Some notes from my Bible reading at the end of January 2014, in Joshua. I’m in Joshua again just now, so it’s interesting to see how God continues to speak. Joshua 1:1-9 reveals some good principles for God’s work at any time:
“Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross … into the land I am about to give to them … I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised … No one will be able to stand against you … I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. … Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey … do not turn … to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book … always on your lips; meditate on it day and night … Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
There is a constant theme of courage. When we launch out in courage, in God’s will and plan, God moves! How can we expect Him to move if we are cowering in fear, unwilling to trust Him?
Allied to this is a quote from J Oswald Sanders which I first came across back in January 2014 (in the prayer letter of some friends):
“A great deal more failure is the result of an excess of caution than of bold experimentation with new ideas. The frontiers of the Kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution.”
Yes, yes and again yes! Oh how often the advance of God’s Kingdom has been held back by over-cautious Christians, afraid to launch out, content to become ever more inward-looking and ever less focussed on the millions who do not yet know Jesus!
So, for Joanna and me, what is in our hearts is to have more courage and less caution so we can see the enemy pushed back and the Kingdom of God advance strongly in France. What about you, in your patch of the vineyard?
Breakthrough France 