We often hear the saying, “Everything happens for a reason”.  These words we hear often when someone is suffering.  We try to explain or give reason to the suffering.  The all-encompassing “everything happens for a reason” is the answer. There are issues with this statement:  it takes personal responsibility out of the equation and makes God responsible for everyone’s actions.  At the heart of this statement is our belief about God’s sovereignty and the role we play in our decisions. 

 Scripture - Deuteronomy 30:19-20a

We often hear the saying, “Everything happens for a reason”.  These words we hear often when someone is suffering.  We try to explain or give reason to the suffering.  The all-encompassing “everything happens for a reason” is the answer. There are issues with this statement:  it takes personal responsibility out of the equation and makes God responsible for everyone’s actions.  At the heart of this statement is our belief about God’s sovereignty and the role we play in our decisions. 

 Scripture - Deuteronomy 30:19-20a

Life is hard.  There are challenges.  We seek to comfort and help each other.  An often-spoken saying in such times is that “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.”  No, scripture does not say that God will not give us more than we can handle, yet Jesus speaks to trouble in the world and how we can overcome it.  

Scripture - John 16:29-33

Missions Sunday

Scripture - Mark 10: 35-45 NIV

Missions Sunday

Scripture - Mark 10:35-45 NIV

Joshua sums up his purpose by saying “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua has been a spy, a patient assistant officer in the wilderness, a conquering commander, and now he will oversee the creation of a nation. In each era of his life, however, his purpose is the same:  to serve the Lord with all he can control. Even after all the ways Joshua has led the Hebrew people, he recognizes he does not have the power to force them to serve the Lord. The only thing Joshua can control is that he and his household serve the Lord.

What can you control and what do you need to release to God so that you can live our your life’s purpose?

The name “Jesus” is a Greek translation of the Hebrew name Joshua. Just as Joshua led the Hebrew people into the promised land, Jesus leads us into the promised land of abundant and eternal life.

How can you follow where Jesus is leading?

Joshua sums up his purpose by saying “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua has been a spy, a patient assistant officer in the wilderness, a conquering commander, and now he will oversee the creation of a nation. In each era of his life, however, his purpose is the same:  to serve the Lord with all he can control. Even after all the ways Joshua has led the Hebrew people, he recognizes he does not have the power to force them to serve the Lord. The only thing Joshua can control is that he and his household serve the Lord.

What can you control and what do you need to release to God so that you can live our your life’s purpose?

The name “Jesus” is a Greek translation of the Hebrew name Joshua. Just as Joshua led the Hebrew people into the promised land, Jesus leads us into the promised land of abundant and eternal life.

How can you follow where Jesus is leading?

Scripture - Joshua 24:14-15

Joshua defeated the city of Jericho by following a plan for the battle given to him by God. God has given us a plan to help us live victoriously in our lives. God’s plan includes weekly worship (Sabbath), daily scripture reading & prayer, tithing & generous giving, serving others, and sharing Christ by telling our story and inviting others into relationship with God & the church. Moreover, sometimes in our individual lives it is through following God’s plan for us that we ultimately discover God’s purpose.

As you being the new year, what are the priorities (or prior commitments) you want to put in place to help you faithfully follow God’s plan and discover your purpose? What do you need to do for your physical health (treating your body as a temple), relational health, spiritual health, emotional health? Do you have a plan for making your priorities a reality?

Scripture - Joshua 6 – selected verses

As the Hebrew people neared the promised land they sent spies to scout the land. The spies reported that it was a beautiful fertile land flowing with milk and honey. The majority of the spies reported back that the people of the land were too big, strong, and numerous for them to defeat. A small minority report was given by two spies (including Joshua). They believed the people should enter the land and that God would deliver the land into their possession. The people did  not listen to the minority report and because of their lack of faith wandered in the wilderness for another 40 years before they entered the promised land.

Scripture - Numbers 14:1-10