It was his first attempt to win a trophy for swimming. He was successful and won first place.  After receiving his prized possession, his mother said, “I’m so happy for you. I never won a trophy.”

“Mom,” he asked, “did you ever try?”

God created each of us to succeed. But we can never succeed at anything until we try something. And whenever we want to accomplish anything, we need a good place to begin. We find that “place” in the first words of the Bible: “In the beginning - GOD?.”

Beginning with God means that before we try to do anything we seek His will. God promised Joshua great success. He told him that no one would be able to stand their ground against him, promising, “I will not fail you or abandon you” as long as you live. But with His promise He gave him a warning: “study the Book of the Law continually? obey it?and only then will you succeed.”

The promise that God gave to Joshua works for us, too. However, God places the same limits on our success: “Study My Word continually, obey it, and only then you will succeed.” If we begin with God’s Word, we will end with God’s blessings. Surely, that is success!

Prayer: Lord, help us to realize and remember that success is all about You and never about us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Joshua 1:1-9 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.

Years ago when Italy went to war there was a shortage of soldiers. To find recruits, one captain went through the villages calling men to fight with him. Many joined him, bringing their own weapons into combat.
One elderly lady was so moved by the sight that she got her broom, placed it on her shoulder and began to march with them.

Many of the soldiers laughed at her. One looked at her and asked, “What good are you, old lady?”

“Not much,” she replied, “but I want everyone to know whose side I’m on!”

Life requires many choices. But there is no more important choice for each of us than to let the world know whose side we are on. Joshua said, “So honor the Lord and serve Him whole heartedly.” He challenged the people to declare their allegiance to God because He had proven His trustworthiness to them.

From simple to significant, we make many choices each day. Not being able to see the future or knowing which direction our lives may take, we must put our trust in the One who does. We must listen to the Lord as He speaks to us through His Word. When we do, it will be easier to make the right choices. Especially if we are on the Lord’s side and draw upon His strength.

Prayer: Lord, may we live our lives letting those around us see the depth of our commitment to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Joshua 24:14, 15 But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

 On the wall behind the desk of a horse breeder is a picture of a new born colt. It appears to be only a few days old and seems as though it is having a difficult time struggling to stand up. It looks weak and wobbly even though the mother is nearby watching carefully. But underneath the picture are three words engraved on a bronze plate, “Born To Run.”

Bred into the genes of the colt are qualities of strength and success, endurance and energy. And even though the colt is unsure and unsteady as it struggles to stand tall, the potential for greatness is inside.

So it is with the Christian. When we are born again, God implants within us His strength and stamina, His power and the potential for a life of victory over sin. He gives us a purpose in life, goals to achieve and a message to proclaim.

With all of its potential the colt is not ready to run. It must endure hours of training and miles of running and learn obedience to its master.

So it is with the Christian. God has given us all that we need to achieve greatness in serving Him. But the greatness will not come unless we discipline ourselves to “study and meditate on the Book of the Law continually – day and night – so that we may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then,” Joshua says, “will we succeed!”

Prayer: Lord, we are so blessed to be called Your children and to be called to serve You. Help us to be strong, courageous and unafraid to run the race before us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Joshua 1:6-9 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. (Read more…)

General Robert E. Lee had a brilliant officer serving on his staff. He was fiercely faithful and loyal to the general. He was also a man of conviction, courage and confidence. Every letter or note he wrote to General Lee was signed, “You can count on me.”

Our Lord has many people He can count but not many He can count on. But there is one who stands as an example to all of us: Joshua!

Joshua was careful to obey all of the teachings and instructions given by God. As we read the book that bears his name, we find the theme of obedience time and time again. This theme of obedience is so very prominent because it is an important aspect of the believer’s life. Additionally, it is certainly a significant part of our lives and one part of our lives that, with God’s help, we can control.

We cannot control the events that God brings into our lives, but we can control the way we respond to them. We cannot control the behavior of others around us but we certainly can control how we behave when we are in their presence. We cannot control the decisions of our leaders but we certainly can “pray without ceasing” for them. We cannot control the content of the media but we can certainly choose different materials to read or programs to watch on television.

However, one choice that every Christian has is to obey God. God’s Word sets the standard of all to follow.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, empower us with Your Holy Spirit to understand and accept Your Word, and to be obedient to it so You will be able to “count on us.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Joshua 11:15 As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.

Thomas Edison worked many years to develop a light bulb. The day finally arrived when his first one was ready to be tested. He turned to his lab technician and said, "Take this downstairs and let's turn it on!"

The technician was filled with excitement as he left the laboratory. As he ran down the stairs, he slipped, fell and broke the bulb.

Discouraged but not defeated, Edison went on to make his second bulb. When it was finished, he turned to the same technician and said, "Take this downstairs and let's turn it on!" With the same amount of excitement, but more cautious, he carefully took the bulb downstairs and the experiment was completed successfully.

More often than not, it is easy to give up when things do not turn out as we expect them to. In a moment of despair we find it easier to turn our backs on projects that fail or goals that crumble. But even though we may make a mess of things, God has not nor ever will give up on us. The Lord, speaking through Joshua, said, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go!"

What a gracious promise of His presence and power!

Prayer: Lord, may we always work with You to turn every tragedy into triumph and every disaster into a delight that honors You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Joshua 1:1-9 Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Read more...)

Some politicians are notorious for the ability to explain away every issue without taking a stand on any of them. One was recognized as being as spineless as spaghetti. Once when asked a question he said, “Part of my friends favor one side of that issue and part of them favor the other side of that issue. I am in favor of my friends!”

No matter what is at stake, it is always possible to find people who will take opposing sides of any given issue. There are even times when the issue does not matter but people still take sides and argue for the sake of arguing. Sometimes the issue is fleeting or frivolous and not worth serious discussion or debate. Still, sides are chosen and positions staked out.

There is one issue that confronts everyone. It is the issue of who will be the Lord of our lives. Joshua once confronted the people of Israel and said, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” The people had to make a choice between the God whom they knew they could trust, or the gods who had always failed them.

We, too, must make that choice. What we decide will determine our destiny.

Prayer: Father, give us courage to stand firm and to always be faithful in our commitment to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Joshua 24:14-15

It was his first attempt to win a trophy for swimming. He was successful and won first place. After receiving his prized possession, his mother said, “I’m so happy for you. I never won a trophy.”

“Mom,” he asked, “did you ever try?”

God created each of us to succeed. But we can never succeed at anything until we try something. And whenever we want to accomplish anything, we need a good place to begin. We find that “place” in the first words of the Bible: “In the beginning - GOD….”

Beginning with God means that before we try to do anything we seek His will. God promised Joshua great success. He told him that no one would be able to stand their ground against him, promising, “I will not fail you or abandon you” as long as you live. But He gave him a warning: “study the Book of the Law continually… obey it…and only then will you succeed.”

The promise that God gave to Joshua works for us, too. However, God places the same limits on our success: “Study My Word continually, obey it, and only then you will succeed.” If we begin with God’s Word, we will end with God’s blessings. Surely, that is success!

Prayer: Lord, help us to realize and remember that success is all about You and never about us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Joshua 1:1-9

Years ago when Italy went to war there was a shortage of soldiers. To find recruits, one captain went through some of the villages calling men to fight with him. Many joined him, bringing their own weapons into combat.

One elderly lady was so moved by the sight that she got her broom, placed it on her shoulder and began to march with them.

Many of the soldiers laughed at her. One looked at her and asked, “What good are you, old lady?”

“Not much,” she replied, “but I want everyone to know whose side I’m on!”

Life requires many choices. But there is no more important choice for each of us than to let the world know whose side we are on. Joshua said, “So honor the Lord and serve Him whole heartedly.” He challenged the people to declare their allegiance to God because He had proven His trustworthiness to them.

From simple to significant, we make many choices each day. Not being able to see the future or knowing which direction our lives may take, we must put our trust in the One who does. We must listen to the Lord as He speaks to us through His Word. When we do, it will be easier to make the right choices. Especially if we are on the Lord’s side and draw upon His strength.

Prayer: Lord, may we live our lives letting those around us see the depth of our commitment to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Joshua 24:14,15

It was an intense wrestling match. Now that it was over, the crowd was cheering with great enthusiasm. But he knew that it was not for him. He lost, and realized that the shouting was for his opponent. Suddenly, the arena became quiet, and the crowd focused its attention on the “Loser” and the thunderous ovation was directed toward him.

Wrestling is a difficult sport demanding strength, flexibility, courage and stamina. Only those in excellent condition ever enter the ring. But when you’re born without a left arm and your right arm is just half an arm with two fingers growing out of the “stump,” most people would consider that person a freak. Some called the “loser” a freak and said that he had no business wrestling.
Now, his career was over and the crowd was cheering wildly, standing and shouting with all of their strength. Why? He demonstrated that winning isn’t everything, courage is?

Courage is the God given force within the Christian that empowers us to face danger and hardships knowing that God is on our side, and that through Him we will be victorious. Courage gives us the confidence because “greater is He who is within us than he who is in the world?”

The Christian always has an extra resource in the Lord. “Be of good courage…for the Lord your God is with you.”

Prayer: Father, may we realize and accept by faith the fact that You are always with us, will not fail us nor forsake us and we need not be afraid. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Joshua 1:8-9