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| Getting ready to cross the river and seize the promise! |
Things are getting rather intense these days as I am balancing crucial aspects of my life: my family, my work, and my ministry (or am I unintentionally switching one from the other?) But the fact that God's grace is overflowing and ever encouraging, I have no doubt that things will settle in perfect places. The Scripture says things have fallen in the pleasant places for me. The lot has been cast, and all good things will be relentless.
The warrior story of Joshua is a story of full obedience and decisiveness. Taking over the reins of leadership from his mentor, Moses, he was set to fulfill a crucial mission: bring God's people to the promised land. The pressure was all on him when Moses died: the people already waited for forty years, they wanted to go home. They needed a leader: strong and decisive.
God instructed Joshua to lead, and he never hesitated.
Here are few things I learned from the first three chapters of the book of Joshua, which I wish to expound later after finishing the whole book:
What to do accomplish God's will?
1) Physical Preparation
Although God can accomplish things on His own, He didn't plan things out as if humans are slaves and machines. One of the things He gave us is freewill. We can choose to obey or not. But the things he prepared for us must be taken out of obedience to Him and His word. God only requires us to live by faith, trust His will, and work our hands out according to His plans.
We must lay hold of God's promises and act on them!
Vision plus action. That is my current battle-cry. It is now high time for me to go to the next level of faith. It is now time to get rid of all the reservations and pursue a deeper level of commitment. God has been consistently on the work despite my stubbornness and hard of heart. And I now completely appreciate that I was called to carry out a mission, to use my life for something greater than my own, personal ambitions. Having the vision of God's will is something; carrying it out into action is another.
And so, though with shaking knees and trembling voice, I must run the race and declare the Word until I finish strong! Besides, "He who began a good work in me will carry it into completion..." (Philippians 1:6).
Vision plus action. That is my current battle-cry. It is now high time for me to go to the next level of faith. It is now time to get rid of all the reservations and pursue a deeper level of commitment. God has been consistently on the work despite my stubbornness and hard of heart. And I now completely appreciate that I was called to carry out a mission, to use my life for something greater than my own, personal ambitions. Having the vision of God's will is something; carrying it out into action is another.
And so, though with shaking knees and trembling voice, I must run the race and declare the Word until I finish strong! Besides, "He who began a good work in me will carry it into completion..." (Philippians 1:6).
2) Spiritual Preparation
God's power is fully revealed in a life that is set-apart for His purposes and glory. Miracles happen when we get rid of ourselves everything that is not pleasing to God. A holy life is a powerful and miracle working life! I cannot be used mightily in the Kingdom if I cherish secret sins in my heart. I cannot be used to transform lives if my own is not transformed. Purity is power in the life of a believer! The only way I can do this is to trust the Holy Spirit to empower me every step of the way. Left on my own, I am limited. Left on my own power, I cannot endure great opposition from the enemy. But thanks be to God, He never left me as orphan. My King has established my path by His own steps...giving me power to go and overcome!
It was in this principle of consecration and purity that God worked mightily in the life of Joshua. He sanctified himself, and consecrated his life, his family, his mission, his purpose, for the glory of the King. And all Joshua ever experienced was a life of victory after victory...making him great in the land and among the people. God has been with him as He has promised!
In Joshua 3:5, the King revealed His war plan: "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great and amazing wonders among you." I am again excited to see what God has in store for me in this season of my life--a season of action and deeper commitment. I know better now than to live out a mediocre Christianity. I have seen many great things the LORD has done to still settle for something less. It's been a long time coming, but it is HERE and it is NOW. What else is there to fear? I am serving the KING of kings. I must lay hold of the authority He has given me.
As He was faithfully with Joshua ever since the beginning up to the last day, so the LORD will be with me today and for all eternity.
As He was faithfully with Joshua ever since the beginning up to the last day, so the LORD will be with me today and for all eternity.
I intend to live by faith and trust in God's goodness and grace. It's time to cross the river and seize my promised land!
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