A Journey of Faith – Shoes – Journey Deeper

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As I mentioned in my last post, over the next few weeks I would like to share with you some texts from the book of Joshua that have helped me move forward in faith.

In my eyes, Joshua and the Israelites took incredible steps of faith as they left the wilderness and entered the land of Canaan. In doing so, they were able to witness the powerful promises of God unfold in their lives.

How did it happen?

God gave them new shoes. The children of Israel had been wearing slaves shoes for 400 years in Egypt. Their identity was that of a beat up slave, suffering under a wicked, psycho Pharaoh. But in the midst of their bondage God sent a deliverer named Moses who led them out of their misery into a new relationship with God, their Father.

The shoes that God gave them can be described in Exodus 19:4-6: “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nations.”

Notice the statement, “you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” In essence what this says is you have new shoes. If you, like Israel, receive the Father’s love through Jesus (who took your place on the cross, defeated Satan and your sin, and was raised to be King of the world), you wear gospel shoes (Eph. 6:15).

As I mentioned before, I have put on my new shoes. I’ve laced them up, I’m on the floor, and my heart is beating really fast with a nervous energy!
converse-shoes
What about you? If you have been given these gospel shoes, where is your Father calling you today to walk in faith? Israel remained stuck in the scorching wilderness for 40 years because they were unwilling to follow their Father. Are you stuck in a dry desert because of fear to follow? If so, confess the fear and ask God for faith to step out and follow Him today.

Questions for Your Journey:

Based upon Exodus 19:4-6, why did the Father bring the Israelites out of Egypt? More importantly to us, why did the Father send Jesus to Earth?

According to the text above, how are we to respond to such unconditional love?

When you say yes to this unearned love and “obey,” which also means to follow His voice, what is the result?

A Journey of Faith – Shoes

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How are your shoes?

converse-shoes

Not long ago I was reminded once again of the importance of purchasing the right shoes. My daughter Anna suffered an injury to her achilles as she was practicing basketball partially because she had the wrong shoes. So we did some research and found a pair that wouldn’t aggravate her Achilles tendon and would help her heal up. The replacement shoes weren’t cheap, but price was worth it to get her back on her feet running, jumping, and rebounding on the court which is what she loves to do.

I pondered the purchase of the shoes and thought about how I would never pay that price for shoes for myself, BUT, my daughter was worth it! I didn’t even hesitate to pull out the VISA quickly suck the money out of my account. This event triggered a thought about how our Heavenly Father feels about us. No price is to great to bring us healing so that we can be put back into the game we were created to play.

God gave up His only Son, placed him on the cross in our place for our sin, so that we could be healed. Now, it doesn’t stop there, we are healed and given “new shoes.” Paul calls them “gospel shoes” (Eph. 6:15) in order to follow in faith the Father’s plan for our life.

Recently, I feel like I have gotten a new pair of shoes. In reality I have had them a long time, but they feel new as God has called me to step out in faith and follow Him in a new ministry. I have to be honest with you, at times I am a bit afraid to get the new shoes dirty, to try them out, and wear them to follow the voice of the Father. It seems safer on the bench as I have no idea what direction this game is going. But, I have laced them up, I’m heading on the floor, and my heart is beating really fast with a nervous energy.

On this new path I’ve been very intentional about taking the time to go back and listen to my Father’s voice. Over the next few weeks I would like to share with you some texts from the book of Joshua that have helped to launch me forward. Hopefully these passages will bless you as your Father has a special calling for you as well. Get ready to put those new shoes on and get into the game!