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Ever been handed a responsibility so significant that it made you question your readiness? This week's episode of the Jessi Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast takes you on a journey through personal stories and biblical narrative, exploring how God's preparation empowers us to step into new roles with courage and confidence. Drawing inspiration from the book of Joshua, we unravel the complexities of leadership through my own experience at Macy's, where a daunting promotion tested my faith and resilience. My mother's wisdom and the realization of God's unwavering support transformed my apprehension into determination, reminding me that, like Joshua, we are equipped for every challenge laid before us.
As we kick off this new series on Joshua, we weave together scripture and testimony to illuminate the lessons of leadership and courage. Joshua, much like many of us, stepped into enormous shoes, following the legendary Moses. Yet, his journey of faith and leadership began long before he took charge. Through these reflections, find encouragement in God's promises, and let these devotionals inspire you to embrace the potential God has instilled in you. Whether navigating a new challenge or seeking spiritual growth, this episode aims to uplift your spirit and reassure you of God's constant presence in your life.
Key Passages
Joshua 1
Numbers 14
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Episode Transcript
Hello.
Hello, you're listening to theJesse Morgan Devotions for the
Christian Heart Podcast, episode37.
This week's devotional istitled Taking the Lead, taking
your Blessings.
Let's go.
Hi, I'm Jesse Morgan.
I used to just share home decorand renovation tips on social
media, but now I'm sharingsomething even closer to my
(00:22):
heart my journey and love forJesus Christ, my Savior.
Welcome to the Jesse MorganDevotions for the Christian Hot
Podcast.
This is a weekly devotional.
I started back in May 2024, butthe inspiration for it came
much earlier.
It was rooted in a faithjourney that began when my
daughter was born, four monthsearly in 2023.
Through that challenging time,god worked in ways that truly
(00:44):
amazed me.
On this podcast, I sharepersonal stories of faith, woven
together with scripture to showjust how incredible God's word
can be in our everyday lives.
My hope is that through thesestories, you'll be encouraged,
uplifted and reminded of God'slove and presence, no matter
what you're going through.
So I invite you to spend lessthan 15 minutes with me each
(01:06):
week as we reflect on thesedevotionals together.
Let's all pray within.
Taking the Lead Taking yourBlessings, episode 37.
Key Passages Joshua 1 andNumbers 14.
Hello and welcome back.
I'm so excited to dive intothis episode.
(01:27):
Today, we're kicking off a newseries on the book of Joshua,
focusing on leadership, courageand stepping into the roles God
has prepared for us.
So let me ask you something tostart off, or a few questions to
start off.
Have you ever been promoted toa higher position or you've ever
been handed a responsibility sobig that you question if you
(01:48):
were even ready for it?
Have you ever had to takecharge but you weren't sure
where to start?
I know the feeling.
I've been there and probablymany of you have as well.
I remember back in 2017 when Igot my first big promotion at
Macy's as the assistant storemanager of beauty at the Dayland
(02:09):
Mall location.
To give you some perspective,this was the number three beauty
department in the entirecompany, generating around 23
million in annual sales at thetime.
A huge responsibility.
But here's the twist my newboss, the store manager, had
been in that very role beforeher promotion.
(02:32):
She was the beauty expert, aforce everyone respected and
admired.
I was stepping into a rolewhere all the managers already
had deep loyalty to her.
All the managers already haddeep loyalty to her.
I couldn't compare to that and,honestly, I felt a bit
overwhelmed.
I didn't know much about.
(02:52):
I thought to myself, maybe I'mnot the right person for this,
maybe I'd be better off managinganother department.
But here is the turning point.
My mom, in her no-nonsense way,reminded me of something I
needed to hear.
She said, jess, this is a newday.
You don't know the business now, fine, but you will.
(03:16):
God answered your prayer for apromotion.
You've been wanting this foryears.
He's not going to let you fail.
He's not going to let you fail.
Think about it.
You survived New York HeraldSquare Macy's and ran a $52
million business there.
That was the preparation forthis moment.
You got this.
Enjoy the promotion, learn fromit, grow Go.
(03:38):
That was my wake-up call.
I remember it's like Iremembered who I was after that,
what I already accomplished inmy career and, most importantly,
who God is, and that God hadanswered my prayers in the first
place.
Why would he leave me now?
I prayed and I got myselftogether, got dressed, walked
(04:01):
into my office ready to take onGod, this role, ready to lead
this group.
So this experience is just agreat intro into the book of
Joshua.
The book of Joshua is anincredible book and the leader,
joshua, is an amazing man offaith.
After Moses died, god choseJoshua to lead the Israelites
(04:26):
into the promised land, choseJoshua to lead the Israelites
into the promised land a rolethat must have felt overwhelming
.
I mean, moses was a legendaryleader chosen by God to deliver
his people from Egypt.
Imagine trying to fill thoseshoes.
But Joshua's journey didn'tstart in Joshua 1.
His leadership was shaped yearsbefore in the wilderness, where
(04:48):
he served faithfully underMoses and proved his faith and
courage.
One of the defining moments ofJoshua's story is in Numbers 14,
6-9.
During the spying of thepromised land background really
(05:13):
gives you a sense of who he isand why God made him the leader
later on and to lead the peopleto the promised land.
So here we go.
When Moses first sent 12 spiesto scout out the promised land,
joshua and Caleb were among them.
After exploring the land, 10 ofthe spies came back terrified,
spreading fear among theIsraelites.
They described the land as fullof giants and fortified cities,
(05:37):
insisting that Israel couldn'tpossibly conquer this.
But Joshua and Caleb saw thingsdifferently.
They had faith in God's promiseand urged the people not to be
afraid.
Here's what they said inNumbers 14, 6-9.
Joshua and Caleb were amongthose who had explored the land,
(05:57):
tore their clothes and said tothe entire Israelite assembly
the land we passed through andexplored is exceedingly good.
If the Lord is pleased with us,he will lead us into that land,
a land flowing with milk andhoney, and will give it to us.
Only, do not rebel against theLord and do not be afraid of the
people of the land, because wewill devour them.
(06:20):
Their protection is gone, butthe Lord is with us.
Do not be afraid of them.
This moment revealed Joshua'scourage and unwavering trust in
God.
While the rest of theIsraelites doubted and disobeyed
, joshua and Caleb stood firmBecause of their faith.
They were the only two fromtheir generation whom God
(06:41):
allowed to enter the promisedland.
So fast forward to Joshua 1.
Moses has passed away and nowJoshua is tasked with leading
this new generation ofIsraelites.
They've grown up wandering thewilderness, inexperienced in
battle and unsure of what liesahead.
So God speaks to Joshua inJoshua 1, 2-3.
(07:08):
Listen to this.
He says Moses, my servant isdead.
Now then, you and all thesepeople get ready to cross the
Jordan river into the land I'mabout to give to them, to the
Israelites.
I will give you every placewhere you set your foot, as I
promised Moses.
(07:28):
Then God says something sopowerful in Joshua 1, 5-6.
He says no one will be able tostand against you all the days
of your life.
As I was with Moses, so I willbe with you.
I will never leave you norforsake you.
Be strong and courageous,because you will lead these
people to inherit the land Iswore their ancestors to give
(07:50):
them.
Wow.
So let's just sit back.
Let's explore some of the keylessons that I feel like God was
talking to me and speaking tome, and maybe you felt the same
way after we went through this.
So here's some of the lessons.
Number one be bold and believein your preparation.
Number one be bold and believein your preparation.
Joshua and Caleb trusted Godwhen others doubted.
(08:11):
They stood up in faith againstall of Israel who didn't believe
that they could take thepromised land.
What courage they both showedin that moment.
God was preparing Joshua to bebold as a future leader.
God was preparing me as amanager too, way before my
(08:32):
promotion.
My stunt in New York reallyprepared me on how to manage
people, and when I took beauty,I saw it with all the
relationship building that Ialready knew how to do and I
thrived in that building that Ialready knew how to do and I
(08:53):
thrived in that.
So be bold.
Believe in the preparation.
When you receive something fromGod, he is giving it to you
because he knows you're preparedfor it.
Number two filling big shoes,don't be afraid.
Joshua had to take over forMoses.
Don't be afraid.
Joshua had to take over forMoses, just like I had to take
over for a top executive atMacy's.
God reminded Joshua and my momreminded me not to be afraid.
(09:16):
God equips us for the roles hegives us right.
Number three obstacles areopportunities for miracles.
Crossing the Jordan River was nosmall feat for Joshua and
Israel, and we're going toreally talk about that on Joshua
3, but I just want to touch onit now a little bit.
(09:36):
That was the first basiccommand that God wanted Joshua
and his people to do was to getready and cross the Jordan River
in three days.
The Jordan River is about halfa mile wide.
Based on the season, it can beshallow at three feet and other
(09:57):
parts of the year can be as deepas 10 feet.
It was very unpredictable bodyof water.
Talk about a dangerous obstacle, but Joshua trusted God to make
a way.
Whatever Jordan River you'refacing, know that God can part
the waters for you.
He's just waiting on you totake the lead and follow him.
(10:18):
Don't be afraid to reach yourblessings.
Number four new leadership for anew generation.
Joshua's leadership wasn'tabout replicating Moses.
It was about leading in a waythat fit the new generation of
Israelites.
Similarly, we're called toembrace our unique leadership
(10:42):
style and bring freshperspective to the roles God
gives us.
For me and my assistant storemanager role, I discovered that
the beauty department was allabout people, yes, but also
about operations and beingoperationally sound.
I became very good at that dueto my previous roles in New York
(11:04):
, so I was able to bring thatperspective to the table
immediately and be effective.
You see, I was kind of a newgeneration of leadership going
into beauty and it reallybenefited the group that was
there, just like Joshua'smindset benefited that young
(11:24):
group of Israelites that weregetting ready to enter the
promised land.
And number five God's plan andpromises are perfect timing.
Always Follow God's promise,follow God's plan, seek him and
know he will be there with youalways.
Now listen to this promise thathe said in Joshua 1.9.
(11:47):
It says have I not commandedyou Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid, do not bediscouraged, for the Lord, your
God, will be with you whereveryou go.
You see, god's promises weretrue for Joshua and they were
true for us, and they are truefor us too.
You see, with our walk with God, it's all about being
courageous and confident in yourfaith with the Lord and
(12:08):
realizing God put you here for apurpose, and it's our
responsibility to find out whatGod wants for our lives.
He has given us opportunitiesto be blessed.
We just need to take it whenGod presents it to you.
I'll repeat that again we justneed to take it when God
presents it to you.
Whatever those blessings are,they are your very own promised
(12:31):
land.
You just have to take that step.
God wants us to lead in our ownway.
Take the lead in our faith sowe can boldly take our spiritual
inheritance and share thegospel with others.
At times, that also means beingbold and outspoken.
It doesn't mean to demeanothers' views to the point of
(12:54):
judgment on them, but it meansto boldly state your spiritual
position and plant a seed formore people to turn to Jesus.
And it also means take theblessings that you deserve when
God has given it to you.
As I look through Joshua.
It's all about new beginnings.
It's all about taking the lead,being courageous, having faith,
(13:15):
handling unforeseen challengesby having God as your ultimate
roadmap.
So let's pray, heavenly Father,thank you for the example of
Joshua and the lessons welearned from his courage and
faith.
Help us to trust you in everychallenge and step boldly into
(13:36):
the roles you've called us, toRemind us that you are always
with us, guiding us andequipping us for the journey.
We love you and we praise youin Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you so much for joiningme today.
I'm so excited to dive deeperinto the book of Joshua with you
.
I hope this series reallyblesses you as it blesses me,
(14:00):
and just to let you know, I amliterally studying this as I put
out these podcasts weekly.
I want it to be as organic aspossible, so anything can
inspire me as I read the book ofJoshua and just understand that
.
I want you guys to remember, bestrong, be courageous and
remember, remember, remember.
(14:20):
With God, all things arepossible.
See you next time.
Well, that wraps up this week'sepisode.
I hope these devotions help youdraw closer to God each day.
If this episode encouraged you,please share it with someone
who might need the same message,and don't forget to subscribe
so you never miss a weeklyepisode.
For more information or toreach out, check the show notes
(14:40):
or visit jessimorganhomecom, orfind me on Instagram at
jessimorgan Morgan life.
Remember God's timing is alwaysperfect.
Keep trusting him until nexttime.
This is Jesse Morgan prayingoff.
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