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	HOW TO SURVIVE THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES Josh 1: 1-9

When I saw from television how the terrorists attacked America on September 11, 2001, showing airplanes with hundreds of innocent people in it crashed into buildings and how the fires burning, how people at upper-levels clung to the glass windows desperately seeking help or even some of them jumped down. Then the huge building structures collapsed with very thick smoke, dust, and flames and leaving thousands of lives missing.

With all these disbelief happenings, my heart cried to the Lord and I would like to convey my heartfelt prayer and deepest sympathy to those who grieve, who lost their loved ones, their business, their properties, their future, who lost their security and I would like to share what the Bible say how to survive through this kind of difficult times.

The Difficult Times

In our lives we often have to go through this kind of time. You may not live in America where these horrible things happened, you may be a successful businessman, a student, a simple house wife or an ordinary people, but whoever you are I believe there are times in our life when we don’t know why these things happened and we don’t know what to do. Or may be our problems seems too big and we don’t even know how to solve it. Especially in this modern world, when everything is automatic, high technology and fast, life not becomes easier but more difficult, tough and stressful.

Big Questions In Tomorrow

In Josh 1: 1-9, the Lord said to Joshua to bring the Israelite to pass through Jordan River on their way to the Promised Land. This reflects the following situations:

a.	The first new step with big questions, the uncertain tomorrow
b.	Facing the very serious problems
c.	Have to get along/deal with difficult persons or big business

There are Always Answers in God

Whether or not you are Christian, some times the problem we have to face is the same. What differ us is the way we see our problems. As believers we know that Jesus is always bigger than every problems we have, even the sin of all the world is not too big to be cleansed by Him.

Seek the will of the Lord

Keep on moving ahead
“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.” (verse 3)

God never leave you
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.“ (verse 5)

Be strong and courageous (verse 6-9)
A very important order to Joshua as well as to us, three times repeated by the Lord.

Be strong and courageous, to move forward to reach the blessing He prepared for us.
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.” (verse 6)

Be strong and courageous, the key to success is to obey God’s Word correctly.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” (verse 7)

Be strong and courageous, don’t be afraid to face tomorrow for God is in every tomorrow.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (verse 9)

To all readers and netters all over the world, always remember, whatever problem you may face, there is always a way out in Jesus.

Especially to all netters in the United States, my wife and I myself with all of our staffs in GL Ministry convey our deepest sympathy and prayer for you. Even though we may not know why these things happened, keep cling to the Lord, for God always be on your side in this time of grieve.

For any comment or advice you need, you are invited to send e-mail to gilbertreinda@glministry.com and I’ll be happy to answer it. I also encourage you to read the other articles, which I specially prepared in this time of sorrow to restore our faith.

Be strong and keep on moving in Christ.

In His field,

Rev. Gilbert Lumoindong