Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:5 NIV)
The story is told about a man who bought a small flock of sheep and a few goats. He put the animals in a fenced lot with plenty of grass and water in the middle of a farmland he had acquired earlier. One morning, he found out that the animals had broken through the fence and were grazing beyond it but sill on his property. The man repaired the breach in the fence and got all the animals back inside. The next day, the same thing happened. They had broken the fence again and were grazing outside the perimeters. So the man decided to enlarge the fence to include the area where they were grazing, concluding that the animals would be happy now with the wider space.
He returned the following day to discover that they had broken and were outside the fence again. Obviously they were not satisfied with the increased perimeter he gave them by expanding the fenced area. So he herded then back in and enlarged the fence again to cover the new area they were grazing at. " They will be satisfied now" he thought to himself. However, as you may have guessed already, the fence was broken again. So he did the same thing. He repaired the fence and increased the perimeters. This trend continued on and on until one day the man decided to do away with the fence all together in order to give the animals a free range to roam to their satisfaction. He felt since they were accustomed to the farmland now, they would not roam beyond it.
Truly, the animals did not roam away but a few days later, he went in the morning to check the animals only to find them all dead with all their inner entrails spewed over the field and their throats spilt open. Apparently a pack of wild dogs had come in the night and killed them all. The man wept in regret. If only he had kept the fence, they would have been preserved. The moral of this story is that fences are not just to keep things in but also to keep certain things out.
Our text speaks of consecration. To sanctify or consecrate means to make holy or to set apart - to separate unto something. Whatever is consecrated is deliberately and willfully turned over to a particular use. For example, you might have a separate set of cutleries and plates for special uses such as the thanksgiving dinner, clothes for special occasions or a room in your house for a particular designated purpose. Those things are consecrated. To be consecrated is to live a separated life- a choice-driven life with certain boundaries, restrictions or fences, focused on God's purpose for you.
As a New Testament believer, you have been consecrated to God's use ( 1 Peter 2:9). You are holy in spirit and are to be holy in every facet of your life not by your strength but by recognizing God's boundaries in his word and relying on his abundant grace to live them out ( I Thess 5:23-24. Sanctification is a prerequisite for amazing. He has qualified you for it by setting you apart. Now your part is to stay within his holy boundaries, living a holy life and walking in obedience to his word and will for your life. Holiness is staying within God's designated parameters. It not only keeps you enjoying within God's blessed perimeters, it also keeps the enemy at bay from your life. As our story illustrates, such a life allows you to live at your best and also keeps certain things out of your life that could otherwise destroy you.
Decision of the Day
I am separated unto Christ and his purpose. Now I will stay within his perimeters in the way I live.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
God Still Does Amazing
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:5 NIV)
In order to prevent disappointment, some psychologists now advice people to maintain low expectations for their lives. In a New York Times' article, a study found out that Denmark was the happiest nation in the world. More than two-third of Danes reported that the were very happy. Why? Because they expected little out of life so they hardly get disappointed. While this may be a good practice to curb unrealistic runaway expectation and fantasy, the danger of such an approach is that it leads to a life of little progress and accomplishment. It is often better to attempt and fail than to not attempt at all or to attempt too little. A better way to live is to live with high expectations anchored in God's love for you.
In our text, Joshua told the people to prepare because God was going to do amazing things among them. Imagine how the people felt when they went to bed that night and when they woke up the next day. Some might have been unable to sleep for excitement of what was going to happen the next day. One could imagine little children chattering excitedly through the night wondering about awesome things that would be happening the next day and everyone jumping out of bed with excitement the next morning. Joshua's declaration must have charged everyone with expectations.
God still does amazing things and he wants to do wonderfully, impossibly awesome things in your own life. Ephesians 3:20 says he is "...able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." God still springs surprises. He still performs miracles. He still makes a way where there seems to be none. He still parts Jordans and Red Seas because He is the same unchanging God. To have such a great and awesome God and live with low expectations is an injustice to his love and grace. Read through the bible, especially the gospels, God never castigated those who put high expectations in his abilities and love to do amazing things in their lives but he had strict words of disapproval for those who approached him with little faith.
Hope in God never disappoints. So, dust your "hoper" today and start expecting amazing from God. Don't let accumulated disappointments, the memories of being let down in the past, the crushed dreams of yesteryears, or the unfulfilled desires that have coagulated with the tick tock of time cause you to settle to a life that expects nothing good or nothing much. God still does amazing. He loves you and wants to do unbelievable, phenomenal, amazing, surprising things in your life, beyond your wildest dreams. Will you let him?
Decision of the Day
I will not live with low expectations. I will put my hope in God. I will expect amazing things from the awesome God who loves me.
In order to prevent disappointment, some psychologists now advice people to maintain low expectations for their lives. In a New York Times' article, a study found out that Denmark was the happiest nation in the world. More than two-third of Danes reported that the were very happy. Why? Because they expected little out of life so they hardly get disappointed. While this may be a good practice to curb unrealistic runaway expectation and fantasy, the danger of such an approach is that it leads to a life of little progress and accomplishment. It is often better to attempt and fail than to not attempt at all or to attempt too little. A better way to live is to live with high expectations anchored in God's love for you.
In our text, Joshua told the people to prepare because God was going to do amazing things among them. Imagine how the people felt when they went to bed that night and when they woke up the next day. Some might have been unable to sleep for excitement of what was going to happen the next day. One could imagine little children chattering excitedly through the night wondering about awesome things that would be happening the next day and everyone jumping out of bed with excitement the next morning. Joshua's declaration must have charged everyone with expectations.
God still does amazing things and he wants to do wonderfully, impossibly awesome things in your own life. Ephesians 3:20 says he is "...able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." God still springs surprises. He still performs miracles. He still makes a way where there seems to be none. He still parts Jordans and Red Seas because He is the same unchanging God. To have such a great and awesome God and live with low expectations is an injustice to his love and grace. Read through the bible, especially the gospels, God never castigated those who put high expectations in his abilities and love to do amazing things in their lives but he had strict words of disapproval for those who approached him with little faith.
Hope in God never disappoints. So, dust your "hoper" today and start expecting amazing from God. Don't let accumulated disappointments, the memories of being let down in the past, the crushed dreams of yesteryears, or the unfulfilled desires that have coagulated with the tick tock of time cause you to settle to a life that expects nothing good or nothing much. God still does amazing. He loves you and wants to do unbelievable, phenomenal, amazing, surprising things in your life, beyond your wildest dreams. Will you let him?
Decision of the Day
I will not live with low expectations. I will put my hope in God. I will expect amazing things from the awesome God who loves me.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Pick the Right Leader
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.” (Joshua 3:2-4 NLT)
A woman was driving home one night in really bad weather. It was raining so hard that she could hardly see her way. All she could see were the taillights of cars in front of her. She decided to follow the car in front of her since it seemed it was heading in the same direction she was headed. After driving for a while behind this car, the car suddenly stopped. She wondered what was going on. Why did the car stop? She was concerned that stopping in the middle of the road in such poor visibility was dangerous. Other cars coming behind her might hit her. She became more alarmed when the lights of the car in front of her was turned off and a man got out of the car and headed toward her in the pouring rain. The man came to her window and signaled for her to lower her window. She didn't know what to do. So she lowered her window a bit and asked the man what was going on? Why had he stopped in the middle of the road? The man replied her, " We are not in the middle of the road. We are in my driveway. This is my house." Apparently, this woman had followed the man to his house. She thought she picked the right person to follow but she was wrong.
Much like our story. Everyone is following something or someone. It is a simple law that you are headed in the same destination that whatever you follow is headed. It is good to follow. The bible encourages us to. Just ensure that you are not headed toward a driveway but to your correct destination.
Our text, spoken to the Israelites, illustrates some principles you can adopt in following God's directions for your life. There were three instructions:
1. Look out for the priests and the Ark
2. Follow the priests carrying the ark
3. Move from your positions
4. Keep a clear distance between you and the ark
There is a lot to learn from these instructions. The ark of the covenant represented several things to the Israelites. It was where the presence of God dwelt among them. It also contained the word of God delivered to Moses. So lifting up the ark is exalting God's presence and his word. Following the ark is following the word and the Spirit of God. You are to keep your eyes constantly on the word of God, to search it for directions. You are also to be sensitive to the Spirit of God to move as He moves. They can never lead you In the wong direction. What about the priests? They are to be followed when they were carrying the ark not when they are moving without it. In other words, there are people worthy of being followed. Those who bear the word and the Spirit of God. Imitate those who follow Christ and who through faith and patience obtained the promise of God. A person following Christ and his word and exalting him is safe to follow.
Lastly, keep a safe distance. Of course, this was about the fact that the ark was consecrated and only those specially prepared could touch it or come near it and live. However for us, it means stay reverent as you follow. Watch your steps. Don't rush ahead. Don't be impatient if the ark stops. Don't stay in your position when it moves. Stay in tune with God. Stay aligned with His word. You have not been here before but he has. He is the right leader. He knows the way. He will guide you to the right place - your destination in him.
Decision of the Day
I will follow the word of God and his Spirit. I will get to my destination.
A woman was driving home one night in really bad weather. It was raining so hard that she could hardly see her way. All she could see were the taillights of cars in front of her. She decided to follow the car in front of her since it seemed it was heading in the same direction she was headed. After driving for a while behind this car, the car suddenly stopped. She wondered what was going on. Why did the car stop? She was concerned that stopping in the middle of the road in such poor visibility was dangerous. Other cars coming behind her might hit her. She became more alarmed when the lights of the car in front of her was turned off and a man got out of the car and headed toward her in the pouring rain. The man came to her window and signaled for her to lower her window. She didn't know what to do. So she lowered her window a bit and asked the man what was going on? Why had he stopped in the middle of the road? The man replied her, " We are not in the middle of the road. We are in my driveway. This is my house." Apparently, this woman had followed the man to his house. She thought she picked the right person to follow but she was wrong.
Much like our story. Everyone is following something or someone. It is a simple law that you are headed in the same destination that whatever you follow is headed. It is good to follow. The bible encourages us to. Just ensure that you are not headed toward a driveway but to your correct destination.
Our text, spoken to the Israelites, illustrates some principles you can adopt in following God's directions for your life. There were three instructions:
1. Look out for the priests and the Ark
2. Follow the priests carrying the ark
3. Move from your positions
4. Keep a clear distance between you and the ark
There is a lot to learn from these instructions. The ark of the covenant represented several things to the Israelites. It was where the presence of God dwelt among them. It also contained the word of God delivered to Moses. So lifting up the ark is exalting God's presence and his word. Following the ark is following the word and the Spirit of God. You are to keep your eyes constantly on the word of God, to search it for directions. You are also to be sensitive to the Spirit of God to move as He moves. They can never lead you In the wong direction. What about the priests? They are to be followed when they were carrying the ark not when they are moving without it. In other words, there are people worthy of being followed. Those who bear the word and the Spirit of God. Imitate those who follow Christ and who through faith and patience obtained the promise of God. A person following Christ and his word and exalting him is safe to follow.
Lastly, keep a safe distance. Of course, this was about the fact that the ark was consecrated and only those specially prepared could touch it or come near it and live. However for us, it means stay reverent as you follow. Watch your steps. Don't rush ahead. Don't be impatient if the ark stops. Don't stay in your position when it moves. Stay in tune with God. Stay aligned with His word. You have not been here before but he has. He is the right leader. He knows the way. He will guide you to the right place - your destination in him.
Decision of the Day
I will follow the word of God and his Spirit. I will get to my destination.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Starting Early
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. (Joshua 3:1 NLT)
You are most likely familiar with the popular saying, The Early Bird Gets The Worm . In one of the many stories used to illustrate this adage for kids, a bird had played all night the previous day so the next morning, when all the other birds sang a wake up song and went out to look for food, it continued to sleep. At about noon, it woke up and went out to look for worms to eat. Soon it came back with nothing and starved all day because all the available worms had being eaten by the other birds. It learned its lesson and from the next day was the first bird to wake up to go in search of worms.
You have an advantage to be successful if you start early. In our text, the little phrase "Early the next morning" teaches something. It was not," late in the day" or "in the dead of night. " It illustrates the commitment of Joshua and his followers to success. It showed immediacy, earnestness and purposefulness. It was time to cross the Jordan, a step delayed for over 40 years, and they were committed to doing it so they started early. They weren't the only ones who took advantage of the early dawn. Look at the following passages of scripture:
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. (Mark 1:35 NLT)
The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. (Genesis 22:3 NLT)
O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. (Psalms 63:1 NKJV)
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (Proverbs 8:17 KJV)
It does not matter what your endeavor is : student, professional worker, minister, business person, stay -at-home parent or otherwise, successful people in all professions have learned to do things at the proper time. They have learned to utilize the wee hours of the day to capture the rest. Those who are habitually late to start out lose the benefits of the early start. Fresh manna was gathered in the morning before the sun rose (Exo. 16:14-21). Dew from heaven falls on the grass in the early morning. Late risers and latecomers often start the day without fresh manna in their souls and it carries on through their day. Early risers that use the first minutes of the day to nourish their souls in God's presence face the day with fresh dew distilled on their hearts. They are inspired and energized.
Like all of God's word, this is a double-edged truth. While it teaches about the day, it also teaches about life. Delays can be costly in life. Procrastination steals life and throws the precious commodity of time into the dustbins of never-to-be-seen-again history. Start early on your course in life. Don't waste time. If you are still young, start saving early. Seek God while you are young. Don't waste your youth in ephemeral frivolities. Early gives you room to correct inevitable misses on the way. It allows you to go further before the weights and responsibilities of life increases. If you are older and have already wasted precious time, it is never too late to do right. Start now. Make "early" your friend.
Decision of the Day
I will take advantage of the early hours of the day. I will also do away with procrastination. I will not put a task that can be done now till later.
You are most likely familiar with the popular saying, The Early Bird Gets The Worm . In one of the many stories used to illustrate this adage for kids, a bird had played all night the previous day so the next morning, when all the other birds sang a wake up song and went out to look for food, it continued to sleep. At about noon, it woke up and went out to look for worms to eat. Soon it came back with nothing and starved all day because all the available worms had being eaten by the other birds. It learned its lesson and from the next day was the first bird to wake up to go in search of worms.
You have an advantage to be successful if you start early. In our text, the little phrase "Early the next morning" teaches something. It was not," late in the day" or "in the dead of night. " It illustrates the commitment of Joshua and his followers to success. It showed immediacy, earnestness and purposefulness. It was time to cross the Jordan, a step delayed for over 40 years, and they were committed to doing it so they started early. They weren't the only ones who took advantage of the early dawn. Look at the following passages of scripture:
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. (Mark 1:35 NLT)
The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. (Genesis 22:3 NLT)
O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. (Psalms 63:1 NKJV)
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (Proverbs 8:17 KJV)
It does not matter what your endeavor is : student, professional worker, minister, business person, stay -at-home parent or otherwise, successful people in all professions have learned to do things at the proper time. They have learned to utilize the wee hours of the day to capture the rest. Those who are habitually late to start out lose the benefits of the early start. Fresh manna was gathered in the morning before the sun rose (Exo. 16:14-21). Dew from heaven falls on the grass in the early morning. Late risers and latecomers often start the day without fresh manna in their souls and it carries on through their day. Early risers that use the first minutes of the day to nourish their souls in God's presence face the day with fresh dew distilled on their hearts. They are inspired and energized.
Like all of God's word, this is a double-edged truth. While it teaches about the day, it also teaches about life. Delays can be costly in life. Procrastination steals life and throws the precious commodity of time into the dustbins of never-to-be-seen-again history. Start early on your course in life. Don't waste time. If you are still young, start saving early. Seek God while you are young. Don't waste your youth in ephemeral frivolities. Early gives you room to correct inevitable misses on the way. It allows you to go further before the weights and responsibilities of life increases. If you are older and have already wasted precious time, it is never too late to do right. Start now. Make "early" your friend.
Decision of the Day
I will take advantage of the early hours of the day. I will also do away with procrastination. I will not put a task that can be done now till later.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Conquering Fear and Intimidation
No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things... (Joshua 2:11 NLT)
Psychological warfare is a proven age-old technique in wars. From the tactics of Alexander the Great to Hitler's propaganda machine to "Shock and Awe," opponents have tried to control the attitudes, emotions and beliefs of their enemies in other to ensure their defeat even before the battle.The object of psychological warfare is to condition the opponent for defeat through words, actions or other means. The technique is even employed in sports. Mohammad Ali, the legendary former heavy weight boxing champion was known to set up his opponents for defeat long before fights by boasting and taunting them, predicting the round he would knock them out. He boasted about his ability to " sting like a bee and flutter like a butterfly. " Most of the time, he did.
Satan uses this technique too to defeat believers. His method is to bombard you with words, thoughts or images that make you fearful, thus draining you of your courage. Words of fear deplete your courage. When you are discouraged you lose your ability to fight. You become incapacitated. Satan's psychological technique, unlike in our text from the book of Joshua, is based on lies. His method is propaganda through deceptions and lies. He exaggerates conditions, manipulates situations and circumstances, creates false evidences all with the aim of filling you with fear and thus stopping you in your tracks.
Someone has said FEAR is an acrostic for "False Evidences Appearing Real." The situation appears as an intimidating obstacle but when confronted by courageous action even in the face of fear, it turns out to be a smokescreen. Satan appears like a rearing lion but in truth is only a timid creature who would flee when resisted in faith ( I Peter 5:8,9).
Are you being intimidated and scared by something in your life now? Do you feel defeated already? If you do, you are probably listening to the wrong words, saying the wrong things, looking at the wrong pictures and thinking the wrong thoughts. Choose to change your word intake and focus. As Ulysses Grant said, "There are always more of the the enemy until they are counted." Face your fears and see them as the lies and scare tactics they are. What you face may seem intimidating but it isn't as big as your God. If fear words can melt the heart in fear, then the faith-filled words of God can solidify the heart in faith. It is your choice what you choose to hear and fear. Today, fill yourself with the word of God. Memorize the passages that speak to your fear. Encourage yourself in the Lord until you are like the persons spoken about in the psalms: "They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly." (Psalms 112:7, 8 NLT).
Decision of the Day
I refuse to be manipulated by the enemy's propaganda. I choose to fix my heart on God's word. I will be courageous.
Psychological warfare is a proven age-old technique in wars. From the tactics of Alexander the Great to Hitler's propaganda machine to "Shock and Awe," opponents have tried to control the attitudes, emotions and beliefs of their enemies in other to ensure their defeat even before the battle.The object of psychological warfare is to condition the opponent for defeat through words, actions or other means. The technique is even employed in sports. Mohammad Ali, the legendary former heavy weight boxing champion was known to set up his opponents for defeat long before fights by boasting and taunting them, predicting the round he would knock them out. He boasted about his ability to " sting like a bee and flutter like a butterfly. " Most of the time, he did.
Satan uses this technique too to defeat believers. His method is to bombard you with words, thoughts or images that make you fearful, thus draining you of your courage. Words of fear deplete your courage. When you are discouraged you lose your ability to fight. You become incapacitated. Satan's psychological technique, unlike in our text from the book of Joshua, is based on lies. His method is propaganda through deceptions and lies. He exaggerates conditions, manipulates situations and circumstances, creates false evidences all with the aim of filling you with fear and thus stopping you in your tracks.
Someone has said FEAR is an acrostic for "False Evidences Appearing Real." The situation appears as an intimidating obstacle but when confronted by courageous action even in the face of fear, it turns out to be a smokescreen. Satan appears like a rearing lion but in truth is only a timid creature who would flee when resisted in faith ( I Peter 5:8,9).
Are you being intimidated and scared by something in your life now? Do you feel defeated already? If you do, you are probably listening to the wrong words, saying the wrong things, looking at the wrong pictures and thinking the wrong thoughts. Choose to change your word intake and focus. As Ulysses Grant said, "There are always more of the the enemy until they are counted." Face your fears and see them as the lies and scare tactics they are. What you face may seem intimidating but it isn't as big as your God. If fear words can melt the heart in fear, then the faith-filled words of God can solidify the heart in faith. It is your choice what you choose to hear and fear. Today, fill yourself with the word of God. Memorize the passages that speak to your fear. Encourage yourself in the Lord until you are like the persons spoken about in the psalms: "They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly." (Psalms 112:7, 8 NLT).
Decision of the Day
I refuse to be manipulated by the enemy's propaganda. I choose to fix my heart on God's word. I will be courageous.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
The Winner Effect: Succeeding in Successive Successions
Before the spies were down for the night, the woman came up to them on the roof and said, "I know that God has given you the land. We're all afraid. Everyone in the country feels hopeless. We heard how God dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt, and what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you put under a holy curse and destroyed. We heard it and our hearts sank. We all had the wind knocked out of us. And all because of you, you and God, your God, God of the heavens above and God of the earth below. (Joshua 2:8-11 MSG)
There is a phenomenon in biology known as the winner effect. It describes how an animal such as a bull that has won a few fights against some weak opponents suddenly gets on a roll and becomes more likely to win future fights against stronger opponents. Scientists have found out that when the animal wins a fight, some hormonal changes (increase in testosterone levels) takes place within the animal making it more likely to win again and again. The reverse happens when an animal loses, it can get on a losing streak. Since human's are part biological animals, the same effect is present. Success changes the chemistry of the brain, increasing focus, smartness, confidence and aggressiveness, making it likely that the individual will succeed in successions.
The major takeaway from this biological phenomenon is that little successes breed greater ones. You are more likely to succeed again if you've succeeded before. You can become programmed for success or even get addicted to it. This is the reason why it is usually recommended that you confront your smallest obstacles first and win before taking on the bigger and most intimidating ones. It is also the reason why you should celebrate little successes everyday because they program you for more successes. On the other hand, your previous successes send jitters into upcoming challengers, getting them scared and thus programming them for failure. Fear is failure programming.
We see this effect in our text. Jericho, having heard of the previous successes of Joshua's army had become jittery. They were expecting to lose. Israel on the other hand was on a winning streak. They had confidence. They were sending spies out to infiltrate the enemy's camp while the enemy locked themselves within their walls in fear.
Here's today's lesson. Confront the obstacles on your path from the least to the greatest. For example, if you have several debts, start paying of the smaller ones first. As you eliminate one, you get a psychological boost and if you continue, you will get the snowball effect. When you have a task with several parts very intimidating, start where you can. If you need to write several chapters of a 300-page book, begin with one sentence, the sentence will become a page, one page will become a chapter and one chapter will become several. Bite little chunks and soon you would have bitten a big chunk. Win onetime over a habit, and focus on successive individual victories over it and soon it would lose its power over you. Successive victory starts with one victory and with every victory you become more conditioned for victory and cause jitters in upcoming challenges. Choose to activate the winner effect in your life today. Your destiny demands it.
Decision of the Day
I choose to activate the winner effect in my life today. To use little successes to snowball into greater ones.
There is a phenomenon in biology known as the winner effect. It describes how an animal such as a bull that has won a few fights against some weak opponents suddenly gets on a roll and becomes more likely to win future fights against stronger opponents. Scientists have found out that when the animal wins a fight, some hormonal changes (increase in testosterone levels) takes place within the animal making it more likely to win again and again. The reverse happens when an animal loses, it can get on a losing streak. Since human's are part biological animals, the same effect is present. Success changes the chemistry of the brain, increasing focus, smartness, confidence and aggressiveness, making it likely that the individual will succeed in successions.
The major takeaway from this biological phenomenon is that little successes breed greater ones. You are more likely to succeed again if you've succeeded before. You can become programmed for success or even get addicted to it. This is the reason why it is usually recommended that you confront your smallest obstacles first and win before taking on the bigger and most intimidating ones. It is also the reason why you should celebrate little successes everyday because they program you for more successes. On the other hand, your previous successes send jitters into upcoming challengers, getting them scared and thus programming them for failure. Fear is failure programming.
We see this effect in our text. Jericho, having heard of the previous successes of Joshua's army had become jittery. They were expecting to lose. Israel on the other hand was on a winning streak. They had confidence. They were sending spies out to infiltrate the enemy's camp while the enemy locked themselves within their walls in fear.
Here's today's lesson. Confront the obstacles on your path from the least to the greatest. For example, if you have several debts, start paying of the smaller ones first. As you eliminate one, you get a psychological boost and if you continue, you will get the snowball effect. When you have a task with several parts very intimidating, start where you can. If you need to write several chapters of a 300-page book, begin with one sentence, the sentence will become a page, one page will become a chapter and one chapter will become several. Bite little chunks and soon you would have bitten a big chunk. Win onetime over a habit, and focus on successive individual victories over it and soon it would lose its power over you. Successive victory starts with one victory and with every victory you become more conditioned for victory and cause jitters in upcoming challenges. Choose to activate the winner effect in your life today. Your destiny demands it.
Decision of the Day
I choose to activate the winner effect in my life today. To use little successes to snowball into greater ones.
Monday, June 3, 2013
A Faith Lesson from the Red Light District
...So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night. But someone told the king of Jericho, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: “Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.” Rahab had hidden the two men ... Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. “I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. “Now swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families.” “We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety,” the men said ... Then, since Rahab’s house was built into the town wall, she let them down by a rope through the window. “Escape to the hill country,” she told them. “Hide there for three days from the men searching for you. Then, when they have returned, you can go on your way.” (Joshua 2:1-16 NLT)
It has been said that there are two reasons people change-either they see the light or feel the heat. Change through seeing the light is inspired change. Change through heat is forced change. However change is good no matter how it comes to be. In our text today, a remarkable change both through light and heat took place. It was a change that eventually transformed the world.
It is an amazing text for various reasons. First, for its theme of change. Rahab's house had had no lack of visitors but that day it hosted visitors of a different sort. A whorehouse became a hallowed spot. A whore received a halo. A sinner became a saint. A Jericho madam became a Jerusalem matriarch. A flirty prostitute became a faith pioneer. A house where sex was traded for money became a place where faith was traded for redemption. A woman who allowed everyone to use her decided instead to let God use her. A death-doomed gentile became a live-giving covenant giant of faith.
Then it is also amazing because of its strange but significant scenery. The Redemption story finds its beginnings in the red light district. The bloodline of the Savior went through the brothel. Salvation story swings through a strip club. Only God, Rahab and the depraved men who were the regular visitors to Rahab's house knew what role the scarlet rope played in Rahab's brothel before this day . Maybe it was an escape tool for men who visited her and had to quickly escape because their significant others were banging in rage on the other side of the door or perhaps it was for other lewd sexual uses we dare not talk about. One can only wonder. However the real wonder is that on that night it became a tool of salvation - a symbol of life-preserving covenant that eventually spawned David the great king and his great Messiah offspring. The body abused by many men would eventually house in its womb the progenitor of kings. ( Rahab's was ancestress to King David, all the kings of Judah, and Jesus).
Then, it is also amazing because it illustrates God's compassion. A woman with a bad past became a significant part of the world's future. God did not consult her past to determine that future. A gentile was incorporated into the covenant long before Peter could be born to visit Cornelius. Her faith was satisfactory to God and sufficient for her salvation. She didn't have to undo her years of sinning, she only needed to look to a scarlet cord in faith and she and her family were saved.
This has much for you today. First, it shows there is no one past being used by God and that there is nothing in your story or existence that God cannot utilize for his purpose. Your past has not taken you past his pasture of divine purpose. There is nothing he cannot redeem. Your misses can become missiles of faith, your mess a message and your sin-ridden environment a hallowed ground of deliverance for others. Your distance from God can be bridged and kings can still come out of your loins even if you had messed with the vilest. The scarlet fountain flowing from Jesus' veins can be your own lifeline.
Then it shows the power of faith. Rahab acknowledged God as supreme and entrusted herself to him for her deliverance. He did not disappoint. If you will do the same today with your life, the world can start expecting the inevitable --the manifestation of one who has fully committed his or her life to God.
Decision of the Day
I see that God is the God of transformation. He is the God of mercy. He is not bothered about my past or the place I dwell now. If I can dare put my faith in him, he'll change everything and use me for his glory. I chose to entrust myself to him today.
It has been said that there are two reasons people change-either they see the light or feel the heat. Change through seeing the light is inspired change. Change through heat is forced change. However change is good no matter how it comes to be. In our text today, a remarkable change both through light and heat took place. It was a change that eventually transformed the world.
It is an amazing text for various reasons. First, for its theme of change. Rahab's house had had no lack of visitors but that day it hosted visitors of a different sort. A whorehouse became a hallowed spot. A whore received a halo. A sinner became a saint. A Jericho madam became a Jerusalem matriarch. A flirty prostitute became a faith pioneer. A house where sex was traded for money became a place where faith was traded for redemption. A woman who allowed everyone to use her decided instead to let God use her. A death-doomed gentile became a live-giving covenant giant of faith.
Then it is also amazing because of its strange but significant scenery. The Redemption story finds its beginnings in the red light district. The bloodline of the Savior went through the brothel. Salvation story swings through a strip club. Only God, Rahab and the depraved men who were the regular visitors to Rahab's house knew what role the scarlet rope played in Rahab's brothel before this day . Maybe it was an escape tool for men who visited her and had to quickly escape because their significant others were banging in rage on the other side of the door or perhaps it was for other lewd sexual uses we dare not talk about. One can only wonder. However the real wonder is that on that night it became a tool of salvation - a symbol of life-preserving covenant that eventually spawned David the great king and his great Messiah offspring. The body abused by many men would eventually house in its womb the progenitor of kings. ( Rahab's was ancestress to King David, all the kings of Judah, and Jesus).
Then, it is also amazing because it illustrates God's compassion. A woman with a bad past became a significant part of the world's future. God did not consult her past to determine that future. A gentile was incorporated into the covenant long before Peter could be born to visit Cornelius. Her faith was satisfactory to God and sufficient for her salvation. She didn't have to undo her years of sinning, she only needed to look to a scarlet cord in faith and she and her family were saved.
This has much for you today. First, it shows there is no one past being used by God and that there is nothing in your story or existence that God cannot utilize for his purpose. Your past has not taken you past his pasture of divine purpose. There is nothing he cannot redeem. Your misses can become missiles of faith, your mess a message and your sin-ridden environment a hallowed ground of deliverance for others. Your distance from God can be bridged and kings can still come out of your loins even if you had messed with the vilest. The scarlet fountain flowing from Jesus' veins can be your own lifeline.
Then it shows the power of faith. Rahab acknowledged God as supreme and entrusted herself to him for her deliverance. He did not disappoint. If you will do the same today with your life, the world can start expecting the inevitable --the manifestation of one who has fully committed his or her life to God.
Decision of the Day
I see that God is the God of transformation. He is the God of mercy. He is not bothered about my past or the place I dwell now. If I can dare put my faith in him, he'll change everything and use me for his glory. I chose to entrust myself to him today.
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