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•A Prayer for Taking the Next Step•By Anthony Valente👉 “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)Sometimes we allow fear from stopping us from taking the next step. Maybe you feel God calling you to step into a new career, into ministry, a new relationship, moving into a new city or home, new church, or a new group of friends. Maybe you feel so strongly that God has spoken to you, but the fear of the unfamiliar seems to far outweigh the action of taking the next step. You believe God is trustworthy, yet you’re content with where you’re at, so you sit back and stay where you are rather than take a bold next step.Do you know every hero we read about in the Bible did not know what was on the other side of that next step as well?We know the ending to their stories, but at the time, they did not.In today’s Scripture, Joshua’s life helps us understand that he was given assurance before He led God’s children to their promised land. Before he took the next step, God told him:“I will go before you….I will be with you….I will not leave you nor forsake you….do not fear or be dismayed”Joshua did what he knew he could not do. Like us, he was told in advance he’d be able. Joshua never faced anything so frightful or potentially disparaging that God didn’t see him through it.Isn’t it encouraging to know that whatever that next step you feel the Lord calling you to, He has already gone before you and is faithful to not leave you?He will be with us throughout the entire journey, one step in front of the next. God is faithful when we walk by faith with Him, just as Joshua did along with many other heroes in Scripture.We are appointed, equipped, and empowered. We don’t have to take the next step alone. Rest in the assurance of His faithfulness. Through Christ, we can absolutely, unequivocally do anything God places in front of us. Grab onto the hem of His garment and find the faith to go where He leads.Let us pray.✝️ Dear Lord,We thank You that no journey ahead of us is too far out for You. That You know the plan, and every step in between. Father, thank You that we have nothing to fear with You leading the way. We thank You for promising us that You go before us giving us assurance before we take the next step. You are aware that we needed this confidence and assurance to rest in before we embarked on the unfamiliar. Thank You, Lord, that You have given us examples of men and women in the Bible like Joshua that have already paved the way proving their inadequacy yet Your mighty power. We ask You Lord for boldness and faith to take the next step You have called us to take. Help us to trust You more, help us in our unbelief. We choose to believe You are able when we are not. We choose faith over fear as fear is not from You. We thank You in advance for Your provision and for Your care as we boldly take next steps. Thank You for Your love of every detail of our lives down to every step we take. We love You Lord, and we trust You who has already gone before us.In Jesus’ Name,AMEN 🙏 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9)What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?(Romans 8:31)When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.(Isaiah 43:2)“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6)Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."(Genesis 28:15)“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered; give ear, all you far countries; strap on your armor and be shattered; strap on your armor and be shattered. Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.(Isaiah 8:9-10)“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18)No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.(Joshua 1:5)And the LORD answered, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."(Exodus 33:14)Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."(Hebrews 13:5)When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.(Deuteronomy 20:1)If you listen to all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight in order to keep My statutes and commandments as My servant David did, then I will be with you. I will build you a lasting dynasty just as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you.(1 Kings 11:38)“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(Romans 8:38-39)And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.(Matthew 4:19-20)Who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea.(Job 9:8)“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”(Matthew 14:28-31)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld