The Five Steps To Success

Steps 3-5.  Stay on Course, Meditate, Do 

In our last lesson we discovered a parallel between Joshua’s path to blessing and the Parable of the Sower. In both cases, the blessing always comes after we hear the Word and thru Strength and Courage overcome the problems and distractions that arise when we set out to do the Word.

I. The Two Admonitions.

A. The first admonition to be Strong and Courageous is to not get bogged down in problems that arise because we set out to ‘take the land’ (last time). Josh 1:6. It’s associated with POS #2.

1. They hear the Word w/joy and do fine for awhile but then when problems (trial, temptation, persecution, tribulation) arise because of the Word -  they fall… Mt 13:20-21, Mk 4:17, Lk 8:13.

B. The second admonition to be Strong and Courageous is so we not drift off course on our journey to do the Word. Josh 1:7. This week we’re going to discuss some things that cause us to drift off course & what God’s solution for this tendency to turn to the right or the left is. POS #3.

II. Drifting Off Course.

1. Right turns:  Mt 13:22. Cares of this world, Deceitfulness of riches, Jas 1:24. Forgetfulness, 

2. Left turns: Mk 4:19. Desires (lusts) for other things enter in, Lk 8:14. Cares & Pleasures of this life.

3.  All these things distract us so we gradually turn away from what we set out to do – the Word. This ‘chokes’ the Word so no fruit or blessing is produced. Choke: to drown, smother, or crowd. 

III. God’s Solution 

God’s Solution: ‘Hear’ (set your goal) then ‘Meditate’ on this Word.  Josh 1:8 (say) Pr 4:26-27, Dt 6:7-9.

Prov 4:25-27 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left.

Deut 6:6-9 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. (And then you shall receive God’s blessing.)
(KJV)

God tells us how to overcome distractions that cause us to drift. ‘Meditate’ on what I said to do.’  
Blessing Desired	Word Promise	Distraction 	Solution: Meditate & Do this Word	
Take the land (1st time)	Num 13:2. I give it to you	Giants, walled cities	I’ve given you this land, take it+? (we’ll never know)	
Take the land (2nd time)	Josh 1:2-3 I give it to you	Giants, walled cities	I’ve given you this land, take it + March & Shout, etc.	
Walk on Water	“Come”	Storm	“Come”. 2 Cor 4:18, Pr 3:5.	
Finances	Lk 6:38.	Forgetfulness, Lusts of other things, Cares & Pleasures of this world	Mk 11:23, Mal 3:10.	
Peace of Mind	Phil 4:7.	Cares of this world, looking at mountain vs. speaking to it.	Phil 4:6, Mt 6:34, Mk 11:23.	
Healing	Mk 11:24, 1P2:24.	Pain, No visual progress,	2Cor 5:7, Pr 4:22, Mt 8:17,Gal 3:13, Dt 28:61	
Good Marriage	Gal3:13,Dt 28:6,54,56.	Quarrels, selfishness, money	1Cor 13:4-8, Eph 4:24-32, 5:25, Phil 2:3, Mt 5:23-24 	
Children who turn out right 	Pr 22:6. Dt 28:32,41	Contrary evidence.  	Eph 6:4, 1Cor 13:4-8, Eph 4:24-32, 5:25, Mt 5:23-24 	
HOMEWORK HBS-118

___.  One thing common between Joshua’s path to blessing and the Parable of the Sower is that the blessing always comes after we hear the Word and overcome the problems and distractions that arise when we set out to do the Word.

___. One reason God told Joshua to be Strong & Courageous was so he wouldn’t give up when problems arose.

___. A 2nd reason is because it would take strength and courage to apply God’s Word to situations he would have to face on this journey to the promised land.

There is a tendency in our flesh that after we hear something from God’s Word and then make up our mind to do what we heard, to __________________ what we heard.

There is also a tendency to  gradually ____________ off the course we set for ourselves. 

Name 4 things that cause us to drift off course. _______________________________________,
__________________________, _________________________, ________________________.

These things ___________ us so we gradually turn away from what we set out to do – the Word. 

This ‘__________’ the Word so no fruit or blessing is produced. 

In parable of the Sower, the distractions that cause us to drift off course are likened to ________.

The way God chose for Joshua to stay on course was to _____________ on what He said.

He said to do this _________________  and ______________.

He also said to ____________ not from it to the __________________  or ________________.

The reason He said all this was so we would  be able to ________ on course to ____ His Word.

___. However this only applies to Joshua since it was said directly to him.

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________________________

___. God wants us to meditate on His Word to keep us busy so we stay out of trouble.

What did God mean when He told Joshua that the Word was not to depart out of His mouth right after he told Joshua to meditate on His Word?
____________________________________________________________________________.

BONUS
Fill in the blanks with a blessing you’ve desired in your life and how you’d go about receiving it.

Blessing You Desired	Your Word Promise	Your Distraction 	Your Solution: Meditate & Do this Word