Ready:
"Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:7
Set:
Every sport has a unique set of boundaries that helps the sport be exactly the same and fair for every player. It keeps the flow of the game accurate and have more integrity. Players learn the rules and boundaries. Strategies and plays are created, practiced and set based on the boundaries. Referees and umpires learn the rules and the boundaries to be able to officiate the games correctly. Often games are determined by boundaries. How well a team plays or doesn’t play, who wins or who loses, are mostly determined by the rules and boundaries. When an athlete learns a new sport they must learn the rules and boundaries first. It’s of little benefit to not learn the boundaries and rules.
In our relationship with Jesus Christ, there are boundaries that keep us on the right path. If we didn’t have these, we will run into wrong behaviors and find it hard to follow Jesus with much success. We would find dead ends and detours on the pathway of life. The Bible verse from Joshua 1:7 was God’s instruction to the young man, Joshua, giving him the rules and boundaries.
The clear instruction was to not be weak nor hesitant about the instructions, but to be strong and courageous. It’s not easy to follow the instructions of the Lord. Some may mock us for wanting to follow the commands of the Lord. Joshua was to be strong in how he observed the instructions, not turning to the left or right from them, but courageous and strong in following them. The result would be that he would have success wherever he went.
The rules and boundaries God gives us are there to grow us and protect us. Boundaries such as loving Him with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and loving others as ourselves. Or seeking God and His kingdom first. Another would be the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. We are called to live with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” All of these boundaries help us in our lives.
We should live in such a way that you can be strong and courageous in the ways - the boundaries of God.
Go:
Have you played in a game where the boundaries helped your team win the game?
How hard is it to learn all the boundaries and rules in the sport you play?
Have you studied and learned the boundaries of the ways of God?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord Jesus, thank You for creating life and creating the boundaries to live it well and correctly. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, who lives in me, who helps me follow You. Give me courage and strength to follow You and live inside the boundaries. I ask for Your help. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”