Stepping Into the Flooded River
Andre Dugger • December 3, 2025
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he Stepping Into the Flooded River
December 3, 2025 | André K. Dugger
Joshua 3
When the people of Israel reached the edge of the Jordan River, it looked like the worst possible moment to cross. Joshua 3:15 tells us the water was overflowing its banks; fast, deep, dangerous, and humanly impossible to navigate. If Israel had evaluated their situation by sight alone, they would have concluded that crossing was foolish, poorly timed, or even deadly.
But God had already spoken.
- “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God… follow it.” (v. 3)
- “Consecrate yourselves, because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow.” (v. 5)
- “When you reach the edge of the water, stand in the Jordan.” (v. 8)
Before God ever displayed His power, He called His people to act in faith. The miracle did not begin with the river rolling back. It began when the priests’ feet touched the water. Obedience; raw, trembling, risky obedience, triggered divine intervention.
Their toes entered the swirling water before the river stopped flowing. But the moment they obeyed; the miracle began. Scripture says the waters “stood still in a mass” (v. 16) far upstream, and the ground beneath Israel’s feet became dry. What was impossible became possible because God was faithful, not because the timing looked good.
God did what Israel could never do; He parted the river.
But He waited for them to do the one thing they could do; trust and obey.
Your life may feel like that flooded riverbank. God may be calling you forward into territory you have never walked before (v. 4). He may be stretching your faith, challenging your comfort, inviting you into something that feels risky, untimely, or overwhelming. Everything in you may want to wait for calmer waters.
But faith does not wait for ideal circumstances.
Faith moves when God speaks.
What God desires to do in your life may be on the other side of one simple act of obedience. You don’t need the water to part before you obey; you obey so you can see it part. The same God who held back the Jordan goes ahead of you today. He prepares the ground, guides your steps, and makes a way where no way exists.
Consecrate yourself.
Fix your eyes on His presence.
Take the step He is asking you to take.
The miracle is on the other side of obedience.
Join me as we step forward in faith together.
Reflection Questions
- Where is God calling you to take a step of obedience, even while the “river” in front of you still looks overwhelming, and how can you trust Him more deeply in that area today?
Closing Prayer
- Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being the God who goes before me, the God who makes a way even when the river is at flood stage. Give me the courage to obey You even when circumstances feel intimidating or uncertain. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit; help me consecrate myself, listen for Your voice, and step forward in faith. Teach me to trust Your timing, Your power, and Your promises more than my fears. Lead me into the place of abundance You have prepared, and let my obedience bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Walking Freely in God's Word January 5, 2026 | André K. Dugger “I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed.” Psalm 119:45-46 (CSB) God’s Word does not restrict you; it sets you free. The psalmist says, “ I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. ” Sin promises freedom but leads to bondage ( John 8:34 ). By contrast, when you submit to God’s Word, you discover true liberty. His commands are not chains but guardrails that protect you from destruction and guide you toward abundant life. Jesus affirmed this when He said, “ You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free ” ( John 8:32 ). Walking in God’s Word places you in “ an open place ,” a life of freedom where you can move without fear of stumbling into ruin. Studying His precepts equips you to discern what is good and what is harmful, enabling you to live with confidence and peace. Instead of shrinking under the weight of guilt or confusion, you can walk boldly, knowing that God’s truth lights your path. The psalmist also declares, “ I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. ” When you are grounded in God’s Word, you can stand before anyone; whether friends, skeptics, or even rulers; with courage and conviction. Think of Daniel, who stood unashamed before Nebuchadnezzar, or Paul, who boldly proclaimed Christ before governors and kings. Their confidence came not from eloquence or status, but from their unwavering trust in God’s Word. You may never stand in a royal court, but every day you have opportunities to speak of God’s truth, in your workplace, in your home, in your community. The challenge is the same: will you speak boldly or remain silent in shame? When you study God’s Word and delight in His truth, shame loses its grip. The Spirit gives you boldness to proclaim Christ without fear ( Acts 4:31 ). True freedom is not doing whatever you want but joyfully living in obedience to God’s Word and courageously speaking His truth without shame. Reflection Question: Do you live in the freedom of God’s Word, and are you willing to speak it boldly, even when the world may oppose you? Prayer: Father, teach me to walk in the freedom of Your Word. Give me boldness to speak Your truth without shame, whether before kings or neighbors. May my life reflect the liberty and courage found in You. In Jesus’s name, amen.
A New Year, A New Creation: Beginning the Year in Christ January 1, 2026 | André K. Dugger “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB) The arrival of a new year carries a quiet sense of possibility. Calendars reset, routines shift, and resolutions are made with hope for change. Yet Scripture points you to a deeper beginning than a date on the calendar. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” The new year is not simply an opportunity to try harder; it is a reminder of what is already true because you belong to Christ. In Jesus, your identity has been transformed. The old life marked by guilt, self-reliance, and aimless striving no longer defines you. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has made you a new creation at the core of who you are. As the year begins, you are invited to step forward not carrying the weight of past failures, but walking in the freedom of grace. The power to live differently does not come from stronger resolve, but from a renewed heart anchored in Christ. Beginning the year strong means grounding your days in this gospel reality. Honoring Christ daily starts with remembering who you are and whose you are. You wake each morning as a new creation, called to live with purpose, holiness, and trust. When temptations arise or old patterns resurface, you are not enslaved to them. The Spirit of God lives within you, enabling obedience, shaping character, and producing fruit that reflects Christ to the world. A Christ-honoring year is built one faithful day at a time. As you order your priorities; your time, relationships, work, and rest, you are invited to ask whether they align with your new life in Christ. Scripture, prayer, and obedience are not religious tasks to check off, but lifelines that keep your heart centered on Jesus. Growth may feel slow, but transformation is certain because God is at work in you. The new year will bring unknown challenges and unexpected blessings, but your foundation remains secure. You are not defined by what you resolve to do, but by what Christ has already done. As you walk into the months ahead, live confidently as a new creation. Leave what belongs to the old life behind, and step forward in faith, trusting that the God who made you a new creation will faithfully guide you, strengthen you, and use your life for His glory throughout the year ahead. Reflection Question: As you begin this new year, what old habits, mindsets, or priorities do you need to leave behind so that your daily life more fully reflects the new creation you are in Christ? Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making me new through Jesus Christ. As I step into this new year, help me to live out the reality of the new life You have given me. Give me strength to leave behind old patterns that do not honor You, and grant me wisdom to order my days in obedience and faith. Shape my heart through Your Word, guide my decisions by Your Spirit, and help my life reflect Your grace and truth in every season ahead. May this year be marked by faithfulness, growth, and a deeper love for Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Trusting God’s Word in the Face of Taunts December 29, 2025 | André K. Dugger “Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever.” Psalm 119:42-44 (CSB) When you place your trust in God’s Word, you are equipped to stand firm even when others mock, question, or oppose you. The psalmist says, “ Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. ” The world will always have scoffers who ridicule your faith or challenge your hope in Christ. But you do not need clever arguments or human wisdom; your answer flows from God’s Word, which never fails. Just as Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations by saying, “ It is written ” ( Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 ), you too can stand firm by trusting and speaking the truth of Scripture. The psalmist’s prayer continues: “ Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. ” This reveals a deep dependence on God. Without His Word, you would be left powerless, unable to speak truth or endure trials. But with His Word hidden in your heart and on your lips, you have both strength and hope. God’s judgments, His perfect decrees and decisions, are your foundation. When you cling to them, you are not swayed by shifting opinions or hostile voices. Finally, the psalmist declares: “ I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever. ” This is not a short-term commitment or a passing devotion. It is a lifelong resolve, rooted in love for God and trust in His Word. In Christ, you see the perfect example of this obedience, Jesus always did the will of His Father, even unto death ( Philippians 2:8 ). His obedience secures your salvation, and now, by His Spirit, you are empowered to walk in faithful obedience as well. The taunts of the enemy and the mockery of the world will come, but they cannot silence the truth of God’s Word. When your hope is in His judgments, and your heart is resolved to obey, you will have the confidence to endure and the wisdom to answer. Reflection Question: When others question or mock your faith, do you answer with your own words or with the unshakable truth of God’s Word? Prayer: Father, help me to trust in Your Word when I am taunted or opposed. Keep the truth ever on my lips, and strengthen my resolve to obey You faithfully, forever and ever. In Jesus’ name, amen.
