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On Mouthing the Word of God

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November 9, 2021

Joshua 1:7-9 (NIV)

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

CONSIDER THIS

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Have you noticed how the Bible never leaves behind the fundamentals of the faith? It’s right there in plain view again today.

8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Translation: Keep your eye on the ball.

I am coming to realize who and what I am in the Kingdom of God. I am an awakening coach. I have come to realize this is how many of you see and relate to me. Either way, I can tell you, this is how I relate to you. I am here to encourage you to get out of the bleachers of passive faith and get onto the field of active awakening. This journey from the bleachers to the field goes by a few different names: training, conditioning, disciple-making, etc.

The Christian faith has become more about practicing at practicing, staying stuck in ruts of mindless motions, doing the things of faithfulness without really growing in the strength of faith and otherwise slowly slipping into a state of sleep. We’ve got to wake up, people. 

I love how the Word of God urges Joshua today to Core Conditioning #1A. 

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

ALWAYS:  Now here’s a fascinating thing about that term “always.” You know what it really means? ALWAYS. It means at all times and in all your ways. I am challenged by this. 

ON YOUR LIPS: This “Book of the Law” is the Word of God. It is an audible word. From a quiet whisper to a piercing shout, the Word of God is meant to be “mouthed,” or spoken aloud. And as it is spoken aloud from your lips, at whatever decibel, it is as though it is coming from the mouth of God—through your lips. Let’s remember Isaiah 55. Speak it aloud now: 

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11. 

As the Word of God comes forth from your mouth, it is going forth from God’s mouth. It then comes into your hearing. Remember, faith comes by hearing. From your ears it makes it way to your heart and from your heart to your mind, spirit, soul, and strength. It is no accident that the bold admonition to “be strong and very courageous” is immediately followed by the urgent exhortation to anchor down deep into the Word of God. It begins with mouthing. 

So we only made it this far today. I thought we would go further. That’s one of the great features of the DAILY TEXT. It’s going to be TODAY again tomorrow. ;0) 

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;

So will you do it today. Let’s just start with the first five words from God– from Joshua 1:7.

Be strong and very courageous.

All day long I want you to speak these words, aloud, from whisper to shout (you pick based on context). And look for opportunities to speak them to someone else. Remember, they are the Words of God and they are powerful and effective. The Word of God accomplishes the Work of God . . . every . . . single . . . time. 

We will get to meditate on it day and night tomorrow. ;0) 

THE PRAYER

Father, thank you for your Word. Where would we be without your Word, and yet if I am honest, I can go hours, even days, without it. I am fooling myself, because I am not really going anywhere without your Word. Would you help me keep this Word of God always on my lips? Come Holy Spirit, this is who you are and what you do, you cause the Word of God to become flesh, to be like a fire in my bones, to be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. In Jesus name, Amen. 

THE QUESTION

Do you see how when you speak God’s Word it is as though God were speaking it? How does this encourage you? Is your faith rising in the power of God’s Word and Spirit? Be strong and very courageous. How many times can you say this today? 

P.S. — ENCOURAGEMENT #9

ENCOURAGEMENT #9 TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEEDBED ADVENT EXPERIENCE: These morning together in Advent are going to be like showing up at the gym together (sans burpees and medicine balls). We are going to be in training and conditioning and you are going to love it. Come on! I want to see you there. Deeper Advent = Better Christmas. You can see all the details here. If you already have the book, The Christian New Year, be sure to choose that option on the dropdown to avoid buying another book—OR EVEN BETTER—get another book and invite a friend to join us. COME ON!

For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com

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WHAT IS THIS? Wake-Up Call is a daily encouragement to shake off the slumber of our busy lives and turn our eyes toward Jesus. Each morning our community gathers around a Scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and a few short questions, inviting us to reorient our lives around the love of Jesus that transforms our hearts, homes, churches, and cities.

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