YES FATHER!: A LESSON FROM JOSHUA!

YES FATHER!: A LESSON FROM JOSHUA

I read a really inspiring devotional the other day. It was so inspiring that I decided to share it with you and some of my thoughts. Maybe, it will cause you to stop and say hmmm!

In our modern world- getting people to obey isn't easy! People say:

• You're not my Mom/Dad/Brother/Sister/Teacher/Boss/etc, you can't tell me what to do!
• I just want to be me.
• I don't want to include the 'to love, honour and obey' phrase in my wedding vows. 
• Frank Sinatra's famous song 'My Way' is my favourite song. 

In fact, just recently, the iconic tennis player- Serena Williams, 'evolved/retired' from professional tennis. She has had a truly amazing career. In an effort to honour her, one of her sponsors (Nike) produced a new commercial. And what was the tag line? 'By changing nothing, she changed everything.'

It's so easy and satisfying to embrace this modern life of self-centered independence! But, I believe that this approach to life can make our walk with God harder! 

The ability to OBEY is a critically important skill for the true believer to develop.

As you read this edited and condensed version of Pastor Boodram's devotional, ask yourself how often do you say: 'Yes Father' to whatever the Holy Spirit has called you to do? It doesn't matter if you have been called to do something that is unpopular. Or new. Or unusual. Our obedience to our Father's will is a good thing and a good habit to develop!

I hope that you enjoy this devotional and that it inspires you to be courageous for God.

PASTOR D. BOODRAM DEVOTIONAL

29/8/2022...A Prayer and thought to 'Stay The Course'

The battle of Jericho has become a favorite Bible story in our house. This comes as no surprise as we have an almost 5-year-old little boy! We read the story, sing the song, and act out the walls tumbling down. And while this story easily captures the hearts of little ones, its incredible theme of obedience often falls to the wayside as we grow older.

For some back story and context, Joshua was the one whom God appointed to lead the Israelites (God’s chosen people) into the Promised Land after Moses passed away. You’ll see in the opening chapter a command of the Lord given to Joshua that most Christians are very familiar with.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

This may be the most memorable part of the entire life of Joshua next to the walls of Jericho tumbling down. Why? I believe it’s because we, too, need this reminder as we navigate the places God calls us to go. Whether that is the mission field across the world, within your church, or within your home.

We must be both strong and courageous: Strong and steadfast in our faith as we trust God’s promises. Courageous as we walk into the unknown with God who knows fully. We must be obedient and willing. Obedient to follow the call no matter what. Willing to surrender the way in which we think things should go. We must be unafraid and stand against dismay by standing upon the living, active Word of God.

As Joshua’s story unfolds, we see many other stories unfold within it. We see God’s people choosing to live out the very same words He commanded of Joshua. We see this in the obedience of Rehab the prostitute, the two spies sent into Jericho, and the whole people of God who faithfully marched around the city for seven days.

I feel both encouraged and enlightened when I read God's word, but I also felt deep conviction. Am I living like the people of God in Joshua’s day in my present circumstances? Am I genuinely seeking to be strong and courageous in Christ, or do I choose the more comfortable route? What took place before and at the Battle of Jericho was anything but comfortable. It took an enormous amount of faith and trust in the Lord to do all He had commanded. Not only that, but once those walls came tumbling down, God was only getting started.

We have 18 more chapters of watching God command His people to obey, submit, be strong, and stand firm. You will see the wrath of God, the love of God, and the leading of God on display in ways that will cause you to look at how you live for Him.

Do we live strong and courageous? Or do we live so comfortably and content that we pass right by where God is directing us? Do we store up things that God tells us lead to destruction? Or do we live from a posture of knowing we can trust our Heavenly Father, who holds all things and knows all things? 

When we trust God as we live our daily lives, our discipleship walk and our decisions and our burdens becomes much lighter.

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HARVEST TIME Prophecies’ is the blog post site of TNG Academy. Our blog post site gets its name from Matthew 13:30- the separation of wheat and tares that occurs at harvest time (i.e. the endtimes). Remember, the ‘wheat’ symbolises the things of God and the ‘tares’ symbolise the things of the devil.

The purpose of this blog is threefold.

1. Some of the posts are written to help the reader develop a deeper understanding of the theology of Christ’s core message- i.e. the ‘gospel of the kingdom’.

2. Some of the posts are written for the reader’s personal discipleship journey. We need to understand what God expects from us. After all, all believers should be on a journey of ‘becoming’ our best selves, capable of impacting and changing the world!

3. Finally, some of the posts are written to answer this question:

    What would our faith look like today IF we had fully embraced Christ’s doctrines, as recorded by His Apostles, and rejected the doctrines of Paul and the other false apostles?

If we are sincere about our desire to restore Christianity to its roots, i.e. a return to Christ’s original message, then we must start by admitting that ‘while men slept’ (Matthew 13:25) the enemy planted false teachings (tares) into the New Testament!

Visit our website- WWW.TNGACADEMY.ORG, to see our Bible study books. Which books would I recommend for you to read first? Start with these three-

• WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
• MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN!
• THE APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURES.

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