Joshua's challenge

Romans 8:31 NASB

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

We are not alone. God called us and is still with us and working toward His plan. Know this about our awesome God. You are His. He is working. Paul said…

Philippians 1:6 NASB

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.

That is why I found myself digging in to the life of Joshua. There are some things about this man that made it evident that he knew God and believed that He is a good God.

Knowing God gives us confidence and knowing that God is working in us raises us to the place where we live beyond ourselves, for him and serving others. Our relationship with God is built upon who He is and what He has done.

That is why knowing our “good God” is essential. Don’t just know about Him. Know that He is good. Know why He is good. Know that His goodness is why He is not giving up on us, not letting go of us and not stopping His work through us.

Joshua came to know that God is good for many reasons. In yesterday’s message I started at a place late in Joshua’s leading God’s people.

They had been through so much. Moses led them well. Their path was marked with so many God moments where it was easy to see God and know that His plan was happening. Yet they doubted often. God kept coming back.

God brought them through the sea that was parted. God fed these people while they were in a place of lack. God continued to show up, and I am here to remind you today of something extremely important.

What God did back then, is what God is doing now. God is for us. God is working in us. God is changing the world through us. Not our power. Not our plan. But it is His plan.

Joshua had a legacy to continue and to lead the people through and to. Joshua challenged the people to choose God above all else.

Joshua 24:14-15 NLT

“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

We have to make the same choice convinced that God is good. The legacy continues, and each of us is part of it.

Just like Joshua made a choice for his family to serve God, I have chosen the same, and I challenge you to make your choice!

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog