September 21, 2008

Obeying Totally

Read the Bible through:
AM – Isaiah 36-39 : PM – 2 Cor. 10

WHEN GOD’S PLAN SEEMS STRANGE
Joshua 6:1-5

2 “And the LORD said to Joshua: ‘See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor’”

The pastor preached a brief message about a master who distributed various talents to his servants and what those servants did with their talents. All seemed pretty normal until it came time to receive the offering. As the plates were passed, the congregation was instructed to take something out instead of putting something in!

In each plate were three stacks of bill- ones, fives, and tens. Each member was instructed to take one of the bills and use it to multiply it and bring back the balance a month later. Everyone was amazed when folk shared the ways they invested, made things, and sold their wares for a profit. As God often does, He used the plan to bring about His will.

Joshua must have wondered how in the world his people would overtake the walled city of Jericho; but because of his total obedience, God blessed him beyond his wildest dreams.

Lord, help me to follow Your plans faithfully

September 20, 2008

Obeying Totally


Read the Bible through:
AM – Isaiah 33-35 : PM – 2 Cor. 9

BY JOINING GOD’S HOST
Joshua 5:13-15

14 “So He said, ‘No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, ‘What does my Lord say to His servant?’”

During the Olympics in Sydney, a novice swimmer from Africa discovered what it meant to join the host of world-class athletes. In a heat, the other two contestants were eliminated due to false starts. Spectators had seen the best swimmers in the world, but at this moment all eyes were fixed on this athlete as he struggled to complete the event.

This was the longest distance this competitor had ever attempted. The cheers from the crowd turned to a deafening roar as he approached the finish of the race. He was helped from the pool, and to hear the crowd you would have thought he had just won the gold medal. In reality what he heard was the sound of the crowd applauding the tenacious struggle for survival. In that defining moment, the athlete learned what it meant to join a host of champions.

Joshua’s arrival at Jericho was to be one of the defining moments in his lifetime. He removed his sandals; he knew he was standing on holy ground.

Lord, help me stand strong in my defining moments.

September 19, 2008

Leaving a Legacy

Read the Bible through:
AM – Isaiah 30-32 : PM – 2 Cor. 8

OF GOD’S PROVISION
Joshua 5:10-12

12 “Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.”

At Gilgal, the children of Israel renewed their commitment to God before beginning their conquest of the Promised Land. Their joyous Passover was to remind them of God’s mighty acts. Because the land was ready for planting and harvesting, they no longer needed God’s miraculous supply of manna. They could now work the land and grow food for themselves.

God expects us to use our energy and talents to provide for ourselves. We in the United States are graciously blessed agriculturally. Our fields overflow, allowing us to export surplus to less fortunate countries. Without realizing it, our food is as manna in third-world areas.

God’s blessings are evident in ever area of our lives. Out of gratitude we should commit and recommit ourselves to God, thanking Him daily for His constant blessings. We should be continually humbled by His bountiful legacy of provisions.

Oh, God, I am truly grateful for your gracious provisions.

September 18, 2008

Leaving a Legacy

Read the Bible through:
AM – Isaiah 26-29 : PM – 2 Cor. 7

FOR ALL THE EARTH’S PEOPLE
Joshua 4:20-24

24 “That all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”

The boys in the children’s choir kept chanting the words over and over as the girls sang to a new tune the familiar song about Jesus loving all the children of the world. The tiny musicians sparkled with excitement as they sang the now upbeat old song.

Their excitement was contagious and thought provoking. I left our auditorium realizing we have a mandate to teach our children the foundations of our faith. All the children of the world need to know God’s love.

Joshua knew the importance of teaching future generations about God. He took 12 stones from the Jordan River and set them as stones of remembrance. This visual stressed the importance of letting all people of the earth know of the mighty hand of God. This familiar message needs to be told and sung with excitement until all people hear and understand. What mighty acts of God can you share with others?

Lord, thank You for Your mighty, protective, loving hand that reaches to all humankind.

September 17, 2008

Leaving a Legacy

Read the Bible through:
AM – Isaiah 23-25 : PM – 2 Cor. 6

OF GOD’S POWER
Joshua 4:15-19

18 “And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before.”

When living in Claremore, Oklahoma, our section of town shook violently when dynamite was used to remove large rocks north of town in order to build a new High School. The first of those unexpected rumblings seemed awesome until I remembered the limitless power of God. People’s power is minuscule compared to God’s power.

The children of Israel witnessed the mighty power of God. Waters of the Jordan River parted to make a path when the priests’ feet touched the edge, and the people caravanned across a dry river bed. As soon as the last of the priest’s feet touched the other shore, the river’s water returned as before to its flood stage. Because the Levites stepped out in faith, God showed His mighty power.

Only when we step out in faith are we able to witness God’s power and follow His directions.

Lord, help me to step out in faith and observe Your power.

September 16, 2008

Leaving a Legacy

Read the Bible through:
AM – Isaiah 19-22 : PM – 2 Cor. 5

OF GOD’S MIGHTY ACTS
Joshua 3:14-17

17 “Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.”

God never does anything halfway! When the feet of the priests bearing the ark touched the brink of the swollen waters of the Jordan, the waters rose up and stood back. Suddenly the path before them was firm and dry. All the children of Israel crossed through the riverbed as a result of this mighty act of God.

We see miracles every day and erroneously give the credit to humankind’s ingenuity and brilliance. When we view the world through eyes of faith, however, we realize that all our accomplishments are God given. He reveals His power in chemistry laboratories, hospitals, space centers, concert halls, through surgeons’ hands – in millions of unseen ways every day. He inspires, directs, and bestows mercy and grace. God’s mighty acts lead us forward as surely as He led the children of Israel. What an awesome God. What a legacy!

Oh, God, give me eyes of faith to see Your mighty acts of power everyday

September 15, 2008

Leaving a Legacy

Read the Bible through:
AM – Isaiah 15-18 : PM – 2 Cor. 4

OF GOD’S PRESENCE
Joshua 3:9-10a

10 “And Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you.”

Attending conferences at LifeWay Ridgecrest and Glorieta Conference Centers is a blessing to many people. These centers are ideal places to learn, worship, and feel God’s presence.

As the children of Israel prepared to cross over into the Promised Land, excitement permeated the camp. They were anxious to move on, but Joshua gathered them for a most important meeting. He admonished them to stop and listen to the words of the Lord. He knew they could not go forward effectively without the people sensing God’s presence. The people needed to know without a doubt that the living God was among them.

God still speaks and moves among us when we experience genuine worship in our homes and churches. If we let Him, He will speak to us through His Holy Word as it is read and taught. It is imperative that we listen for His voice with the ears of our hearts. What an important legacy to leave for our children.

Help me, God, in the rush of everyday life to make time to experience Your presence and hear Your Word