The Pep Talk
“Moses, my servant is dead; now, therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to the the sons of Israel.” Joshua 1:2
I’ve been in locker rooms at half time during football games and heard coaches give pep talks. Over the years I’ve even given a few myself to get people fired up, and ready to go beat the opposition. However, I must say that this is the strangest opening line to a pep talk that I have ever heard. God begins to rally his troops by saying, “Oh, by the way, you know that guy you’ve been following for 40 years, the one who was in essence God to you, he’s dead? Now, this is what I want you to do.”
I know the Israelites were speechless. They got to the top of the mountain, and looked over the land that they had been given. They were probably shouting hallelujahs, and dancing in the dirt. They could see in bright colors the land that God was giving them, and it was better than they ever imagined. Then in the middle of their celebration the unthinkable happened, Moses died. They had just lost everything they held sacred; their entire world was turned upside down. What did this mean about God’s promise to get the land, would God still be with them????????They were confused and dumbfounded, but God told them through His new chosen one, Joshua, that everything was still in place. He was giving them everything that He had promised Moses.
I am always amazed by the the fact the neme Joshua, Jeshua in Hebrew, is translated Jesus in Greek. Just like only Joshua could lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan only Jesus can lead us into the Promised Land of Heaven. Many religions say that Jesus is just one way to Heaven. But listen to the words of Jesus in John 14:6, “… I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.”
Some people try to say that Jesus was a good man, but He was not the Son of God. I appreciate the wat that C.S. Lewis answered that. He said that Jesus was “either a lunatic, a lier, or the Lord.” You cannot say that Jesus was a good man, and not admit that He was who He said.
It is my prayer that you recognize Jesus for who He is, and what He will do. I hope that you will learn to follow Him; the road that you go down with Him may not always the easiest, but He will always be by your side as you travel; and if you fall He will be there to pick you up and carry you Home.
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Father, I thank You for offering me the help of Your Son, and I ask that You would give me the strength to turn to Him when I am weak. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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If you have never ttrusted in Jesus and called on God for His Salvation then I invite you to pray this prayer or one similar.
Father, I admit that I am a sinner, and nothing I do can make me right to stand before You in Heaven, but I believe that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ to make a way for me to stand before You covered in His righteousness. I ask that You cleanse me with His sacrifice so that my imperfections cannot be seen, but are covered by His perfectness. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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If you prayed that prayer for the first time then find a family member, or a close friend to share your decision with. If you can please send me an email that I can rejoice with you – scmitch71@yahoo.com And finally, find a Bible teaching church to attend so that you can grow in your faith.
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Yes, You Can Ministry 