The Journey: Finding Courage and Deliverance in Your Crisis

By Jeff Davis

"Feeling battered and exhausted by life's journey? "the journey" will encourage and inspire you as you discover God's plan to refresh, restore, and deliver you into your God-given destiny!"

Life can be tough, and we all need encouragement and direction. This book draws upon lessons found in Scripture and practical application in my persona

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: May 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637690178

Book preview

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The Journey

Finding courage and deliverance in your crisis

Jeff Davis

Trilogy Christian Publishers

TUSTIN, CA

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2021 by Jeffery P. Davis

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cambridge Edition: 1769.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

For information, address Trilogy Christian Publishing

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, Ca 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/ TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Manufactured in the United States of America

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 978-1-63769-016-1

ISBN 978-1-63769-017-8 (ebook)

Contents

Dedication v

Acknowledgements vii

Foreword ix

Section 1. Courage for the Crossing 1

Chapter 1. Life at the Crossroads 4

Chapter 2. Accepting the Mission 11

Chapter 3. Preparing to Cross 19

Chapter 4. Power for Crossing 27

Chapter 5. Embracing the Promise 35

Section 2. Faith in Crisis 47

Chapter 1. Storms of Life 50

Chapter 2. Understanding the Crisis 59

Chapter 3. Victory in the Crisis 66

Chapter 4. Inside the Storm 83

Chapter 5. Outlasting the Crisis 90

Section 3. Songs of Deliverance 103

Chapter 1. Our Dilemma 106

Chapter 2. Our Source of Strength 112

Chapter 3. Our Cry 118

Chapter 4. God’s Response 127

Chapter 5. God’s Reward 135

Appendix. Journey Reflections Guide 148

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Dedication

For every person in search of answers to life’s most perplexing question—what direction should I take?

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Acknowledgements

I am forever grateful to my loving wife and friend, Leah. Your love and support inspire me to become the man you deserve. I love you!

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Foreword

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’"

Psalm 30:21 NIV

Twenty-eight thousand four hundred and seventy days. That’s how many days in the average lifespan and equates to about seventy-eight years (www.cdc.gov). In this span of time, we all embark upon a journey that includes the highs and lows common to the human experience. If you are thirty years old, you have lived 10,950 days. If you are fifty years old, you have lived 18,250 days. The simple truth is that time marches on with a relentless pace for all of us. Regardless of age, ethnicity, sex, religion, or financial status, we all face the same dilemma of choosing between different paths and finding our way in the midst of the uncertainties of life. As I write, the world is facing an unprecedented period of uncertainty in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic. No one could have predicted as the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Day, marking the start of 2020, that the coming year would be shaped by over twenty-two million US citizens infected and over 369,000 deaths to an infectious disease that few people saw coming.

This is a dramatic example of what we all intuitively understand. Life can be tough, and we all need encouragement and direction as we navigate life’s challenges. This book draws upon lessons found in scripture and practical application in my personal journey as a husband, father, grandfather, Bible teacher, and leader. The message of this book is contained in three parts. Section One of this book contains a message of hope and encouragement called Courage for the Crossing. In this section, you will be confronted by the frailties and sense of being outmatched by life that we all sometimes experience. You will obtain important insights into how to move beyond these moments of overwhelm and intimidation and into your destiny.

Section Two of this book is titled Faith in Crisis. This short work addresses the all too real challenges faced by many Believers who find themselves faced with an external crisis that also results in an internal crisis—a crisis of faith. Key concepts are explored to equip Believers to navigate these troubling times and arise stronger and more equipped to pursue and attain God’s plan for their lives. These concepts reflect God’s message of encouragement and empowerment as He walks me through a personal storm in the form of a recent gastric cancer diagnosis. My prayer is that you will be encouraged and strengthened by the practical message of encouragement and hope that I believe emanates from the heart of God. This is a message that has touched me personally as God has walked me through the storm of a cancer diagnosis.

The final section of this book is dedicated to refreshing the soul of those who have faced crisis and understand what it feels like to be desperate for hope. The message is clear that we are the children of a faithful and loving Father who never requires more of us than He is prepared to equip us to face and overcome. The result of this realization is an encouraging reflection on how our Heavenly Father has prepared for our future both in this life and in eternity that we can scarcely grasp. As the evidence of His plan and His faithfulness becomes more apparent, our lives become part of a beautiful chorus that inspires and encourages us and those who we encounter along life’s journey. At the end of each chapter, you will find included in the text an opportunity for reflection and prayer designed to help you focus on the journey ahead.

Please note that the chapters ahead contain Power Points that highlight key principles and insights that reflect God’s design and are intended as signposts to guide you on your journey.

Welcome to your personal journey to courage and deliverance in the face of crisis!

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SECTION ONE

Courage for the Crossing

Either life entails courage, or it ceases to be life.

(EM Forster)

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Dedication

To every person facing daunting obstacles and in need of courage.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Life at the Crossroads 4

Facing the Crossroad

Direction and Purpose

Chapter 2. Accepting the Mission 11

Facing Insecurity

Provision for the Mission

Chapter 3. Preparing to Cross 19

Preparing our Thinking

Declaring Your Divine Purpose

Chapter 4. Power for Crossing 27

Power Through Obedience

Chapter 5. Embracing the Promise 35

Memorializing the Crossing

Cutting Away the Wilderness

Celebrating the Crossing

Committing to the Promise

CHAPTER one

Life at the Crossroads

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9 KJV

On a chilly evening in April 1993, I made my way down a long pier that served as berth for Los Angeles Class submarines. As I received permission from the checkpoint guard to go beyond the security perimeter, my eyes struggled to identify any markers that would lead me to the submarine on which I would be reporting for duty.

These many years later, I can still vividly recall how I felt and the questions that raced through my mind. I was reporting to my first assignment as a naval officer. I was charged with leading an entire department as the Supply Officer responsible for all logistical support for a billion-dollar submarine. This transition was playing out in the volatile period that followed the ending of the Cold War in 1991. I recall the fear