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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."

Some of you may have followed our family's 40-day journey across the country as we transitioned from Spartanburg to Surfside. Much of the trip was wonderful, filled with opportunities to see God's hand at work. Along the way, however, we also encountered a few challenges. While traveling through South Dakota, a subframe bolt on our van snapped. We were able to make a temporary repair using heavy-duty straps, but it was far from an ideal situation.

In the passage above, Moses has just died, and Joshua is stepping into the enormous responsibility of leading God's people. Knowing the challenges that lay ahead, God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, reminding him that God’s presence would go with him wherever he went.

As we begin our journey together at Surfside, I am filled with excitement and anticipation for what God has in store for our church. There will undoubtedly be moments of joy as well as challenges along the way, but God's promise remains the same. We can move forward with confidence, knowing that God is with us.

Be encouraged today: no matter where this journey takes us, the Lord will be with us every step of the way.

Pastor Andrew Wolfe