“As I was with Moses, so shall I be with thee: I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee.” — Joshua 1:5b (KJV)
Joel’s notes:
As a junior high student (now it would be referenced as middle school I suppose), I memorized Joshua 1:5b. I have clung to this promise from that day until this day, and I will continue to do that until I no longer take breath. Though many pastors preach messages on the “Be strong and courageous” verses in this chapter, those never really connected with me because I have never been strong nor particularly courageous—but the promise that God will never leave me nor forsake me has been deeply meaningful to me.
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God…” — Matthew 6:33a (KJV)
Joel’s notes:
As a sophomore in high school, we moved from Boston to Nampa (a whole lot going on there!) and I began to be inundated with Matthew 6:33a, always spoken in the lilting manner unique to my dad. What at first seemed to me to be only a trite saying has become foundational to who I am and WAY more than simply NNU’s scriptural motto.
“I urge you therefore brothers [and sisters], in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” — Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Joel’s notes:
After I became an NNC “Regent” (now Trustee), I listened as Rich Hagood spoke about Romans 12:1-2 and his view that they were the scriptural foundation for NNU’s then mission statement (I would add that they continue to serve as a marvelous scriptural foundation for NNU’s Mission Statement!). These verses became enormously formative to me as I wrestled with God over the 7 months when I sensed He wanted me to leave the practice of law, and ultimately these verses called me to sacrifice all of my own dreams, plans and life to whatever God would call me to. These are hard, wonderful verses for me! And I am so grateful that they became meaningful to me before that significant season in my life.
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like- minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” — Philippians 2:1-18 (NIV)
Joel’s notes:
In my high school career I found myself at the NNC Faculty Retreat (families attended in those days) and I met Rev. Dr. Reuben Welch, who was the Retreat speaker. (He may have been chosen just for me!!) Three things happened in those few days: (1) I experienced the kindness and welcome from Reuben that I now know so many have experienced—he made me feel valued and important; (2) I learned that it was not critically important that I read through the Bible every year (something I had started and failed to complete 3-4 times by then—only as an adult have I ever successfully done that) but that I could read the same book of the Bible over and over and over again, and the Holy Spirit would speak to me through that; and (3) I heard Reuben preach/teach from Philippians and it was like I was hearing it for the first time. Since then, Philippians has been “my” book (not exclusively, mind you, nor to the exclusion of several other meaningful books of the Bible). I am particularly guided, impacted, mentored, disciplined and inspired by Philippians 2:1-18. There is SO MUCH in those 18 verses that I have pondered and soaked in them for years—and those verses continue to establish the standard to which I feel I am called to live.
