Challenge by Aaron Harper...be a strong and courageous leader.

Real Dudes,  
Again, lots going on this past Saturday in Grinnell…with the Prairie Burn and baseball tournament at Ahrens. But we still had a solid 26 in attendance with two new visitors which was exciting. Aaron Harper did a great job as he explained how to be strong and of good courage from the Book of Joshua. Below are a few notes I took as he spoke. And here is the link to his challenge on-line at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrtfo2zizK0.
Enjoy,
Nate
 
As God’s people were on their way to the Promise Land we read about conversations that were had leading up to the transition of Leadership from Moses to Joshua.  

• Deuteronomy 31:6
• Deuteronomy 31:7
• Deuteronomy 31:23

Notice when reading Joshua 1:5-18 how many times the phrase be strong and of good courage is mentioned.

• Joshua 1:5-18

Why the emphasis on this phrase?

• He was entrusted with a giant task.
• Leading around 2 million people…about 2/3 the size of Iowa’s population.  
• Joshua 3:15a (NIV) Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest.
• In Joshua 3:1-5 we see Joshua’s response.
  • It was active, not passive. He stepped into what God called him to do.
  • He rose early in the morning.  
• What would have been my response?
• What’s your Jordan River experience?
  • At the conclusion of Aaron Harper’s challenge we broke off into about four groups to share these with each other.

Remember God’s Faithfulness…He always keeps His promises.

• Reflect on the Deuteronomy passages above…when God’s says “I will.”
• Joshua 3:5 (NIV) Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
• Joshua 3:6-7
  • Aaron Harper shared with us how his first wife died in a car accident and how difficult it was to tell their 6 and 8 year old daughters that mom isn’t coming home.
• When God gives direction, take it.
  • Joshua 3:8-13
  • Even if some won’t like what you’re trying to do.
  • In the Bible, He tells us how to cross our Jordan’s.
    • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
    • James 1:1-5
    • Proverbs 19:20

Obedience is Key.

• Joshua 3:14-17
• Joshua obeyed and completed the task.
• He led God’s people through the Jordan on dry ground.
• Do you believe that He’ll make your path dry too?
• Aaron Harper discussed the challenge with us of having to navigate life as a single dad. In 2015 he met his current wife on-line, married, and moved to Gilman, IA. In 2016, they received the news that she has cancer. Recovered in 2017. But cancer returned in her lungs in 2019. And in 2022 they found another spot in her lung. This past April they found out that the spot was not bigger, but it wasn’t spreading either. It has been a continual challenge to rely on God. But regardless of the challenges they face, they truly believe that anything is possible with God…He is our HOPE.  

Nate’s follow-up notes:

• I listened to a message by a Pastor Paul Liu a few years ago. He was talking about Exodus 33:11 which says, ‘when Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.’ 
• In your opinion, why did Joshua just stay there? 
• Pastor Liu states that he stayed there, "Presumably because he didn’t just want to witness Moses speaking to God, he wanted to speak to God. He didn’t just want to be someone who saw God do great things through Moses, he wanted God to do great things through him. He wanted to hear from God himself, he wanted to meet with God himself, he valued being in God’s presence, he was serious about being with God. Joshua practiced and prioritized being in God’s presence. It wasn’t random. It wasn’t only when in desperate times. It was all the time."
• God knew Joshua’s heart. He knew what Joshua wanted to be doing. God allowed him into that spot, which is the need for Him to remind Joshua to be strong and courageous.
• There are many who are quick to criticize those in leadership positions, but if offered those positions they’d be quick to turn them down. Why? Because they don’t possess the qualities of a successful leader. God knew that Joshua would be successful…Joshua just needed to rely on God’s strength and courage when faced with the tasks before him.