Steps to Success

What ever God's purpose is in your life-whatever He has called you to do, Joshua 1:1-9 has some steps of success for us.
1) Arise-Get up! If we stay in our slumber, we will miss God's blessing on our lives.  We will miss our calling He has prepared for us.
2) Go! What has He called you to do?  We must take the first step.  This is a step of faith and obedience.  Remember the man with the withered hand in Luke 6:6-11.  Jesus commanded the man to stretch forth his drawn up hand.  The man obeyed and his hand was restored.  If we stay asleep and do not go, we will not see what God has for us.
3) Nothing/no man can stand in our way. What God has promised is yours. We must walk in belief.  The belief must be in the object of our faith-God Himself, His character and truth not just in the result or promise He has given us.
4) Next comes a great promise.  I will never leave or forsake you.  When the results/fruits or the promise is difficult and long in coming, Jesus comforts us that He is still with us.  He will never leave us.  Again this is why our faith and belief must be placed in God not in the fruit or results.
5) He reminds us again--be strong and good courage!  Believe and trust Him.  Walk in His promise of what He says is yours.
6) This next step is interesting to me. Be strong and very courageous. (not just good courage) to obey the law.  To obey the words of the Bible.  To meditate upon it.  To read with thoughtfulness and linger over the Word.  For the Word to be your source of strength and stability.  As you eat food for strength, the Word of God will give you the faith, strength, and stability you will need to continue on walking in faith.
7) Another promise, if this law is our mediation day and night, then we will be prosperous and have good success in what He has called us to do.
8) And last again, He says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you where ever you go."

"After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: ² “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. ³ Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. ⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. ⁵ No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. ⁸ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-9

Birthday Thanks

Today was a good day.  Todd turned 50 and we had a party.  Many people came to celebrate with him. I cannot believe I have been married to this man for almost 30 years.  I don't even feel 30 years old but I know I am for I have children who are in their late 20's. 

Todd and I are so different in personality and activities we enjoy.  We think of these differences and smile.  I enjoy reading and blogging.  He enjoys sports. I am an introvert and he is an extrovert.  I like my alone time and he likes people You see when you love someone, you can allow them to be themselves.  Why would I want to change him, he fills up my lack and I do the same for him.  Christ is the common means between us and He is the glue that holds us together. 

I am so thankful, I met and married this godly man who lets me be me.  These years have flown by.  Scripture says life is a but a vapor...this is proving to be true.  Friend don't fight your differences, but celebrate them.  Don't try to change your spouse...love and respect them.  God has put you together.  He knows what He is doing. 

Thanks to all who came over today! We both loved our time with you. 

Jesus

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

And we beheld His glory,

The glory as of the only begotten of the Father,

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

It is good to remember the basic of Christianity. Jesus, the God of Heaven, humbled Himself and became a man.  He left the throne room of heaven to live among the peoples of the earth.  He came to show the way to God.  To show the way to live.  To show the way of peace.  Yet in the midst of all these great truths, it is important to remember Jesus came in obedience to the Father to reveal His great mercy, grace, and love.  If you do not know love today, ponder this truth. 

As Jesus lived among us, He loved us.  He walked in the same experiences as we walk. He understood pain, rejection, illness, and death. He ate, slept, cried as we do.  Scripture says He was tempted in same way we are tempted, yet without sin.  He understands everything you are walking through and He promises never to leave or forsake you.  If you are hurting today, ponder this truth.

As Jesus died the cruel death on the cross, He saved us. Through the shed blood of Jesus, we have forgiveness of sins.  We are bought with a price, the price of blood. This blood covers us and washes us clean. Through the blood, we can come boldly into God's presence.  We are declared righteous, holy, and just all because of the shed blood of Jesus.  If your sin is weighting you down today, ponder this truth.

As Jesus rose from the grace, victory became ours.  Death could not hold Him.  Jesus was victorious over death.  The same power that raised Jesus from the grave, lives in us.  We have victory over sin.  We have power to live this Christian life.  The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us the moment of salvation. Through Jesus being raised from the dead, we have life and we have it abundantly.  Are you struggling today, ponder these truth.

And guess what!  We are not left here on this earth alone.  We who believe/have trusted in the saving work of Christ have the Holy Spirit as our Helper.  The Bible says He will never leave or forsake us.  He will guide us into all truth.  He has given us all things.  We are seated in heavenlies with Him. 

I don't understand all these things, but by faith I believe and I trust.  As I have walked with Christ these many years, I know these things to be true. I get tired and put out at times.  My endurance gets weak.  Circumstances and people weigh me down.  Sickness makes we tired.  But in the midst of these things, I know whom I have believed and I know He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him.  What have I committed unto Him?  My very life!

Ponder these truths today.  If you would like to know Jesus as I know Jesus, repent of your sin and confess Jesus as sovereign Lord.   Exchange your sin for His righteousness.  Exchange your restlessness for His peace.  Know His love and you will never be the same again.

Jason Gray "For the First Time Again" music and lyrics

Jason Gray is quickly becoming one of my favorite artists. Enjoy

Ache In Heart

I am bothered tonight.  Bothered by the pain I see in people's life.  Bothered by the selfishness I see in my life and in the life of my family members.  Bothered by the worldly stuff that bombards my children daily.  Bothered by the enemy, who will not leave me alone.  Bothered by the bondage that enslaves people.

So my question is , "God what am I supposed to do with all this darkness and pain I am seeing?"  I could stick my head in the sand and pretend it is not happening all around me.  The enemy would love to have us lulled to sleep by our own wants and selfishness.  Let me tell you what I did tonight.  I listened to an ill , poverty stricken woman cry out to God to change her heart.  To change her heart!  Then I helped carry water into her home, since her water had been turned off.

Then I walk into my home and fall on my knees in humility as I remember where I was before Christ.  Only by His grace do I live as I do today.  Only by His mercy can I turn on my facet and get a drink.  By His goodness, I can go to see a doctor of my choosing.  Oh, I am blessed.  I confess I have taken those blessing for granted. 

Scripture says in James, Every good and perfect gift comes from above.  God,give me a grateful heart.  Even though it is painful, continue opening my eyes to others hurts and God make a way for You to become so very real in their time of need.