Life On The Edge

Posted by Christy

Around 1406 B.C. God brought His people to the edge of the land He had promised to their ancestors, and Moses handed leadership of the nation over to Joshua. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, finally the people of God were ready to realize the promise of living in the land of Canaan. All they needed to do is to obey and trust Him in order to take possession of the land. In other words, trust Daddy and do what He says.

What is your edge? God spoke something to you a while ago. For some, a long while ago. Is It to begin teaching a Sunday School class? A small group? Or maybe it’s a big step in changing a lot of things in your life. Maybe it’s a little step. Maybe it’s to finally begin leading your family in the Way they should go. Is it to say yes to that mission trip? What promise is God calling you to realize in your life?

Some of you are right there on the edge. It’s time. You can see it. You can feel it. The only thing standing in the way is you putting your trust in Daddy God and obeying what He tells you to do.

It’s time for you to take that step. Take possession of that promise. Don’t worry, if God brings you to it, He WILL bring you through it.

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study the Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all that you do. This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9

See: Joshua 1-6

Fearless

Posted by Christy

We often get things backwards in life. We’re funny that way. We like to pray about something, wait for God to answer and THEN walk in the victory. And, that does happen. God moves in any way He wants. He’s God.

But, today God has you on my mind and heart. You, the one feeling boxed in by your past, your circumstances. And you, the one with the mountain in front of you to climb….that big thing to conquer. Also you, the one that has talked to God and begged for mercy over your circumstances but seeing no change.

You’re not alone. Sometimes we hate those words. We hate them because we “feel” alone and we’re sick of people telling us we aren’t. It’s true though. You may feel alone but you aren’t. Our feelings cloud our judgment.

There are times that you have to be fearless when you feel afraid. Walk when you want to sit. Because sometimes, that’s when the miracle happens.

In Luke 17:11-19 we see 10 men crying out to Jesus to have mercy and Jesus tells them to go and show themselves to the priests. They were unclean and were not to be near the temple or its people. Sending them there was promising them healing. As they were going they were healed. They began walking in the promise before it came and while their circumstance was the same.

In Exodus 14:10-14 we see God’s people boxed in and tempted to run back. They were told….Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today (don’t run back into that life); for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again (He’s great at wiping out those old ways and bondages). The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet (and stop talking about how much easier it seemed to be back then). They needed to be fearless even though they felt afraid, and THEN God moved.

In Joshua Chapter 3 we see that once they stepped their toe into the water, it parted. Some of you need to step forward, put toe to water first to cross over to victory.

Some of you need to walk out God’s promises first, even when things seem the same, and before seeing God’s hand on it.

All of us need to be fearless and stand firm on the rock.

Our strength is not always in our arms, its in our feet. Stand on the Rock, the solid ground. That’s where our strength is.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand

God has promised you promises and is asking you to stand firm, don’t be afraid, watch and see Him work. Believe it. Walk out those promises now, in your present condition. Just don’t forget to give glory to the One who brings the victory

New Future With A Past

Posted by Christy

“Agreed,” she replied. ” Let it be as you say.” Joshua 2:21

It wasn’t unusual for strange men to appear at her door. She was, after all, a prostitute. The Israelite spies came to Rahab looking for a place to hide, and they put their lives in her hands.

Who could have failed to hear about the Israelites? They had been in the desert for 40 years and now were headed straight toward Jerico. But Rahab told the spies she had heard of the God of Israel and the deeds He had done on behalf of His people. It was as if she was waiting for evidence of Him in her own life. When she saw her chance, she did not hesitate. She joined the cause of this God whom she believed to be greater than the gods worshipped by her people: “for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:11).

What if these men betrayed her? What if their God failed her? There could be no turning back. Risking her own death, she was obedient to the conviction of truth within her–no debate, no consultation, no wavering.

Within minutes if her decision, Rahab revealed her extraordinary heart. Rahab interceded for her family’s safety as well as her own. Her family heeded her, for when the walls of Jerico came down, her relatives were with her.

Over the ensuing years, Rahab surely needed to learn a new way of relating to men. Perhaps her restoration required the greatest faith of all–everyday choices, without drama or spotlight, to be chaste, to forgive, to trust again. Scripture reveals that she continued to hold on to the God who gave her a new beginning. Matthew 1:5 lists Rahab among the forebears of Jesus. But she is not called “the prostitute,” for the stigma of her past is overshadowed by the honor given her by God. And by choosing her–a Gentile sinner–God confirms that He is the Savior of all peoples, for all time and in all circumstances.

Is there a hope for a woman with a past, someone who has made bad decisions and given herself to a life of sin? Our enemy wants us to believe that nothing good can come of such wreckage. But Rahab’s life demonstrates the benefits of believing God instead.
When Rahab chose Him, He gave her a completely new life. And He set no limits on her potential as His child. NONE.

Read about Rahab in Joshua Ch 2

{the picture above is of a scarlet cord that hangs in my office window as a reminder of Rahab and of the great God of redemption I love and serve.}

Promises, Promises

Posted by Christy

I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set your foot, you will be on land I have given you’ Joshua 1:3 NLT

Joshua and the people of Israel had promises to go, measure out, and claim. This was a literal ground unoccupied for them. God’s grace had a plan to bless and prosper them. All they needed to do was walk it out in faith.

Friend, there are divine, new and precious promises waiting for you to claim. We serve a God who is alive and actively working and pursuing you. He’s absolutely crazy about you and wants to give you so much more of Himself. His love isn’t a selfish love, but a love that wants to give and give and give and give. And give. To you.

Step out and claim your ground in Christ. There is a magnificent territory to march through the length, and breadth of and lay hold of. There is a land of promises opened up to you, child of God. It is God’s will that we “measure it off” by the feet of obedient faith and claim it as our own! Take possession of the promises of God in the name of Christ!

All the promises of God are yes, in Christ Jesus