)

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.

Proverbs 30:5 (NLT)

Every word of God proves true.
He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

Why read the Bible?

1. It's God's message to you, and it is perfect.
2. More than any other book, it is powerful and can bring lasting change into your life.

Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Why read the Bible?

1. It's God's message to you, and it is perfect.
2. More than any other book, it is powerful and can bring lasting change into your life.
3. God will want us to give an account of our lives one day.

Job 14:3-5 (NLT)

3 Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature
and demand an accounting from me?
4 Who can bring purity out of an impure person?
No one!
5 You have decided the length of our lives.
You know how many months we will live,
and we are not given a minute longer.

Why read the Bible?

1. It's God's message to you, and it is perfect.
2. More than any other book, it is powerful and can bring lasting change into your life.
3. God will want us to give an account of our lives one day.
4. God has too much in store for you in this life to be distracted by a few creature habits.

1 John 2:14 (NLT)

I have written to you who are God’s children
because you know the Father.
I have written to you who are mature in the faith
because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I have written to you who are young in the faith
because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts,
and you have won your battle with the evil one.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

For my personal time with God this week:

[#1] Read Deuteronomy 31-34 and Joshua 1. As the story unfolds and leadership transfers from Moses to Joshua, what did Joshua need to know and do to fully live into God’s plan? How might this inform you how create a habit such as daily meditation on Scripture?
[#2] Read Psalms 1 and 19. What do they teach about how the Word can change your life? What do they say is required?
[#3] If you haven’t already, consider signing up to read through the New Testament with us in January and February as part of your new year’s resolutions! Go to www.gracetucson.org/cbe for more details.