We are about to enter the world of 3D.
As with every three-dimensional adventure, plan to interact with an immersive environment that creates a sensory experience. A lifelike scene. An enhanced encounter. This is not an illusion, artificial simulation, or virtual reality. But amazing wonders we get to see, hear, and touch.
3D Up Close and Personal
3D aspects of width, height, and depth bring the spiritual realm up close and personal with God himself. So let’s put on our 3D glasses and look at the story in chapter 3 of Joshua.
After the death of Moses, Joshua’s commissioned as leader. The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years. Time came to enter the Promised Land. God’s people set out and arrived at the Jordan river where they lodged for three days. They needed to get to the other side but not take the long way home.
The Lord gave specific instructions. The priests were to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord (His presence) to the brink of the water. The people were commanded to follow at a distance in order to “know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before” (verse 4 ESV, emphasis mine).
Joshua told them to consecrate themselves for the Lord would do wonders among them (verse 5). When the soles of the priests’ feet rested in the waters, the waters (at flood stage) would stop flowing and stand in a heap (verse 13).
3D Christian Living
Dimension (1). Obedience to God’s commands, plan, and way.
Obedience adds width to our spiritual journey. It shows we believe in the power of God’s hand and the power of His Word.
Obedience expands our borders of abundant life and broadens our scope of influence for God’s kingdom. You see…
God wants our obedience, not our help.
Can we really help the God of the universe? Oh, we often try. In our mind and prayers, we devise plans and ask God to do it our way. But He always has our greatest interest at heart, concerned for our well-being. His way is best.
While I understand the concept of self-help as a popular trend. Friends, we don’t need self-help. We can’t help ourselves.
Lay down the lie of self-help. We need God-help, Jesus-help, and help from the Holy Spirit. #blog @FridayKaren Click To TweetGod’s people needed His help to cross the Jordan. On the other side was a new kind of life.
As God’s people, we need His help to cross the Jordan rivers in our lives. We can do it God’s way or our way. On the other side lies victory and new beginnings. But we have to cross over difficult relationships, new jobs, hardships, ministry, and the seasons in life.
Our way often sweeps us away with flood waters. We drown in despair as life wanderers. And we never enter the promised destination where abundant life awaits.
3D Holy Living
Dimension (2). Consecration to God’s Holy and sacred character.
It adds height to our spiritual journey—takes us up close to God.
The Lord calls His people to holiness, purity, and separation from the world. God delights in a holy people.
“Joshua told the people, Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you” (Joshua 3:5 NIV).
Consecration involved cleansing in the water at the bank of the river. A spiritual rite for sanctification to a Holy God.
The literal meaning for consecration is “association with the sacred” (Google). We have the privilege to associate with the sacred every day. Jesus.
Associating with Jesus today, expecting amazing for tomorrow! (Joshua 3:5) #Amazing @FridayKaren Click To Tweet3D Amazing Wonders
Dimension (3). Amazing wonders displayed in our lives—the extraordinary.
Obedience and consecration leads to this third dimension. It adds depth (deepness) to our spiritual journey.
The Lord’s works and miracles become a reality we see, hear, and touch. We are involved in the scene and experience the supernatural.
We walk by faith in the promise of God’s power.
Nothing happened at the Jordan until the priests stepped in by faith and obedience. Then, the miraculous happened.
“The priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan” (verse 17, ESV).
As we stand on the banks of the Jordan, God’s capable of making a way. He walks before us and keeps our feet on dry ground. So, let’s put on our spiritual 3D glasses and get ready for amazing wonders! They’re coming!
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I’ve too often been guilty of dreaming up and suggesting ways for God to answer my prayers–when the Bible says He “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or *think*” (Ephesians 3:20). I love this idea of reading OT narratives as if we’re right there.
Barbara, I’m with you in having plan B and sometimes even Plan A ready for the Lord to review as I pray. Now, I’m more intentional to release everything to Him and desire to walk in obedience.
I too agree. My reality is God don’t need us to do His Job. He needs us to have Faith. He’s Grace and Mercy. He handles His for he knows all our needs before we can even ask.
What a creative description of all God longs to do in our lives!
Inspired as usual, Karen!
Thank you, Michele. Once we experience these dimenions with God, it’s hard to go back to any other way of living.
I have long been blessed by Joshua 3:4. As we journey with God through life, we, too, experience “amazing wonders we get to see, hear, and touch.” Blessings!
Wonderful, Joanne. Associating with Jesus today, expecting amazing tomorrow!
I too agree. My reality is God don’t need us to do His Job. He needs us to have Faith. He’s Grace and Mercy. He handles His for he knows all our needs before we can even ask.
“God wants our obedience, not our help. ” This is so powerful! I’ve been reading in the Old Testament recently, and time and again it is about obedience. God isn’t even that concerned with outcome the way I tend to be. It’s all about that obedience!
Rebecca, It really is all about the obedience. It’s crazy how we sometimes think we can do a better job than the God of the Universe. If He is able to manage everything He created, that includes us! “Help us obey you, Lord!”
So creative, Karen! Praising Him for the width, height, and depth of His love today!! Joshua 3 is one of my favorite Bible stories!
I’ve always loved this story too, Bethany! As we stand on the banks of the Jordan, God’s capable of making a way. He walks before us and keeps our feet on dry ground. So, let’s put on our spiritual 3D glasses and get ready for amazing wonders! They’re coming!
Karen, I had to smile at, “God wants our obedience, not our help.” How quick I am to offer help! Great thoughts to help us make sure we’re not missing out on fully experiencing Him.
Debbie, it’s such a simple concept, yet we realize how much we actually do it when it’s said out loud or in print…attempt to help God. As God’s people, we need His help to cross the Jordan rivers in our lives. And I’m planning on letting Him get me to the over side His way. 🙂
“God wants our obedience not our help” is what stands out to me too. He wants what is best for us, so we can trust his guidance and just obey. Easier said than done, but at least agreeing with it is a start. 🙂
Agreeing is the start, Lisa. Since obedience expands our borders of abundant life and broadens our scope of influence for God’s kingdom, I never want to miss out on “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3) for lack of obedience.
God wants our obedience. Not our help. Ouch. Thanks.
Ouch, is right, Lauren. That resonated with so many others and it does with me. We were wired for God’s help, yet, we learn self-help.
Karen
Let me concur on the benefits of the concept once you can get it in action. What I love seeing and knowing about my faith, my gratitude, my understanding, etc., is when I misplaced or can’t remember where I put something, and ask for His help to locate it restore my mind and whala, there it is or a resolution is revealed. We are not our keepers in His powers.
Mary, thanks for sharing your experience and adding your thoughts. When we experience the Christian life in 3D, the Lord’s works and miracles become a reality we see, hear, and touch. We are involved in the scene and experience the supernatural.
We walk by faith in the promise of God’s power.