Reading: Psalm 52:1-9
David was always thinking and visioning. He always strove to keep things improving and at peace. Even when David faced hardship and setbacks, he turned to God and trusted in Him. In the midst of chaos, David could keep putting forth the passion and vision of his heart, and put his full trust in God's mercy and love. We can take great example from David when it came to flourishing through the storms and chaos of life. Many times we just want to throw in the towel when hard stuff comes, but David took it and learned from it, then applied it. When we follow this example of David in the hard times, and be like the "flourishing olive tree in the house of God," we can be a blessing to those around us, as well as a strong asset to God. Take those hardships and grow from them. Apply those lessons to your life and continue to flourish in God's grace, not letting the opposition get you down.
Reading: Luke 24:36-53
We can be encouraged that Jesus is alive and with us today. Though many have their doubts, as the disciples in this reading do, Jesus proves Himself to them. He challenges them to carry on the Word and the good news of His grace. He blesses them and opens their eyes to the scriptures as He ascends into heaven, leaving the disciples and His followers to take the next step. Jesus has left us with a very important challenge and call. We are to take His message to all nations. Though this challenge seems like the end of the story, it is merely the end of part of the series. We are the next chapter, the plan A in a message with no plan B. Knowing that God is depending on us to carry out His message is huge, but we are never alone. He promises the Holy Spirit and to give us the words when we need them, as well as to never leave us.
We need to get out there and go hard for Him, expressing this great joy to everyone. The disciples were bursting with joy after Jesus ascended into heaven, and they worshiped Him. May we find the same awe and joy in Him today as those disciples felt then, as we feel empowered to go and proclaim His message everywhere to everyone.
Reading: Joshua 13:1-14:15
Though Joshua was near the end of his life, as God said he had lived a long and prosperous life, but there was still much land to be taken. One thing we learn by many great people in the Bible and throughout history is that the ones who go hard for Christ are the ones who will always have an unfinished agenda. If you think about it, all Christians who strive to get the good news out and pass it from nation to nation will have unfinished agendas, but they will leave a legacy to keep it going after them. I think of this in the instance of our pastor who passed away last week. He had a sold out, passion for reaching the lost. He challenged his congregation to be the light and follow the light. And now that he has passed on, our congregation has taken these directions very seriously, as we revision and let go of the things that aren't helping our mission of reaching the lost. This take growing pains and there will always be unhappy people, wanting the old ways, but in the end the impact will be so great that it won't matter. Lost people will be reached in our community because of the legacy our leader left for us.
The same went for Moses as he passed his legacy on the Caleb and Joshua, and the same will go for them when they pass in our reading. But great leaders will never finish their agendas, however, they will pass it down and keep the ball rolling. Go hard to be the example to keep that ball rolling.
How do you go hard for God? In the midst of struggles and opposition, do you continue to be a flourishing, fruitful vessel for Him? When you feel like all hope is lost and that you just can't carry on, remember what Jesus did, and the challenge He laid out for us as He went up into heaven. And though Joshua was at the end of his life, he left the legacy of continuing to take the land. Good leader and people that go hard will be a strong influence to keep the ball rolling for God. Go hard and leave that legacy!
(Photo/Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5IPf6d_02g)
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