The Power of Your Testimony: Study of Joshua 2

What happens when a pivotal piece of advice catapults you out of stagnation and into a dynamic new career? Join me, Jessi Morgan, as I share how an esteemed neighbor’s mentorship cracked open the door to untapped potential, leading me from retail into the tech industry amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover how the power of testimony, both personal and biblical, can reshape destinies and inspire profound growth.

In this episode, we explore the transformative journey of Rahab from Joshua chapter 2, drawing parallels between her courageous actions and my own professional evolution. This is not just a biblical history lesson; it’s a reflection on how stories of faith and mentorship can guide us to embrace new paths with conviction. Whether you find yourself at a crossroads or simply seek encouragement, let these narratives reaffirm God’s guiding presence and inspire you to venture beyond your comfort zone with faith and courage.

Key Passage:
Joshua 2

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hello, hello. You're listening to the Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast, episode 38. This week's devotional is titled the Power of your Testimony Study of Joshua, chapter 2. Let's go Hi. I'm Jesse Morgan. I used to just share home decor and renovation tips on social media, but now I'm sharing something even closer to my heart my journey and love for Jesus Christ, my Savior. Welcome to the Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Hawk Podcast.

Speaker 1: 0:28

This is a weekly devotional. I started back in May 2024, but the inspiration for it came much earlier. It was rooted in a faith journey that began when my daughter was born, four months early in 2023. Through that challenging time, god worked in ways that truly amazed me. On this podcast, I share personal stories of faith, woven together with scripture to show just how incredible God's word can be in our everyday lives. My hope is that through these stories, you'll be encouraged, uplifted and reminded of God's love and presence, no matter what you're going through. So I invite you to spend less than 15 minutes with me each week as we reflect on these devotionals together. Let's all pray within.

Speaker 1: 1:12

The Power of your Testimony. Study of Joshua, chapter 2, episode 38. Key passage Joshua 2. So hello and welcome back. I'm so happy to be back with you all as we continue our study of the book of Joshua. Let's dive right in, because I have a story that really shaped me professionally and I believe it really ties in perfectly with today's focus on chapter 2 of Joshua. So let's begin.

Speaker 1: 1:44

So, being able to influence someone's life, or being influenced by someone, has to be one of the most humbling experiences ever right. For me, it happened through someone I deeply respected, one of my parents' neighbors. He's an amazing senior executive with an impressive career, having worked for Fortune 500 companies and mentored some of the most powerful CEOs in retail, automotive and tech industry. But to me, he became obviously a mentor, but also a friend who completely changed my professional perspective. Back in 2019, I was feeling stuck in my job at Macy's. I'd been there for over seven years and, while I was grateful, I felt stagnant and a little unappreciated. I shared my feelings with this neighbor and he said something that completely changed my outlook. He said to me Jess, I think you're incredibly talented, but staying in the same company for so long in retail might not be the best look anymore. The longer you stay, the more people might think you lack diversity in your experience. You're young, in your 30s. This is your time to explore your experience. You're young, in your 30s. This is your time to explore, try new things and grow. It's no longer a bad thing to change companies frequently. In fact, it can make you more valuable and open doors to higher salaries and better opportunities because you're willing to take the risk.

Speaker 1: 3:19

He then told me a story about how he got promoted six years in a row early in his career. Each year, he would go to his boss before performance reviews, made his case for a promotion and asked for growth opportunities, and it worked. By that time, he became a thriving senior director and after that he basically declined the next promotion and decided to move on to a new company where he became a vice president for a major nationwide company. That struck. That stuck with me. It was his professional testimony and it made me realize I needed to make a change. With his help, I updated my resume and started looking for new opportunities. Even though COVID hit in 2020, I kept searching. By December 2020, I landed a job in tech, a completely different industry, and I haven't looked back since. That testimony changed my life. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow.

Speaker 1: 4:27

Honestly, have you ever experienced something like that? I know Rahab did. Now, who was Rahab? She was the wife of Salmon, the mother of Boaz who married Ruth, who we did a series on remember, and an ancestor of Jesus Christ, which you can find in Matthew 1, 5. But before all that, she was a prostitute in Jericho. Not exactly the best past right, but her actions in Joshua 2 redeemed her life and changed her future. All because of what A testimony.

Speaker 1: 5:08

Let's dig into Joshua 2, which is full of incredible lessons and just eye-opening perspective. Honestly. So quick context just to give a little background. Remember, joshua was appointed by God to lead the Israelites. After Moses' death, god commanded him to lead his people into the promised land. Before crossing the Jordan River, joshua sent two spies to scout out Jericho. The spies were spotted by the king's men of Jericho and they had to go hide in Rahab's house. When the king's messengers questioned her, rahab said in Joshua 2, 4-7, yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly, you may catch up with them. They went. Go after them quickly, you may catch up with them.

Speaker 1: 6:07

She hid the spies under the flax on her roof and later confessed why she helped them. Basically and she said this in Joshua 2, 10 through 11. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt and what you did to Shihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear for the Lord. Your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.

Speaker 1: 6:39

Rahab had heard about the Israelites' miracles and victories, not through newspapers or social media, but through word of mouth. That testimony of God's power turned Rahab into a believer. She asked the spies to spare her family when Jericho was conquered, and they agreed. They told her to tie a scarlet cord in her window as a sign of her faith and her promise to keep their mission Her last words before they left. Joshua 2, 21. Agreed, she replied. Let it be as you say. So she sent them away and they departed, and she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

Speaker 1: 7:22

Rahab's faith and actions completely changed her life. Her past could have held her back, but instead she chose to believe in God, trust the spies and act on that faith. And in the end, the spies did uphold their part and I think that's also another part of Israel's testimony for Rahab to even increase her faith more, and it obviously changed her life. Similarly, my neighbor's testimony changed my career and, indirectly, my relationship with God. If I hadn't listened to him and taken the leap of faith, I wouldn't be where I am today. I wouldn't have had the flexibility to be present for my daughter when she needed me most in 2023 and 2024. I'm going to cry. I can't believe it's like full circle in 2023 and 2024. I'm going to cry. I can't believe it's like full circle.

Speaker 1: 8:21

Rahab's scarlet cord symbolizes so much more than her promise to the spies. It foreshadows the blood of Jesus Christ shedding for our salvation. His testimony is the ultimate story of redemption and grace right. So today I challenge you to step out in faith and boldly share your testimony. Be a light for Christ and let your story be a reflection of his grace. You never know whose heart might be touched or whose life might be transformed because of your courage to share. You might even inspire someone like Rahab, someone who feels lost or unworthy to turn to God. Yes, rahab was a prostitute, but let's set that aside for a minute and remember this she was a woman who was lost and then found all because she heard about the incredible works of the Lord, israel's testimony.

Speaker 1: 9:21

Let's pray, heavenly Father. Thank you for this day and for the opportunity to come together through this podcast. Lord, I'm so grateful for everyone listening and I pray that they find encouragement today for everyone listening, and I pray that they find encouragement today. Help them to see that, no matter how rough their past may be, they can turn their lives around through you, father, remind us all that our testimonies, whether big or small, have the power to change someone's perspective and lead them to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Speaker 1: 9:55

Thank you for the powerful lessons in the book of Joshua, especially for the story of Rahab. Her transformation is such a beautiful reminder of your grace and redemption, lord. We are just so amazed that Rahab, despite her past, became a vital part of the lineage of Jesus Christ too, as recorded in Matthew, chapter 1, lineage of Jesus Christ too, as recorded in Matthew, chapter 1,. Her story gives us hope, lord, that you can use anyone in your divine purpose. Father, I pray that everyone listening feels inspired to share their faith, their testimony and their experiences with others. Help us to boldly proclaim the gospel and plant seeds that may lead non-believers to you. We love you, lord, and we thank you for the privilege of being your messengers. We pray for all this in your mighty name of Jesus Christ, amen. Thanks for listening and I'm so excited to come back next week with the study of Joshua, chapter 3, focusing in on the Jordan River and also leading into the walls of Jericho. Just thank you so much for being so open and being so loving and supportive of this podcast, and I just pray that everybody here is inspired and continues to grow in their faith with the Lord. Love you, guys. Till next time.

Speaker 1: 11:12

Well, that wraps up this week's episode. I hope these devotions help you draw 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 weekly episode. For more information or to reach out, check the show notes or visit jessimorganhomecom or find me on Instagram at jessimorganlife. Remember God's timing is always perfect. Keep trusting him Until next time. This is Jessi Morgan praying off.