7-28-20 Today in the Word

COURAGE FOR THE QUEST
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 | Joshua 23
 
GOOD AND GODLY LEADERS

Our second child was born the day Billy Graham died. I still remember being in the hospital room as the breaking news of Graham’s death was reported. Understandably, I only heard a small portion of the tributes that poured in on that day, but there was no doubt that the famed evangelist lived a life worth remembering. He was faithful to God until the end.
In our text today, Joshua was approaching his personal finish line. Before his time on earth was over, he reminded the people that good leaders are first and foremost godly leaders. First, he gave God all the credit for how far they had come (v. 3). Then, he reminded the people that the Lord had fulfilled all His promises by fighting for them and giving them their inheritance (vv. 4–5).
The rest of the passage contains well-learned lessons on leadership. A godly leader is to be in God’s Word and do what it says. It does little good if one knows what the commandments are but then turns from them (vv. 6, 16). Joshua also warned leaders not to associate with pagan worshipers. As a young nation, he wanted his followers to remain steadfast in their commitment to the Lord and not be persuaded by outside teachings (vv. 7–8, 12–13).
As Joshua reflected on his years of walking with the Lord, the last lesson he taught the people of Israel was that remaining faithful to God is a lifelong pursuit. It is easy to give in to the lies of the enemy. But good leaders are also godly leaders. They are not just godly for a moment, but their entire lives are led by God and His Word.
>> Whether you realize it or not, you are a leader! In your business, your neighborhood, or your family, you have the potential to influence those around you. Knowingly or unknowingly people watch you. They see how you conduct yourself. Make it your goal to be a godly leader.
PRAY WITH US
As we read Joshua’s instructions on godly leadership today, it’s a good time to review the lessons we’ve learned from Joshua’s quest. Ask the Lord to show you how to be a godly leader.
This month's devotional is written by Chris Rappazini. Chris Rappazini is the associate professor and program head of the BA and MA in Pastoral Studies at Moody Bible Institute and Moody Theological Seminary. He is the vice president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and previously served as the associate minister of preaching and teaching at Southside Christian Church in Spokane, Washington. Chris and his wife, Ashley, and their three children reside in Northwest Indiana.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9-17-23 It's Coming

It Is Coming - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2022/12/24/it-is-coming-by-daymond-duck/ On Dec. 17, 2022, it was reported that Rep. David Cicilline, a Democrat from Rhode Island, has introduced legislation to permanently bar former Pres. Trump from running for president again, and 40 Democrats have signed on. Cicilline is accusing Trump of orchestrating an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. At the time of this writing, it is debatable as to whether Cicilline’s legislation will get voted on before the new Congress takes office in 2023, but some conservatives have said from the beginning that the main purpose of the Jan. 6 fake show-trial was to stop Trump from being elected again. Some, including this writer, have said there is no telling what the U.S. shadow government will do to prevent making America great again (MAGA) because they want to surrender the sovereignty of the U.S. to the New World Order (coming world government). It was easy to see this comi
Read more

9-16-23 Little-Known Prophecies of Christmas, Pt 3: Genesis 17:19

Little-Known Prophecies of Christmas, Pt 3: Genesis 17:19 :: By Paul J. Scharf Published on: December 24, 2022 by RR10 Category:General Articles The Messiah was a descendant of Abraham. More than that, we considered last time how He was, in fact, promised within the covenant that God made with Abram (Gen. 12:1-3). According to the Apostle Paul in Gal. 3:16 and 19, He is the ultimate recipient of that covenant! Our Savior Jesus Christ is finally the One through whom “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). Paul also quoted and discussed that portion of the covenant in Gal. 3:8-9. We ended last time with the realization that the promised Messiah would be the final Davidic king over Israel. As declared then, however, there are several intermediate steps, with accompanying prophecies, which are given between the times of Abraham and David and speak about His coming and the offices He would hold as the greatest prophet, priest, and king. And there are also more ance
Read more

9-18-23 Rage Against Jesus And His People — The Ominous Trend Of 2022

Rage Against Jesus And His People — The Ominous Trend Of 2022 – By Hal Lindsey - https://harbingersdaily.com/rage-against-jesus-and-his-people-the-ominous-trend-of-2022/ By the end of 2022, eight billion people lived on the earth. They were besieged by a series of plagues, droughts, false prophets, war, the threat of greater war, hatred, rage, theft, and violence. The eight billion were fragmented in a variety of ways — according to their nations, level of income, race, gender, various understandings of gender and human sexuality, along with religion or the lack thereof. Change became overwhelming to most of the eight billion. For those over 40, it was almost unfathomable that by the end of 2022, not even half the students at Cambridge University identified as heterosexual. In 2022, deception ruled the day. Trust in government, educational institutions, and the news media had been largely obliterated. Trust in health officials and doctors had become severely damaged. In suc
Read more