Fresh Start 2011!
"Your" time has come!
Joshua 1:1-9 NLT
After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
A new way
Joshua 3:1-8 NLT
Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing. Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp, giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, move out from your positions and follow them. Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about a half mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.” Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you.” In the morning Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river.” And so they started out and went ahead of the people. The LORD told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.’”
Crossing Jordan
Joshua 3:17 NLT
Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.
How you know you need a Fresh Start...
One of the ways we know it is time for a Fresh Start is that God takes away some of the "safety harnesses" and moves us away from the safe places. *Moses had been the leader and now he was gone. Joshua was with Moses, but Moses had been the one to speak with God and give the orders.
The faith you have lived with in the past is inadequate for where God is leading you.
Joshua had witnessed amazing events in the past, but there was much more left to do to live in the reality God had created for them. Joshua could not live off of what God had done in the past. God was leading Him to a new place, literally. God is always inviting you to step into a more intimate relationship, a more impactful ministry and a "transforming" life.
Faith lived out looks like Courage
Courage is not the absence of fear but the absence of self. God is moving Joshua away from the "what am I able to do?" question. He is moving him towards the "what do I believe God for?" question.
Ways to live out Fresh Faith in 2011
1. Find us on Facebook and use it as a tool to connect other people to Mosaic and yourself. o Mosaic Seattle Group: http://tinyurl.com/yj59uf9 Join it! o Mosaic Seattle page: http://tinyurl.com/267gwj9 Recommend to others! 2. Build Community with others by forming or joining a small group to discuss the next message series, Proof of Life, a study through the book of 1 John. Discussion guides are available for $6 and are easy to use. Sign up at the Connection table. 3. Support the move to Issaquah High School later this month by being faithful to attend, inviting others and showing up early! 4. Volunteer to serve other people through Mosaic o Urgent needs: • Set-up team, Leader - Stan Hoffman • Pre-school, Leader - Robin Odom • Kids Mosaic, Leader – Amy Corder • Hospitality, Leader – Elaine Atwood o Other needs: • Technical production, Leader – Joel Atwood • Worship Arts, Leader – Max Capestany • Small group coordination – see Pastor Barry • Graphic design, web site creativity & maintenance.
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