TIME OUT
The Book of Joshua
The phase TIME OUT has several meanings. Let talk about a couple of them
• Take a break while playing a game.
• It is use as a form of discipline for a child
When taking a TIME OUT from a game or any other physical event, what is that break use for?
What happens when a child is placed into TIME OUT or sent to their room after doing something that they weren’t suppose to? How can we relate these examples of TIME OUT to the word of God and our own personal lives? At times, do we need to take a TIME OUT?
TIME OUT to Witness
TIME OUT to Pray
TIME OUT to Fellowship
Jesus always took TIME OUTS to pray and in what ways does God put us in TIME OUT and why?
Did God ever send anyone to TIME OUT in the Bible?
Mission Was Given to Jonah: Jonah Chapter 1: 1-2, the word of the lord came to Jonah son of Amittai. (2) Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me. (3) But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish, He went down to Joppa where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
TIME OUT: Chapter 1:17, Jona was inside the fish three days and three nights.
• What did he do while in Time Out? Prayed to the LORD (Read Chapter 2)
Some time God places us in TIME OUT to humble us, to get our attention and at times so we do not start taking credit for the victories in our life.
• Moses and Joshua
Lets read Joshua 1: 6-9: Do you think Joshua was taking a TIME OUT by receiving instruction from the Lord?
Important points:
• Ver 7 be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
• Ver 8: So not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
If God is with us, as Joshua, why do we fail or struggle to defeat tough situations, difficult people, and temptations?
• 1 Samuel 17:38-40: David refused to go into battle with Sauls armor because he had not tested or trained with them. He wanted his sling and 5 stones.
Hebrews 5: 13, 14 states: Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
• Commitment to Christ moves people out of their comfort zones. We must train ourselves to distinguish good from evil.
Are we using our TIME OUTS effectively?
• Paying attention, praying in faith, or as James say (James 2; 23), walking away from the mirror and forgetting what we heard or learned. Or are we failing to apply what we learned because of a lack of commitment to the primary work of the ministry (to be soul winners for Christ Mat 28:19)?
In Ver 9 of Chapter 3: Joshua tells the Israelites to come here and listen to the words of the lord your God
• Joshua gathered the people to hear the words of the Lord. Their excitement was high. No doubt they wanted to rush on, but Joshua made them take a Time Out and listen. We run all day in this fast pace age where everyone rushes just to keep up. It is easy to get caught up in our tasks, becoming to busy for what God says is most important-listening to his words. Before making plans, take a Time Out to focus on what God wants from all your activities. Knowing what God has said before you rush into your day can help you avoid foolish mistakes.
Why did Joshua fail to defeat the town of AI the first time around?
Chapter 7: 3,
1. Did Joshua fail to take a (TIME OUT) to consult God or wait for Gods direction before going into battle?
2. Sin has entered the camp, why did it effect the entire group? Chapter 7
3. (Remember what God told Joshua in the beginning)
• Chapter 1:7, Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful in wherever you go.
Is there sin in your camp? Do you need more TIME OUTS? Remember, as Joshua, you are responsible for the sin in your house
What are some of the things that get in our way of taking TIME OUTS?
Take some TIME OUTS to confess your sins when God reveals them to you (7:19-21), when you fail, refocus on God, deal with the problem, and move on (7:22-25; 8:1). God wants the cycle of sin, repentance, and forgiveness to strengthen us, not to weaken us. The lessons we learn form our failures should make us better able to handle the same situation the second time around. Because God is eager to give us cleansing, forgiveness, and strength, the only way to lose is to give up. We tell what kind of people we are by what we do on the second and third attempts.
They gave Joshua the city. Yesterday’s defeat became today’s victory. Once sin is dealt with, forgiveness and victory lie ahead. With God’s direction we need not stay discouraged or burdened with guilt. No matter how difficult a setback sin may bring, we must renew our efforts to carry out Gods will.
A SET BACK IS A SET UP FOR A COME BACK
The only way to do this is to take more Time Out and spend it with the Lord.
Rob Henry
Army of Christ
Sergeant First Class
Unite States Army Retired
Under Gods command 