Moving in Faith: Embracing God's Call and Timing

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound significance of communion as a remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice, acknowledging His holiness and love that redeemed us. This act of worship is a reminder of our inclusion in God's family through His grace. As we continue our journey through the book of Joshua, we find ourselves, much like the Israelites, on the brink of new beginnings and kingdom callings. God is doing amazing things among us, and it's time to rise and move towards the callings He has placed in our lives.

Joshua 3 serves as a powerful illustration of moving in step with God. The Israelites, led by Joshua, were instructed to follow the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence, as they crossed the Jordan River. This act required faith and obedience, teaching us that when God calls us, we must move as He moves, trusting His timing and direction. The story of Trevor Thomas, a blind hiker who successfully trekked the Appalachian Trail with the help of his guide dog, Tennille, serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. Just as Trevor relied on Tennille, we must rely on God to guide us through the unknown paths of our callings.

In our own lives, we often face the temptation to rush ahead of God's timing, driven by impatience or pride. However, the waiting period is crucial for preparation. Like David, Abraham, and Joshua, we must embrace the seasons of preparation, trusting that God is shaping us for the greater work He has planned. As we navigate our callings, we must remain attuned to God's presence, moving only when He moves, and trusting that He will open the way before us.

Key Takeaways:

- Communion is a sacred act of remembrance, celebrating Jesus' sacrifice and our redemption into God's family. It is a moment to worship and acknowledge His holiness and love. [37:30]

- Each believer has a unique kingdom calling from God. The challenge is to recognize and respond to this calling, moving beyond comfort and distractions to embrace the mission God has set before us. [40:12]

- The story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River teaches us the importance of moving in step with God's presence. We must wait for His direction and follow His lead, trusting that He knows the way we should go. [45:25]

- Seasons of waiting are often times of preparation. God uses these periods to equip us for the callings He has placed on our lives. Patience and trust in His timing are essential. [51:23]

- God will open the way for our callings. We must look for where He is already at work and join Him there, trusting that He will make a way where there seems to be none. [01:08:23]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:30] - Communion: A Sacred Remembrance
[40:12] - Embracing Your Kingdom Calling
[42:37] - Following God's Presence
[45:25] - Moving in Step with God
[48:23] - The Story of Trevor Thomas
[50:09] - The Importance of Preparation
[51:23] - Waiting and Trusting God's Timing
[01:00:45] - Following God Step by Step
[01:03:11] - Staying Connected to God
[01:04:28] - Taking the Next Step
[01:05:53] - Trusting God to Show the Way
[01:08:23] - God Will Open the Path
[01:10:25] - Joining God in His Work
[01:11:27] - Jesus' Example of Dependence
[01:12:20] - Following God's Lead
[01:14:23] - Personal Testimony: Following God's Call
[01:16:11] - Practicing Silence and Stillness
[01:18:21] - Listening for God's Voice
[01:23:24] - Responding to God's Call
[01:25:16] - Trusting God's Timing for Our Church
[01:34:35] - Worship and Faith Declaration
[01:37:49] - Receiving God's Calling
[01:40:11] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Joshua 3:1-17

Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions did Joshua give to the Israelites regarding the Ark of the Covenant before crossing the Jordan River? [42:37]
2. How did the Israelites demonstrate their faith and obedience when they approached the Jordan River? [45:25]
3. What role did the Ark of the Covenant play in the Israelites' crossing of the Jordan River? [43:44]
4. How does the story of Trevor Thomas and his guide dog Tennille serve as a metaphor for our spiritual journey? [48:23]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the act of waiting at the Jordan River teach us about the importance of preparation in our spiritual journey? [50:09]
2. How can the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River inspire us to trust in God's timing and direction in our own lives? [51:23]
3. In what ways does the story of Trevor Thomas illustrate the necessity of relying on God as our guide through life's challenges? [48:23]
4. How does the concept of moving in step with God's presence challenge our natural tendencies to rush ahead or rely on our own understanding? [01:00:45]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt tempted to rush ahead of God's timing. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply it to your current situation? [51:23]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you sense God is calling you to wait and prepare. What steps can you take to embrace this season of preparation? [50:09]
3. Consider the metaphor of Trevor Thomas and his guide dog. How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on God to guide you through uncertain or challenging times? [48:23]
4. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are moving in step with God's presence in your daily life? How can you discern when God is leading you to take action? [01:00:45]
5. Think about your unique kingdom calling. What distractions or comforts might be hindering you from fully embracing this calling, and how can you overcome them? [40:12]
6. How can you create space in your life for silence and stillness to better hear God's voice and direction? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this practice? [01:18:21]
7. Reflect on a recent decision or action. How did you seek God's guidance in that situation, and what was the outcome? How can you improve your approach to seeking God's direction in future decisions? [01:12:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Communion as a Sacred Remembrance
Communion is a profound act of worship that serves as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and our redemption into God's family. It is a moment to reflect on His holiness and love, acknowledging the grace that includes us in His divine family. This sacred act is not just a ritual but a deep spiritual experience that connects us to the heart of the Gospel. As we partake in communion, we are invited to remember the cost of our salvation and the love that was poured out for us. It is a time to worship and give thanks for the incredible gift of grace that we have received. [37:30]

"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" (1 Corinthians 11:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what specific aspect of Jesus' sacrifice are you most grateful for today? How can this gratitude shape your actions and attitudes this week?


Day 2: Embracing Your Unique Kingdom Calling
Each believer has a unique calling from God, a mission that goes beyond personal comfort and distractions. Recognizing and responding to this calling requires courage and faith, as it often leads us into unknown territories. Just as the Israelites stood on the brink of new beginnings, we too are called to step out in faith and embrace the mission God has set before us. This calling is not just about personal fulfillment but about participating in God's work in the world. It challenges us to move beyond our comfort zones and engage with the world in meaningful ways. [40:12]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: What distractions or comforts are holding you back from fully embracing your kingdom calling? What is one step you can take today to move towards this calling?


Day 3: Moving in Step with God's Presence
The story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River illustrates the importance of moving in step with God's presence. As they followed the Ark of the Covenant, they demonstrated faith and obedience, trusting in God's timing and direction. This teaches us that when God calls us, we must move as He moves, waiting for His direction and following His lead. It is a reminder that God's presence is our guide, and we must trust that He knows the way we should go. This requires patience and a willingness to wait for His perfect timing. [45:25]

"And the Lord said to Joshua, 'Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.'" (Joshua 3:7, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to rush ahead of God's timing? How can you practice waiting and listening for His direction today?


Day 4: Seasons of Waiting and Preparation
Seasons of waiting are often times of preparation, where God equips us for the callings He has placed on our lives. These periods are crucial for shaping our character and deepening our trust in His timing. Like David, Abraham, and Joshua, we must embrace these seasons, knowing that God is at work in us, preparing us for greater things. Patience and trust are essential as we navigate these times, allowing God to mold us into the people He has called us to be. [51:23]

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace the current season of waiting in your life as a time of preparation? What is one way you can actively trust God's timing this week?


Day 5: Trusting God to Open the Way
God will open the way for our callings, and we must look for where He is already at work and join Him there. Trusting that He will make a way where there seems to be none requires faith and a willingness to follow His lead. As we navigate our callings, we must remain attuned to His presence, moving only when He moves. This trust in God's guidance assures us that He will open doors and create paths for us to walk in His purposes. [01:08:23]

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you see God already at work in your life or community? How can you join Him in this work and trust Him to open the way for your calling?

Quotes

"We praise you, Lord, for your shed blood and your broken body for us. We thank you. You're worthy, you're awesome, you're powerful, you're loving. And Lord, we worship you this morning. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen." [00:39:29] (38 seconds)


"When you receive that calling, how will you respond? Will you delay or will you ignore it and stay in your comfort? Will you distract yourself with the cares of your life, just everyday living or maybe on your devices and you run from it in that way? Or will you move into the calling that God has given you?" [00:41:39] (17 seconds)


"And Joshua said to the people of Israel, come here and listen to the words of the Lord, your God. And Joshua said, here is how you will know that the living God is alive. He is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites." [00:43:44] (17 seconds)


"And when God puts a kingdom calling in your life, the reality is, is all of a sudden, you're going to be able to walk with him. You're going to be able to walk with him. You're going to be able to walk with him. Walk when he walks, move when he moves, stop when he stops, go when he goes. You stay connected to him and he will take you down the path to your calling." [00:48:43] (18 seconds)


"Joshua says the mission is coming, so prepare. The calling is on the way, but you're not ready to accomplish every step along the way, so get ready. And listen, this is a mile marker for us. If you're going to accomplish the calling of God, you will at times have to wait in patient preparation." [00:50:41] (16 seconds)


"But if you're going to accomplish the calling of God, you must learn to move with his presence. It's the only way in verse 2 here's what it says at the end of three days of waiting the officers went through the camp and they commanded the people listen as soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the lord your god being carried by the levitical priests then then you shall set out from your place and follow it." [01:01:36] (25 seconds)


"And in that moment, if you're going to accomplish the calling of God, he'll often only give you one step at a time. And in that moment, he's testing you. He's testing you. He's testing you. He's testing you on the journey to see, will you follow him by faith, step by step." [01:00:45] (16 seconds)


"And in this moment, the Israelites are seeing, they're about ready to see a move of God that opens the way for their calling. So he says, the waters shall be cut off from flowing and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap. This is the way that they'll know God is working among them. God will make a way." [01:09:21] (17 seconds)


"See, a great Christian leader, even a great Christian movement or church, it's not a place or a person that produces momentum in something or a movement or action for the kingdom of God. A great Christian leader or a great Christian church, that's a place or a people that are actually looking for where God is already moving and just simply joining him there." [01:11:27] (19 seconds)


"Jesus looked for what the father was doing and he simply found where the father was acting and working and he joined him there. It's a simple principle. Henry Blackaby writes this, he says, Jesus never took the initiative to dream a dream or launch a new ministry. He lived his life in absolute dependence upon the father." [01:12:20] (17 seconds)


"Did you know that he's a way maker where there is no way? Did you know that he's a promise keeper to keep any calling that he's given you that he'll bring it to be, that he'll bring it forth? This is the God that we have and all we have to do is to wait and follow when he moves. And when he opens the way, then we step into the dry ground and we walk across into the new step of our mission." [01:12:56] (21 seconds)


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Transcript
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