Convo with Pastor - Joshua 1:11

"Pass through the camp, and command the people:

'Prepare your provisions; for in three days you are

to cross over the Jordan, to go in to take possession

of the land that the Lord your God gives you to possess.'"

Joshua 1:11

Most people's favorite verse in Joshua is 1:9 -- "Be strong and courageous ... for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Amen!

But I have another favorite ...

At the end of glorious, moving, spiritual retreats, someone will inevitably say, "It's time to go back to the real world." They mean that after a weekend of praise, thanksgiving, healing, and grace, that it's time to go back to the world that's full of real brokenness, real pain, and real imperfections.

But I tell them, that's not the real world! That's the world broken by sin. God's intent was just what you saw on this retreat: praise, thanksgiving, healing, grace, new friendships, renewed faith. That's the real world!!!

And then I point to Joshua 1:11 with a sense of purpose and conviction, saying, "You've seen what God intended. Now, 'go [and] take possession of the land that God has given you to possess.' Conquer the sin and imperfections. Let light shine on the darkness. Let truth deflate the world's lies. 'Go [and] take possession of the land that God has given you to possess!"

In Christ's Love,

one who is more than a conquerer

through him who loves us

Rom 8:37

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This is about the 4th time in 26 hours I have heard the phrase, "cross over the Jordan."  I am beginning to wonder just exactly what is God telling me. (ok ... I don't really have to wonder ... I have a pretty good idea!)  

to cross over the Jordan - 

- it takes faith ... it wasn't a calm babbling brook. It was a strongly flowing river.

- it takes trust ... they weren't told HOW they were to cross. Just to do it. 

- it takes obedience. ... what God commands of us does not make sense all the time, but if we exercise immediate obedience we will reap amazing rewards. 

What is your Jordan that you need to cross?  What is stopping you from taking that first step into the water?