Consider this site for your holiday shopping.

www.itsagodthing.biz
Thank you for visiting...

Strength and Courage

This week I am studying Joshua. The thing that struck me first is how God commands Joshua to be strong and have courage. He wasn't necessarily already strong and courageous when he became the leader of Israel. He was just obedient. In Joshua 1:9 God says, "Be strong and courageous" and them he tells Joshua why "for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

In the previous verse, God tells Joshua "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success."

By obeying and trusting God, Joshua became strong and courageous, prosperous and successful. Shouldn't I do the same? Shouldn't we all?

A New Season

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Cooler weather promises a break from the heat; it makes me more energetic and eager for all of the wonderful holidays and traditions that this season kicks-off.

It reminds us that everything has its own season and that all things are temporary. This is a new season in life for me. I'm starting a new venture and that has me racing around, writing down ideas, researching, working, and creating new ideas both day and night.

It also reminds me of my seasons with God. True, He's a God that never changes - His love is constant and unconditional (thank goodness for that); but I am an ever-changing creature. I ebb and flow. My relationship with God depends on how much time and effort I put into it. Am I too busy for God or do I give him the time and attention He deserves? How about you? One of the most wonderful things about God is He is always there. When we realize we've strayed away from Him, we always know exactly where to find Him.

Getting Ready...

As I'm working on our website, I'm thinking of new beginnings and getting prepared. This month I started a new Bible study called The Amazing Collection. It's a fantastic journey through the Bible book by book. In Genesis, I learned how God was already pointing the way to Christ. When Adam and Eve sinned God sacrificed an animal - spilt innocent blood - and covered their shame. When the people of the earth had turned away from God and He decided to destroy the earth, He still provided a way to salvation in the form of an Ark. For 120 years as Noah labored away, he told everyone to get ready, a flood was coming and this was the only way out.

I'm excited to see how God pointed the way to His perfect gift of redemption throughout each book of the Bible. That gift of redemption is His son, Jesus; it is available to all who accept it - no matter the color of our skin, the religion we were born into or even our sexual orientation. We can do nothing to earn it - we simply aren't good enough - all we can do is accept it.