Joshua was leading the Israelites in conquering the Promised Land. The LORD was with him giving the peoples and cities into his hand. As I think about the pockets of sin in my life this study of Joshua gives me hope for fighting my sin…the real enemy.

Hebrews 12:1-5 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?”

Lord Jesus, thank you for this encouragement today. In Joshua the kings are captured and are in the cave behind a stone with guards set up. Concerning my gluttony and laziness (the kings) I have overcome in this area and have accountability set up to keep this sin under control. However, I believe you are commanding me now to pursue my other sins that cling so closely. To look to Jesus and the suffering He endured so that I will not become weary or fainthearted in my struggle against sin. Thank you for making a way for me to be adopted and treated as a child of the Father.

When God Ran by Phillips Craig and Dean

Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time
the only time I ever saw Him run

CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran

The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run

And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me

BRIDGE:
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day

I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again

He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran

“Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who alone does great wonders, for  His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who by understanding made the heavens, for His steadfast love endures forever; to  Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His steadfast love endures forever……” Psalm 137:3-6

Well, on Mother’s Day we called and found out that a few months ago Papa had his heart looked at and one of his valves was leaking 15%. Recently he went back and it was leaking 65%. So, Tuesday he went in to have a procedure done to have it checked out. On Tuesday they decided that he would need open heart surgery to repair the leaking valve. The surgery is actually right now! Jeremy left Wednesday morning for Texas and was able to have some great quality time with his Papa last night. This is exactly what we were praying for so we are so grateful that the Lord provided such sweet fellowship!

His Papa told him, “Well, they say I don’t have much of a chance if they do the valve replacement and not a much better chance with this thing they’re doing, so this may be it.” To which Jeremy replied, “Well, statistically they’re probably right, but I don’t believe in statistics so how about I pray for you?” This delighted Papa and Jeremy got to pray for him for a long time and then they talked about the gospel for 30 minutes. What a joy and delight! I’m so thankful that we were able to send Jeremy to have this time with his Papa.

We’d appreciate your prayers for Papa and the family right now. Thanks to those of you who have called, prayed with me, gone shopping for me, etc. while Jeremy is away doing what’s most important right now.

We love you all!!

QUESTION: Is there a part of Elizabeth’s life that particularly stood out to you or perhaps a journal entry of hers that you especially enjoyed?

ANSWER: I love this quotation: ‘God never places us in any position in which we can not grow. We may fancy that He does. We may fear we are so impeded by fretting, petty cares that we are gaining nothing; but when we are not sending any branches upward, we may be sending roots downward. Perhaps in the time of our humiliation, when everything seems a failure, we are making the best kind of progress.’

Well, after arriving at the site the next thing I knew I’d joined The Lord’s Table course and gotten myself a mentor (it’s free!) It’s a 60 day course with incredible Bible study and questions. The next thing I noticed was that the ministry is partnered with Desiring God (John Piper’s ministry), which immediately let me know that it truly is a good thing! I immediately started the program with my first lesson. As I was meditating on the truths shared in this first lesson my face was so hot and I could just sense the Spirit at work in my heart. Since then I can’t say that I haven’t fallen, but the Lord is changing my heart. He’s teaching me that looking to food for satisfaction is idolatry. For as long as I can remember I’ve been trying to fill my soul with food that is never meant to feed my soul. There is so much in the Bible that clearly teaches that I am to be feeding on Jesus, the Bread of life, the Living water! If you struggle at all with this area of your life or any habitual sin that you can’t seem to get overcome you should check out this ministry! They have courses for other habitual sins too. Did I mention it’s FREE?!?!

Next everyone tested their heat vision by trying to melt a candle with their eyes. No one seemed to have this super power, so Professor Mayhem demonstrated what this power might look like should they develop it at some point in the future ( he melted a candle with my heat gun). The next activity involved revealing some toxic material (especially if you are from the planet Krypton). We had a round of Kryptonite Toss (hot potato) so they could get some practice at handling dangerous materials. Following this Professor Mayhem demonstratded that he doesn’t have the superpower of X-ray vision as Justin opened his presents.

Then, it was time for the superheroes to suit up. Everyone got dressed in their special suits and we had a special dinner celebration (cupcakes, spiderman cheese nips, ice cream and juice). Jeremy ended by talking to them about why we love superheroes. They always do what’s right, they are strong and they save people. Then, he explained that Jesus is our true hero. He never sinned, He’s strong enough to do anything and he’s the ONLY ONE who can truly SAVE! What a great birthday party. If you want to catch some video footage you can scoot on over to Jer’s blog.