Anchor verse: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” [Joshua 1:9]
Day 5
When I was a child, we always had
rules in our home growing up. I had to be home by a certain time. My room
needed to be clean. I wasn’t allowed to talk back or do basic things like lying
or stealing, similar to what you’d read about in the commandments. –Just like
in your home, I am sure.
For any of my sin there was
always a consequence. When I left a task undone, there was a reminder. But the
reminders would only come so many times before the consequence. And I always
knew I was in trouble when my mother started counting or if she used my middle
name.
Hearing that God is with us and
that we should believe in him, sounds comforting. The statements “Be strong and
courageous!” and even “Do not be afraid” might sound encouraging. -Like
optional words of affirmation that we can apply when we remember to. However,
our verse this week starts with “Have I not commanded you?”
Think about all of our devotions just
this week around one verse. You (we) are
commanded to expect God; Commanded to be a part of his plan; Commanded to give
what we have; Commanded to behave like he is on our porch listening; Commanded
to be usable; Commanded to have faith, to believe and to be strong. Knowing
that we’re commanded and then choosing not to listen- Not to make God’s desires
important, that is disobedience….
Think about it!
1. It is not fear or insecurity that is disobedience. It is letting those “feelings” steer your decisions instead of God’s word. Can you think of a time when you responded to a situation out of fear instead of given instructions or what you knew you were supposed to do? Was there a consequence or missed opportunity?
2. How many of our fears and insecurities and doubts, start with a judgment first. “I can’t do that.” “I’ll never be as good as….” “God doesn’t want to talk to me.” Yet the bible states that we shouldn’t judge. Why do you think that we do this anyway and why do you think that he says that we shouldn’t?
3. Think about that last paragraph again. It’s a powerful statement. How can we learn or begin to practice having faith, being strong, looking for God? [Hint: Reread the question again.]
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Helping Hands Camp is a faith based youth camp that completes clean up and construction projects for those in the community that are unable to do so. These five devotions were written earlier in the year and were included in the booklet used at camp. The anchor verse is same throughout the week.
1. It is not fear or insecurity that is disobedience. It is letting those “feelings” steer your decisions instead of God’s word. Can you think of a time when you responded to a situation out of fear instead of given instructions or what you knew you were supposed to do? Was there a consequence or missed opportunity?
2. How many of our fears and insecurities and doubts, start with a judgment first. “I can’t do that.” “I’ll never be as good as….” “God doesn’t want to talk to me.” Yet the bible states that we shouldn’t judge. Why do you think that we do this anyway and why do you think that he says that we shouldn’t?
3. Think about that last paragraph again. It’s a powerful statement. How can we learn or begin to practice having faith, being strong, looking for God? [Hint: Reread the question again.]
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Helping Hands Camp is a faith based youth camp that completes clean up and construction projects for those in the community that are unable to do so. These five devotions were written earlier in the year and were included in the booklet used at camp. The anchor verse is same throughout the week.
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