ARISE & GO!

Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Joshua 1:2 KJV

Part 1: Moses died and the children of Israel had not yet entered the promised land. God made this promise to their forefathers that they would inherit the promised land. We know that God keeps His promises. That season with Moses had come to an end. It was a new season, a new era!

God always has a plan and a man to continue the work that He predestined. God knew Moses would die before they reach the promised land and therefore, Joshua, who was Moses assistant was in training. When God call us to lead, we are to also raise up other leaders, so the work can continue. As Joshua walked with Moses, God was training him to lead the children of Israel. Are you training others to continue the work? Are you in training to lead God’s people?

In the Kingdom of God, there must never be a lack of leadership. We see the same with Saul and David. When Saul disobeyed God, God already had David in mind to be the next King of Israel. Though it took years before David became King, God was already at work and prepared David for his role. And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons, 1 Samuel 16:1 KJV.

God told Joshua, ‘Arise!’. God told the prophet Samuel, ‘fill thine horn with oil, and GO!’. My sisters and brothers, there is no time to waste. The work of God must continue! God was with Joshua. God was with David. God is with you! The call to lead God’s people is not about us, but all about what God wants to accomplish. Therefore, when you are called to lead, you need not be afraid.

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, Joshua 1:5 KJV. Joshua had the backing of God and that was enough. ARISE! GO forth and do what God has called you to do. He is with you!

The Other Boats

“When evening came, He said to them, ‘Let’s go over to the other side.’ After dismissing the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.” - Mark 4:35–36 NASB

After a time of intense ministry, Yeshua and His disciples sailed for the other side of the lake. They were not alone, for “other boats were with Him.” But when Yeshua and the disciples arrived on the other side, the other boats were no longer with them. What happened? We certainly can imagine.

The boat carrying Yeshua and the disciples had been caught up in a storm so violent that even seasoned fishermen feared for their lives. Perhaps the “other boats” had turned back, unwilling to face the storm, unwilling to risk all to follow Yeshua.

Will you head back to the safety of the shore like the other boats did, or will you count on Jesus to get you through the storm?

We might think of this storm as a test. Were the people in the other boats committed to follow Him anywhere…to trust Him even during trials and troubles? Apparently not.

Throughout Yeshua’ ministry, He encountered many people who followed Him for a time, wanting to see miracles and curious about His teachings. But over time, they fell away. When Yeshua shared the high cost of being His disciple, many “left, and would no longer walk with Him” (John 6:66).

Even today, many people claim to be “Christians” and say they believe in Yeshua. But what happens when they go through storms or experience trouble? You guessed it…many are not willing to follow Him when the going gets tough.

Make a radical commitment to follow Yeshua. Don’t hold back. Commit everything to stay with Him.

Lord Yeshua, I want to follow You as Your disciple, no matter the cost. Give me the boldness to stand firm in troubled, stormy times. Grant me the Grace to endure and I will go where You lead. In Your Name, I ask. Amen.

Throw It Down

“Then the Lord asked him, ‘What is that in your hand?” – Exodus 4:2 NLT

The Bible says: “Then the Lord asked him, ‘What is that in your hand?” ‘A Shepherd’s staff; Moses replied. ‘Throw it down on the ground; the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back. Then the Lord told him, ‘Reach out and grab its tail.’ So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it turned back into a shepherd’s staff in his hand” (vs. 2-4). Are you ready to leave your comfort zone?

God instructed Moses to go back to Egypt and tell Pharoah to set the children of Israel free. “Take your shepherd’s staff with you and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you” (v. 17). It represented his security. It gave him physical security from wild animals. It gave him financial security…his sheep were his financial asset.

Moses’ staff also identified him as a shepherd. This experience marked the ending of one season in his life, and the beginning of another. The staff Moses threw down had been used to tend sheep, but the one he picked up would be used to part the waters of the Red Sea and lead God’s people to the promised land. Is God asking you to throw down that which represents your security and your identity? Don’t be afraid of it!

What you get back will be greater than anything you are aske to give up. The only way you find your new identity is by letting go of your old one. The only way you will find your security in Christ is by throwing down the human securities you cling to. So, make up your mind to throw it down.