This is What the Lord Will Do - Joshua 10:24-25

Scariness is scary. Being afraid is frightening. Those may sound redundant, repetitive, and elementary. However, no matter how basic, it is true. When you are in the middle of something that constitutes you being scared, it is scary. You don't know how you are going to get through the situation. Being scared usually renders you being powerless to the situation.

Think of the parent who sits in the waiting room anticipating the success of the "experimental procedure". Think of the individual who just got laid off after working in the company for 15 years. Think of the elderly woman who is being surrounded by a group of young men asking for her purse. Think of the person who runs off the road in the middle of a blizzard, their car won't start and a window is broken letting in the cold air. Think of those who have fallen victim to hijacking.

The list of scary situations could go on and on. However, each situation is just plain scary. When you are in those situations you are essentially powerless.

There were times when the Israelites, and their leader, Joshua, were also scared. They were scared going into battle. Joshua was scared taking over the responsibilities of leading all these people, where Moses had once led.

Yesterday, we began a series on the book of Joshua. Though there was fright on the part of Joshua and the people, God wanted them to know to be "strong and courageous". That is one of our biggest messages to take from this first lesson, but here are a few more applications to choose from to use this week...

1. Prayer ~ Before you go into battle, pray. While you are in battle, pray. When you are anticipating battle, pray. When you are discouraged, pray. When you are scared, pray. Prayer has so many uses...use it!
2. Look Forward to the Victory ~ If you knew you were going to coast to a championship, would you be as concerned about the game/event? You would probably be so relaxed that you "wouldn't care", so you may tend to be a bit overconfident, etc. Overconfidence in God is great! You get to anticipate the victories! God will give them to you! Look for them!
3. Do Not Be Afraid ~ Be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
4. Re-Read #3 many times ~ We need to know that God will take care of us and give us the victories. We need reminded!
5. Look for God in Your "Battles" ~ Keep your eyes open to what possibilities God is presenting you with this week as you have different encounters.

It is important that we understand that when you are walking with Him and trying to do His will, you and God make a majority. It is important when it comes to battles you encounter as you go through each day.

I can't promise that there will never be anything that happens physically to you. However, the Bible does show us that God is with us as we go through life. He will take care of us as we try to live for Him. It may not always be physical, but we will be taken care of, despite the earthly hardships.

You may never see "what the Lord will do" but the reassurance that comes through the book of Joshua is awesome. I get so excited to see what God can do when I walk with Him!

Looking for the opportunities in the battles...

Monday Mentionings: Continuing Education - Hebrews 10:35-39

We concluded our series on Fresh Faith yesterday with the sermon titled, "Continuing Education". If you heard the sermon, did God show up in your life in an unexpected way? Let me know if He did. Just as professionals need to have their education "continued" to keep up with the latest advancements, we too must be continually educated to keep our faith fresh. Here are some applications from the lesson you can choose to use...

1. You probably will always remember the day you "believed". It was probably a day filled with emotion, for you. Did any of that emotion die out? If so, why? The challenge is not to initially believe, but to continue to believe. Just as a runner must lean forward to keep the momentum up, I challenge you to lean forward to Him. Lean forward to allow your momentum to carry you through temptations, hesitations, etc. Maybe you need to lean forward toward a ministry opportunity or an evangelistic opportunity. Whatever it is, keep going forward, don't shrink back! This is what the Hebrew writer challenged in Hebrews 10:35-39.
2. Were you thrown off or surprised to hear that the commands of God do not have an ability to empower us to obey? We may obey by submission or guilt, but just having the commands at our disposal does not cause one to obey. Promises from God inspire you to do what He asks. Look for or recall some of your favorite promises from God, may they inspire you to serve Him more and more! Examples dealing with Promises - the Rainbow/Flood, Never leave or forsake, God is faithful and will forgive us our sins, etc.
3. It is difficult to know what something is when you cannot see it. Whether that "something" is an object or a situation, you just have a difficult time knowing anything about it. Though you don't know what the next few minutes, hours, and/or days will be like, look forward with anticipation regarding how God will use you to impact someone's life. What part of the path to Christ will you be in the people's lives that you meet? Be sure to be stepping stone and not a stumbling stone, to make that path to Christ much easier!
4. Did your week not start off that well? If it didn't you are already at a point where life seems troublesome. May you be encouraged to know that "this is the day that Lord has made" and that heaven is on the other side of whatever life throws at you. We all should thank Him for the day and "rejoice in it" (i.e. being blessed with another day)! (Quotes from Psalm 118:24).

May each experience you have with someone be an opportunity for "continued education" to trust in Him, strengthen your faith, and share Jesus!

May you have a great week - look out for how God will use you to influence someone!

Looking for Him ~