Guest Post by Jay Thompson
Survivor, Survivorman, Man vs Wild, Dual Survival, Man Woman Wild … the list of survival shows today goes on and on. I love every one of them. If you watch any of these shows, they all agree on the basic needs of a person in a survival situation … FOOD, WATER, SHELTER, FIRE.
Lately I have been reading in the book of Joshua. The Israelites have wondered in the wilderness for 40 years and now it is finally time to go into the promised land. Before they cross over the Jordan, Joshua says to only pack the necessities.
“Go through the camp and tell the people to get their PROVISIONS ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Joshua 1:11 NLT)
As I read this passage I asked myself, “What are the provisions I need as I follow Jesus?” (Alright I know this list is not going to surprise anyone, but the know the things to do and doing them are extremely different.)
- time alone … (Psalms 46:10, Mark 1:35, 6:45-46, Luke 4:42, 5:16))
Life can get so busy that we never have time to sit, think, or rest. Jesus took time to be alone. I need to slow down.
- time alone with God’s word … (Ephesians 3:14-19, 1 Timothy 4:6-7, Hebrews 5:11-14, 2 Peter 1:2)
Reading, studying, journaling God’s word for ourselves is what enables us to live out God’s word in our lives. I need to make sure I take time to fill up.
- time with God’s people … (Acts 2:44-47, Ephesians 2:19-22, Philippians 1:27, Hebrews 10:24-25)
Accepting Jesus is a personal decision that was never intended to be lived alone. God wants to use others to encourage and challenge me and wants me to encourage and challenge others.
Life … it’s a jungle out there. Make sure you have your survival provisions.
*** The following was a guest post by Jay Thompson, Pastor of Community and Connections at Lakeside Church in Greensboro, GA.
