Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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PEOPLE OF GOD/AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST
Joshua 1:1-9

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."(Joshua 1:7)
 
After wandering in the desert for forty years, God prepared both Joshua and the nation by teaching them the importance of being courageous and having consistent faith. God appointed Joshua as the ambassador to lead the liberated people of God to Canaan. The nation then miraculously crossed the Jordan River to begin the long awaited conquest of the promised land.

Just as an ambassador represents and communicates the desires and will of the head of state, so are we to represent and communicate the desires and will of Christ to others. Like Joshua, we too need faith to begin and continue living the Christian life.  God calls Christians to follow Christ and be the light to the world. We are to become ambassadors of Christ and His Kingdom.

We need God’s guidance to meet every challenge:
Joshua’s new job consisted of leading more than two million people in to a new strange land. It was a challenge. Without God it could have been frightening but with God by his side it was a great adventure for Joshua.

Just as God was with Joshua, He is with us as we face new challenges, meet our daily tough situations, come across difficult people and face temptations. By asking God to direct us, we can conquer most of life’s challenges.

We need to be strong & courageous:
Many of us think that prosperity and success come from having power, influential contacts and a desire to be ahead of everyone. But, the strategy for gaining prosperity that God taught Joshua was 1. Be strong and courageous 2. Obey Gods Law and 3. Constantly study the Word of  God.

In today’s passage God repeats three times to "be strong and courageous". We need to be very careful of making decisions based upon our personal ability. God is not bound by the way we're "equipped." God never checks with anybody about how they are equipped before He calls them for any job.
Leadership is strengthened by the acts of obedience. If we act courageously, we will get more courage. God is with us, but he'll strengthen us only when we put our first foot forward.
PRAYER
O God, you have urged us to be strong and courageous, grant that we do not become afraid or discouraged to become the ambassadors of Christ. Strengthen us so that we are able to go out and proclaim courageously enabling people believe in the Gospel. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Be strong and courageous. Let the Word of God be our shield and strength.

Anil Joseph, Christos Marthoma Church , Mulund , India
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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