Believing God with All My Heart!
I sometimes feel like Moses, wandering in the desert, questioning God and His plan for my life. However, my heart yearns to be more like Joshua’s. I want to be courageous like Joshua. If you ever have time, I encourage you to read the entire book of Joshua. He believed God with all his heart and did not question God; even when He told Joshua to march around the walls of Jericho to bring the city to its knees (Joshua 6).
My favorite verses from Joshua are from the first chapter; God just called Joshua to lead His people to the promised land:
Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 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 good success. Have I not commanded you? 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 1:6-9 ESV ~ emphasis mine)
My word for 2014 is courage! I want to follow my dream God has given me so many years ago. I have abandoned my dream a couple of times. The other morning, Rick Warren’s devotion made it very clear why things haven’t worked out. Because I never truly surrendered my dream to God. I was trying to do things my own way.
Rick Warren writes:
God typically takes your dream through six different stages:
God gives you a dream.
You decide to go after the dream.
Your dream is delayed.
Your dream encounters difficulties.
Your dream hits a dead end.
God delivers your dream.
Copyright © Rick Warren – 01/04/14
Honestly, I have went through the first 5 stages over the last 5 years with my photography. In 2014 I am surrendering my dream to God and believe with all my heart that God will be with me wherever I go. I will be courageous like Joshua, and let God lead me to make my dream reality.
Lord of mercy and grace. Thank You for being patient with me over the last 5 years. Lord, I am surrendering my dream completely to You. I believe with all my heart that You will go with me wherever I go. Lord, give me courage to step out in faith. I am trusting in Your mercy. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Photo and Content Copyright © – Iris Nelson
Isn’t it wonderful to know that with God guiding us, we can accomplish our dreams? Love this,Iris. One of my dreams is coming true too,thanks to this blog. 🙂
Timely words, Iris. Thank you for the encouragement.
Just what I needed today, Iris.
So encouraging Iris. This is making me think about dreams in my own life. And thanks for the suggestion to read through Joshua.
God bless, Bethany
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