A Beautiful Thing -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Day 1 Devotional
Monday, April 11, 2011

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." -- Joshua 1:8

Challenges. The Bible is full of stories about ordinary people whom God challenged to do extraordinary things. For example: Noah was told to build an ark, Abraham to leave his home, Moses to rescue a whole nation. God was definitely the initiator of these tasks and none of them were easy, but in each situation God gave specific instructions which when followed brought success.

Take a look at Joshua. Under Moses' leadership he and his fellow Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt and headed to a land promised by God. However, because of their lack of faith and trust in God, the Israelites spent forty years wandering in the desert. When Moses' died, God appointed Joshua to lead a new generation of Israelites into the promised land. Again God gave specific instructions. If Joshua would study and meditate on the Books of the Law given during the wilderness experience and obey what was written, he would be successful.

Perhaps you're like me. . . my life seems more ordinary than extraordinary, but I still need God's help day by day. Sometimes it's decisions that are challenging. Sometimes it's family matters. And sometimes it's my own attitude. Our lives are full of situations that are not easy, but God cares about each one of them and wants us to be successful. The instructions he gave to Joshua can apply also to us.

What about you? Perhaps your challenge is rebuilding your finances, relocating your home, or rescuing a relationship. We can read God's word, but when we really take time to meditate on it, that's when His truth can move from our head to our heart. Will you join me in committing to spend time reading and studying these devotions set before us for the next thirty days?

Father, please open our eyes that we might see the wonderful things in your word. And please help us to understand and obey your instructions so that we might successfully face any challenge put before us. Amen.

--Prepared by Lynn Chappell

To prepare spiritually during our “A Beautiful Thing” campaign, you will receive a devotional written by our own members every day, Monday through Saturday, for five weeks. If you do not wish to receive these daily devotionals, click here. To read the announcements from the “ABT Weekly Update,” click here.

A Beautiful Thing - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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Day 1 Devotional Monday, April 11, 2011 "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." -- Joshua 1:8 Challenges. The Bible is full of stories about ordinary people whom God challenged to do extraordinary things. For example: Noah was told to build an ark, Abraham to leave his home, Moses to rescue a whole nation. God was definitely the initiator of these tasks and none of them were easy, but in each situation God gave specific instructions which when followed brought success. Take a look at Joshua. Under Moses' leadership he and his fellow Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt and headed to a land promised by God. However, because of their lack of faith and trust in God, the Israelites spent forty years wandering in the desert. When Moses' died, God appointed Joshua to lead a new generation of Israelites into the promised land. Again God gave specific instructions. If Joshua would study and meditate on the Books of the Law given during the wilderness experience and obey what was written, he would be successful. Perhaps you're like me. . . my life seems more ordinary than extraordinary, but I still need God's help day by day. Sometimes it's decisions that are challenging. Sometimes it's family matters. And sometimes it's my own attitude. Our lives are full of situations that are not easy, but God cares about each one of them and wants us to be successful. The instructions he gave to Joshua can apply also to us. What about you? Perhaps your challenge is rebuilding your finances, relocating your home, or rescuing a relationship. We can read God's word, but when we really take time to meditate on it, that's when His truth can move from our head to our heart. Will you join me in committing to spend time reading and studying these devotions set before us for the next thirty days? Father, please open our eyes that we might see the wonderful things in your word. And please help us to understand and obey your instructions so that we might successfully face any challenge put before us. Amen. --Prepared by Lynn Chappell To prepare spiritually during our “A Beautiful Thing” campaign, you will receive a devotional written by our own members every day, Monday through Saturday, for five weeks. If you do not wish to receive these daily devotionals, click here. To read the announcements from the “ABT Weekly Update,” click here.