Remember God's Power... The X Factor Devotional - Day Thirty Eight - March 3, 2010

"These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
Joshua 4:7b

Joshua had instructed the people to carry large stones from the bed of the Jordan River and place them on the Canaan side of the river.  These stones provided a memorial of God’s power, provision and purpose for the children of Israel.  The Israelites would periodically return to this place, Gilgal, to express their gratitude for victories won in this new land.  They were commanded to bring their children with them on these occasions.

Carefully read Joshua 4:19-24.  When the people of Israel were obedient to God’s instruction regarding these twelve stones, it provided a great opportunity to teach and instruct the next generation.  "He said to the Israelites, ‘In the future when your descendents ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’" (Joshua 4:21).  A child’s natural curiosity opens the door for a parent to testify of God’s remarkable power.  Parents should lead their children back to the place where God has demonstrated His timely provision.  It may be a story, a place, or even a picture, but whatever it is, let them see it over and over again until it becomes a defining moment in their lives and a monument to God’s grace.

The X Factor is an excellent opportunity for the entire church body, member by member, to build a "memorial of gratitude."  Communicate to your family members and friends that this memorial is not merely a building or a piece of property; it is, more importantly, the experience of trusting God and seeing Him come through.  Gilgal was not just a pile of rocks.  It was a powerful reminder of our indebtedness to God.  The greatest heritage we can leave to the next generation is such a memorial of God’s goodness.

Prayer Focus: Take some time to reflect on some memories of God’s power and goodness in your life.  Was it an event? A Baptism?  A worship song?  Message?  Was it a special prayer time?  Some special blessing? Remember Him.

My first sale of "Full Disclosure: Exposing Church Planting Blind Spots"

This is Graydon Jessup, newly hired Stadia International employee. He bought my first book, "Full Disclosure: Exposing Church Planting Blind Spots." I am going to have that $20 bill framed.

You might think that is silly. I kinda do too. But then again... let's just ponder about the power of God and blessing of God for a moment. What if... what if... what if God chose to bless this book? And the next two books that are already in process? What if one of them became a best seller? What if one of them was the next "Purpose Driven Life?"

I think it would be cool to show my kids and grandkids the first $20 bill received from my first book. I'd then tell him that dreams can come true. I'd tell him to never give up on those dreams. I'd tell him that God's power is infinite and anything is possible in Christ.

Come to think of it... that's what I'd tell you too!