Looking Forward

As the year wraps up my thinking goes to setting goals. I can't help it. It drives my family CRAZY! but I just love a fresh start! I'm pretty much the same way with a new month or week! I guess we all have our little quirks. Any way...
I was reading Joshua 1 the other day and I was struck with a new thought. I am really good at making all these plans - I have the formula down! But I really lack in the follow through department.
In Joshua ! the children of Israel are getting ready to enter the Promised Land, after wandering forty years in the wilderness. God delivers some words of wisdom to the band's leader. And even though I have read this passage several times, God showed me a new meaning. Isn't He wonderful like that? He shows you just what you need, when you need it!
Joshua 1:7-9New International Version (NIV) 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God tells us to be strong and very courageous. This tells me that this path will be difficult and scary at times. BUT God is good enough to give us the antidote for being afraid to take that next step. In verse 8 He tells us not to let the Book of the Law depart from our mouths, to meditate on it day and night, and finally, to do everything in the Book of the Law. GULP! Yep, it says everything. Oh, but there is a promise... God promises that we will be successful and prosperous!
So with his promise ringing in my ears, I put pen to paper to set out my map for 2012. I invite you to come along on this journey with me! It's going to be an amazing ride!