Sunday, May 16, 2010

Joshua 1

Joshua Week 1
Where did you go the first time you drove a car by yourself?
Joshua – The Book
History (Joshua – Ester)
Themes – Conquering Canaan, Obedience, God as the ultimate promise Keeper, and Courage under pressure.

Taking Responsibility

Joshua 1:1-9 (Look for Promises)
2)I am giving you the land
3)I have given it to you
4)describes the boundaries
5)No man will be able to stand before you all of the days of your life.
9)God is with you.

Joshua was put in charge of Israel – ordered into battle – and given clear marching orders.
He was also given a lot of encouragement (Strong and Courageous)
V6,V7,V9 –God
V18 – Israel Speaking
Deuteronomy 31:7 Moses Speaking

Why do you think Joshua needed so much encouragement to be strong and courageous?

Truth Honor and Bravery!

When do you need encouragement?
How do you give encouragement to others?

Look again at verse 8 –
What is the relationship between God’s law and Joshua’s success?

Is that relationship valid today?
What does it mean for a Christian to have success?

16-18 Israel’ response
Off to the right foot, but has a hollow ring. They did not obey Moses.
They had good intentions.

As you face challenges you can:
Look to God’s promises
Meditate on His Word
Take encouragement from others, and
Take Command – V10-15

Sunday, May 2, 2010

James 4b

James 4b
4:13-17 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." 14Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." 16But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
If the Lord Wills … Latin Phrase Deo Volente. Meaning “Lord Willing”. Or D.V. used after a signature on a letter regarding future plans.
Vapor / Fireworks in Dallas.
The hypothetical here is very specific. City/year/business/profit.
Does this verse teach us that we should not make plans for the future?
How should we plan for the future?
Last week we discussed what we think will happen during the next few months.
Are our plans “World Friendly”?
Do your plans take into account what the Holy Spirit within you is guiding you to do?

Chapter 5:7-11
5:7-11 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 10As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11We count those blessed who endured You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
Remember James 1:2-5?
2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Endurance – Patience – Suffering
Chapter 1 – Perfect and complete
Chapter 5 – See the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of Compassion and is merciful.

Testimony that the outcome of the Lord’s dealings ?
13Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
More suffering. We talked about endurance, what other suggestions does James have for those who are suffering or sick? PRAYER
16Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Can we do this? Where?, How?, When?