Times are tough.  People are hurting.  Relationships, marriages, the economy, personal finances . . . it seems like we’re under pressure on all fronts.  Do you want to be successful in these times?  Do you want to prosper in the middle of adversity?  You can.  Really . . .

The Lord gave a pep talk to Joshua when he became the leader of the Jewish people.  Joshua was a bit nervous leading 3 million or so people.  So God said: “Be courageous – be very courageous.”  Then He said this in Joshua 1:8:

“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.”

Did you get that?  Prosperous and successful.  These words are relevant to us as well.  We can be prosperous and successful in whatever we do when we follow God’s pattern.  What is God’s way?  A terrific pattern is right here in this instruction to Joshua:

1.  Get God’s Word inside you.

– read it

– listen to it

– sing it

– memorize it

– know it in your “knower”

– feed on it

– meditate on it

– contemplate it’s truth

You know, get it deep down inside you.

2.  Do what it says.

This is a big deal we often overlook.  We think that just because we study God’s Word and know all about it, that that’s enough.

It’s not.

James says: “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.”  Often times we try to do everything else other than simply obeying what the Word says.  We try to circumvent God’s pattern and expect Him to bless us.

Today . . . right now . . .. ask God to help you understand His Word.  Then ask Him to help you do what it says.  Seriously, do you want to do well in this life?  I’m not talking about personal – selfish – trivial – blessing, I’m talking about the eternal perspective, Kingdom-minded, I’m all in and in it for life, kind of satisfaction that only doing God’s will can bring.

Struggles?  Hardship?  Heartache?  Pressed-in on every side?  Take on Paul’s attitude and keep Jesus first.  Here’s what he said in 2 Cor 4:

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.”

Fight the good fight friends.  But don’t do it your way, do it His way.

Love you all,

Steve 🙂