Stand before God

“… who can stand before God, this holy God?...” 1 Samuel 6:19-20, The MSG

As a child God, not only can you stand before God, but you can stand with God as well.  My friend, God is with you, surrounding you, loving you… holding you.  So, never feel that you are alone or unworthy of our great God – you are made by Him, for Him, in His likeness, and in His perfection; you are made for greatness.  So, stand before Him and pour out your heart – He wants you to and He’s ready anytime you are.

Are you ready to listen

“… Speak, I’m your servant, ready to listen.” 1 Samuel 3:10, The MSG

Do you feel God trying to talk to you, lead you, counsel you…?  Do you have a tug on your heart but you are ignoring it?  If so, please stop and listen to Him; surrender to Him.  Not only will He keep you on the right path, but He’ll keep you from making some terrible mistakes and avoid learning lessons the hard way - the way too many of us have had to learn ourselves.

Give God all that you are

“… Hannah was praying in her heart, silently… pouring it out to God…” 1 Samuel 1:12-16, The Message

Pray with all that you are; pour out to God – mind, body, and soul – and let Him pour into you

When you give God all that you are, He’ll give you all that He is.

The leading actor

“If we want a life other than mere biology, we must deal with God.  There is no alternate way… for it is, after all, his story; none of us is the leading character in the story of our life.”  The Message, by Eugene H. Peterson, (pg. 392).

Yes, this is your life, however, it is God’s story, and he’s given you a roll in it.  So, since we are in his story, then we must always remember that  no matter how hard you try to take the leading roll, God will always be the actor that takes home the prize.

Children ~ God's gracious gift

"... By God's gracious gift she conceived and had a son." #Ruth 3:13, #The Message

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Children are gifts from #God.  Therefore, embrace them as such, and never, ever forget that when you look at them, you are looking at #God's work, #God's image, and #God's amazing gift.

God never walks out on us

Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Why, God bless that man! God hasn’t quite walked out on us after all! He still loves us, in bad times as well as good!” Ruth 2:20, The MSG

Bad times may seem devastating to us, but they are one of God's ways of bringing miracles in our lives.  Miracles that light up the darkness and change our lives forever.  No, bad times aren't easy, but if you keep your faith in God, the bad times will eventually become some of your most blessed times!  Remember, God will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5), so hold tight - your miracles are getting ready to shine through.

History in the making

“… We count – every last one of us – and what we do counts.” 

The Message, by Eugene H. Peterson, pg. 183.

We are all part of God’s story; each and every one of us has a specific roll.  You matter! So, live your life with all zeal, stay full of confidence, and know that God has a plan and a place just for you!

You, my friend, are history in the making.

 

Attack

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And God said, “Attack.  Tomorrow I’ll give you victory.” Judges 20:27-28, The MSG

When you are faced with the enemy, (sin, fear, hurt, death, disease, destruction, etc.), and all seems lost, don’t give up!  Keep attacking!  Keep fighting!  Keep moving forward!  Stand up to your enemy and know, that as God’s child, your victory is right around the corner.

God will bring the blessings

Micah said, “Now I know that God will make things go well for me – why, I’ve got a Levite for a priest!” Judges 17:13, The MSG

As a child of God, when He hears your cry for help, He goes to work; and whether it be the form of a person, or a place, or a thing, God will bring it to you, and that is when you will know that your prayers and dreams have been answered.

 

Alive again!

“… So God split open the rock basin in Lehi; water gushed out and Samson drank.  His spirit revived – he was alive again…!”  Judges 15:18-19, The MSG

When the blows of life knock you down, and you feel you can’t go on another moment, cry out to God!  He’ll do the miraculous to rescue you, and before you know it, you’ll be up and running - ALIVE - ready, once again, to take on the world.

You are God’s child and nothing the world does to you is too much for God to conquer!

Miracles are from God

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Miracles are from #God - #God is a miracle

Vengeance is for God

"God avenged the evil Abimelech had done..." Judges 9:56-57, The MSG

When God's children come under attack, it is only a matter of time before He comes in like a whirlwind and wipes the whole enemy out.  So, stand tall, and know that as God's child, the evil that comes against you will soon be defeated.

Don't give up - you can do it!

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"... They were bone-tired but still pressing the pursuit." Judges 8:4-5, The MSG

Like Gideon and his army, when you're on your way to victory, you will become worn out - dog-tired - but you must keep pressing forward because your victory lies closer than you think!  Don't give up, you can do it!

Do what you can do

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“But God faced him directly: “Go in this strength that is yours…” Judges 6:14, The MSG

 

If God tells you to, “Do!”, then do what you can do – God will take care of the rest.

God's covenant never breaks

God said, “… I’ll never break my covenant with you – never!...”

Judges 2:1-2, The MSG

No matter who you are, what you’ve done, where you’ve been, or the path you’re on right now, when you turn to God, He is right there, with arms wide open, waiting for you; it is never too late to change, and you are never too old to start anew.  So, now is your time, and today is your day; make a life-saving change and turn your life over to God!  I guarantee, your life is about to get  a whole lot more meaningful.

 

Be bold enough to decide right now.

"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve - and do it today... As for me and my family, we'll worship God."  Joshua 24:15, The MSG

Either you are in or you are out in worshiping God.  So, be bold enough to decide who you want to worship: the world, some other god, or the one and only - God... and be bold enough to decide right now.  

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Vigilantly guard your souls...

"Stay alert... stay strong and steady... Hold tight to God..." and "... vigilantly guard your souls: Love God, your God..." Joshua 23: 4-13, The MSG

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And God gave them rest...

"... And God gave them rest on all sides... Not a single one of their enemies was able to stand up to them... Not one word failed from all the good words God spoke... Everything came out right."  Joshua 21:43-45, The MSG

Rest, victory, and assurance are what you can count on when you listen to, follow, and carry out the words and plans of God.  One would have to be out of their mind to follow anyone or anything else. 

How long are you going to wait?

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“Joshua addressed the People of Israel: “How long are you going to sit around on your hands, putting off taking possession of the land that God, the God of your ancestors, has given you?...”

Joshua 18:3-5, The MSG

In the same way, how long before you, child of God, stand up and move forward with the plan that God has placed in your heart?  It is time, God is with you, and whatever you need to follow the dreams God has given you, He will provide.  This is your time, this is your God-given life, so start to live and enjoy the great blessings He has stored up just for you!

When God is with you

“… If God goes with me, I will drive them out, just as God said.” Joshua 14:6-12, The MSG

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With God before you, who can stand against you? (Romans 8:31).  Not one!  No man, woman, beast, burden, mountain, or challenge, can come against you with God on your side.  So, stand tall, hold tight to our amazing God, and move forward – you can do it – God is with you!

Your enemies don't stand a chance

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God said to him… “I myself will drive them out before the People of Israel…” Joshua 13:6-7, The MSG

God himself will drive out your enemies, all you have to do is trust Him, follow Him, and do what He leads you to do – He’ll take care of the rest.

Facing your fears

"... You won't be able to face your enemies until you have gotten rid of these cursed things... Don't be timid and don't so much as hesitate..." Joshua 7:13, 8:1 - The MSG

Until you rid yourself of sin (anger, hatred, lying, cheating, stealing, stinginess, selfishness, gluttony, etc.) you wont be able to stand up and defeat your fears, or enemies.  Therefore, if you want victory over your enemies and your fears, then first you must get rid of the sin in your life and repent for your wrongs - don't hesitate and don't be afraid, just do it.  No, it isn't easy, and it will take some strength and patience, but little by little, each step you take forward, God will take you two steps more.  So, trust in God, do not rely on yourself, and soon those enemies and fears will begin to turn and run as far as they can from you.

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Sanctify yourself

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"Then Joshua addressed the people: "Sanctify yourselves.  Tomorrow God will work miracle-wonders among you." Joshua 3:5, The MSG

God has so many  miracles awaiting each of us. However, until we sanctify ourselves, (purify, cleanse ourselves from sin, repent), then our miracles continue to await us, doing none of us any good.  Therefore, if you truly want the miracle workings of God to rain down in your life, then repentance with a sincere heart is a must.  So, take time now, (and everyday), and repent for your sins - once you do, the damns of sin will crumble and God's miracle waters will begin to flow.

Let's bring back America

“… Yes!  God has given the whole country to us…”  Joshua 2:23-24, The MSG

America, God has given us this country, so let’s do right by Him and make it what it should be:  a land of the free and a home of the brave; a land undivided; a land that never backs down, gives in, or falls into the pits of Hell… Let’s make it America again!!

Strength! Courage!

“… Strength!  Courage!  Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged.  God, your God, is with you every step you take.”  Joshua 1:1-9, The Message

You can do whatever you set your mind to - whatever God has placed in your heart!  So, Strength! Courage! Go for it! God is in control of it all, and with Him in the lead, your victory is guaranteed.

 

The apple of God's eye

“… God’s great love and purposes for us are worked out in the messes, storms and sins, blue skies, daily work, and dreams of our common lives, working with us as we are and not as we should be.” 

Introduction to Joshua, The Message

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Never think that you are not good enough for God, because you, my friend, in all your imperfections, are the apple of God’s eye.