Good News For Us

Yesterday, we were at the water’s edge of the River Jordan. Priests carried the Ark of the Covenant. Joshua and the nation of Israel followed behind the ark. As soon as the first priest planted his foot in the river, God piled the rushing waters in a heap, far upstream from the Israelites.

 
The Ark of the Covenant was built to God’s specifications as recorded in Exodus 25:10. It was built out of offerings of the children of Israel. “…From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.” Exodus 25: 2

And so the Israelites willingly brought gold, silver and bronze, acacia wood and onyx stones, richly colored thread and fine linens, dyed animal skins, oil for the light and spices for the anointing oil and for sweet incense.

The Ark contained The Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s staff. God had made the staff blossom and produce almonds as a sign that Aaron was chosen by God to lead. The ark was covered with a lid called “the mercy seat” or “atonement cover” between two cherubim. “And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat…” Exodus 26:22

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If you have not read yesterday’s entry, Amazing God (Part I), please go back and read that entry before today’s post at www.goodnewsfor.us

We left the Israelites on the banks of the Jordan River. God knows this isn’t going to be a walk in the park, so He’s about to give His desert-weary children yet another demonstration of His great power to strengthen their faith for the coming battles they are about to face. God still does this for us today.

 Are you now standing with one foot in your own River Jordan? Remember, with God it’s not about smooth and easy; obedience is hard. But God does promise that He will never leave you. He promises that He will provide you with everything you need, not merely to stumble through and collapse on the other side. No, God’s provision is victory - surefooted, sweet and oh yes, amazing!

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 The Israelites have wandered in the desert for forty years. Their leader, Moses, is dead. God has commissioned Joshua to lead His people into the Promised Land. There on the banks of the Jordan River, what does the Lord God Almighty have to say to His children?

First, God wants them to know that the promises He made to Moses are still good. God wants us to know that His promises are still good today.

I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Joshua 1:3

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 you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5

God commanded Joshua and his people to stay in the Word of God and obey the laws written there. God commands us to do the same.

…do not turn from it to the right or to the left… meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Joshua 1:7-8

Three times God commanded the Israelites to be strong and courageous, not terrified and discouraged. God reassured them yet another time that He would be with them always.

Read these words today from God to you -

Be strong and courageous… Joshua 1:6

Be strong and very courageous… Joshua 1:7

Have I not commanded 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. Joshua 1:9

Believe it - the LORD your God is with you.

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Jesus said

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field. Luke 10:2

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation.” Mark 16:15

His disciples’ hands were not yet dry from their fishing nets when Jesus first sent them out. Their eyes were barely dry from mourning tears when the risen Jesus commissioned them to go out into the world, to teach, baptize and heal. “Go!” was His very last command to them before He ascended into heaven.

Jesus only defined the goers, the harvesters, the ones to spread His Good News, as “workers”. Who are these “workers”? Jesus never used the words “missionaries, clergy, trained, certified, educated” or “graduated”. So who are these “workers”? Got a mirror handy? It’s you and me! We are all God’s workers - His hands, His feet and His voice in the world. Are you a follower of Jesus? You’re a sent out worker! Do you believe the words written in the Bible? You’re a commissioned disciple! Do you love God more than anyone or anything?  Well then you, my friend, are a missionary!

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When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,

“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:13-15

After the disciples told Jesus the collective thoughts of the people of his time, Jesus asked His disciples -

“But what about you?…Who do you say I am?”

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“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.”

Rebecca- age 8

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.”

Billy - age 4

“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.”

Terri - age 4

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.”

Bobby - age 7 

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threshold

when life’s undone
it’s all undone
just think what
GOD’s about to do

when you’re unsure
you’re so unsure
look to the ONE
who’s seen you through

when you are weak
you’re feeling weak
that is the time
HE is most strong

HE’s all that’s right
GOD shines HIS light

on every lie

and all that’s wrong

when you are down
you’re so far down
you know that you
are surely out

HE steps on in
GOD steps right in
HE steals away
your every doubt

when you give up
you’re giving up
GOD brings you strength
for one more try

when you can’t walk
you just can’t walk
HE gives you wings
so you can fly

GOD calls to you
HE cries to you
I’ve called your name
and you are MINE

when you feel lost
so very lost
just think what
I’M about to find

Mary Graver

 What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. Revelation 3:7

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Nearly every time I turn into our friends’ long gravel driveway, I run into goats. Well, I don’t actually run into them, I come across them in various places on their way to various other places. At the risk of setting you to an all day hum of “High on a hill was a lonely goatherd Layee odl, layee odl layee-oo”, I will tell you that there is no goatherd for these wandering little beasts, so they are nearly always where they should not be, traveling to dangerous places where they are neither welcome nor safe.

The largest goats can be found on their hind legs eating the leaves of the tallow tree, a snack of an invasive weed that no other animal or insect even cares to eat. None of the goats appear to have a lick of sense from the baby to the eldest, but they are for the most part in this thing together, with a few small stragglers in their big foolish family.

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I clearly remember the happy day my eye doctor told me that I would need to wear eyeglasses. I was nine years old and all my friends were getting glasses. You could say I was a bit more concerned about eyewear cool factor than any vision improvement. I also wanted braces like most of my friends had, but was cursed with straight teeth and a good bite! These glasses would be my only corrective appliance victory. Click to continue →

It is the number you should know and the number the world wants to know of you. It is often all they want to know of you. It is the three digits your financial life hinges on, insurance rates are adjusted to, and many judge you by. It can be nicked with a mere look. It is the only reason some pay their bills on time. It is judgmental, unforgiving and non-receptive to explanations. It is a number that is difficult to change when incorrect and time-consuming to improve when accurately low.

Do you want to know your credit score with God? Do you wonder what it is, but often feel you do not know? Do you think your eternal life hinges on it and that God will judge you by it? Are His benefits adjusted to it? Is it the reason for your good deeds, the impetus of your morality and character? Is it judgemental and unforgiving, difficult to change, and time-consuming to correct? What is your credit score with God? Click to continue →