Joshua 1-9 Message
After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant:
"Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."
Now I know that I am not about to take over land and the situation that the Israelites were facing was different than what is on my plate. Or is it? God was calling them to step up and do what he had called them to do and to not focus on themselves but focus on Him. He has made them a promise and God always fulfill what he promises His children. Now it was there turn to take action. Moses there leader was dead and now they had to move on without Him. There true rock was with them and still speaking into there lives through Joshua. In the last verse he says he will be with them every step they take. In the NIV it says the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Wel all need God's strength for different situations what are you facing that you need to step up be strong and courageous? I have to admit that on my own power my strength would only last a short while, but when I read these verse's I know that God promises to be with me every step of the way. When we let go and give the situation to Him the situation that seems impossible to us God uses it to grow us closer to Him.
So is the situation the Israelites faced more similar than what we think?
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
His Will
Yes Lord Yes Lord - Above all your will be done
Ps:40:8 I desire to do your will, O my God your law is within my heart
Ps 143:10 Teach me to do your will for you are my God may your good spirit lead me on level ground.
I feel that this verse explains my heart right now. Teach me. I have a tendency to do my own will and get busy in my own stuff and I get numb to the call that God has for me. The call of wife, mom, sister, friend are so much a part of my life but most important the call of my life is servant and daughter to my heavenly Father. As I type that it sounds good but most of the time the other stuff gets put first. I pray as the song says that we would all take time and pray that God would open our eyes to the work of His hand.
Lord help me to see you and the work you are doing in my life and the lives around me. Thank you in advance for opening my eyes and teaching me to do you will. I love you Lord
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
What I can put my Trust in
Do we know why we believe what we believe? As Christians we all have our stories and can give testimony of where God has changed our lives. No one can argue that and this is a great way to show God's hand at work. What if some one asked you how do you really know that Jesus is the only way? Are we prepared to answer that question. I am going to look up a talk about Scripture that helps me know that what I believe is truth. In the end it is faith. Faith in what we can not see. We don't see God in person or in spirit but I think we see Him working all the time. So in a way we do see Him.
As I woke up this morning and thought about this question these were the first verses on my heart.
Jesus speaking- Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes form the mouth of God -
Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4
this is also found in Deut 8:3
I like the insight from the message -Matthew 4:4
4Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth."
Steady Streams that is a great word picture. His word needs to run continues in our hearts and mind.
Where do we hear or find the words of God? For me it is His written word. I think that God speaks in many different ways but for me I can clearly hear him best in His word. It's when I am quiet reading and completely focused on Him that I hear his heart, guidance and wisdom.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
2 Timothy 3:15-17 (The Message)
14-17But don't let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
I like to read scripture in different translations and sometimes one word can help me understand the text better.
AMEN - There is nothing like the written Word of God why?? Because it is completely from Him.
I have heard that it is His love letter to his children. Providing hope peace and understanding to our questions or situations we are facing.
For me I know that I know that I know Jesus is the real deal and that he is for his children. I know because I have seen him in my life and in many others. Details that he puts together are beyond what I can come up with. At the end of the day if someone is questioning Jesus and if he is the only way it come down to faith. I have to step out in faith and truth that what is in the Bible is the truth. I know that this path seems narrow and probably narrow minded. Some things just are
* the grass is green or at my house brown
* cows mooo
* Michigan is cold in the winter
* apples have seeds in the middle
People dont question why the grass is green. It just is.
Matthew 7:13 tells us this path is narrow -
Enter through the narrow gate. For the wide gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.
Jesus says it is narrow and it's easier and more politically correct and doesn't offend to enter the wide gate.
Message Matthew 7:13-14
13-14"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.
As I read this I know that I have done nothing to deserve walking on the narrow path and yet when I called and asked Jesus into my heart he was there to take me from a life of destruction and my own will to His. He knows my heart and what is best for me. I thank and praise God that he loves me enough to let me walk with him on his path and not my own.
Gen 1:1- In the beginning God created - He is who he says he is and he is all about creating something out of nothing
As I woke up this morning and thought about this question these were the first verses on my heart.
Jesus speaking- Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes form the mouth of God -
Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4
this is also found in Deut 8:3
I like the insight from the message -Matthew 4:4
4Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth."
Steady Streams that is a great word picture. His word needs to run continues in our hearts and mind.
Where do we hear or find the words of God? For me it is His written word. I think that God speaks in many different ways but for me I can clearly hear him best in His word. It's when I am quiet reading and completely focused on Him that I hear his heart, guidance and wisdom.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
2 Timothy 3:15-17 (The Message)
14-17But don't let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
I like to read scripture in different translations and sometimes one word can help me understand the text better.
AMEN - There is nothing like the written Word of God why?? Because it is completely from Him.
I have heard that it is His love letter to his children. Providing hope peace and understanding to our questions or situations we are facing.
For me I know that I know that I know Jesus is the real deal and that he is for his children. I know because I have seen him in my life and in many others. Details that he puts together are beyond what I can come up with. At the end of the day if someone is questioning Jesus and if he is the only way it come down to faith. I have to step out in faith and truth that what is in the Bible is the truth. I know that this path seems narrow and probably narrow minded. Some things just are
* the grass is green or at my house brown
* cows mooo
* Michigan is cold in the winter
* apples have seeds in the middle
People dont question why the grass is green. It just is.
Matthew 7:13 tells us this path is narrow -
Enter through the narrow gate. For the wide gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.
Jesus says it is narrow and it's easier and more politically correct and doesn't offend to enter the wide gate.
Message Matthew 7:13-14
13-14"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.
As I read this I know that I have done nothing to deserve walking on the narrow path and yet when I called and asked Jesus into my heart he was there to take me from a life of destruction and my own will to His. He knows my heart and what is best for me. I thank and praise God that he loves me enough to let me walk with him on his path and not my own.
Gen 1:1- In the beginning God created - He is who he says he is and he is all about creating something out of nothing
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
His Love
Matthew 18:2- Jesus says : I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
When I think of my girls and what they need from me it is getting less and less and yet I am still number 1 in their world. I get them drinks, pick out and buy there clothes, put them to bed, given them baths, love on them with hugs and kisses and also provide discipline. I have many family members that take great care of them when Shawn and I need to be gone and yet no one knows them like us. I am with them almost every day. When they were little and were learning to talk I knew what they were saying before anyone else could understand them. Why?? Simple I spent the most time with them. I can look at my oldest and know if she has to go potty or throw up. A little sick and crazy I know but it is the truth. The only way to know some one so intimacy is to spend time with them and invest in there lives. It's easy to do this with our kids but what about our husbands, friends,family, and yes even our savior.
When I think about all the things that I know about my children there are still some things that are left for only God to know. He knows the number of hairs on there head and what there passions will be when they grow up. He also knows us that deeply. He is already in love with us. We are his children. We don't have to do anything for him to love us. Just like our kids we love them just because they are ours. Their little annoying habits and all. God loves us just because we are His!!
When we take time with your Savior our love for Him will grow. Your love for the things he loves will grow too. People! The more time we spend with him the more we see the needs of others and how he wants us to be a blessing to them. Then when we take that opportunity to be a blessing we experience a joy and love from our Father that is better than any gift on earth!!
Romans 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Living and Active
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
His word is living and I know this when I open my Bible and what I am reading applies to my life right now. Going about my day today I have been singing the song Mighty to Save. The words that keep coming to mind are He can move the mountain's my God is might to save he is mighty to save. Now be thankful that you can't hear me singing them, but I think you get the point. As I opened my Bible hoping to have a few minutes of quiet time I thought what do I look up today?? Sometimes I make things harder than what they really are and waste so much time trying to figure out what I am going to read that there is no time left. So I went to the back of the concordance and looked under the first letter A and the first word Abandon. The verse stuck out for me was 1 Timothy 4:1 This verse did seem a little interesting and then I kept reading.
1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
This caught my attention because earlier this week I attended a Weight Loss Gods way meeting at a friends. She has recently given her life to Christ and is very excited about what he is doing in her life. She has really needed His guidance and wisdom and he has provided.
Day after day I am reminded that our God is living and he cares about His children. He puts people together for a reason. He provides this verse at the perfect time. With this weight loss program I am excited to learn how to give that part of my life to Him. To trust that he will help me stop when I want to eat all the cookie dough. Yet I am also reminded that the spiritual has value for all things when the physical only has some value. Focusing only on the physical is where we get into trouble. If we are focusing up and not at what the world wants than he will direct our path.
Thanks you Lord that your word is living and that I can come to you about anything and you have the answer.
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
His word is living and I know this when I open my Bible and what I am reading applies to my life right now. Going about my day today I have been singing the song Mighty to Save. The words that keep coming to mind are He can move the mountain's my God is might to save he is mighty to save. Now be thankful that you can't hear me singing them, but I think you get the point. As I opened my Bible hoping to have a few minutes of quiet time I thought what do I look up today?? Sometimes I make things harder than what they really are and waste so much time trying to figure out what I am going to read that there is no time left. So I went to the back of the concordance and looked under the first letter A and the first word Abandon. The verse stuck out for me was 1 Timothy 4:1 This verse did seem a little interesting and then I kept reading.
1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
This caught my attention because earlier this week I attended a Weight Loss Gods way meeting at a friends. She has recently given her life to Christ and is very excited about what he is doing in her life. She has really needed His guidance and wisdom and he has provided.
Day after day I am reminded that our God is living and he cares about His children. He puts people together for a reason. He provides this verse at the perfect time. With this weight loss program I am excited to learn how to give that part of my life to Him. To trust that he will help me stop when I want to eat all the cookie dough. Yet I am also reminded that the spiritual has value for all things when the physical only has some value. Focusing only on the physical is where we get into trouble. If we are focusing up and not at what the world wants than he will direct our path.
Thanks you Lord that your word is living and that I can come to you about anything and you have the answer.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
My Grumpy Attitude
Wow what a busy day today. Wednesdays are one of my favorite days because I have a ladies Bible study at my house. The ladies come over some with kids and some with out and we talk, share prayer requests, and go through the study for that week. I am always so encouraged and I look forward to my time with these ladies. Toady's topic was on our attitude and that lead to great discussion.
The busyness started after the ladies left and my positive attitude left with them.
Today was different in the fact that my hubby was working from home and that happens almost never. I was excited that he would be home and yet not excited that he was in my space. My youngest is normally very easy going and she was very clingy and whiny today to the point of nails on a chalk board. The day just seemed to be spinning out of control.
With the discussion on attitude that morning I found myself being short with the kids and ready for bed time before it was dinner time. I was in the middle of a bad mood and not knowing how to change it. Funny how God puts the lessons we need on the exact day its needed.
I am so glad that my Father in heaven is exactly that, a Father. He is always wanting what is best for us and giving us what we need to grow. As I put the girls to bed and apologized for my grumpy attitude I was thinking I am thankful:
* His mercy's are new every morning - He gives us a new start every day
* He is my rock - when I am being moody he is the same yesterday today and always
* He loves me enough to continue to shape and mold me
* I can come to him in the middle of a crazy day and give concerns to Him
So much to be thankful for in the midst of the busyness of life. The busyness today was a good busy and yet it is tiring. When we are busy serving others and our family we have to remember we need to be fed too. As Mom's we need more than just animal crackers and coffee we need the living word!!
Matthew4:4
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
The busyness started after the ladies left and my positive attitude left with them.
Today was different in the fact that my hubby was working from home and that happens almost never. I was excited that he would be home and yet not excited that he was in my space. My youngest is normally very easy going and she was very clingy and whiny today to the point of nails on a chalk board. The day just seemed to be spinning out of control.
With the discussion on attitude that morning I found myself being short with the kids and ready for bed time before it was dinner time. I was in the middle of a bad mood and not knowing how to change it. Funny how God puts the lessons we need on the exact day its needed.
I am so glad that my Father in heaven is exactly that, a Father. He is always wanting what is best for us and giving us what we need to grow. As I put the girls to bed and apologized for my grumpy attitude I was thinking I am thankful:
* His mercy's are new every morning - He gives us a new start every day
* He is my rock - when I am being moody he is the same yesterday today and always
* He loves me enough to continue to shape and mold me
* I can come to him in the middle of a crazy day and give concerns to Him
So much to be thankful for in the midst of the busyness of life. The busyness today was a good busy and yet it is tiring. When we are busy serving others and our family we have to remember we need to be fed too. As Mom's we need more than just animal crackers and coffee we need the living word!!
Matthew4:4
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
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