Simple thought for today. "Is what God has done in the past, and who he is, enough for you to entrust your future? your present? your past?
I'd love to hear your comments on this question.
oh, and one more thing...HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY
Showing posts with label Joshua. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joshua. Show all posts
Monday, February 14, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
SOLO Day 20 – Joshua 9:3-9, 11, 14-16
Ever have one of those days when following Jesus seems so hard? I had one of those days recently! I've been trying to be diligent in following through with people and relationships. I've attempted to be a good steward of all that has been entrusted to me. I've even tried to ensure that I was Christ-like with everyone I've encountered. All-in-all, I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job. I'm a little tired, I'm a little strained, but my head's above water. Then I got an email from a friend...
I had done something that had offended my friend. It wasn't intentional. I wasn't being malicious. Honestly, I didn't think it was a big deal. Seems like a little bitty mistake. But apparently my actions had put a strain on the relationship. My friend took the high road. My friend approached me humbly. My friend confessed any offense that might be theirs. But my friend called me out, and no one likes that!
Honestly, this is not what I needed to hear. I'd had a stressful week where I've been on my best "Jesus behavior." I've worked tirelessly with little thanks and I'm getting ready for a really busy week leading to a really important event. I have been in meetings non-stop and my phone won't stop ringing...(seriously-I had to stop that sentence to answer two phone calls-on different phone lines!!!! Are you kidding me??????)
I read this passage and I think, "Man the Israelites can't catch a break." They get approached by a bunch of wandering waifs who cry out for mercy. The mere sight of the Hivites was probably enough to make them wonder what they could possibly have that God would want to give to Israel. So they agree to peace, because it makes good sense and seems like a nice thing to do. Then, right when they play nice, the rug gets pulled out from under them! It almost seems like a trick. They're doing their best-isn't that enough? What else does God want?
I'm reminded of a certain scripture in the New Testament. Jesus is speaking and says, "Apart from the Father, I can do nothing." Jesus was dependent on the Father. And if Jesus was dependent, the Israelites definitely have to be-and so do I. They didn't consult God. I'm not sure why, but they didn't speak to him about this issue. They were blind to the obvious.
It doesn't matter how good our "Jesus behavior" is. What matters is who we are. We're God's children, dependent on the Father for everything. We NEED him! We NEED to seek his face. We NEED to be humble enough to know that we're going to screw stuff up on our own. We NEED to listen when he says something and we NEED to do what he says!
So I apologized to my friend, and I apologized to my Father. I need to be listening to God's voice rather than my own. It's my hope that you too will allow God to speak into your blind spots, even if it hurts a little. The outcome is much better than a serious accident!
I had done something that had offended my friend. It wasn't intentional. I wasn't being malicious. Honestly, I didn't think it was a big deal. Seems like a little bitty mistake. But apparently my actions had put a strain on the relationship. My friend took the high road. My friend approached me humbly. My friend confessed any offense that might be theirs. But my friend called me out, and no one likes that!
Honestly, this is not what I needed to hear. I'd had a stressful week where I've been on my best "Jesus behavior." I've worked tirelessly with little thanks and I'm getting ready for a really busy week leading to a really important event. I have been in meetings non-stop and my phone won't stop ringing...(seriously-I had to stop that sentence to answer two phone calls-on different phone lines!!!! Are you kidding me??????)
I read this passage and I think, "Man the Israelites can't catch a break." They get approached by a bunch of wandering waifs who cry out for mercy. The mere sight of the Hivites was probably enough to make them wonder what they could possibly have that God would want to give to Israel. So they agree to peace, because it makes good sense and seems like a nice thing to do. Then, right when they play nice, the rug gets pulled out from under them! It almost seems like a trick. They're doing their best-isn't that enough? What else does God want?
I'm reminded of a certain scripture in the New Testament. Jesus is speaking and says, "Apart from the Father, I can do nothing." Jesus was dependent on the Father. And if Jesus was dependent, the Israelites definitely have to be-and so do I. They didn't consult God. I'm not sure why, but they didn't speak to him about this issue. They were blind to the obvious.
It doesn't matter how good our "Jesus behavior" is. What matters is who we are. We're God's children, dependent on the Father for everything. We NEED him! We NEED to seek his face. We NEED to be humble enough to know that we're going to screw stuff up on our own. We NEED to listen when he says something and we NEED to do what he says!
So I apologized to my friend, and I apologized to my Father. I need to be listening to God's voice rather than my own. It's my hope that you too will allow God to speak into your blind spots, even if it hurts a little. The outcome is much better than a serious accident!
Friday, February 11, 2011
SOLO Day 19 – Joshua 1:1-9
Fear shows up in a variety of ways, huh? Insecurity, doubt, stress, even arrogance. Fear is often one of the most demoralizing and debilitating emotions we face. When fear runs into someone, the collision is often paralyzing.
I'm sure Joshua was feeling a lot of fear as he took over as leader of Israel. Moses was dead, and the time had come for him to step up and lead. I'm sure he had a flurry of emotions. Maybe he was anxious with anticipation. Perhaps he was overwhelmed at the responsibilities. He very well could have been excited that his time had finally come. Whatever his thoughts and feelings, one thing is sure: he was afraid.
You ever notice that God doesn't typically speak to something that's already done or happened? He doesn't regularly ask for absence of something good when it's already present. So when God tells Joshua "Strength, Courage" repeatedly, it's worth noting. God's repetition points out the significance of what He is saying. But his repetition also points out that Joshua has some fear issues.
Another thing gets repeated in this reading as well: "I". Remember, God is speaking to Joshua, and nine times he refers to himself. He is reminding Joshua that this is his story. God has a lot more riding on it than Joshua. God continues to remind Joshua that he's going to do the work. Joshua must be faithful, he has to have courage, he needs to remember God's words, but God is the one who is doing the work.
So let this be an encouragement to us. God promises himself-not just to Joshua-to us! Courage is not the absence of fear. It is trusting who is with us despite our greatest fears. May you trust that "God, your God is with you every step you take."
I'm sure Joshua was feeling a lot of fear as he took over as leader of Israel. Moses was dead, and the time had come for him to step up and lead. I'm sure he had a flurry of emotions. Maybe he was anxious with anticipation. Perhaps he was overwhelmed at the responsibilities. He very well could have been excited that his time had finally come. Whatever his thoughts and feelings, one thing is sure: he was afraid.
You ever notice that God doesn't typically speak to something that's already done or happened? He doesn't regularly ask for absence of something good when it's already present. So when God tells Joshua "Strength, Courage" repeatedly, it's worth noting. God's repetition points out the significance of what He is saying. But his repetition also points out that Joshua has some fear issues.
Another thing gets repeated in this reading as well: "I". Remember, God is speaking to Joshua, and nine times he refers to himself. He is reminding Joshua that this is his story. God has a lot more riding on it than Joshua. God continues to remind Joshua that he's going to do the work. Joshua must be faithful, he has to have courage, he needs to remember God's words, but God is the one who is doing the work.
So let this be an encouragement to us. God promises himself-not just to Joshua-to us! Courage is not the absence of fear. It is trusting who is with us despite our greatest fears. May you trust that "God, your God is with you every step you take."
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