There Is NOTHING You Can’t Do…

Well, our youngest son Jeremy made it home last night for a week long visit, and we are having a wonderful time.  Needless to say, we stayed up late last night and breakfast this morning lasted about 3 hours!  One of the myriad of subjects that keeps popping up is the sharing of church ministry ideas.  The excitement has been increasing in all three of us, as we bounce different thoughts, programs and outreaches off each other. 

In the course of the conversation last night, I was reminded and encouraged by a scripture promise that I believe the Lord gave to me last year concerning our future ministry.  It is found at the end of the book of Joshua when Joshua is reviewing all the mighty things that the Lord did for the Israelites after they conquered the majority of the land that God had originally promised to them through Abraham approximately 800 years before.

Beginning in Joshua 24:11, the Lord speaking through Joshua, told the people, “Then you crossed the Jordan River and came to Jericho.  The citizens of Jericho, the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites fought you.  But I handed them over to you.  These things didn’t happen because of your battle skills or fighting ability.  So I gave you a land that you hadn’t farmed, cities to live in that you hadn’t built, vineyards and olive groves that you hadn’t planted. So you ate all you wanted.”  (Joshua 24:11-13 Gods Word ©)

As I was reviewing these verses this morning, I saw all the “ites” that came against the children of Israel as a symbol of all the people who tend to come against us as we step out to do the things that God has called us to do in our lives.  Many of these “ites” tend to feel that they are doing us a favor by informing us of all the negative reasons for not proceeding along the path that we've chosen to go.  Maybe we don’t have enough experience, education, finances, or the right personality.  Maybe it just looks plain crazy for us to step out into an unknown arena of faith.  Maybe, maybe, maybe…

Just maybe these “ites” are just looking at your call through their own eyes and experiences and have no real idea (or care) about what’s really happening with you!  These “ites” in your life tend to focus on the “I” of themselves, and not on you and your individuality, characteristics, desires and God given dreams.

The children of Israel could never have accomplished what they did without the direction, assistance and power of God working for them.  This is what Joshua was trying to convey to them before his death.  He knew that their future success depended not on man’s abilities, education, or experience, but on a life dedicated and focused on God and His word.

Do you have a vision in life that others have questioned?  Remember that your success does not depend on outside circumstances, but by the direction of God, your faith and corresponding actions of faith as based on His Word, and by your unyielding confidence and trust in Him.  Don’t allow the “ites” to sway you from the smooth paths that He is leading you on. (see Psalms 23:3 and Proverbs 3:6)

Joshua’s final advice to the Israelites was to “Fear the Lord, and serve Him with integrity and faithfulness” (Joshua 24:14 Gods Word ©) This is the same piece of advice that we need to structure our lives around.  His word should always be the final word on any subject!  There is NOTHING that the team of you and God cannot succeed in, when this advice is kept forever before your eyes. 

Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What (good things) am I expecting today?”