Scripture: Judges 10.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Judges 10:9-16 (NLT)

9 …. The Israelites were in great distress. 10 Finally, they cried out to the LORD for help, saying, “We have sinned against you because we have abandoned you as our God and have served the images of Baal.”

11 The LORD replied, “Did I not rescue you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, 12 the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites? When they oppressed you, you cried out to me for help, and I rescued you. 13 Yet you have abandoned me and served other gods. So I will not rescue you anymore. 14 Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen! Let them rescue you in your hour of distress!”

15 But the Israelites pleaded with the LORD and said, “We have sinned. Punish us as you see fit, only rescue us today from our enemies.” 16 Then the Israelites put aside their foreign gods and served the LORD. And he was grieved by their misery.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

Like in the case of the verses chosen, we read time and time again how the Israelites strayed from the worship and leadership of God, the One who lovingly provided for them and lead them into the Promised Land. In verse 10 we read where they came to their senses and acknowledged their wrong before God. In verses 11 thru 14 we read where God expressed His disappointment with the Israelites and even told them that He had reached the end of His rope, and would not rescue them anymore. Yes friends, God eventually looks at us in disgust and questions our real intention sometimes when we plead with Him for something. He knows our selfish motives, and He knows how quickly we back off our commitments when everything is going smoothly. It wasn’t until the people acknowledged their sin and acted on the change they wanted to bring about in their lives that they really got to God. For at that time God was grieved by their misery. Does this sound similar to us today? The cycles we go through when things are desperate versus the times when everything is going smoothly. And what about our churches? Think about the times when churches are really struggling and hurting, how desperate we could get in prayer and renewed commitment to the Lord. Don’t you think that our ups and downs with commitment and displaying love to God, just to get His attention, and answers to our prayers, must really get to God sometimes and therefore causes reactions to our actions like in the case of these verses with the Israelites? Oh that we may be persistent is our commitment, worship and service to our Lord!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, it is sad to read Your Word and see how Your people of old were so inconsistent in their commitment to You, and how quickly they turned from You when there was no accountability or reason for concern. Unfortunately, I am convinced that things have gotten no better in this arena, as You probably see worse in us today. Folk that have strayed away from You and doing their own thing, even in light of all that You may have done in their lives and in the lives of their relatives. Please forgive us. Please have mercy on us. Please humble our hearts so that we may truly recommit ourselves and honor You in every way for who You are. Thank You for loving me, in spite of my past and in working in me to overcome present weaknesses. Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true, so that I may represent You genuinely in this current world.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Luke 18.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 18:35-41 (NLT)

35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening.

37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by.

38 So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

39 “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

God spoke to me on several items in this passage of Scripture:

• I wonder if this was coincidence that the procession, of which Jesus was a part, passed by the given route coincidentally, or deliberately, seeing that Jesus knew there was a need along the way? Of course a similar question might be: Was it coincidental that the blind man was along the same road that Jesus would pass? Either way, I believe it was the appointed time for the meeting of Jesus and the blind man. And much like this story, I believe that God has appointed a time for us to meet Him at times when we feel like we are at the end of our rope and can go no further. Jesus loves and cares for us friend, and He will arrange many meetings such as the one with the blind beggar, so that He could get our attention or meet our needs.
  
• In spite of all that might be going on around us, we must be like the blind beggar and persist in our cry to Jesus for His help. Friends, pastors and other respected leaders may try to tell us where to go and what to say, but Jesus knows our heart and our cry, and He wants to meet our need. Let’s never lose hope and sight of His love for us.
  
• I believe the most striking thing about this story is the point of Jesus asking the blind man what He could do for him. Friends, it is so easy of us to judge from the surface, or the circumstance what might be a person’s needs, and we may even start praying for that assumed need, but like in the case of Jesus’ question to the man, we must always ask first, as there may be something much more important, and urgent in the mind of the needy person, for which they are even more concerned and seeking God’s help and answer. Also, much like in the case of an addict, verbalizing their need or concern is most of the battle towards recovery.
  

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, You have shown me once again how much You care of us, and how You would meet our need even when others around us may try to silence us or steer us in a different direction. Please help me to never try and do Your job by telling someone to do something contrary to Your will and way. Please help me to lead them to You and allow You to do Your work in their life. Please provide opportunities this week where I might do exactly this, lead someone to You so that You may perform miracles in their life. Thank You for loving us this much, that You would have a personal encounter with us and meet our needs.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Joshua 22.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Joshua 22:11-13 (NLT)

11 The rest of Israel heard that the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had built an altar at Geliloth at the edge of the land of Canaan, on the west side of the Jordan River.

12 So the whole community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against them.

13 First, however, they sent a delegation led by Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to talk with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

God’s Word is truly a book from which we can not only learn about God’s powerful hand at work in many visible ways, but it also provides insight and direction to us on how to deal with the daily struggles and challenges of everyday life as we know it today. We are so easily misunderstood at times, and of course we easily misunderstand others. We can see in this short chapter today that the actions of the people of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh we clearly misunderstood, but it took actions on the part of the other tribes who were about to bring war on them, to abort their mission to destroy them. Had it not been for the actions in verse 13, a total misunderstanding could have caused a lot of death and destruction among tribes of the same nation. I have seen this so prevalent in personal scenarios recently where, if I would have acted on first impressions or on what it appeared to me was happening, I would have really caused unnecessary conflict between myself and other parties. Imagine what conflicts would be aborted in our churches and among Christians, if we use the process taught in verse 13? I wonder if we don’t go to God’s Word looking for support of our stupid arguments, instead of going to The Book looking for examples and ways to resolve the arguments and bring peace? Evidence of the difference between these two scenarios are evident in this chapter today. Now, if only we can commit ourselves to looking for peace rather than strife! If only we can talk about it!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, You have proven Your love for us, even when we were unlovable. You show so much love for us today, even when we show no regard towards being a true example of You in our everyday lives. Please work in my life to be more like You in every way. Please work in the lives of those that may meditate on this word today so that they may see the value in following Your will and Your way. I believe that the unsaved world is looking for genuine examples of You in the lives of those that call themselves ‘Christian’. Please forgive me for the times I have misrepresented You, and please give me strength and guidance to be more like You in my daily life so that the unsaved world around me may be impacted in a very positive way.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Luke 15.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 15:1-2 (NLT)

1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.

2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

This is a chapter often preached on because of the story of the Prodical Son, but God really spoke to me this morning from a slightly different angle. Right at the very beginning of the chapter we are told that Jesus’ teaching seemed to have attracted notorious sinners. Just imagine, these are the folk that we strive to find ways to get them into our churches, but have such a challenge in trying to find the right programs or the right giveaways or the right meals to attract them. Now stop for a moment and consider that if we were to be like Jesus, and if we were to follow in His footsteps, these are the folk that we should be gearing our ministries towards, and not necessarily the influential in our membership, or not even those that tend to give us gifts or tickle our ears with encouraging words. Now, in verse 2 we find the real church today, for I assure you that if our church leadership concentrated heavily on the poor, the needy, the down-trodden, the unsaved, or hung out in areas where the notoriously sinful people hung out, our church membership would have a hay day whining and complaining and calling pastor and his team some real choice names. Can’t you hear us say, “I sure hope he thinks about who pays his salary”! Friends, it is so unfortunate that our churches have become an entertainment center for our pious Christians, catering to their every whine or complaint. If we truly follow Jesus’ example, our church services would be filled with more folk that need the Lord, than those who know Him but feel an obligation to tradition in being dressed up and in church service so all our friends could see how ‘religious’ we are. I wonder how we would honestly answer the question today, if asked “How are you following Jesus’ example in your church today”?

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, please forgive us for the unfortunate path we have taken in our churches today, for it seems like we have become more of an entertainment show, or theater for the entertainment of our attendees. Jesus taught in a way that attracted sinners, I pray that our churches will place that as priority in their planning sessions, so that sinners will be invited, welcomed and accepted in our churches to listen to the Word of God preached. Help us to individually get excited about inviting our non-Christian friends to church with us, and may they find a place of refuge as they attend. As we see Christians trying to build relationships with non-Christians, please help us to not be judgmental, but instead admire the example You set before us in all that You have taught us in this chapter of Luke. Lord, may we be more like You every day. Lord, may our churches follow more of Your example every day.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Luke 14.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 14:16-20 (NLT)

16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’

18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come.’

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

In Jesus’ story, many people turned down the invitation to the banquet because the timing was inconvenient. We, too, may resist or delay responding to God’s invitation, and our excuses may sound reasonable—work duties, family responsibilities, financial needs, or other reasons. Nevertheless, God’s invitation is the most important event in your life, no matter how inconveniently it may be timed. Are you making excuses to avoid responding to God’s call? Jesus reminds us that the time will come when God will pull his invitation and offer it to others—then it will be too late to get into the banquet.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Dear Jesus, thank You for providing a way for us to enter into your kingdom. Thank You for thinking enough of me, a sinner saved only by Your grace, to love me, to accept me and invite me to sit at Your table of mercy. Lord, as I consider the span of my life, who am I that a King, the King of all kings, would sacrifice His only Son so that I might live eternally with Him? Thank You for inviting even me to Your banquet and giving me the joy of Your salvation. But for Your love Lord, I would still be lost in sin with no hope for life in heaven with You. Thank You Jesus for loving me this much!

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Luke 11.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 11:9-10 (NLT)

9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

Sometimes the simplicity of the Word of God is unbelievable! I believe that today we complicate Christianity with so many denominational and traditional church doctrines that people may feel like it takes a pastor/priest/rabbi to get through to God. Jesus told a simple story about a man knocking on a neighbor’s door after the neighbor had gone to bed. Because of the urgency of the situation, the man kept knocking because he really wanted help. Because of his persistence the neighbor got up and helped the man. In verse 9 above, Jesus tells us that it is that simple when it comes to prayer. If we are serious about that which we are praying, then we need to keep on asking. I spoke to a young waiter at a respected local restaurant and asked how he got the job, the young man was convinced that it was because of his persistence in calling and visiting the establishment that the manager realized how serious he was about the job. There are times that we mention a need in prayer, and there are times that we beg and plead to Jesus about a need. I believe that Jesus knows the seriousness and true earnest desires of our heart. What are you really praying about today? Is it a priority, or just a passing fancy? Keep on asking about that which is serious to you, and expect an answer, in God’s time!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Thank You Jesus for the simplicity of Your Word. Thank You that even simple lay persons like me could figure out what it takes to surrender my life to You, stay close to You and communicate with You on a regular basis. You made us, and I believe that You enjoy communion with us, and this could only be possible it this could be obtained in its simplest forms. Thank You for loving the educated religious leaders that bless us every week, but also thank You for being available to even those of us that depend on a simple, earnest relationship with You. May You receive honor and glory each and every day from all Your saints, especially from me Oh Lord.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Joshua 7.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Joshua 7:12 (NLT)

12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

The result of one man’s sin is very evident in this chapter. Joshua had been a very obedient leader and done everything that God had ordered him to do. However, in spite of the instructions he gave to his men, one man allowed the sin of greed to overcome him, causing destruction – death in the Israelite camp. In fact, it caused God to remove His hand of protection from the Israelites. Friends, this made me stop and ponder how often this affects our personal lives, our families and even our churches. Disobedience to God can lead to disaster, or disruption in the church, in our families and definitely in our personal lives, for God will not reside nor rule in the middle of disobedience/sin. When God removes Himself from our midst, disastrous things happen. I believe that all too often we fail to think beyond our personal life, feeling like we don’t mind bearing the brunt of God’s punishment for our sin. But friends, we must realize that this also affects our family and could also affect our church. We could see innocent people lose their lives because of our selfishness. We could see God withhold His hand from the work of His church because of our disobedience. I know that we often feel like we are just one little speck in the whole congregation, but God will not accomplish His work where sin abounds. Let’s examine ourselves before God today friend. Let’s ‘come clean’ before Him today. Remember, He already knows about our sin, we just need to be honest and seek His face and ask His forgiveness, so that He could resume His work in our church and in our family.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord, the impact of sin is enormous. You have designed the path for us to walk, and You have given us the guidelines that will keep us on that path. As unfaithful and disobedient children, we have allowed sin to take us off track, and in doing so we have brought condemnation on our families and our churches. Please forgive me for allowing sin to enter and take me off track from the path You have laid out before me. Your work is way too important for me to disrupt, so please actively work on me and point out my sin, Please guide me so that I will not be a stumbling block to Your work in my family and in my church. Please help me instead to offer a hand up to help my brother and my sister to see the way, and to follow in Your pathway. Lord, may You rule and reign in my life today, is my humble prayer.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Luke 10:21.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 10:21 (NLT)

21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

How many times have you been surprised by the preaching or teaching of a man that never went to seminary? How many times have you listened to a man share the Word of God and you had a real sense that he must have been at the feet of Jesus learning from Him, because You felt like God was really speaking though the man? Friends, I believe what we are being taught here is that we go to God for the real truth of His Word. Yes, I know there are commentaries that help us a lot in our understanding of the Word, but when we ask God to reveal His Word to us and to open our eyes to what He would have us learn, I believe that the Word becomes a lot more personal and really stand out on the page to get our undivided attention. I couldn’t tell you how many times I may have read over a passage, then in another reading of it I find brand new meaning to it. I believe that the reason Jesus rejoiced in this revelation to the 72 disciples that He called, is that they probably learnt how to independently go to God for understanding and not wait for it to be explained in the synagogue. In a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we can expect to speak with Him in prayer, and hear from Him in our understanding of His Word. Before reading the Word of God, let us therefore ask Him to direct our understanding and let us clearly see how it applies to us. Personal encounters such as this will open our hearts to share in a personal way with others. And for this, Jesus will again rejoice that even we can share with the unsaved and hurting around us.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Thank You Jesus for opening my heart and my understanding to Your Word. I pray that as I am filled with this understanding, that I may have the opportunities to share it with others and especially with those that need a word from You. Your Word is powerful and filled with Your love and direction for our daily path. Please humble my heart to depend on You as I read Your Word so that it may be absorbed into my daily life and witness. Bless those of us that find it difficult to read and understand so that we too may be filled, just as Your disciples were led to understanding.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Joshua 3-4.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Joshua 3:13 (NLT)

13 The priests will carry the Ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.”

Joshua 4:18 (NLT)

18 As soon as the priests carrying the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant came up out of the riverbed and their feet were on high ground, the water of the Jordan returned and overflowed its banks as before.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

I want to draw a parallel between what the Israelites faced at the bank of the Jordan River, and what we sometimes face in life, for I was very much made aware of this as I read this passage this morning. The Israelites marched to the edge of the river, which was flooded over its banks and, with the Ark of the Covenant, they must have wondered OK, now what? I don’t know about you friend, but I sometime face obstacles, where I stop and ponder how will I possibly handle this situation, or overcome this evil act against me, or deal with this giant in front of me. You know, the kind where we throw our hands up and say Lord, without the necessary finances, or the necessary health, or healthcare insurance, or family and friends’ help, I cannot go another mile? But friends, I encourage you to read the above verses again, for in the first verse we see where as soon as the priests acted in faith and made the first step, God took care of the rest. Imagine the miracle of the river waters backing up, and staying backed up to allow 40,000 people to cross on the dry river bed. Imagine the look on the faces of the Israelites when they saw the last man walk out of the river, and the waters resumed their normal flow? Friends, this message spoke very loudly to me this morning, as God opened my eyes to the fact that He loves me so much that He will cause even the river waters to dry up so that I may cross over my mind-blowing obstacles and land safely on the other side. Wow, what an awesome God that we serve! He made us and He could take care of us! Oh for the faith of the Israelites, that we may make the first step in faith believing that our obstacles in life are very minor to God and He could provide a safe passage for us, if only we ask Him to, and if we have the faith to believe in what He directs us to do. I know the Lord will make a way for me! How about you, friend?

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Like the Israelites, I believe that Your power is more than sufficient to help me overcome all of life’s challenges, dear Lord. Thank You for passages such as this one today that assures us and reminds us of Your power and Your love that shows us that You will hold back the very power of nature to protect Your children. Thank You for loving me this much. Thank You for accepting me as Your child, among Your chosen ones! Oh, how I look forward to the day when I will see You face to face in glory! Praise be the name of the Lord!

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Joshua 1.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Joshua 1:5-9 (NLT)

5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.

7
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.

8 Study this 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 you do.

9 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.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

A quick read in this first chapter of Joshua the reader may quickly presume that Joshua may have had some self-confidence problems. However, let me remind you that Joshua had just seen Moses die as a result of his failure to follow instruction. He had witnessed the many years of disobedience by the Israelites and how Moses had such a rough time leading them through the wilderness. Now Joshua was face with this awesome task, to lead over 2 million people into the final leg of their journey. God knew the challenge that Joshua was facing and the nerves that were affecting Joshua, so in addition to giving him advice, God also gave him assurances that He would be with him throughout all phases of the remaining journey. God assured Joshua several times that he must be strong and courageous. In verse 18 after the people had given their allegiance to their new leader, they too assured Joshua that he must be strong and courageous. In verse 8 Joshua was told that his time in the Word of God would assure him of success and prosperity. I believe that Jesus is assuring His believers, His saints, His children today that to face todays challenges, and to lead many into the promised home for believers, we must bathe our day with the Word of God, and we must be strong in the faith and our unwavering trust in Him, and to be courageous in knowing that no matter how many might oppose our witness and our message, our God is able. Be encouraged today Brother! Stand firm today Sister! God has a home prepared for us and He wants us to bring as many with us as would believe in Him. Be strong and courageous to carry out the work He has set for us to do!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord, it is so easy to just crawl up in a shell and withdraw ourselves from the awesome task that You have assigned to us – “Go ye into all the world and make disciples ……” But in this passage today You are encouraging me to ‘stand strong and be courageous’ because the God of this universe stands with me. In sharing this with my virtual friends, I believe that Christians everywhere will be reminded of the words in Joshua 1 and that they too will be encouraged, to move forward in the battle with You as our ultimate leader, and to be strong and courageous in facing the challenge. Thank You Father for entrusting us to help in Your kingdom work.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**