Joshua 10:1-43

Pop-Out Verse:

"The Lord said to Joshua, 'Don't be afraid of those armies, because I will hand them over to you. None of them will be able to stand against you."

- Joshua 10:8 (NCV)

Relation to NOW:
(v. 5) five kings joined forces to attack Gibeon and Joshua had to face all of them. I can easily list 5 opponents I face: self-esteem, school, procrastination/laziness, lust, and my old self. There are probably many more obstacles I face daily besides the ones I just mentioned. I do get intimidated and anxious because I feel inexperienced and unprepared. I second guess myself and rely on my own will and strength to face these obstacles. But, I've got it all wrong. Just as the Lord stood by Joshua and delivered the armies to him, God will do the same for me. Whether I acknowledge Him or not, He's ALWAYS by my side when I face these trials everyday. There should be no reason for me to feel afraid or overwhelmed because I'm NEVER alone.

God in MOTION:
He wants to be my partner. I don't have to face anything alone. He is here always by my side. I just have to turn to him. Lift up my burdens to Him because His "yoke is easy and burden is light." He STRENGTHENS me. It is all up to my own DECISION if I'm willing to access that power. I must TRUST in Him because He always delivers and fufills His promises. I do the best I can on my behalf and He will take care of the rest; GUARANTEED.


OTHER thoughts:
(v. 40) the Lord commanded the offering
It was the Lord's Will for them to kill the kings and the people living in the entire city. This was all an offering to Him. That was back in the Old Testament. As of today (the New Testament Era) no sacrifices or offerings to that extreme are necessary or called for. Jesus is our mediator and he is the LAMB OF GOD . He was sinless and pure and the ultimate sacrifce for our sins.

This verse also reminds me not to ACT without aligning with His WILL . I must be aware and make sure that my life and everything I do each day is to "offer my life" to Him. I must SURRENDER. I didn't accept Him just to be my Savior for my sins but also my Lord who controls and guides my life here on earth.

The majority of the chapter is about Joshua and his army's triumphant victory for the Lord. Let us all be partners with Him. Let Him lead us to the VICTORY. He has conquered death and has rewarded us with ETERNAL LIFE so as children of God, we are ALREADY on the VICTORY SIDE.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for this day. Thank You for this time of prayer we could have. Lord, I pray that my mind and heart is always set on You. I want to be used by You. Let me understand my purpose and Your Will for me. Allow me to be aware of how I present myself to the world. Thank You for always pulling me out of my comfort zone. Thank You for being my EVERLASTING PARTNER. For always being by my side, ready to take care of me. I life up to You any obstacles I will be facing. I will praise You always in whatever circumstance You put me in. Cleanse me of any sin and forgive me for my transgressions. I know I am never worthy but I'm ready to be used by You. Ready to become the masterpiece You've planned me to be. I love and praise Your glorious name, in Jesus' Name. AMEN

Acts 9:1-43

Pop-Out Verse:

"Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but he could not see. So those with Saul took his hand and led him into Damascus."

- Acts 9:8 (NCV)

Relation to NOW:
I am a child of God. I have a personal with our Lord and Savior. He has opened my eyes to view and live in this world with a new perspective. I know and am still continually learning about the truth and yet I cannot see. my eyes are open and yet I live as if I cannot see the wonderful daily blessings. I am not worthy of the grace He gives me and yet I am so busy persecuting myself and affecting those around me that I cannot even stop and think truly OPEN MY EYES AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF OUR LORD. I shouldn't be so dependant on my brothers and sisters in Christ to hold my hand and guide me when I fall. (even though we are all accountable to each other) . I should turn to Him first and confess my sin and ask for His guidance before I turn to my worldly loved ones.


God in MOTION:
Saul was a persecutor and he persecuted in Jesus' name. That's pretty tough and hard core compared to all of the bad things I've done in my lifetime. So, for him to be struck down blind for him to understand, God is warning me NOW not too stray to far. Saul turned around and He shared the Good News. People in Jerusalem were afraid of him and didn't even believe he was a follower. So, I must face the people of my past. Show them I am not the same person I use to be. It's time for me to Live Out Loud. Show the world that my past life doesn't matter because the Father has cleansed me of my transgressions. I may not be as faithful as Saul to be able to perform all those miracles (v. 32-41) but this blog and my life is all ,in itself, a miracle. If the Lord can change Saul's life and my own life, imagine how the entire world would be if we all individually humbled ourselves and acknowledged God's omnipotent greatness.

OTHER thoughts:
I truly feel that finally beginning this blog will change my life and hopefully yours and whomever else comes across it. Saul was known as a persecutor and then became a preacher of the Word. I also want to become a masterpiece in the Lord. I want the world to know I affiliate myself with Christ and not this world.

(v. 22) let us all be powerful in the Word because no one can argue with the TRUTH
(v. 31) Saul influenced different places . We should all influence the surrounding towns and cities near are homes. "Respecting the Lord by the way they lived, and being encouraged by the Holy Spirit, the group of believers continued to grow." (<-- that says it all)

Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for this time of prayer. For just supplying us with our B.asic I.nstructions B.efore L.eaving E.arth. Forgive me for having my eyes wide open and yet still blind. Forgive me and I humbly as that You cleanse me of all my sin. I want to be used by You. Let Your fire fall down not only to me but to the entire body of Christ. You have chosen us just as You "(v. 15) have chosen Saul for an important work." In Your time and when we are ready, take us out of our comfort zone and our old ways. Let us shine Your Light before men so they can praise You . in Jesus' Name. AMEN

Zechariah 7:1-14

Pop-Out Verse:

"When I called to them, they would not listen. So when they called to me, I would not listen,' says the Lord All-Powerful."

- Zechariah 7:13 (NCV)

Relation to NOW:
I keep yearning for the Lord and try to find out what He's saying to me. He's been answering my prayer. I have just been so closed minded. If I don't LISTEN to him, then He won't LISTEN to me when I cry out. This verse scares me but this is the TRUTH.

God in MOTION:
I need to manage my time and not put anything before Him. I need to have that daily one-on-one quiet time. NO MORE EXCUSES

OTHER thoughts:
(v. 6) rationalizing and selfishness
(v. 9) "do what is right and true"
(v. 10) "don't even THINK of doing evil"
(v. 12) "hearts as hard as a rock" OWNED

Prayer:
Thank you for the Truth; may I continue to grow in You. Teach me to LISTEN in Jesus' Name. AMEN