Will You Be Stuck or Move Forward?(Part 2)

We have been exploring the idea of how easy it is to get stuck in “Yesterday” and fail to move forward in today and tomorrow. Our memories are a wonderful thing that God gave us but some memories can be a hindrance toward gaining the inheritance that God’s Word promises us. Those memories can be good or bad.  Sometimes good experiences cause us to reject new ones and cause us to get stuck. Bad experiences are generally used by the enemy to trap us in the past.  If you haven’t read the first part of this series,please read that one first.

The subject we dealt with in the first article was the life of Joshua, Moses’ servant. He had to get past his experiences of being born into slavery in Egypt. Slavery can be terminated physically and the person set free but the mindset of a salve is a bigger hurdle to get over than a physical one. The second hurdle he had to conquer was his wilderness experience. Some of us have been stuck in a spiritual wilderness that kills our hope for the future and kills our faith to move forward. Joshua being called by God did not mean his calling and future was guaranteed. He had to get through these obstacles and others that had the potential of killing his faith and his future.

The next hurdle he had to conquer after dealing with the past was his potential lack of confidence in leading the people like Moses did. Sometimes our spiritual mothers and fathers are bigger than life and at times intimidating.  How could Joshua hope to follow in the footsteps of Moses…..who spoke to God like an man speaks to a man. I have had spiritual fathers who were just like Moses, bigger than life and potentially intimidating in terms of spiritual growth and courage. I had to go beyond who these people were and grow into my own person as a man of God. What we all need to remember is that God is the one that we most need to impress, not man. Solomon gave very sound advice regarding what other may think about us.

Proverbs 29:25                                                                                                                                                                       

The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

When we realize our calling and purpose above all things, we need to put our hope and trust in the promises of God. That is what Joshua was told by God to do and we are no different. We need to know what God calls us to and what promises He gives in order to have the kind of faith that propels us into our called future. Joshua was building his future on believing God’s promises…. “NOT”on his human ability. His success came as a result of his choices!

Joshua 1:5                                                                                                                                                                                       

No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you;  I will not fail you or forsake you.

Solomon gave us another piece of advice that has personally seen me through many hurdles. It was sound advice to me and I trust it is sound advice for you. If you haven’t memorized these verses, you should because it could change your life.

Proverbs 3:5-10                                                                                                                                                                   

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.

So, how do we move into our future? We need to learn the laws of the Kingdom of God which were in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. One of the key parables of Jesus was the “Sower & Seed” which basically states what we sow or give our efforts to will produce fruit. “Cause and Effect” is a law of nature and a law in the spirit as well. If we mostly sow to our pleasure then we will starve other areas like hard work and honesty. The end result is that we will become morally corrupt and have no place in God’s kingdom.

Galatians 6:8-9                                                                                                                                                                

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Joshua was told by God that he was halfway to victory but he had something he need to conquer still in order for the promises of God to be fulfilled. He had to decide to be “Strong & Courageous” and these qualities would see him through to victory. God did not say he would give him strength and courage but that these qualities he needed to choose himself. How you may ask? Look what God said would make him into an amazing leader of strength and courage that would eclipse Moses.

Joshua 1:7-8                                                                                                                                                                          

Only be “Strong and Very Courageous“; be careful to do accordingly to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

There are things that God will do for us but he will not do everything. We are called to study the word of God so that we might live by those principles. Life will throw at us all kinds of hindrances that can derail our faith. Only by immersing ourselves daily will we be able to keep the standard of God and the promises of God before us when the storms and road blocks come…..and they will come. Joshua needed to understand that God’s instruction were not a “Suggestion” to pick and choose from but were commands. We also need to realize that being successful with God in this life is not luck or chance but a matter of who calls the shots…..Us or God?

Joshua 1:9                                                                                                                                                                              

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Questions:

1) Are you stuck in the past? Ask God to deliver you from the bondage of being trapped and expect him to answer you. Have people pray with you because sometimes we need people who have more faith than we do.

2) Are you afraid to move into your future? God is able to do more than you ask or think so trust him and read the scripture, which is able to make you more than a conqueror.

Expecting many to get set free from yesterday! Will it be you?

Pastor Dale