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
4 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!
Showing posts with label bible study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bible study. Show all posts
Sunday, November 27, 2011
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
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.
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?
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!!
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!! =)
"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!! =)
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