Have you ever felt like there was this giant eraser machine erasing everything that you read in God's word shortly after you got busy with your day? I sure have. How frustrating all the more when we come across passages that exhort us to remember God's word, to meditate on it and not to forget what he was said. If only there was a way to conquer that eraser machine! There's is and it's really simple. Write the praise phrase you picked today on a 3x5 card and carry it with you. Look at it a few times during your day and pray it into your soul. Want to really start to embed what you read? Keep adding praise phrases each day to that 3x5 card. That way you can review what God impressed upon you over the past several days. Just start a new card when one gets filled up. Try it, you'll really like it! (It comes with a money back guarantee:) Speaking of money, how much money would it take for you to do the 3x5 card routine for the rest of this month? Then do it. Ps.119:72. You'll like it and never go back to the old blackboard eraser days. The cool thing about this is that it also makes it easy share with your family and others what you've been gleaning from God's word. Just pull out your card. No more forgetting due to the giant eraser machine! Use this 3x5 system until you find something that works better for you. Then share it with us. It might be writing it in your daily journal or using some app on your smart phone. The key is to look at it a few times a day. That's what I like about having the 3x5 right in my shirt pocket. Try putting a hash mark on the card each time you pull it out to look at it. Challenge yourself and reap the great benefits God wants to bring in your relationship with Him.
1. Read Joshua 1:1-9. Joshua had far greater responsibilities on his shoulders than any of us. He had just been given the command of leading over 600,000 men, plus women and children into heavily fortified enemy territory. He certainly didn't have time to waste. But note what God said was mission critical for his success. What excuses do you think your proteges might give for skipping this daily priority for success? Share your thoughts in the "Post a Comment" below, then hit Publish.
Can we claim God's promise given in Joshua 1:8? Click the link to watch the following 4 minute video and discover the answer.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/video/how-does-god-s-guarantee-of-success-to-joshua-carry-over-to-modern-day-christians.html
Tomorrow, you'll see your name and points you put up for yourself and the team on our scoreboard.
Note: Since the scoreboard guy doesn't want to stay up late each night waiting for the last person to post his comments, there will be a 2 day delay. So Monday's totals will appear tomorrow :)
Yes, I have listed Joshua 1:8. God calls us to stay in his word always, not just to read it but to meditate on it and live by his word always. To be obedient to his word and faithfully follow it as we follow Jesus.
ReplyDeleteProteges might use time as an excuse which is not valid--as we are to meditate always on the word in order to live and act appropriately according to it and carefully do everything written in it to succeed in all that we do and lead others by what we say and most of all do.
Right on Jack!
ReplyDeleteWrote it on a flashcard. Love Joshua 1. One of my favorite chapters as a young leader. I do agree that we are not Joshua, but I do believe that if we meditate on His commandments and His ways we will be prosperous and successful. We see it in the general truths in the Proverbs. But yes it is the definition of success. It is not necessarily read the bible and we will receive good health, a big bank account, and be famous, but I believe it is read God's word, know God's ways, hear God's voice, see God's heart and we can do well with living a life worthy of the Gospel, having our lives point to Him. That is success.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Glad to also read your thoughts from watching the video.
DeleteI did write Joshua 1:8 on a card to take along with me all day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great promise from God that we will experience success if we continually follow and not depart from His word.
Not success as I would probably define it (good job, etc.) but rather success in accomplishing His will in my life.
Its all about him and his will---thanks for your thoughts Roger and being part of this group of MANLY men
DeleteExcellent Roger! I hope you find the card helpful as I do.
DeleteA protege might have a different definition for success thus will not make the time to spend it in the word. Because his goal in life might be something other than honoring God.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right. O that my focus of success would always be to please you O Lord.
DeleteWhat excuses do you think your proteges might give for skipping this daily priority for success? Life is too busy. Work, family and alone time is in the way. Laziness is at the top of the list.
ReplyDeleteI completed the Joshua 1:8 verse down on a paper due to I don't have any 3x5 cards at this time.
Very good Mike! So glad to have you on the team. You also get an A for persevering through the roadblocks to publishing :)
ReplyDelete1) Some excuses for skipping this important daily priority for success from a protege could be: "I was going to do it later but ..." "I was too tired" "I didn't have my Bible with me."
ReplyDelete2) Writing out Joshua 1:8 on an index card - Did it. (This was something I have done in the past. Sometimes I managed to keep it long enough until the paper was too worn out to read it. Frequently it ended up getting washed with the clothes.)
Ah,Dave, you made my smile and laugh re. the card getting faded or washed in the laundry. That's actually a beautiful thing that you kept the card for so long. It also let's others know that this approach works and is used by good and godly men.
Delete... Late in the day, but "did it". I don't know about what a protege might say, but MY excuse today was/is... I had fires to put out at work and my schedule is so busy... Blah blah blah. This accountabiility thing is working, though! Love the wake up call for me about Joshua having way more going on and at stake then 'overwhelmed me'
ReplyDeleteWay to go Daniel! I heard one expert coach on time management say that his life is a whirlwind, but the morning and evening are the bookends of the day that he has far more control over. You did it! Hope the 3x5 card or some such works well for you.
DeleteI have used Color Note app on my phone for the verse. I take that thing everywhere. It also lets me set alarm so I don't forget.
ReplyDeleteExcuses that can be given are numerous, but with consequences and our willingness not to except them should be greater.
Success or "The value of a life is measured by how much it is given away ,,, to the generation behind us" -Andy Stanley
Thank you Dave for your time and effort that you have put it. Thank you for positively shaping us. Thank you brothers for posting your thoughts. God bless you all.
Thank you Sam! Great quote from Andy Stanley. Cool use of your phone. Way to go!
DeleteSorry its late:
ReplyDeletea. In my perspective the excuses can openly come from the fear of the task rather than the fear of the Lord. I always begin to pay much more attention when things are re-iterated by God in His word. As He speaks to Joshua there are many places for new believers and young ones to not want to charge to battle however God is giving the commandment to “be strong and courageous,” verse 6; be strong and very courageous,” verse 7; :Be strong and courageous.” verse 9. There is a calling for us that will require more than just willingness in the flesh.
So to that I wrote Joshua 1:8, believing that there will be success in this group team and church for our goal. And with that foundation we can be fearless against a seeming challenge
Way to go Gary! Great thoughts!
DeleteNice G! Be strong today brother.
DeleteSorry I'm so late, but I wrote Joshua 1:8 on a 3x5 card. I would think maybe if a protégé does their devotion at night that it may be an excuse to not do it if they got tired and forgot.
ReplyDelete- I never thought about writing out Gods word like this to carry it around with me. I have often desired to have God sanctify my thought life more and have prayed to that end. This new found tool of carrying it around and meditating on it, especially during those times where my thoughts wander into places they shouldn't, is very refreshing to me and I am excited to see how God uses this in my life.
- I belive it is always good to read the context of a passage, especially if we are claiming for ourselves in this day and age. I do belive that the personal relational benefits that Joshua had success in with God is directly applicable to us as believers today.
Definitely noting that Dave, now I understand what you meant on 3×5 card. Right now don't have one but will note Joshua 1-8 and praise worship on sticky note app for now.
ReplyDelete1. Proteges excuses: too many to list! My response, "Be a Man, be strong and courageous, after all, this is literally "MANLY Mentoring" :) (In Love, of course :)
ReplyDelete2. Did it
Excellent Israel! So glad to have you on the team!
ReplyDeleteProteges excuses:
ReplyDelete1. Don't have time
2. Don't have support at home
3. Fear response ("Flight" in particular)
Interesting, Joshua was trained to the "tee" for the task of leading God's people and still the LORD had to exhort him to "not be afraid" and to "be courageous". This is interesting as we too like Joshua are "fleshy"; meaning that even when the situation is in our favor we must still quite our fear and follow the LORD's prompt!
So true Alvin and so good to have you with us!
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