Much about our study in Joshua is about “timing.” It seemed like the wrong time to cross the Jordan River because the River was a flood stage – yet God said NOW! In our study of Joshua 5 on Sunday, the people had just crossed the River and there was excitement. The Kings of their enemies were terrified of them and it seemed like the perfect time to attack and start taking the Land God had promised. But God said WAIT! There would be a most unusual time of preparation before they were to take Jericho. Not only would God require them to wait, he would require them to go through a process of consecration to him that should have been done all along. Not only would this require patience, it would require obedience.
It is so easy for us to worry about God’s timing. We know what God wants us to do, and therefore believe that NOW is the time to do it. Maybe not. When we have to wait we can easily grow impatient. We lose joy and peace when we grow impatient with God because we are not trusting him. One of Dale’s main thoughts on Sunday, was the recurring idea throughout scripture, “Obedience is the highest form of worship.” May we trust God enough to be patiently obedient!
The Price of Tomorrow
Sunday, February 28, 2016
February 28, 2016 • Dale Oquist
Faith for Tomorrow, The Finale
June 12, 2016 • Dale Oquist
Life’s existence can often be like a long road trip; making you wonder, “When will we ever get there?” Always another step, always another level, and everyone around always ratcheting up expectations. Ample movement and no progress. And the question that begins to spring in your spirit, “Is any of this really going anywhere?” On Sunday, Dale shared the finale of our Seize Tomorrow series, “Faith for Tomorrow.” Faith for Tomorrow is dynamic and not static. While static faith just tries to maintain and hold on without getting swept away, dynamic faith is the faith that says, “I can’t stay here. I’ve got to move on. Give me that mountain!” May we be people who look out in the distance and see a journey with Jesus so incredible, we can’t stay where we are.
Faith for Tomorrow, Part 2
May 22, 2016 • Dale Oquist
On Sunday, we continued our “Seize Tomorrow” teachings from the book of Joshua. We have seen some inspiring characters along our journey; Rahab, http://joshua...and now Caleb- who was one of the original 12 spies that Moses had sent into Canaan. The hero of our story asks for and is given the portion of land that had been promised him over four decades earlier (Deuteronomy 1:36). Our text shows us this fiery old man asking, demanding, reminding Joshua of the promise given to him 45 years earlier. Don’t ever count this guy out! Caleb declares to us all that, as long as we have breath, God is still working in us and through us!
Faith for Tomorrow, Part 1
May 15, 2016 • Dale Oquist
It is easy when there is a lot of excitement and emotion to be engaged and energized about a job, project or faith. What about when things aren’t going that well? What about when opposition arises? How strong are we then? Doesn’t it take someone of special faith and remarkable character to press through to become a story for the history books? Maybe not. We are on the last few teachings from the book of Joshua. On Sunday, we focused on a character named Caleb. We don’t know a lot about him, but what we do know, we like because it is inspiring. From what we do know from the first 6 books of the Bible, there is nothing in his background that makes him a hero. Yet, his was a life upon which God had placed His purposes in unmistakable ways. And that is encouraging for all of us. We don’t have to be a celebrity or a hero to possess the tomorrows God has for us!