Joshua 9
9 They answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, 10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. 11 And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, “We are your servants; make a treaty with us.”’ 12 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. 13 And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey.”
14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. 15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.
John 15
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Don't stop inquiring of the Lord.
This morning I had the privilege of having breakfast with my Dad. He told me a story from his life...
When he was around my age, he was working in Columbus, OH and actively serving in a local church. He got a call from a headhunter one afternoon, the job offer was in Wisconsin and it seemed to be the big break for his career. He remembers the phone call well... after the offer was made, my Father accepted the job that would move us to Wisconsin. The headhunter asked, "Do you need to talk this over with your wife?" The offer was so appealing that he said no. He made a decision to leave the church that we helped plant and to move to Wisconsin without talking to my Mom, nor did he inquire of the Lord. He presumed and relied on his own understanding.
When he was around my age, he was working in Columbus, OH and actively serving in a local church. He got a call from a headhunter one afternoon, the job offer was in Wisconsin and it seemed to be the big break for his career. He remembers the phone call well... after the offer was made, my Father accepted the job that would move us to Wisconsin. The headhunter asked, "Do you need to talk this over with your wife?" The offer was so appealing that he said no. He made a decision to leave the church that we helped plant and to move to Wisconsin without talking to my Mom, nor did he inquire of the Lord. He presumed and relied on his own understanding.
Two days later, he received a call from another job offer that would have kept us in Columbus and which would have been the perfect job for my Dad... he was bound by his commitment to Wisconsin and was unable to even consider the offer.
Let us not think that we have the wisdom or understanding to make the right decisions on our own for our ministries or for our own lives. Do not forget to inquire of the Lord. Without Him we can do nothing.
Privileged to serve,
Jeff
