A Journey of Faith – Shoes In

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Do you ever want a plan “B” or even a plan “C, D, or F…” if plan “A” doesn’t work? I know I do, but of late God has been speaking to me about not having backup plans, saying trust in plan “A.” Scary stuff in a world that constantly preaches security just in case things don’t turn out the way we planned.

When you read Joshua Ch. 3-4 you notice there is no plan “B” in case the Jordan River doesn’t stop flowing. And to make matters worse the Jordan is at flood stage, making it impossible for 2 million plus people to cross over. Notice the word “impossible,” I think most, if not all, of the Father’s “plan A’s” are impossible.

But here is the key to God’s plan “A,” He always goes first. If you read these chapters you will see that the “Ark of the Covenant,” is mentioned 11 times, go ahead underline that in your Bible. Remember the Ark was the symbol of God’s presence with His people. So God would step in first and stay there until all the people made it to the other side. He would be the last one out.

How would you have liked to been one of the four priests who carried the Ark into the rushing river? One scholar I read said the Ark weighed about 183 pounds and that the place where they walked into the Jordan was a steep drop-off. Once they took that first step forward — no plan “B.”

I’m sure the butterflies were doing back-flips in their tummies as the stepped into the water, but the moment their shoes touched the water, the miracle happened and way upstream the river was dammed up. The Jordan stayed that way all day until everyone was safely on the shore of the Promise Land. When God’s presence left the River with the priests, the Jordan was released and rushed down the valley once again.

What is God’s plan “A” for you? Are you ready to step in and experience a miracle? Remember who is with you as your shoes get wet – the True Ark, Jesus Christ. And the Bible says that if you have given your life over to Him you are a True Priest (I Peter 2:9).

To be honest, His plan “A” can be the scariest moment of your life. But I can testify that your “Jordan” will stop and you will stand in awe on the other side of the miracle that just took place. Go for it today with both shoes in!

A Journey of Faith – Preparing Your Shoes – Journey Deeper

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This past weekend I met with a group of men in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, to “prepare our shoes” for a journey of faith. Just like Joshua called the people to “consecrate” themselves before taking the step into the Jordan River and into the miraculous promises of God, we took some time to take a time out, and make our hearts ready for what God has next for us.

During this incredible weekend, we took some time to be still and wait upon the Lord. Right before I went to search out a quiet place to listen I was given an encouraging letter from my niece Danielle. At the end of her letter she wrote this: “P.S. Grandma said one of your favorite hymns is “Be Thou My Vision… that’s my favorite too.” I spent the next 45 minutes meditating on these words:

“Be Thou My Vision”

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;

Thou my best thought by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light.

 

Be thou my wisdom and Thou my true word;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I, Thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

 

Riches I heed not nor man’s empty praise,

Thou mine inheritance now and always:

Thou and thou only first in my heart,

High King of heaven my treasure Thou are.

 

High King of heaven my victory won,

May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart whatever befall,

Still be my vision O Ruler of all.

How this beautiful Hymn captured my heart again and brought me to tears as I heard the gentle whisper of the Father say “make this your constant prayer as you embark in this new journey I have for you.”

At the heart of Joshua’s command for the people to “consecrate” (3:5) was the goal that God would be their Vision. He was calling them to prepare their hearts in such a way that they would keep their eyes fully on the Father. When that happens a life of the miraculous will follow.

Spend sometime today refocusing your eyes on your Heavenly Father. Confess any thing that keeps your vision distorted or distracted from seeing His glorious face. Mediate on the words of this great hymn and make it your prayer.

Dear Father in Heaven,
As you are calling me to walk forward in faith I confess my vision has often been taken from you and placed on images in this world that rob me of your peace and plan for my life. Through your Son Jesus please forgive me and once again “Be Thou My Vision.” In your Son’s name, Amen!

A Journey of Faith – Preparing Your Shoes

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A few weeks ago a pastor shared with me that “God had put him in a time out.” He went on to share about a difficult season he was coming through, one where God was working in his heart in order to prepare him for a new season.

I had the privilege of listening to this pastor preach his first Sunday back after being in “time out” for several weeks. I had to hold back the tears as I listened to his authentic, Holy Spirit-filled message captivate the hearts of the congregation. It was a Holy moment as he shared his “time out” experience with the body and a new journey that God was leading him, as well as the church, into.

In Joshua chapter 3 we read about the miraculous story of the people of Israel crossing over the Jordon River at flood stage. But before this miracle of faith takes place, Joshua tells the people to “consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you,” (vs. 5). The Hebrew word for “consecrate” is “qadash,” which means to sanctify or make your self holy and right before God. Joshua is saying to the people, “time out, you need to have your spiritual shoes prepared to take this next step of faith.”

Last January the church where I served as pastor held a 21 day fast, a time out if you will, where we could prepare our hearts to hear the voice of God and follow in faith. It was a humbling time as God revealed sin, weakness, and a need for greater dependence on Him. At the time I would have never dreamed of where I am at today, but God was molding my stubborn heart to prepare me for a new journey of faith.

Maybe God has you in a “time out,” He is doing a work in your heart, uncovering sin, expanding your vision, preparing your shoes for a miraculous journey ahead. Listen to His Word calling you to “consecrate yourself,” surrendering your heart to Jesus. Let Him hold it, wash over it with His cleansing blood, and mold it to prepare your shoes for a Holy work of God the Father in your life.

A Journey of Faith – Promising Shoes – Journey Deeper

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I have heard from so many of you who are being pulled by God into a new adventure of faith. God is opening up new opportunities to trust Him and follow Him into the destiny you were created for. But as you read in Tuesday’s blog there is this attribute called “fear,” and fear can quickly cause you to freeze and keep you from moving forward.

Take a moment and think about a few of the fears that are holding you back from the life of faith that you and I are called to.

While you think of your own specific fears, let me share with you the dialogue in my head: “What if I fail and fall flat on my face, what will people think?” “This is a crazy financial move, do you really think God is going to provide?” “You left a secure job for this?” “This is impossible, what in the world were you thinking?” “I can’t do this, I’m too weak, too dumb, and I’m getting way too old.” I need to keep this brief, it’s a blog after all, but I could go on.

I’m sure Joshua struggled with some of those same thoughts, as well as the fears you listed. But God the Father loves to speak TRUTH into the journey He has for you. Take some time today and meditate on these words from your Father:

“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 (insert your name here); I will never leave (name) nor forsake (name)….Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:5:9

As you hear Him speak to you, hand Him all the fears that are swirling in your head and repeat this phrase: “Abba I trust in you!” These words have helped me overcome the lies and refocus my mind on a Big Abba Father who has given me gospel shoes to walk forward in faith.

Prayer:

Abba Father you know the battle of fear fighting viciously in my mind. I surrender right now every fear before your Holy Presence. In Jesus name I claim the truth that you are always with me and will not leave me in this new journey. Abba I trust in you! Amen

A Journey of Faith – Promising Shoes

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I love chapter 1 of Joshua because of the picture it brings to my mind. Moses, a larger than life leader, has just died and God says to Joshua, “you’re up, time to get into the game.” What do you think was going through Joshua’s head? Hmm, maybe a little fear? OK, a lot of fear.

How could he step into the gigantic shoes of Moses and lead a bunch of stubborn sheep? He watched what Moses went through and I’m sure had some grave reservations as God was calling him off the bench. But notice how God responds to the voices that must have been running rapidly through his mind and I know through mine as well: “I will give you every place where you set your foot as I have promised to Moses” (1:3). After 40 years of wandering in the desert from Egypt, God is saying to His loved children, “now it is time to live into your destiny, this is what you have been created for, step into a new land created just for you out of my love.”

God the Father has saved you and me from our sins so that we could live into all His promises. He calls us to step into the game and experience what you have been specifically designed for. Yes, believe me this is scary stuff because it is always a call into the impossible as we will see with the children of Israel. There will always be giants in the land before you, always be voices telling you it can’t be done, you will doubt yourself, you will doubt that you heard God’s voice right.

But take notice what he goes on to say to Joshua and the people: “No one will be to stand up against you all they 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. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (vs. 5,9).

Yes there will be opposition in this game, yes it won’t be easy, but no worries because “I am with you wherever you go.” Those words are so precious to me and I hope to you. You never play this game alone, the presence of the Father is always there for you, leading, protecting, encouraging, surrounding you with His never ending arms of love.

You have been given the best shoes, the Gospel shoes that Christ has put on your feet. They are the shoes that Jesus put on as he followed His Father perfectly in life, death, resurrection, and as he walked into heaven and took his place on the right hand of his Father. They are now your shoes and in Christ you can step forward in confidence that this game you cannot lose, just take the first step of faith and see!