Heading into today, Sunday, a day of rest and a day to celebrate and worship. A time to lean into God and allow Him to fill you up as your rest in Him. It’s a day to worship God for all He has done and is in the process of doing. A day to celebrate His handywork as our church celebrates 60 years of ministry in the community and 25 years of our lead pastor serving. So today, I turn to God’s Word and look forward to going into His house with expectancy and joy because I know He is working all thing for good because I love Him and am pursuing His purpose.
Renewing Strength in Rest
As we approach this day of rest and celebration, let us be reminded of the biblical principle of resting in the Lord and anticipating His blessings with expectancy. In Isaiah 40:31, we are encouraged to “wait upon the Lord” and that those who do so will “renew their strength” and “mount up with wings like eagles.” This verse reminds us that as we rest in God, He will renew our strength and empower us to soar above life’s challenges.
Key Takeaway:
Resting in the Lord involves trusting in His timing and provision, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises. By embracing a posture of expectancy, we position ourselves to receive the abundant blessings that God has in store for us.
Application:
Today, as we gather to celebrate milestones in our church community, let us approach God with hearts full of gratitude and anticipation. Let us worship Him with joyful hearts, knowing that He is the source of all blessings and that He delights in the celebration of His people. As we rest in His presence, may we be reminded of His faithfulness throughout the past 60 years of ministry and the 25 years of our lead pastor’s service. Let us also look ahead with expectancy, trusting that God will continue to work miracles in our midst as we faithfully pursue His purpose.
Casting Cares for His Peace
In Philippians 4:6-7, we are instructed to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This passage reminds us that as we rest in God and present our requests to Him with thanksgiving, He will grant us His peace that surpasses all understanding.
Key Takeaway:
Resting in the Lord involves surrendering our worries and anxieties to Him in prayer, trusting that He will provide for our needs and grant us His peace.
Application:
Today, let us cast our cares upon the Lord and trust in His provision for our church community and our personal lives. As we celebrate and worship together, let us lift up our prayers and petitions with hearts full of thanksgiving, knowing that God hears us and will answer according to His perfect will. Let us rest in the assurance that His peace will guard our hearts and minds as we continue to lean on Him in faith.
Celebrating with Faithful Expectancy
In Hebrews 11:1, we learn that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This verse highlights the importance of having faith and expectancy in God’s promises, even when we cannot yet see their fulfillment. As we gather to celebrate today, let us remember the faithfulness of God throughout history and in our own lives. Let us hold fast to the belief that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) and that He will fulfill His plans for our church and our individual journeys.
Key Takeaway:
Resting and celebrating with expectancy requires unwavering faith in God’s promises, even in the face of uncertainty.
Application:
Today, let us strengthen our faith by reflecting on the ways God has shown Himself faithful in the past and by meditating on His promises for the future. Let us celebrate with hearts full of expectancy, knowing that God is at work in our midst and that He will continue to lead us into His purposes. As we rest in His promises and celebrate His goodness, may our faith be renewed, and our hearts filled with joyful anticipation for all that He has in store.
Today’s Reading:
My Notes:
As we start today what better place to start than in God’s Word. God’s Word is active and alive so rather than just using my notes use the links above to get to hear what He has to tell you since His Word never returns void. His Word is able to the core of the situation and as such by going to His Word rather than trying to figure it out on our own using some self-help book, we can receive teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that you may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Joshua 4: Trusting in God’s Provision
We witness the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites. As they stepped into the riverbed, the waters parted, allowing them to pass on dry ground. This event serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and His ability to make a way where there seems to be no way. Just as the Israelites trusted in God’s provision and followed His instructions, we too can rest in the assurance that He will lead us through the challenges we face, providing strength and guidance along the way.
Key Takeaway:
Trusting in God’s provision and following His guidance leads to miraculous breakthroughs and victories in our lives.
Application:
As we face uncertainties in our job search or any other endeavor, let us trust in God’s faithfulness and step out in obedience to His leading. Let us not be discouraged by obstacles but instead look to God with expectancy, knowing that He is able to make a way for us. By resting in His promises and following His guidance, we can move forward with confidence, knowing that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
- Memorial Stones from Jordan
Joshua 5: Celebrating God’s Faithfulness
We see the Israelites celebrate the Passover in the Promised Land, marking a new beginning for them as they entered into the land flowing with milk and honey. This celebration served as a reminder of God’s deliverance and faithfulness throughout their journey. Similarly, as we celebrate milestones and victories in our lives, we should take time to reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness, offering Him thanksgiving and praise for His provision and guidance.
Key Takeaway:
Celebrating milestones and victories in our journey reminds us of God’s faithfulness and strengthens our faith for the future.
Application:
As we celebrate today, let us not forget to give thanks to God for His faithfulness and provision in our lives. Let us take time to reflect on His goodness and mercy, acknowledging His hand at work in every aspect of our journey. By cultivating a heart of gratitude and celebration, we can experience His presence in a deeper way and be filled with renewed hope and expectancy for the future.
- Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal
- The Fall of Jericho
Joshua 6: Faith and Obedience
We read about the fall of Jericho, a city with seemingly impenetrable walls. Despite the odds, the Israelites followed God’s unconventional instructions, marching around the city for seven days until the walls came crashing down. This victory serves as a powerful testament to the importance of faith and obedience in experiencing God’s miraculous intervention. Just as the Israelites trusted in God’s plan and followed His instructions, we too can rest in His promises and step out in faith, knowing that He is able to accomplish the impossible.
Key Takeaway:
Faith and obedience are essential for experiencing God’s miraculous intervention in our lives.
Application:
As we face challenges and uncertainties in our job search or any other aspect of our lives, let us trust in God’s plan and follow His leading with unwavering faith. Let us not be swayed by doubt or fear but instead stand firm on His promises, knowing that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). By resting in His promises and stepping out in faith, we can experience His miraculous provision and breakthroughs in our lives.
- The Conquest of Jericho
Embracing Rest, Celebration, and Expectancy in God’s Faithfulness
As we embark on this day of rest and celebration, let us anchor ourselves in the truth of God’s Word and the promises He has given us. Today is not merely a pause in our busy lives, but an opportunity to lean into God’s presence, allowing Him to fill us with His peace and strength. We stand on the brink of a new week, facing challenges and uncertainties, yet we do so with hearts full of expectancy and joy, knowing that God is working all things together for our good because we love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
In our journey of faith, we are reminded of the importance of resting in the Lord and trusting in His provision. Just as the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground, we too can trust that God will make a way for us, even in the midst of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. By resting in His promises and embracing a posture of expectancy, we position ourselves to receive the abundant blessings that God has in store for us. Let us approach this day with hearts full of gratitude and anticipation, celebrating God’s faithfulness throughout the past and looking ahead with faith for the future.
As we cast our cares upon the Lord and present our requests to Him with thanksgiving, we experience His peace that surpasses all understanding. In the face of uncertainty, let us surrender our worries and anxieties to God in prayer, knowing that He hears us and will provide for our needs. Today, as we celebrate milestones and victories, let us not forget to give thanks to God for His faithfulness and provision in our lives. By cultivating a heart of gratitude and celebration, we can experience His presence in a deeper way and be filled with renewed hope and expectancy for the future.
In our journey of faith, let us be inspired by the example of the Israelites as they marched around the walls of Jericho in faith and obedience. Just as God brought down the walls of Jericho, He is able to accomplish the impossible in our lives when we trust in His plan and follow His leading. As we step into the new week, let us rest in God’s promises and step out in faith, knowing that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. With hearts full of expectancy and joy, let us celebrate His goodness and look forward to the miraculous breakthroughs He has in store for us.
Today is a day that thanks to Jesus is filled with inspiration. So let us make sure we receive the gift of grace through Jesus by faith in Him and step up and out to accomplish all the good works He has prepared in advance for us to accomplish. If you haven’t received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not choose today to be the day your life is transformed and you become a new creation and start the journey of becoming everything God created, purposed, and planned for you to be?
Let’s pray:
God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 