My Calculations Are So Accurate

[S] Joshua 7:3 --
 ³They returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not let all the people go up; only about two or three thousand men need go up to Ai; do not make all the people toil up there, for they are few."

[O] Conquering Jericho was a God-sized task and was completed by relying on God's instructions even though it did not make much sense to circle around the city when they really needed to battle against a fortified city.  On their next assignment of conquering Ai, they were too comfortable to come up with their own plans.  Not sure how they came to this conclusion but they decided on sending only 2,000 or 3,000 men to take care of this task.  In fact, they assessed this task to be too easy not to have everyone be bothered by it.  They didn't need to seek God's guidance here because it seemed too simple and easy; besides, they were all still high from Jericho's victory.

Am I also too simple-minded to take on Godly tasks without seeking God's guidance because I may be so used to doing them and/or assess them to be too easy?  Not relying on God every tasks He calls me to do is a major mistake I need to avoid.  No matter how big or small, I must seek His counsel before executing the tasks.

[A] To me, this is an application of humility in doing God's work.  God wants me to lean on Him more so that how well I do the tasks.  So, every day seek for His wisdom and guidance in doing His ministry.

[P] Thank You, God, for Your desire to lead me every turn of my assignments You're giving me.  I want to stay humble to follow Your leadership rather than barging ahead with my own experiences. In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Start the Days of 2010 by Listening

[S] Genesis 6:8,22; 7:5--
 ⁸But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
 ²²Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did. 
 ⁵Noah did according to all that the LORD had commanded him.

[O] During the time of corrupted living by men, Noah found God's favor.  That alone is quite amazing because he was the only one who's heart was set for God.  Talk about going against the grain, Noah definitely was doing this during the period when everyone else was immersed in evil thoughts (Genesis 6:5).  Quite challenging.  Also, God describes how Noah was faithfully obedient to God's commands.  At least in this context, full & faithful obedience equals finding God's favor.

[A] Listening to what God says and obeying Him 100% leads to finding His favor.  As we heard in today's sermon, start everyday of 2010 with: "Speak, for Your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 2:10)  He will speak, and I will then listen to His guidance for my life.

[P] Dear God, I want to start off each day in 2010 by listening to You.  I will prepare my mind to listen to You before I do anything else.  Speak to me this year with You loving guiding words for my life.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.