THE JOSHUA CODE | WEEK 31

Happy Monday evening.. hope you all are off to a good start for the week?!

Its a BIG day/week in my little world… an update to follow soon!

 But for now, I am glad you stopped by to keep up with the JOSHUA CODE with me!

Here is this weeks verses:

w e e k -  t h i r t y   o n e 

" Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, 

a worker who does not need to be ashamed, 

rightly dividing the world of the truth."  

2  t i m o t h y  2 : 1 5 

. . . 

THE BELIEVERS MANDATE

We are to be diligent and zealous about the task of studying God's Word. Since reference is made later in the verse to 'rightly dividing the world of truth', Paul was challenging all believers to take very seriously their personal study habits. The Bible is a miraculous book in which personal study never ends. Bible study is a lifetime endeavor for the committed believer. It is our assignment, our mandate from God. 

THE BELIEVERS MOTIVATION 

The discipline of study is a stewardship from God, and believers should be motivated by a passionate longing to please the Lord, to hear Him say: "Well done, good and faithful servant". (Matthew 25:21)

THE BELIEVERS MANNER

Study is hard work. Doing word studies is laborious. Getting out our work tools of commentaries, Bible dictionaries, and lexicons is labor intensive. We are reminded that we are to equip ourselves for ' the work of ministry', as Paul mentioned to the Ephesians (4:12). Dedicated believers are to be workers who devote themselves to the wholehearted study of God's World. 

THE BELIEVERS MESSAGE 

We should approach the Bible with deep reverence, even a fear that we might mishandle or misrepresent God's truth. We should take caution against using every paraphrase we might find in order to twist the truth to match our own way of thinking about a matter. 

The believer' s message should always be centered in, and issue out of, God's holy Word. 

As you memorize this verse, lay aside all the resources and other study aids, and medicate on the Word alone. 

pg. 162

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THE JOSHUA CODE | WEEK 30

Happy Monday evening.. hope you all are off to a good start for the week?! Glad you stopped by to keep up with the JOSHUA CODE with me!

Here is this weeks verses:

w e e k -  t h i r t y

" Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, 

forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward, to those things which are ahead, 

I pree towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  

p h i l i p p i a n s  3 : 1 3 - 1 4

. . . 

FOCUS WILL PUT OUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER

Paul said: "This one thing I do" (Philippians 3:13 KJV). Not ten things, not five things, not even two things. 

But "this one thing I do." Focus helps us put our priorities in order. 

First, you define your goal, and then if begins to define you.

FOCUS WILL GIVE US A FORWAD MIND-SET

Focus enables us to begin to see our glass half full instead of half empty. 

It gives is a forward mind-set. Paul went on to say that he was 'reaching forward to those things which are ahead." 

Paul's focus lead him to possess a wise forgetfulness about the past and enable him to make sure his reach continued to exceed his grasp.  

FOCUS WILL SET US ON THE SECOND MILE 

Focus brings a passion to our work that instills within us a desire to do what is required - and then some. 

Paul said: "I press." This word press carries with it the idea of an intense endeavor, much like an avid hunter who is pursuing his prey. Paul was pressing because he had focus; he had "one thing" as the main priority in life. 

FOCUS ENABLES US TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING 

Paul said he was pressing toward ' the goal.' This word is a translation of the Greek word: skopos, from which we get our English word scope. Like the scope on a rifle, focus will enable us to get our goals and priorities in the crosshairs. Focus enables us to know where we are going and how we are going to get there. It keeps our priorities in the bull's-eye of our target. Focus is the fountainhead of successful living. It helps us to begin our task with the end in mind. 

So what is your goal in Christian living?

What is in the crosshairs of your scope?

When we begin to focus on Christ alone, we find that HE will put our priorities in order, HE will give us a forward look, HE will set us on the second mile, and HE will let us clearly see the end from the beginning. 

. . .

'As you memorize this verse this week, meditate on Christ and on HIM alone. Put HIM in the crosshairs, and do that "one thing" you do, for the glory of HIS name. Keep your life in focus by keeping Christ in the center of it. '

pg. 159 

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WEEKEND

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oh summer… if only it were like the true summers we had as kids, care free and what felt like pure and simple freedom. playing until the streetlights came on every night. building forts and playing outside all.day.long. 

the more grown up version does include adult, refreshing beverages… but it does not come with eight weeks of zero responsibilities… alas… 

it does include feeling like a kid at times though! 

+ + can't wait to have a cruiser bike .. to cruise on over to my sisters house.. the chances of being close neighbors is in our (near) future !!! 

+ + after dinner, after the sun sets in texas and its not quite so melting hot… i love to indulge in frozen treats! local snow-cone huts are my favorite! TC Shaved Ice is still a favorite!

+ + and bringing home fresh flowers to make the inside feel and smell like summer always makes me smile and reminds me of picking (wild) flowers for my mamma when we were little. even the ones she was allergic to, she would place in a vase and say they were her favorite, every time! 

love ya mamma - xoxo 

CURRENTLY LOVING

one  | two | three | four  | five |  six  | seven  |  eight  |  nine  |  ten  

eleven  |  twelve  |  thirteen


eek! all things white with hints of gold are on my 'currently loving' list this week!
its just comforting all around.. in the house, in the office and really just every day- all the time.

from the prints, to the rug, the mugs and even down to the knobs - i'm craving all of this.
especially a coffee table with gold accents. i think it takes a room with darker colors to an instant bright, light and open feeling.

anyone else with me on the gold ©rush?!

THE JOSHUA CODE | WEEK 29

Happy Monday evening.. hope you all are off to a good start for the week?! Glad you stopped by to keep up with the JOSHUA CODE with me!

Here is this weeks verses:

w e e k -  t w e n t y  n i n e

" I am the way, the truth, and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through Me."  

j o h n   1 4  :  6

. . . 

THE QUESTION OF PUBLIC CONSENSUS 

 Jesus asked: 'Who do men say that I am, the Son of Man, am?' (Matthew 16:13). […] Many today never seem to be able to get out of this verse. They simply live in a world that is much more interested in what men say than in what God says. […] Unfortunately, things haven't changed much. We still live in a world that seems to be far more interested in what men say about Jesus that what God says. 

THE QUESTION OF PERSONAL CONVICTION 

Then the Lord got up close and personal. He asked another question: "But who to you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). Do you see it? This is the question of personal conviction: 'what about you? You.. and only you. You and you alone. You and no one else. Who do you say that I am?' This is the question with eternal ramifications. It is the question that each and every one of us must face. […] 

Jesus is that only way to the Father's house. Indeed, He- and He alone - is "the way, the truth, and the life." And no one comes to the Father's house unless they come through Jesus! 

pages 152-155

. . .

'As you memorize this verse, meditate on how Christ is the way… how He is the truth… and how He is the life. 

Don't find yourself being more interested in what men say that in what God says. He is still asking today, "Who do you say that I am?" '

pg 155

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