Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Book Review for 'Life, In Spite of Me'

Life, In Spite of Me was the wonderful, grace-filled story of Kristen Anderson. At 17 years old, after numerous tragic events in her life, Kristen felt that life was so overwhelming that she had reason to take her own life, by lying on a railroad track in front of an oncoming train, 33 cars at 55 mph, to be exact. This book is her story of survival after being run over by the locomotive and losing both legs.

Although not immediately transformed, Kristin goes through several more trials over the years to bring her closer to who God wants to be. Kristin gets involved in a faith family and eventually gets baptized. She does not let her disability dictate her success. This is such a powerful message that so many need to hear!

Very well-written and impacting! Her story serves as a wonderful testimony to God's love and power. The method of writing and "story-telling" format was very enjoyable. Being introduced to Ruth Ann and the other people who had impact on her life through the years made her story become very relative. Also, hearing that she took life as God led her and decided to go ahead with her ministry even when she didn't feel that she was completely prepared was very encouraging to me, as a person in that same position. So glad I chose to read this book!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Manufacturing Monuments (Joshua Study Post 11)

Manufacturing Monuments

Read Joshua 4:1-9

We all face obstacles to overcome, battles to win and enemies to defeat. Like he Israel, victory comes to those who trust and obey. When God prevails, we should give Him glory by remembering His work in our midst and erecting a monument to His holy name. Whether it be an actual "monument" or whether it be through our telling and retelling the story of our victory through Him to anyone who will listen or even through our lives being changed because of the victory through His name. However we choose to remember, it is of utmost importance that we DO remember. Not only for ourselves and to remind us of what He has done, but also to reveal to others what God and His power can do. Remember Rahab, she learned through hearing and seeing what He did for others and that was her saving grace!!

In Chapter 4, we pick up just as all of the tribes of Israel have crossed over the dry bed of the river Jordan. The Lord gives Joshua specific instructions to build a memorial of what He has done for them so that they can remember it forever, as well as tell their children and their children's children about what He did for them. We often fail in our trust of God because we forget the great things He has done, and often the faith of our children is weak because they have never been told how great God is and how real His working is in our lives.

If we really think about it, these stones will not just be a visual reminder, but also a tangible reminder of their victory through God, for years and years to come. Getting the stones wasn't hard for the 12 men, I'm sure, but that was because the river bed was dried up! In the years to come when their children and grandchildren are asking about the memorial there will be a raging river in front of them. The task of retrieving 12 stones from the river bed looks like an almost unconquerable task to them! But there they are, standing right in front of them as tangible proof....God's power, in their minds, is radically enlarged!

The next verse is probably my favorite part of this reading;

9 Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.

Now, if we aren't careful, we will read this and understand that Joshua was setting up the stones that the 12 men collected....that's what I had read and understood it to say in the past. I didn't realize the truth until I studied it out tonight! Joshua collected 12 stones of his own. We know this because the verse before says this;

8 So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down.

So they had already put their stones down by the camp. Verse 9 tells us that before the river went back to flowing as normal, Joshua took 12 stones and erected a memorial in the middle where the priest had stood. When the river started flowing again normally, the stones would probably not be visible. However, Do you know when they would be visible?? During a time of drought!! I don't know about you, but that speaks to me! Joshua set up a memorial in the very bed of the river Jordan, so that when it was lowered in a season of drought, those stones could be seen and would testify of the time that God had completely dried up the Jordan! During our "seasons of drought" are the most important times that we need to remember all of the wonderful things that God has done for us. When the enemy is whispering in our ear that we aren't good enough...we need to be able to look back at those memorials and call him a liar. When life is weighing us down until we feel like there's no use trying....we need to be able to look at those memorials and see that there is. When we are convinced that God does not have a purpose or a GOOD plan for our lives....we need to be able to see those memorials and remember that He does and He has been working in us all along. Ladies, Let's build memorials. If you need to write it down, write it down. If you need to take a picture, do it. If you need to tell someone so that they can remind you when you forget, tell someone..or tell 10 someones! It doesn't matter how we do it, just that we do.

How do you plan to build memorials of God's goodness in your life?

Going without Knowing (Joshua Study Post 10)

Going without Knowing!

Read Joshua 3:9-17

We read in these verses that the Lord gives specific instructions for the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to lead the way as the Israelites enter into the Jordan river. He tells them further that as soon as the priests carrying the Ark step foot in the river, "its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap."..... He doesn't tell them HOW the water will be stopped. He doesn't tell them HOW their miracle is going to happen. Just that it is going to happen. That so relates to our lives, doesn't it? How often does God ask us to trust Him, even when we don't know where our miracle is going to come from? I was discussing last week with a few young ladies that I had breakfast with about how we try SO hard to figure out WHAT the plan is that God has for our lives. We pray to know what it is. We pray for it to happen...it's a big deal (as it should be!). But I told them that I was starting to consider that maybe God doesn't want us to try so hard to figure out WHAT the plan is...maybe He is waiting for us to just trust that there IS a plan. So it was with the Israelites. They knew God had a plan. Joshua told them what God planned to do. Just not how He planned to do it! Once again, the priests and the Israelites remained faithful! Not knowing, they still did as they were instructed and stepped into the raging river that looked like it wasn't going anywhere, and once again, God proved His faithfulness and power. He was calling the Israelites to step out in faith while the water was still raging. So many times we want the ground to be dry before we even step out.

Parting the waters and causing them to "cut off and stand up in a heap" wasn't the only miracle that happened when they crossed the Jordan. The Word also says that God allowed the Israelites to cross over on dry ground. The ground that had just, moments before, been a riverbed was now completely dry! When the Israelites stepped out in faith God made it so that they didn't even have to cross over through all the mud and muck of a wet, soggy riverbed. How great is He??

Now, just a bit about the Ark of the Covenant and the symbolism I see here in these verses...We already know that the Ark of the Covenant represented the very presence of God. In this instance we see that the priests stand holding the Ark allowing all of the people to pass over....in essence, saving their lives. I think that we can liken this to what God gave us through Jesus' life on the cross. Jesus (the ark) held back death (the Jordan) so that we could be saved. The Israelites had to trust Joshua and keep their focus on and follow behind the Ark that was holding back that river so that they could cross over into the Promised Land. Just like them, we have to keep our eyes on and follow our victorious Jesus and OUR river of impossibility will dry up so that we can cross over into our Promised Land! I know i've said this before, buuuutttt..... I love that! I love finding stuff that is "hidden" in the Word!! :)

So, as we think about the trials and "mud and muck" we are facing in our lives, maybe we should pray and ask God to help us have the faith and focus of the Israelites. Courage to step out, in faith with the river still raging, and trust Him to dry it all up and lead us into the plan He has for us.....even when we have no idea what it is!

Following Instructions (Joshua Study Post 9)

Following Instructions

Read Joshua 3:1-6

I am filled with anticipation as we begin chapter 3!! The Israelites are so close to finally going into the Promised Land....I can only imagine the excitement they felt as they camped on the very banks of the River Jordan for 3 days. The very river that stood between them and their PROMISE...

What I want to talk about tonight is the instructions that Joshua gives to the Israelites as to how they are to cross into their land. We can probably safely say that by this point they were sitting on ready...they more than likely didn't sleep the night before b/c they were SO excited because they knew that this promise that they had been waiting soooo long for was about to be fulfilled. They would probably have just took off running towards their promise just because they were so ready to receive it after all this time!! Or, they could have let a little fear creep back in. They knew they were supposed to be crossing this river, but for the last 3 days they have looked at the waters as they flowed. they have noticed, over and over, the size of the river. I can't say for sure how they were feeling...But once again, there is a seemingly impossible task blocking their way. However; Joshua asks them to be patient...be obedient....be faithful....once again. He asks them to follow a specific set of instructions. Instructions that initially sound insignificant. But we know better than that by now! ;)

Let's take a look at the instructions he gave them;
First, Joshua tells them
3“When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, move out from your positions and follow them. 

Joshua didn't send his strongest warriors first. He didn't tell all of the strongest warriors to take the front line...Joshua realized that this battle was a spiritual one and not a physical one. He realized that the priests that carried the Ark of the Covenant, which was the visible representation of God's presence among the Israelites, had to be their fist line of defense.

So many times we want to attempt to fight our battles ourselves. We think "we got it". We think we know what is best. Only to find out that we are completely wrong. Then, when all else fails, we decide to give God a go at it. All the while we are fighting with our own strength, God is just waiting for us to let Him go before us and fight our battle for us! (and we're only on the 1st instruction!! :) )

Second, Joshua instructs them to
Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about a half mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.”

Joshua instructs them of this for 2 reasons. In order to respect the holy nature of the Ark. And also so that everyone had a clear view of the Ark...So they could keep their eyes on the presence of God. They presence of God was leading them. How much more victorious could our lives be if we let the presence of God lead our every decision?

And Lastly,Joshua tell them,
And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."

"Sanctify....... (Consecrate, Purify, Cleanse, make yourselves holy) for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."....The Israelites were a l m o s t ready to enter into the promise God had for them...but there was just one more thing to do. God needed to get them prepared spiritually. He needed them to purify their minds and hearts completely so that they were ready to receive ALL He had for them!

Couldn't it be that God is saying the same thing to his us today?
Sanctify yourselves.
Purify yourselves.
Consecrate yourselves
for tomorrow I will do wonders among you!!

I believe that God has got a new level for our lives to go to.
He’s got bigger authority for us to realize.
He's got more work for us to do!
He's got more friends for us to share our story with!
He’s wants to enlarge our vision, enlarge our purpose.....
But first, before these wonders will come, he says  “Sanctify yourself.”
The word, Sanctify means the process of becoming pure and holy, just as God is pure and Holy.
Cindy Jacobs says that “Sanctification is a process in which you become more Christ like."
In a nutshell, It means you make clear decisions in your life.
It's all about making a decision to not let sin have a say in your life any longer.
You make a choice that you will not sin.
You make a choice that if you are addicted that you will get help.
You make a choice to not entertain temptation.

I believe that God uses this story to make it clear that; a) we all need instruction. Just as the Israelites needed instruction before crossing the Jordan. b) that sometimes all that's left to do is surrender our life completely to Him in order to walk into our promise. All that may be left to do if you are still waiting on your promise, is for you to surrender to God's instruction for your to sanctify yourself!

Salvation Stories (Joshua Study Post 8)

Salvation Stories

Read Joshua 2:21-24

How were you saved? Did you grow up in church and accept Jesus in a Sunday School classroom at a young age? Were you a teenager at a youth event? Were you an adult who turned to Jesus as your last resort? Were you alone in your room? No matter how you came to know Jesus, there was a chain of events that led to someone, somewhere telling you about His scarlet red blood that would change your life forever! Thank God for those that are bold enough to proclaim the truth!

Tonight we read about the covenant that Rahab makes with the spies. We also read that the spies go back and tell their commander in Cheif "all that had befallen them". This means that they went back and told Joshua and the rest of the tribe all about what they found in the promised land. They tell them that all of the people there are afraid of them. But they also tell them all about their experience with Rahab, the prostitute.

We read back in verse 9 of chapter 2 that Rahab had already heard of the things God had done for the Israelites. Now, because of the dedication of the spies, Rahab comes to know, first-hand, the truth and power of God. And through her display of courage in believing and protecting the spies, she would hang a scarlet cord from her home that would link her forever to her Messiah. The spies promise to protect Rahab and her family also promises her adoption into the "family" of the Israelites. Since the Israelites will be inhabiting the whole land, this must mean that Rahab and her family will dwell with them and become a part of them! That takes the promise to a whole new level, doesn't it!! Just as I don't believe the chain of events leading to your salvation were circumstance, I don't believe this chain of events was either....

Let's go back a little further. A couple of posts ago we learned that Joshua told the people they had 3 days to get ready before the entered the promised land. Now, Joshua had just wandered around in the desert for 40 years...why do you think he would need 3 additional days before entering the land? God did for Rahab just what He did for me and you when He sent those people into our lives to show and assure us of His promises. God used those 3 days to have Joshua send 2 spies on a reconnaissance mission that was so much more than they realized it would be!! Their ultimate purpose wasn't just so they could scope out the land....It was so that they could meet this lost soul, Rahab, and comfort her fearful heart. So they could assure her of the Lord's promises. So they could offer her protections and she could have the opportunity to prove her faithfulness. Using Joshua and the spies as tools, for those 3 days, God was just patiently waiting for one more soul's conversion.

How humbling that He loves us so much that He would create a specific order of events JUST so we come to know Him? Even more so that He would choose to use us as tools in the events that He uses to bring others to know Him.

Lord, help us to be faithful and courageous when you call us so that we never miss a chance to be part of something so much bigger than us. Let us look at every opportunity as an opportunity to be a part of someone's "salvation story"!

If anyone is willing to share, I would love to hear your salvation story

Scarlet Red (Joshua Study Post 7)

Scarlet Red

Read Joshua 2:14-20

In these verses we find out that the spies make a promise to Rahab. They promise her that as long as she protects them that they will return the favor. All she has to do is leave the scarlet rope hanging from her window and her and everyone in her home will live. Life for life.

Now, today, I want to focus on something a little different. I want to focus on the rope.  I (and I pray you too!) believe that every word in the Bible is alive. I believe every word was breathed & inspired by God. I also believe that every detail in the Word has a meaning. I don't believe that it is just coincidence or happenstance that this rope was red...scarlet red. This Scarlet Red, the color of blood, is woven through the history of God's people. It begins with the first animal sacrifice in the Garden of Eden. Made by God Himself to cover Adam & Eve's nakedness and restore fellowship with Him. Later on the blood of the ram took the place of Isaac, Abraham's beloved son, on the altar of sacrifice. We see this scarlet thread woven through time into the captivity in Egypt when the River Nile turned Blood Red. We see it again on the day that the door posts are stained with the lambs' blood so that God would passover the homes and spare the Hebrews' firstborn sons. We see it at the dripping altars of sacrifice made to atone for the sins of a wandering people. We see it again and  again....over and over, even up to the ultimate scarlet red sacrifice of Jesus' blood. I can not accept that God did not intentionally do this to show us something.

These spies found shelter in the home of Rahab, a "scarlet woman," who heard what the God of Israel had done when he parted the Red Sea, how blood had covered the battlefield when the Israelites encountered the Amorites. This courageous (remember COURAGE we talked about a few posts ago??) woman was protected by the scarlet cord and ultimately became part of the BLOODLINE of Jesus Christ.

Artists know that red is a dominant color. Even a small drop in a painting will draw attention in its direction. Rahab tossed out a scarlet cord to capture the spies attention and proclaim; SAVE THIS HOUSE!!
In somewhat the same manner, God threw out the scarlet lifeline, through Jesus' blood on the cross to capture our attention. He offers us the opportunity to be covered by that scarlet blood. By doing so, we then capture His attention and proclaim to Him; SAVE THIS SINNER!! Accepting that opportunity and being washed in that blood allows the Father to see us transformed from scarlet red into pure white!

Thank God for His redeeming blood! I know that it has been my source of hope on many occasions. Just knowing that His scarlet blood was shed for me is more than my heart can hold! what a joy and honor to be His child!! Let me hear your thoughts and insights on this topic! I love hearing what all of you have to say.

The Courageous Prostitute (Joshua Study Post 6)

The Courageous Prostitute.

Read Joshua 2:1-13

Just to quickly recap where we are; Joshua has mourned the death of his mentor, Moses. He has been called, by God, to fill the shoes of leader to the Israelite people. He has summoned the people to begin to prepare to go into the land that God has promised them. He has told them they had 3 days to prepare. Joshua decides to send 2 spies into the city to scope out the area....

Now, that brings us to today's text. Today we meet a woman by the name of Rahab. I'm so encouraged by the things that we can learn from this woman that comes from the lineage of Christ! However, my heart is also convicted...Let's learn a little about this woman, Rahab.

In just the first verse of chapter 2 we learn 3 things about Rahab. 1) She is a prostitute 2) She lives in Jericho 3) The spies come to her house while on the job.
We have to picture the scene as these spies came upon the home of Rahab. From what we know about the life of prostitution, then and now, we can draw the conclusion that Rahab wasn't living in a little house with a white picket fence standing on the porch in her dress and an apron offering coffee and a smile....no, Rahab probably didn't have the cleanest living conditions. She was more likely dressed for a Saturday evening rendezvous. She was a prostitute. This was her way of life. She would have been rejected by her community. Used by men who sought her out for only one thing. I believe that we must truly understand her life, where she comes from, in order to learn the most from her.

Here is a woman who is obviously not living the life that God has set out for her. A woman that any of us would probably reject as a "servant of the Lord". A woman who most would probably say the Lord could not use. So, why do the spies choose to stop at her door? What makes her home more appealing than the one with the moral family living in it next door? What convinces Rahab to lie to her own people in order to protect these men who she does not know? The answer....Faith & Courage. Rahab had faith and acted on it with courage. She had heard what the Lord had done for the Israelites and believed. The she was given the opportunity and acted on that belief. Her actions could very well cost her her life. But she acted anyway.  How many times do we hear of things that the Lord has done yet refuse to believe...OR worse, we believe, but we refuse act on that belief.

Rahab goes on in verses 12 & 13 to make a deal with the spies. If she protects them, they must protect her and her family... and as a side note, these verses also present another piece of Rahab's life. She speaks of her "Father" and "Brothers". In those days if a woman was unwed she would continue to be provided for by her Father and if he was deceased her brothers would care for her. So why was Rahab a prostitute if her Father and Brothers were still living? The Word doesn't tell us, but we could draw the conclusion that she was not only rejected by society, but also abandoned by her family to a life of prostitution. To me, this makes her faith & Courage shine even brighter. Not only had she heard what the Lord had done, believed it & acted on it but she had trust in Him to do even more! She trusted in Him to protect her and her family.

Although Ms. Rahab had a lot of things going wrong in her life, we can see that she had a lot to teach us about faith & courage. Does this also teach us not to judge people so quickly by their outward appearance and actions or past actions? Maybe there is something we can learn from everyone that we come in contact with....After all, God made them too, right?

Thoughts?

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Joshua Study Post 5

Friends on the Frontline....

Read Joshua 1:10-15

Here we pick up with God speaking to Joshua and telling him it is time. The people are finally ready to cross over into their Promised Land. After hearing from God, Joshua calls the leaders of the tribe and tells them to spread the word to their people that they have 3 days to prepare. Just 3 days until they were ready to move into the blessing that God has promised them.

*just a quick side note here that I found interesting, the number 3, scripturally speaking, represents completion: of time; Jesus spent 3 days in the tomb, Moses was hidden from Pharaoh for 3 months & of person; Noah's 3 sons, Abraham's 3 visitors and the most profound, the Holy Trinity. I believe that everything that is in God's word is there for a reason. The fact that He gave the Israelite people 3 days to prepare tells me that their journey was undoubtedly COMPLETE. They had come to the place that He had prepared for them! I love how the Word ties things like that together!!*

Take note in verse 11 that there is a process, a chain of command, if you will, to how instruction is handled. God instructs Joshua. Joshua instructs the leaders. The leaders instruct the people. The people enter into the Promised Land. I believe this applies to us today as well. The Word says that our God is a God of order (1 Cor. 14:33). Many times, God speak through the one He sent, be it a Pastor or other spiritual leader and then they instruct leaders and leaders are to instruct the people.  Too many times, we get this all wrong. Either leaders distort what God says or followers don't care who said what, they aren't moving until they get ready....How often do you think we spend another year wandering in the desert when we could be enjoying the blessings of God just because we don't want to follow His plan of Godly leadership?? (another side note, lol)

In verse 12-15 we see that God calls upon the tribes of Gad  & Reuben & the half tribe of Manasseh to be true to their word. (Num 32:16) They had promised Moses that if he would allot them the land on the East side of the Jordan River that they would lead their fellow Israelites through battle until they had fully laid claim to the land that God had promised them on the other side of the Jordan River. The tribe of Gad, Reuben and half tribe of Manasseh had already been blessed greatly! They had already started building homes for their families and pens for their livestock. Their futures were looking great. They could have easily just decided to sit back and enjoy their blessings. However, I feel that God uses this situation to show us that we are blessed to bless others. This verse, i believe, urges us to remember that we are all part of the same body! God blesses us, and YES He wants us to enjoy those blessings, but He also wants us to use them to proclaim His glory. We are not to just sit back and enjoy our blessings and retire from the fight because we got ours! We still have work to do! If we ever forget that, we are in danger of losing the very things that we are sitting back and enjoying (Job 1:21). He blesses us so that we can be a blessing!

Just like the tribes of Gad, Reuben and half tribe of Manasseh, we are called to fight for one another. In our world today, we may not be called to fight physically for one another. We may not have to don body armor or swords to help each other defeat our enemies, but that doesn't make us any less responsible! We CAN and should be fighting for each other spiritually. We should be covering our brothers and sisters in prayer "until the Lord gives them rest". We should be fighting for them on our knees. Donning ourselves with the armor of God and helping them fight their enemies in the spiritual realm! What a great, humbling responsibility!!

Joshua Study Post 4

Called to Courage

"Courage is knowing the worst -- and discovering that, in God's world, the very worst can't really hurt you."

Read Joshua 1:6-9

The above quote is from the caregiver of, George Smith, a courageous test pilot who became the first person to survive a supersonic ejection. He survived, with grave injuries, and feared flying again...He believed, in his caregiver's words, he found the anecdote to fear.
(If you'd like to read the entire story of Mr. Smith, you can find it here:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,866662,00.html)

Now, on to Joshua....He knew what it was to be a "survivor" too. He had seen the worst. He was a former Egyptian Slave, former wilderness wanderer & he had seen many of his people die in the desert. He had plenty of reason to be afraid! However, Joshua portrayed strong courage early on. When the majority of spies sent in to inspect the Promised Land came back shaking in their sandals, Joshua boldly said,   

"Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” (Num 14:9)

He was a BRAVE soldier! Joshua had a lot to be intimidated by when he was being called to fill Moses shoes. However, God made certain that Joshua had the true anecdote to fear!

In our text today 3 times God says "be strong" to a man probably feeling weak. 3 times He instructed "have courage" to a timid leader. God told Joshua 2 times to not be afraid. Then and now, God faithfully gives and speaks strength to the faint. However, I believe that our admittance to weakness is what opens the door to receive God's strength. We have to readily admit our weaknesses to God so that we can accept His strength in those places. That is true courage...trading my weaknesses and anxieties for His strength. I read this quote today,

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of faith despite fear." -Unknown

God calls us to be courageous and strong, just as He did Joshua. Even when we ARE afraid, even when we are intimidated or discouraged. We are called to have faith even in those times. That is when we are truly courageous. Courage is the strength that enables us to withstand those times. God is calling us (me & you!) to courage. He isn't calling us to be always fearless or never feel weak...because, rest assured, those days will come... but instead He is calling us to have faith in Him DESPITE those times! Trusting in Him when the storms of life are raging. That's COURAGEOUS!

I am going to write down these verses (Joshua 1:6-9) and put them where I can see them in the mornings. I want to pray these verses when I wake up in the mornings...pray them over my family...How great if all of our children and husbands heard us pray over them everyday to "Be Strong and for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go"??

Be of Good Courage today!! =)

Joshua Study Post 3

Blessings or Curses....

Read Joshua 1:3-5

We are actually going to cover more than one verse this time!! :)

Just to quickly recap; Moses has passed away and Joshua has now been appointed the new leader of the Isrealites. God has spoken and told Joshua to get up (get going, move on!) and lead the Israelites across the Jordan River and into the land He is about to give them. As we move into verse 3  God promises to give the Israelites every place that they step their foot on...Why do you think God words it that way? That caught my attention. Why wouldn't God just say, "I've given you all this land. It's all for you...it's yours"? I believe that He is teaching us a lesson in obedience. He tells Moses in Deut. 11:24-28,

24 Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea.25 No one will be able to stand against you. The Lord your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go. 26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today;28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.

God says that blessing comes when we OBEY His commands. He gives the Israelites a promise, AND He gives them a command in order to receive it. Every piece of land that they step foot on will be theirs, He promises that....but in order to receive it, they have to step foot on it! They have to trust that He is going to do what He said He would do and make all of their enemies fear them. They have to have FAITH that He is going to come through for Joshua just as He promised Moses.

Even with the promise that this land would be theirs, they never fully possessed it all. Do you know that part of the reason they never fully possessed it all is because of disobedience? (Joshua 7) Did you also know that the reason Moses never got to enter into the promised land was because of disobedience? (Num 20:11-12) God takes this requirement seriously!

Isn't it true that God requires this same obedience from us today?? Check 2 Cor 2:14, Isa 54:17 & Heb 13:5 for just a few examples of the promises He gives us concerning our protections. He's got our back!! God tells us that we can have victory over all things. He tells us that He will provide us everything we need (Phil 4:19). However; some of God's promises come with an offer as well as an obligation. Our obligations is to be obedient. In the scripture above God reminded Moses that obedience is the key to unlocking either blessing or curse. We are called to give God rule and authority over every part of our lives...and He will bless us. Just as the Israelites were given every part of the land. All they had to do was go there, step foot on it. Obey. They did not & they never possessed all that He promised them! In the same way, we can hold back places in our life from God and never gain victory over them.

Are there places of your life, circumstances that you haven't "stepped foot" on yet? Are there promises that you don't possess because of disobedience? God wants to give us the promises of deliverance from every stronghold, burden, sin and oppression that we have in our lives...we just have to "step foot" on it. Acknowledge it's there and give it to Him and have FAITH that He will fulfill his promise. Faith is a hard thing...

Thoughts?

Monday, October 17, 2011

Joshua Study Post 2

Equipped through Experience....
Read Joshua 1:2

We didn't get very far into the text yesterday and we aren't going to get very far today... :) I promise we'll move along more quickly after the first week!Just  lots speaking to me here in the beginning!

So, we read in verse 2 that God chose and called (literally) Joshua to become the next leader of the Hebrew people. This wasn't unexpected nor was Joshua unprepared for it. The people were aware, they knew that Joshua would be their new leader (Num 27:18-19) Even so, I have to believe that Joshua may have been a little intimidated. We are talking a group of possibly close to 2 million people here!! I'm sure Joshua spent quite a bit of time wondering how he was going to manage as a leader. If Joshua is like us (though not a woman :) lol) he may have battled some insecurity with being prepared for what lay before him. That's what I want to talk about today. If we look back in the history of Joshua's ministry to Moses, we see that all along, throughout his life experiences, God was preparing Joshua for his role as leader to the Hebrew people. He had life experience in battle,        (Ex 17:8-13), He had life experience meeting with God (Ex 33:7-11), He had life experience in being persecuted for his faith (Num 14:6-9)...All of these things that Joshua went through, while not always ideal or comfortable, were necessary. They were necessary to equip him for the role that he would fill in the future. God was preparing him all along for a greater purpose. His pain, his persecution were all for a greater purpose!

I'm convinced that God still does this in our lives today. I believe that He is preparing each and every one of us, just as He did Joshua, for a greater purpose. The trials we live through. The circumstances we face. The hurt we endure...He can use it all! I ask you...think back over your life. Think about the things that you have been through. Good and bad. Now look at where you are today. Can you see how God was preparing you? Can you see His fingerprints on those things? Maybe not. Maybe you are not where you are purposed to be yet....maybe you are in the middle of a Joshua "life experience". If so, try to look at it with this perspective. Instead of a trial...consider it training.

Lord, I ask you to bless each and every woman in this study group. I ask that You surround them with Your love and Your grace. God, help all of us to be like Joshua when we are faced with the trials of this life. Don't let us be like the Israelites who are so quick to give up and walk out on the promises that we have in You. In every circumstance help us to consider the purpose and not focus on the pain. Hlelp us, through this study, learn to live a life without fear in You! I love you, Lord! Amen (So be it!)

Joshua Study Post 1

A Fresh Start...

Read Joshua 1:1-2

This book starts out with a sad event...Moses, the servant of the Lord, is dead. After he leads the Israelites to the borders, his work was done. Joshua, the servant of the servant of the Lord, was called upon to step up and take his masters place. Now, just go with me for a moment...Just reading and studying out the text it's very apparent that Moses and Joshua had a very close relationship through their time together. Although Moses was appointed by God to deliver His people from slavery, he understood early on that Joshua would be the one to lead them into freedom. (Duet 3:27) Moses took Joshua everywhere with him. Protected him (Ex 27:9-14), corrected him (Num 11:26-30) and introduced him to the intimate relationship with God (Ex 33:11).....Now, I say all that to say this; Joshua is grieving the loss of his mentor and friend when God speaks to him..."Moses, my servant is dead"....Why do you think God starts out this way? I mean, Joshua has just spent 30 days weeping for the loss of his friend..surely he has not forgotten that he is dead! Do you think that, maybe, God is just reminding Joshua of the facts so that he can accept them? Maybe Joshua is like us...we need to be reminded at times to move forward. We sometimes need someone to look us in the face and say "It's over", "It's the end", "It's gone"....not to hurt us or cause us despair, but to cause us assurance! To help us realize that we must get up and get a fresh start.Through Moses' death the Israelites and Joshua got a fresh start. Now they can move into the promised land. Have there been times in your life that death has brought about new life? For instance the death of a habit bringing out new possibilities....or the death of a plan you have for your own life bringing out a new vision for God's better plan?

What things might you need to die to in order to bring new life to your life so that you can move into your promised land?

What do you think? Thoughts to add....insight?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Life. Liberty. The Pursuit of Happiness?

Studying the book Radical with my church family and Pastor Brad preached an amazing message this past Sunday. (You can listen here) We are on chapter 8 - Living when Dying is Gain. 


Life and society is full of quotes and people who say "Do what makes YOU happy!" And at first thought, you think, YES! I want to be happy! Happy is good! I love being Happy!! and the truth is, we all do. Being happy feels great. However, In Matthew 5 Jesus sends His disciples out with instructions that are so opposing to "doing what makes you happy."  This is the Message version, emphasis mine;




5 Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:6 Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood.7 Tell them that the kingdom is here.8 Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. 9 "Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start.10 You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light. 11 "When you enter a town or village, don't insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave. 12 "When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting.13 If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation.14 If they don't welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.15 You can be sure that on Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry-but it's no concern of yours now.16 "Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.17 "Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation-just because you believe in me.18 Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you-and me-a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news!19 And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there;20 the Spirit of your Father will supply the words. 21 "When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family.22 There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit. Don't cave in. It is all well worth it in the end.23 It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you've run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived. 24 "A student doesn't get a better desk than her teacher. A laborer doesn't make more money than his boss.25 Be content-pleased, even-when you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment I get. If they call me, the Master, 'Dungface,' what can the workers expect? 26 "Don't be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are.27 So don't hesitate to go public now. 28 "Don't be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life-body and soul-in his hands.....




Ummmm.....Nothing about those instructions makes me think "happy".....Maybe "doing hazardous work" and having people "smear your reputation" = happiness for you?? Not me! If we believe this Word and claim to live it out, the mission of God has nothing to do with making ourselves happy...nothing to do with comfort. What a Radical thought? What if the places where we are at risk, are at the center of God's will?? The places where we don't feel all the sunshine and roses, the places where we are least comfortable, the places where we feel like we are "unsettled" or unwanted, the places where we feel like we have to work really hard .....

All of us want to be happy. We all love to smile and laugh and be comfortable. But what if He is calling us to so much more than that while we are here on Earth? Are the promises that He makes us when we do what He has called us to do worth it? He calls us to do HARD things! He calls us to be "wolves among sheep" when we'd rather be sheep among wolves! or even just sheep among sheep! He promises us things that are eternal. He asks us to trade these temporary things for His things that are eternal. It's hard for us to have an eternal mindset. We want to "FEEL" happy, comfortable and do what we think we should. What we think will give us the most joy....When in reality, it's not about us at all.... 

The author ends chapter 8 this way; 



"When we consider the promises of Christ, risking everything we have and everything we are for His sake is no longer a matter of sacrifice, it's just common sense. Following Christ is not so much sacrificial as it is smart. Jim Elliot once said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." -Radical, David Platt


Hard things. I know there are lots of changes that need to come into my life. It's like changing your whole thought pattern. Radical change, from the core of who you are. Reversing your thinking to think like Christ. Revolting against everything that society says about how we should think....I think He's worth it. I'm convinced enough to want to try.

What He says at the in the second half of Matthew 5 is enough for me to want to; 

37 If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me.38 "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me.39 If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me.

This book is doing amazing things in our lives! Seeking and seeing God like never before.


Blessings!! 
Misty
















Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Distraction

wow, it's been a while since I've blogged.....

I came across this quote today by Frances Chan;

“In our world, where hundreds of things distract us from God, we have to intentionally and consistently remind ourselves of Him.” 

It made me stop think about how many things actually CAN and DO distract us from God and the calling that we have in Him. In today's fast paced, "get it now" society we are always doing something. We find ourselves doing and doing and doing and never just being still. I started thinking how even our so called "good" intentions can take our focus off of Him. Our friends, our good deeds, our church duties (yeah......). So many of these things, while they seem to be things that we should be focusing our time on, can turn into distractions if we are not careful.

1 Corinthians 7:35  I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

When things or events or even people start to share your devotion with God you are treading on shaky ground. All it takes is one moment, one thought to get our focus off of God and then we could head down a dangerous and deadly path. 

He wants all of our devotion. "undivided". I believe that when we are focused fully on Him we are a better friend. A better worker. A better spouse, mother, helper. I plan to begin today making more time for Him. More time to spend in His presence. In His word. More time to spend on the wheel of the Potter so that He can make and mold me into exactly what He wants me to be.

Focusing on my Father and His plan,
Misty

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Dreaming

I dream of a place...a place where love is a universal language
a world where hate is nonexistent....a place where children aren't abused and mothers aren't left alone.
      where no one is left out and everyone belongs
a place where cancer is a foreign word and babies don't die....
      where not one more mother has to long to hear her baby cry...
a place where we don't hurt one another...where friends are forever.
       where promises are real and marriages stay together
a place where you never have to worry about mistakes from your past
        where relationships and homes are built to last
a place where words spoken can be easily forgotten and each day is better than the days gone by
        where people were never broken and patience never tried
a place where the only tears shed are tears of happiness...loneliness doesn't prevail
         where honesty, faith and reputation are never for sale
a place where we get better as we get older...the aging mother never forgets her children or their names
          where the elderly widow and teenage girl overlook differences and see how much they are the same
a place where flowers and sunsets still bring smiles...and listening to a child laugh brings joy to the soul
          where people are simple, and happy and healthy and whole.
a place where hearts aren't ripped apart and taped back up
           where we never have to drink from a bitter cup
I dream of this place, yet when I awake...a small voice reminds me that it's not only a dream. I have a place awaiting me with all of these things. I have a world that holds all of my dreams, all of my hope, that captures my hurt and catches my tears....a world just waiting for me to get there! But for now, I'll dream this dream....I'll spread His hope and show His love in things i say and do....because i know that this dream that i dare to dream really will one day come true..

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Love God. Love People.

I always find myself discouraged when I am talking with someone and the minute that they find out I am a 'christian' they feel they are being judged by me. It's almost as if you insantly see this protective wall go up and they clump me into "that" category. I hate that feeling! Since when did my relationship with Jesus give me the authority to BE God and judge people for the things they have done or even are doing? Last time I checked Jesus said

"Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."



It doesn't say "Love others...as long as they are like you..." or "Love others that are doing everything exactly the way they should...or you think they should". It just simply says "Love others as well as yourself" This whole scripture paraphrased; Love God, Love People. I'm sick and tired of being categorized as "small-minded" or "judgemental" just because I profess to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's time that people who bare the name of Jesus realize that we CAN, and Christ DOES love people regardless of their past AND PRESENT! We have got to stop trying to "fix" them or preach at them or convict them. (How dare we take the job of the Holy Spirit!) We are called to love them. As we love them and show them the love of Christ and represent our LOVING, COMPASSIONATE, FORGIVING, CLEANSING, LIFE-CHANGING God, we are doing more than any hurtful, condemning, damning word could ever do. We are being Jesus with skin on. We are showing them the true nature and heart of our God. We then have to trust Him to do the transformation. The way some professed "christians" represent my God, I can understand why people would shun Him. I can see why they turn away and resist His "love". I wouldn't want love from anyone who i was told repeatedly "hated" me and was going to "cast me down into fiery pits of hell for my sins". Don't get me wrong, I know truths. I know what the Word says and I stand behind every single word. I just don't think that this is something we should be telling people that don't even know Him. There is so many BETTER things that we can tell them about Him. About His LOVE and FORGIVENESS and GRACE and His JOY in them. If they don't even have a relationship with Him, they more than likely already know the 'fiery pits of hell' scenario and have decided it's not true either. We have GOT to lead in love. It is so very important. It is a command.....of God....doesn't get any plainer than that! Ok, I'm off my soap box. I won't apologize for anything that I have said and I mean it all from the deepest part of my heart. I am so, so tired of people claiming to LOVE others but slandering and judging and gossiping and hating. I'm offended to be grouped into that category and I'm offended that people represent MY God that way. We have ALL fallen short. We have ALL sinned. We have no right to judge anyone, We are to LOVE them...LOVE them TO Him and let HIM handle the heart changes! Love God, Love People.