The situation was desperate. A towering leader was dead, and there were pressing decisions to be made. There was new and threatening territory to be explored and claimed, but there were hostile inhabitants to be encountered. The need for strength and courage could hardly be overstated. Such was the situation faced by a man named Joshua.

“Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, ‘Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.’ “ (Joshua 1.1-2)

Several men who have held the office of Vice President of the United States could well relate to this challenge and dilemma.

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Who and what do you love most? The question may be more challenging to answer than we think.

The apostle Peter had three times denied even knowing Jesus on the night He was betrayed and arrested.  In spite of his strong verbal affirmation of love and devotion, his actions in the crucial moments proved otherwise. But, the resurrected Christ graciously gave him an opportunity to rescind his denials with affirmations of love and loyalty.

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It’s been said that finishing well doesn’t get enough press. There is plenty of focus on new beginnings, such as the start of new political campaigns, or some new program. But, where is the recognition for staying with something, through thick or thin, and seeing it through to completion? It’s not the flashy start, but the faithful finish, that really counts.

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8.31-32)

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We would do well to listen. Not just casually hear what He has to say, but really listen and take it all to heart.

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him … I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.” (Deuteronomy 18.15, 18-19)

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There is an old saying, “There are none so blind as those who will not see.” The inability to see is one thing, but a stubborn refusal to see is quite another.

The ninth chapter of John contains the account of the miraculous healing of a young man, blind from birth. The simplicity of his testimony is both touching and profound: “one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." (John 9.25) The deliberate blindness of the religious leaders, however, stands in sharp contrast: “Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, ‘We are not blind too, are we?' Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.' “ (John 9.40-41) The most tragic blindness is that of those who are unwilling to see.

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Activities lead to habits, and habits lead to lifestyle. In essence, what we do regularly eventually becomes habit and, over an extended period of time, these habits come to characterize our lifestyle. So, it behooves us to choose wisely as to what we do.  “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5.15-16)

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What are you hungry for? That’s often the question raised before a meal is cooked, or a restaurant is chosen. But, the question runs much deeper than menu options.

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.’ “ (John 6.35)

Hunger and thirst drive passion for satisfaction, and therein lies a potential problem.

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A popular commercial these days asserts, “Get this one done.” That message especially applies to this top priority:

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

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Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” Perhaps the writer who penned these words was deaf, because far more harm has been done by words than physical injuries. As such, it behooves us to be careful with our words.

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4.29-32)

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It is a date established long ago. Although it cannot be seen on anyone’s calendar, it is the surest of events. It is an event you can - and should - carefully plan around. The most deliberate and detailed plans will be impacted by this one event, so do not dare plan anything without taking this key event into consideration.

"BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen." (Revelation 1:7)