04.30.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 9:28 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 3 Theme: God exalts Joshua and assures His people at the Jordan Key verses: “Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’” (v. 5) “And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.’” (v. 7) “Joshua said to the Israelites, ‘Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. This is how you will know that the living God is among you…’” (v. 9-10a) “…as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord - the Lord of all the earth - set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand in a heap.’” (v. 13) “The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.” (v. 17) What God said to me: Dwayne, you almost backed out of meeting with me and journaling this morning. Do you seriously think you have more important and pressing things to do than to meet with me and hear from me today? Have you forgotten Who is your source? Without me you can do nothing. So it was with the Israelites as they stood on the verge of their new and long-awaited promised land. They could see that beautiful land spread out for miles in front of them. Yet they had a formidable and rapid river at flood stage that mocked their entrance and threatened their dreams. That impassable obstacle was just the barrier and opportunity I needed to show myself as their ultimate source, to encourage them toward victory through me, and to exalt my leader, Joshua, before their eyes. You see, Dwayne, nothing is impossible with me. And with me as your source of provision, power and protection, nothing is impossible with you either. You really can do all things through me who constantly strengthens you. Trust me, try me, prove me this day. And see if I will not pour out blessings on you and through your ministry that you cannot contain or fathom. What I said to God: Holy Lord, the Lord of all the earth, You are more than enough for my daily needs and my daily peace. Forgive me when like this morning I entertain the thought of ignoring You and by-passing my time alone with You. There is nothing more vital to living this day than having Your hand of anointing and direction on it. Just like the priests carried the ark ahead of the Israelites to show the way into the promised land, so Your presence will go ahead of me today and everyday leading and protecting. Thank You and praise You, Lord, for Your awesome goodness and power on me and my family and ministry!
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04.25.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 2:04 pm by Administrator
Text: Joshua 2 Theme: God raises up believers, uses them for His mission and protects them through his promises. Key verses: “So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.” (v. 1b) “The king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: ‘Bring out the men…” (v. 3a) “…the woman had taken the two men and hidden them.” “the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below…please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have sworn kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that will spare…us from death.” (v. 11b-13) “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down and unless you have brought…all your family into your house.” (v. 17-18) “Then the two men started back…and came to Joshua…and told him everything that had happened to them. They said to Joshua, ‘The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands…” (v. 23-24) What God said to me: Son, my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts and plans much greater than man will ever comprehend. Question: How did those men come to enter a former prostitute’s house for refuge? Why such an ignoble choice of people to be protect them? The answer is simple: Rahab’s faith was famous in heaven. She belonged to me and I raised her up. There is no other explanation. Furthermore, she single-handedly gave a window of assurance to Joshua through her helping the spies. And do I ever forget about those who trust in me? Do I fail to protect those are under my promise of care? My servant, Rahab, faithfully hung a simple scarlet cord in a window and thus saved her entire household from destruction. Dwayne, when you trusted my Son as your Savior, you hung a scarlet cord in your heart. His blood now protects you from destruction. That cord of salvation and redemption from your sin is my reminder never to let you go, never to leave you, never to destroy you, and always to protect and guide you. You are my forever child, my modern-day Rahab, totally undeserving of my love, voted least likely to be in heaven by the enemies of darkness. Your faith has made you free. I will use you in ways beyond your very imagination. And, yes, I will be with you until the end and beyond. What I said to God: Thank you, my precious Father and Master, for speaking so clearly to me on this anniversary of my birth. This world is not my home. I am just passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. I trust You emphatically. I am startled by Your everlasting kindness and mercy toward me. May the scartlet cord of Your Son’s blood hang not only in my heart, but also in the hearts and lives of my sons and future grandchildren’s. Praise for the blood of Christ! Praise You for the promise of life!
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04.20.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 8:56 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 1:16-18 Theme: Godly leaders need godly followers who know their leaders hear from God. Key verses: Then they answered Joshua, ‘Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your words…will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!’” (v. 16-18) What God said to me: Ok, this completes the circle of parties needed to make an impact in this world. At the beginning of chapter 1 the circle begins with my words and my over-arching role. Then the middle verses explains Joshua, the leader’s part in this picture. Now in this passage you can see the proper and needed response from the followers, my people, to that leader. God, leader, followers: all three of these are needed in that order if the greatest impact is to be made on this world. Certainly I can intervene directly with individuals and bring to them to me. However, great movements, and strong, lasting momentum from my people start with my initiation and empowering. The vision comes to and through a leader or a very few leaders. And finally, but not less importantly, the church catches that vision and feels my burden and follows those leader(s) - not for days or weeks, but for months and for years. This kind of movement is sustained and powerful for my Kingdom. Notice what they said to Joshua: Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Joshua had earned that privilege to lead and to hear those amazing words of loyalty. So determined were they to follow closely that anyone who strayed and rebeled would be put to death. Such commitment and vows tend to produce long-lasting staying power. They did, however, have two conditions: “Only may the Lord be with you as he was with Moses.” They expected Joshua to exude and display the same kind of anointing and wisdom as did their former leader. Also, “only be stong and courageous.” They needed him to be confident and bold in his decisions and actions. If they were to confidently follow him, they needed him to have more faith than they and more confidence that they would ultimately win. Dwayne, the lessons here for you as a leader are quite obvious. Remember, never move until you hear from me and never move very far unless you know you have the followers and support team to get the job done. It takes all three parties to make the greatest impact… What I said to God: This is an interesting and provocative word today, Lord. Thank You for meeting with me and speaking to me. I am not sure I grasp the significance of the three parties idea, but I want to. Honestly, I have never considered the third party, the followers or team, to be that important in the process. But now I can see why they are. I am not able or designed to do it alone. Even with your power, I need others to accomplish our missions on this earth. Forgive me when I act like I’m an island to myself, looking to You but yet ignoring others that love You and that I need as well. Wow, Your Word never ceases to amaze me and teach me. Praise You!
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04.17.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 9:57 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 1:10-15 Theme: Joshua immediately responded in faith and obedience to God’s directives. Key verses: “So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies 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…’” (v. 10-11) “But to the Reubenites…Joshua said, ‘Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: The Lord your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land…’” (v. 12-13) “You are to help your brothers until the Lord gives them rest…until they too have taken possession of the land…” (v. 14-15) What God said to me: Dwayne, it is one thing to hear from me, to get a clear word from me regarding your present situation and my will for you. However, it is quite another thing to act on that word. Joshua not only proceeded with what I had told him; he did it immediately. Instant obedience is what I expect from my servants. Notice the very next word after I had given my pep talk to Joshua. The word is so. “So Joshua ordered…” He didn’t ask me three times before he acted. He didn’t go on a vacation or lay in his tent for a week before he got moving. So Joshua only did what Joshua had been called and commissioned by me to do. It’s important to note that he did understand the need to prepare. He told his men they had three days to get ready to leave. That was not ample time by any means; however, it was enough to get them moving quickly and efficiently. Preparation time is vital as you move in my direction. Just don’t dwell in the prep stage. Get ready to cross that Jordan of my promise in your life. One more thing: Joshua obviously took me at my word about being courageous. He marched right over to the two and a half camps who had already settled into the land on the east of the Jordan. He boldly reminded them of Moses’ instructions to them for their fighting men to cross to the west side of the Jordan with the rest of Israel’s men. He didn’t back down just because it might have been unpopular for those people. He was acting on my instructions to do exactly what I had already commanded Moses. He was fearless in his execution of my directives. He was the kind of leader I expect you to be as well… What I said to God: Whoa, Lord. You really got my attention on that last statement. You want me to be like that? like Joshua? The whole fearless and determined and conquering thing is supposed to describe me too? Wow. I must say I never realized that before. I guess I’d better go back and reread the beginning of chapter one! I certainly don’t want to drag my feet and disappoint You or miss Your will for my life. I say yes, Lord, yes, to Your will and to Your way. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank You for speaking so clearly to me today. Help me boldly do Your biding and boldly expect other believers to do the same. Make me the leader and servant You want me to be today.
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04.16.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:40 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 1:6-9 Theme: God gave Joshua 5 directives necessary for him to prosper. Key verses: “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land…” (v. 6) “Be careful to obey all the law…do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book…depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night…” (v. 7-8) “…Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.” What God said to me: Dwayne, life is not complicated. My instructions are rather simple on how to live successfully in this life. I gave to Joshua the vision of how I planned to use him and to bless my people through him. Then in this passage, the “ball” was put in Joshua’s court. I had my role down pat. I wasn’t about to budge on my responsibilities and my part in this grand plan. However, Joshua had some things he had to do as well. He wasn’t expected to walk on water or move mountains with his bare hands. Rather I gave him five simple and very doable directions. They are: 1) Be strong, 2) Be courageous, 3) Be careful to obey, 4) Do meditate constantly on my Word, 5) Don’t be afraid or discouraged. These are the 5 elements you, too, must apply and live by if you are to accomplish my will in your life. If you are to live out your potential and experience true success and prosperity in me, then you must decide from this day forward to the be’s, do’s, and don’t’s of this profoundly clear and promising passage. What I said to God: Dear Lord, dear Father, holy and powerful God, I praise You for being the wise God and loving Shepherd You are. Thank You for giving us Your Word. Thank You that Your concise instructions still apply, not just to Joshua and great men of old, but also to Your children today. I choose to be strong in You. No wimpy thinking or acting from me. I choose to be courageous, moving in the forward direction right toward the enemy’s camp and territory. I choose to obey, most carefully and articulately reading and doing Your every command and desire. I choose to meditate on Your revealed and written Word continually and not turn away from it for anything or anyone. I choose not to be afraid of the terror by night or the arrow that flies by day. I will not wallow in discouragement; recognizing instead that You have not given us such spirits. You have given us Your Spirit of love and power and a sound mind. Thank You for making these directives simple and easy to understand. By Your power and grace I will live these out in my life. How success ultimately looks in my life and in my family’s lives is up to You. But, how it is defined is already clearly known: We will succeed when and if we fulfill your will for us on this earth.Â
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04.13.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 8:24 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 1:3-5 Theme: It is God who initiates and perpetuates our journey home. Key verses: “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebenon, and from the great river…to the Great Sea.” (v. 3-4) “No one will be able to stand up 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.” (v. 5) What God said to me: I did, I will, I was, I will. I did promise Moses. I will keep that promise to you. I was with Moses. I will be with you… I, I, I, I. Dwayne, your life isn’t really about you; As strange as that may sound, as paradoxical as it is, life - your real life, to be exact, is all about me. Before the foundations of the earth, I choose you and predestined you to be with me. While you were still in your mom’s womb, I carefully formed you so nothing got overlooked. You were perfectly prepared to fulfill the life I had determined for you. Before Joshua needed to hear any words about his responsibilities or his part in this thing called life and leadership, he first of all had to clearly understand Who started it all and Who will finish the process. That was not ever meant for Joshua’s shoulders. No man alive will ever have that privilege or that ability. The role of Author and Finisher of your faith is mine and mine alone. I have much for you to do. There is much for which you will be held accountable. We will get to all that. But first, get this: I will lead you every step of the way and will empower you beyond your most ambitious requests and dreams. Accept this by faith with joy in surrender. Dwayne, your life is hidden with me in my Son. When it comes to whether you experience real life and abundant fulfillment, it is my way or else the highway…to destruction. What I said to God: Father, I am extremely glad and thankful to be calling You that this morning. You gave me life and commissioned me to Your service. I acknowledge that I have no life at all without You. And I know that any leading I do among Your people will be because You ordained it. And any effective leading and influencing from me will be because You are with me anointing me and guiding me. Hallelujah to the King, the Giver of all real life! My First and Last, Lord - that is truly what I joyfully and humbly accept You to be in my most abundant version of life.
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04.12.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 8:16 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 1:1-2 Theme: God instructs Joshua to face reality and focus on the future. Key verses: “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua…Moses’ aide: ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now then, …get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to…the Israelites.” (v. 1-2) What God said to me: Welcome, my son, to a great adventure. You are launching into one of the most amazing, intriguing and astonishing events in the Old Testament. In fact, this entire book is a foreshadowing, an allegory of sorts, for the ultimate destination plan I have for all my children. Move through this passages slowly and determinedly. Take special notes of details along the way. Take good pictures and share them with your children and those you love. Dwayne, this is my holy Word. This is what I’ve protected for thousands of years and now deliver to you and those of this generation. The message in these opening verses is clear and to the point: “Fact the facts, Joshua, Moses is dead. He was my servant, but he is gone. Get up and dry your tears. It is time to move on. You are no longer Moses’ aide (He is dead) - You are the one I’m talking directly to. You get ready to seize the promise I have for your future. Don’t look around or wait on someone else. I’ve commissioned you.” Dwayne, this is the same attitude I had infused into Paul when he said, “Forgetting those things before and looking forward to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize…” Time to move on, Dwayne - but not to just anywhere. Time to move toward what I will give you… What I said to God: Thank You, Lord, for this incredible and refreshing time with You this morning! I love You and adore You and need You today and everyday. I sense strongly Your hand upon me as I move into this new study through Joshua. Somehow I know that You have ordained this time to teach me and renew me in Your Word. I will bring plenty of film and excitedly rise each day to continue my adventure of discovery into this amazing, amazing era with Your people, Israel. I choose to move on.
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