The Holy Family

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And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

This beautiful nativity scene is replayed in movies and church celebrations throughout the Christmas season. It is a reminder of the humble circumstances that the holy family experienced. It is hard for us to imagine the poverty in which a child is born amidst straw and manure. Yet, unfortunately, even today, the vulnerability of the family is too common throughout the world.

As nurses, we encounter fathers who are unable to provide adequate housing for their families. We counsel young single women who are alone and afraid, yet choose birth in hope of a better life; and mothers who lack the basic necessities of food and clothing. Overwhelmed with the responsibilities of parenting and marriage, parents separate and divorce. Mothers and/or fathers paralyzed by mental illness become too debilitated to care for their children. In war-torn areas, parents are challenged to protect their children from bombs and violence.

Then there is the addiction crisis, where any number of substances demands priority over the love and care of children. Thus leaving a growing number of emotionally and possibly physically abandoned children to mature into adulthood on their own.

Next time you see the nativity scene, don’t get swept up in the celebration. Whether it is through our nursing services, our supportive churches, or from the fruit of our wages, find a way to help the most at-risk group in our society—the family. Through our work in Christ’s name, we can go into the nativity scene and bring the essentials needed to support the birthplace of our Saviour—the family.

NCFI Cares: Joshua’s Final Leadership Tip: Unfinished Business

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Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.

Joshua 13:1, ESV

Over the past few months, we have learned many great leadership tips from Joshua’s life. We have learned how courageous leaders focus on God’s word and His plan for organizations. As the Lord prepared us to lead, we looked at changing our perspective, confronting sin, and cleansing our hearts to be ready to witness the mighty deeds the Lord would perform. No matter how much we dislike conflict, our workplace is fraught with opposition and disputes. Joshua provided a battle strategy that included worship, contentment, and humility.  We also discovered how reflecting on our successes and creating memorial stones are essential for guiding teams.

The final snapshot of Joshua’s life reminds us that the Lord’s work is incomplete.  Even though we know our work must continue beyond our time as leaders, we bypass the importance of mentorship. Joshua reminds us that preparing the next generation of leaders is a two-part phase. First, we recognize that the work of the Lord continues when we identify the next generation of leaders. The second part is to train the emerging leaders by providing wise words.

Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:14-15, ESV).

Joshua was ready to retire and pass the leadership responsibilities to the next generation. He reminds them to put away failures or false gods their fathers had followed and to stay faithful to the Lord’s promises and plans. There is always unfinished business in ministry and in nursing. God’s work on earth is incomplete and He continues to use people to carry out his plans. So, whether you are changing leadership positions or retiring, actively prepare the next generation of nurses by imparting wisdom and faithfulness to God.

Joshua’s Leadership Tip #11: Reflect on Your Success

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So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war. Now these are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated and took possession of their land

(Joshua 11:23; 12:1 ESV)

When we first emerge from a difficult time, it is challenging to have time to reflect on the good that was accomplished. Have you stopped and thought about what your organization gained during the COVID 19 pandemic? Or what you gained for your own nursing practice, did you gain a new skill, meet new colleagues, or find better solutions to consistent problems?

How about your personal faith, what spiritual growth did you experience?  Are you more trusting of the Lord, or have you found new confidence when challenges arise? Have you found a deeper peace or assured hope than what you felt prior to 2020?

A similar reflection can occur with regard to your family. Did the lockdown bring you closer to your loved ones and friends? I am reminded of a conversation I recently had with my granddaughter, who is 13 and spent an entire year in virtual school. We chatted about her academic struggles and depression. I asked her, “If the lockdown happens again, what will you do differently?”

Her first response was, “No way. NEVER again!”

I replied, “We hope and pray it won’t happen again, but what if it did? What would you do differently?” I then shared what I would do differently. This helped her look ahead and said, “I would get out of the house more and stay connected with my friends through Facetime.” I agreed with her plan and said, “We all need to stay more connected.”

Take some time to reflect on your successes during the pandemic—professionally, personally, and with your loved ones. Be sure to share your reflections so that we can grow as a community of nurses and believers.

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?  You are the God who works wonders;

you have made known your might among the peoples.” (Psalm 77:11-14, ESV)

Joshua’s Leadership Tip #10: Ask for the Impossible

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So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the Lord said to Joshua, Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.

Joshua 10:7-8 ESV

The Gibeonites were under attack by five kings when they reached out to their new allies, Joshua and the Israelites. Joshua inquired of the Lord about what to do. Good idea! Satan deceived Joshua through the Gibeonites when he didn’t inquire about the Lord.

To wage war with five kings is an insurmountable battle. Yet, if they won, the Israelites would eliminate key adversaries and gain territory.

When I read Joshua’s army courageously confronting five kings, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to tackle and solve five problems at once instead of tackling each problem one by one?” Like Joshua, we are assured of God’s victory in our life and must remember to seek God’s wisdom in approaching challenges.

As Joshua led the army into battle, the Lord sent their enemies into a panic and rained down large stones or hail from heaven. More died from the hailstones than the Israelites killed with a sword (10:10-12). As the battle raged on, Joshua recognized they were close to victory, and the last thing they needed was the loss of daylight. Darkness would give their enemies time to regroup, rest and strategize for the next battle. In other words, the Israelites not only needed more time, but they also needed more daylight to finish off their enemies.  

 At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. (Joshua 10:12-13 ESV)

Many of us are familiar with the account. My favorite part is verse 14, “There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded a man’s voice, for the Lord fought for Israel.” I love that the verse was recorded. It reminds me how the Lord listens to his people and fights for them!

As I gather prayer requests from nurses worldwide, I witness how difficult and overwhelming nursing is.  No matter where you work in nursing or your role as an educator, staff nurse, or administrator, it is likely that you are experiencing insurmountable problems. What do you need? Ask for the impossible and see what God will do. I don’t think nurses would ever ask for our day to be extended or our shift to be longer, but the Lord can make us more efficient and provide solutions.

Be encouraged that the Lord listens and directs solutions to all we are experiencing. We can stand assured that God will do the impossible!

Joshua’s Leadership Tip #9 Blind Humility: A Battle Strategy

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“When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they also acted craftily… So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord.”

Joshua 9:3-4, 14 (NASB)

According to Bible scholars, the deceit of the Gibeonites can represent the devil as a master strategist of assault on Christians. With a closer look at the ruse of the Gibeonites, we see many of our own vulnerabilities. Satan sometimes attacks us openly, sometimes craftily, but always with an unerring sense of where our weaknesses lie. (1)

The Gibeonites played on the Israelites’ “pity” or emotions, an area we our most vulnerable to attack. When we are stressed, anxious, fearful, fatigued, and others, we are more vulnerable to not seeing things clearly or disregarding Biblical wisdom.

Joshua’s error provides us with important reminders(2):

  1. As Christians, we are involved in deadly spiritual warfare with a power far superior to our own strength. (1 Peter 5:8)
  2.  To be delivered from our opponent and his nefarious schemes, we must cloth ourselves with our spiritual armor as given to us in Christ. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
  3. The offensive weapons given to us by the Lord are the Word of God and prayer. Without the Word and prayer, we are sitting ducks. (Matthew 4:1-12)
  4. When God’s people are victorious or are prospering, it seems Satan doubles his efforts in attacks against them. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

The following passages in Proverbs cautions us not to depend upon our own wisdom   

            There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. A wise  man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless. (Proverbs 14:12, 16, NASB).

At the root of Joshua and the Israelites’ temptation was pride. They thought they didn’t need to ask God. May we never be so mature as believers that we forget to walk by faith, not sight, and seek counsel from the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:7).

  1. Keathley III, J. Hampton. 9. Destruction of the Amorite Coalition (Joshua 10:1-43)
  2. Keathley, III, J. Hampton 8. The Peril of Walking by Sight (Joshua 9:1-27)

Joshua’s Leadership Tip #8 Contentment: A Battle Strategy

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But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.

(Joshua 7:1 ESV)

We are all too familiar with our personal struggles with our flesh or sin. Many times we can relate to Paul’s internal pleading found in Romans:

“But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” (7:23-28).

Joshua sent 3000 men to capture the city of Ai and they were defeated. When Joshua asked the Lord why they lost the battle, the Lord responded “Israel has sinned…taken some of the riches for themselves…You are contaminated…The one caught with the riches must be burned up with all who belong to him because he violated the Lord’s covenant and did such a disgraceful thing in Israel” (7:11, 13, 15).  God had warned the Israelites to not keep the valuable plunder found in Jericho (Joshua 6:18-19).  It is easy to understand why Achan would disobey God’s ban on keeping valuables for themselves. Temptation and sin are easier than obeying God. The result of disobedience was a broken fellowship with God and the loss of battles.

Like Achan, we can break our intimate relationship with God and be tempted by ungodly pursuits.  Keathly, a Bible Scholar reminds us we all face desires (or lust patterns) and include things like a desire for position, power, prestige, pleasure, possessions, praise or applause, and recognition. Our lust patterns are nothing more than human solutions or protective strategies we use apart from God to find security, significance, and satisfaction (1).

Let’s take the directive from the Lord to Joshua, “I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.” (Joshua 7:12). We can follow Paul’s wise advice and find security, significance, and satisfaction in God alone. (Philippians 3:13-14; 4:12-13; 1 Timothy. 6:6-19)

(1) Keathley III, J. Hampton. Defeat at Ai and the Sin of Achan (Joshua 7:1-26)

NCFI Cares: Joshua’s Leadership Tip #7: PTL–A Battle Strategy

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So the people shouted, and priests blew the trumpets; and it came about, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, that the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city.

Joshua 6:20 (NASB)

Who does not love the classic historical account of the Wall of Jericho? It is taught to children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. I must confess my favorite rendition of the story is with the kids’ movie Veggie Tales. The movie captures how absurd the Lord’s plan sounded to the Israelites. Yet, this is precisely why it worked. God provided the plan, directed the steps and received all the credit. Our conflict with the world can follow the same strategy.  We begin by being reminded that the world has already been conquered by Jesus.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

As we are reminded many times, the victory is complete—Hallelujah! As we praise God, we are stuck here trying to live godly in an ungodly place. Therefore, the Apostle John gave us his wisdom:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world… By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (1 John 4:1,5)

We need to look at everything in our world through the eyes of truth. Not just my truth or your truth, but Biblical truth. Today finding good, solid Bible teaching is more and more difficult. Add to this the challenge of finding solid Bible teachers and leaders. This is even more challenging when we look at health care and nursing. The fundamental ethical and moral values of nursing have become scarce and confusing.

“The world pressures us and hammers us and tries to conform us to its mold.”(1). Yet, we stand firm using our weapons and keeping our eyes on the author and perfector of our faith (Ephesians 6:10-18; Hebrews 12:2). As you reflect on your current conflict with the world, be reminded that the walls of Jericho were not brought down by human ability. They tumbled down with praise and worship. Find your favorite praise song to stay rooted against the tempting lure of our culture.

(1) Keathley III, J. Hampton. 9. Destruction of the Amorite Coalition (Joshua 10:1-43)

NCFI Cares: The Gift of Death

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I am the resurrection and life. Whoever believes in me though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26, ESV

Recently, my pastor spoke about the resurrection of Lazarus, which is found in John 11. He mentioned the incredible gift we have been given to die. Yes, that is what he said. We have been given the wonderful gift of death, for when we die, we will no longer be bound to this world. Instead, we will be ushered into the presence of Jesus Christ, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, the angels, and all the saints (Revelation 21). Thus, we should not be afraid of death; instead, we should welcome the time when it comes. At first, like you, I was shocked to hear my pastor say this. I know I look forward to seeing Jesus face-to-face and dwelling with Him for all eternity. Yet, I have never wanted to die nor looked forward to my final hours on earth as a gift from Him. The more I reflected on this teaching, the more I wondered how it would change my perspective as a nurse.

How would I alter my nursing care for the terminally ill, actively dying, or elderly? In addition to treating my patients’ pain, providing comforting words, or praying for peace, could I encourage them to get ready to enjoy their gift of death? Maybe I could help them say goodbye to the suffering they have experienced in this world–a time without pain, tears, or loneliness. I would help them anticipate an eternity without racism, abuse, or evil.  And even though they will miss their loved ones, maybe I could assist them with writing a letter to each family member. Instead of words expressed as a forever goodbye, the letter would be in expectation of seeing them again after death in the presence of Jesus.

I could help them imagine what they would do when they finally did see their Savior face-to-face. Will they hug Him like a long-lost older brother they haven’t seen in years? Maybe fall at His feet with humble thanksgiving? Or would they prostrate themselves in reverence at the magnificence of His holiness?

I have always hoped that when I finally see Jesus, I would be drawn to tears and, like Mary, would wash his feet with my hair and tears (Luke 7:36-38; John 11:2). These wouldn’t be tears of sadness; they would be tears of gratitude for a life with Him. A life on earth and in Heaven filled with love and joy.

This Easter season let’s share our wonderful gift of death as the passage to a life of eternity with our Lord Jesus.

Joshua’s Leadership Tip #6: Don’t Be Surprised by Conflict

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For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

Joshua led the Israelites in many battles to possess their Promised Land.  Joshua’s battle was a physical battle where they did hand-to-hand combat against Israel’s enemies, whereas Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle: skirmishes where we are easily deceived, devoured, and destroyed (1 Peter 5:8). There were three distinct areas of conflict which Joshua faced: the battle of Jericho, the sin of the Israelites while fighting at Ai, and disastrous treaty they entered into with the Gibeonites. Bible scholars compare these three conflicts or formidable enemies to the three enemies Christians face: “the world,” “the flesh,” and “the devil.” (1,3)

  • The battle at Jericho represents “the world” which pressures us and hammers us and tries to conform us to its mold.
  • The sin of Ai represents “the flesh” or the sinfulness within us which betrays us and undermines us and sabotages us,  even though we want to serve God with our minds and our bodies.
  • The deceit of the Gibeonites represents the devil as a master strategist of assault against Christians. He sometimes attacks us openly, sometimes craftily, but always with an unerring sense of where our weaknesses lie. (2,3)

This coalition of evil forces that have banded together against Christians attempts to destroy us. At times, it seems like an unbeatable combination. BUT, we have the assurance of victory.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)

As Christian nurse leaders, we are vulnerable to attacks in both our professional and personal lives. Thus, we need to remember three important truths.

  • We do not war with people, institutions, or systems. We are to engage in spiritual battles, not human battles. (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
  • The battles are personal and God uses them for faith development (James 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:7).
  • Our weapons are spiritual and found in prayer, worship, and scripture (Ephesians 6:10-18).

“The Christian’s possession of spiritual blessings and experience depends upon conflict and conquest (Ephesians 6:10-20; Galatians 5:25; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; Hebrews 4:11). These are never attained through the energy of the flesh, but through the power of the Holy Spirit working in the yielded life of the believer (Romans 7, 8).” (1)

In the next three devotions, we will discuss each of our enemies. We will learn how Christian nurses can take Joshua’s strategies to arm themselves for battle against each enemy.

(1) McGee, J Vernon. Briefing the Bible © Thru the Bible

(2) McGee, J Vernon. Ai and I © Thru the Bible Radio Network.

(3) Keathley III, J. Hampton. 9. Destruction of the Amorite Coalition (Joshua 10:1-43)

NCFI Cares: Joshua’s Leadership Tip #5 Memorial Stones

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So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.

Joshua 4:7

Except for a few individuals, most Israelites had only heard stories of how God had performed miracles in Egypt and divided the Red Sea. They had never witnessed the mighty hand of God at work. Thus, God wanted the miracle of crossing the Jordan River to be more than a story passed down from generation to generation. He wanted a visual reminder.

So, when the entire nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua. 

“Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you …. that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, What do those stones mean to you? then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.” (Joshua 4:1-7)

The three objectives of a memorial of commemoration for the stones: a sign to promote encouragement and reverence, promote instruction to future generations, and a testimony to other nations. (1).

Creating memorials wasn’t something new for the Israelites, nor did the practice disappear for Christians.

Paul instructed the church in Corinth on Jesus’ instructions during the Last Supper.

“This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26). 

As New Testament believers, we continue to commemorate or memorialize the work of Christ when we participate in communion. We also participate in Lent, Easter, and Christmas (1). They unite us as a body of believers and provide an opportunity to remember God’s miracles. There are individual times to reflect on and celebrate God’s work and blessings. Some believers have life verses, carry a special momentum, or save their first Bible to remind them of Jesus’ work in their life.

Commemorating or celebrating God’s work can also be recognized by an organization or personally. We need visual reminders of how the Lord has worked in our hospitals, schools, clinics, or ministries.  Pictures can commemorate special times, like in academics, we have graduating class, or perhaps a group photo of the clinic/ministry staff. Or maybe some logos or symbols point to Jesus in your clinic. For example, at work, I wear a lanyard with my keys from my first NCFI Congress. The purpose is to find a visual reminder that speaks to the work of God in your organization. The hope is not only that we will remember those great moments but that we will find encouragement when we are experiencing difficulties.

Keathley III, J. Hampton, Studies in the Life of Joshua. 3. Crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3:1-4:24)