August 19, 2018
Joshua 1:9
NIV - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
MSG - Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Do not be timid; do not be discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.
Prepare: My preparation for this every week is looking back on my week before. What was good, bad. What song did my brain give me. Where was I weak, strong. What do I think God is saying to me.
Boy, oh boy, work was something last week. I did not do so well keeping my cool and joy while at work at the beginning of the week. Remember last week when I was told to stop focusing on what isn't working and focus on the love? Well, work made me have to really, really focus on this idea, and work really, really hard at smiling, especially at my co-workers.
There is a song from long ago Bible school that was about racing since it was the time of the Olympics. Every once in a while that is the song that won't leave me.
"Jesus, the way before us, we're running now to win. Jesus, the way before us, our eyes are fixed on him. We are God's children, we're living by Faith. Each day a discovery that Jesus is the Way. Jesus is the Way!"
I was trying to figure out what verse I was supposed to learn this week, and then realized the song was telling me. It is that trust thing again! Our eyes are fixed on Him!
See: The "Strength" and "Courage" are kind of hard to miss in this verse. "Do not be discouraged." Stop looking at your feet and the crap that is down there and look up! Quit grumping about things and get them finished. "God is with you wherever you go."
Listen: I like that this verse is another reinforcement of a promise. This one was given through Joshua. My job isn't really too difficult if I compare it to what he was supposed to get done. I am just moving some paper. He had to move 12 Tribes! I need to complete tasks and keep my eyes on God and do what He has for me to do, and stop with the grumpies already. Strength! Joshua was a great leader and he was given amazing guidance from God. We get to be a part of that teaching even without the desert wanderings. I just have to remember why I am wandering around the office. And stop being timid or terrified with the tasks I am given. I have to get these small things done to get the bigger ones!
Do: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in that wonderful face." This is the living word. Word made flesh and He is smiling and eager to teach us a little bit of something. Maybe tug us out of our wanderings and onto the path He already has ready. Be courageous this week!
Love to you all!
No comments:
Post a Comment