As I read the Bible, there are stories of people who followed God. Their time would come to an end and someone else would need to rise up. That new person who need to have courage and be brave. After all, they are following in footsteps of someone else who God has called to lead and now it's their turn.
This makes me think of the story of Moses after his death and Joshua was be raised up to become the leader. Nobody said it would be easy, but God promised Joshua things. It took Joshua stepping into the plan of God.
Joshua 1 New International Version (NIV)
Joshua Installed as Leader
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “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. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
4 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. 5 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. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “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. 8 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. 9 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.”
10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the campand 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.’”
12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh,Joshua said, 13 “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them 15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 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. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
BE STRONG and COURAGEOUS ~
Let's take this story and relate it to our lives. We will find people who lead with a heart of God. I have found that not everyone who attends church is actually following after God. It takes a commitment by each individual to surrender our will, to God's will. Each of us have a story and if we will allow God freedom, he will use our story too. The story of Moses and Joshua, was told us for a reason. God wants us to follow after his plan for our lives. There was men and women who set a path clear for us.
We might not face a red sea moment and need God to part the waters, but we do need God to divide our lives from sin to victory is him. A new day brings new hope. I am thankful you have taken the time to read this and plant hope in your heart. Just know that God wants you to become stronger and no fear in your life. You can face anything by knowing God is on your side and he has this. As I look back this morning, I see how far God has brought my life. I had moments that I thought would never end and now it just seems silly that I spent so much time on a certain issue. Surrender is a easy word and harder in action. Over the years, I've learned to surrender a lot quicker and it's so much easier for me.
Someone reading this today needs to let it go. There is something you are replaying over and over, but God wants you to leave it alone. Trust that God's plan is happening and you need to keep the right attitude toward it. I was speaking to a friend yesterday and I know this message just came clear to my heart. Even I have things I need to let go. So as I am I writing you and I hearing the words written on this page. God plan doesn't always unfold the next step in life. It takes a trust and leaning not to your own understanding. Together, we will conquer the enemy of our soul and press toward God.
RISE UP TO LEAD ~
There is someone who watches each of our lives. Let us walk with the character of Jesus and do the right thing. Be careful of words and actions.
My prayers continue for you, your family and friends.
~ Sparkie
This makes me think of the story of Moses after his death and Joshua was be raised up to become the leader. Nobody said it would be easy, but God promised Joshua things. It took Joshua stepping into the plan of God.
Joshua 1 New International Version (NIV)
Joshua Installed as Leader
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “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. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
4 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. 5 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. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “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. 8 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. 9 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.”
10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the campand 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.’”
12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh,Joshua said, 13 “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them 15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 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. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
BE STRONG and COURAGEOUS ~
Let's take this story and relate it to our lives. We will find people who lead with a heart of God. I have found that not everyone who attends church is actually following after God. It takes a commitment by each individual to surrender our will, to God's will. Each of us have a story and if we will allow God freedom, he will use our story too. The story of Moses and Joshua, was told us for a reason. God wants us to follow after his plan for our lives. There was men and women who set a path clear for us.
We might not face a red sea moment and need God to part the waters, but we do need God to divide our lives from sin to victory is him. A new day brings new hope. I am thankful you have taken the time to read this and plant hope in your heart. Just know that God wants you to become stronger and no fear in your life. You can face anything by knowing God is on your side and he has this. As I look back this morning, I see how far God has brought my life. I had moments that I thought would never end and now it just seems silly that I spent so much time on a certain issue. Surrender is a easy word and harder in action. Over the years, I've learned to surrender a lot quicker and it's so much easier for me.
Someone reading this today needs to let it go. There is something you are replaying over and over, but God wants you to leave it alone. Trust that God's plan is happening and you need to keep the right attitude toward it. I was speaking to a friend yesterday and I know this message just came clear to my heart. Even I have things I need to let go. So as I am I writing you and I hearing the words written on this page. God plan doesn't always unfold the next step in life. It takes a trust and leaning not to your own understanding. Together, we will conquer the enemy of our soul and press toward God.
RISE UP TO LEAD ~
There is someone who watches each of our lives. Let us walk with the character of Jesus and do the right thing. Be careful of words and actions.
My prayers continue for you, your family and friends.
~ Sparkie
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