Thursday, April 9, 2015

April 10, 2015

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.  I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ” So Joshua ordered the officers of the people:  “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’” JOSHUA 1:1-11

Change requires courage. Major change requires major courage.

Where do you find the courage to deal with change?

The life of Joshua is a profile in courage and these few verses are a quick study.

Courage begins with a connection that leads to a calling.

When God needed someone to take the place of Moses He looked for the man with the strongest faith connection to His self. The man who got the call was Joshua.

Courage starts with connecting at home plate!

Courage grows from a calling that leads to a conviction.

When God gave the call Joshua had to decide two things: (1) do I believe God will do this; and (2) do I believe He will do this through me?

Because of Joshua’s strong connection with God He was convinced that the God Who called Him is able to use Him!

This was a home to first base issue.

Courage develops from conviction to commitment.

There is no change without obedience - at least not a positive change without obedience.

Joshua had to make a commitment to obey God’s calling to lead His people to a major change.

This was a first base issue for Joshua.

Courage comes from a faith connection from God that leads to a calling from God which requires a conviction about God resulting in a commitment to His calling.

But it didn’t end there! He had to encourage God’s people to share his conviction and embrace the change. They would have to find the courage to cross over the Jordan and their courage would come from Joshua’s.

That was a second base matter.

Are you facing some major changes in your life right now?

Perhaps it is in the form of a calling from God or maybe it is a life challenge sent from God.

Where will you find the courage to deal with the change?

We will find it from the same God and according to the same pattern as Joshua!

And, it will all begin at Home Plate!