How Long Will You Wait?

“So Joshua said to the people of Israel, ‘How long are you going to wait before you go in and take the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?’” Joshua 18:3

The timing was no right for Israel to move in and take the land God had promised them. The time of waiting was over. God’s will and His guidance were clear. It was time to act. If they were to obtain what God had promised it was now time to move in, full force.

No More "I Can't"

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3

Two of the most deadly words in the English language are “I can’t.” We limit our options, we subtract possible joy and, saddest of all, we do not make room for God and His gifts. That is not to say that we can, in some fairy tale way, have three (or more) wishes and obtain anything we want. I cannot, for instance, suddenly be fit and muscular if I have been sedentary and listless until that point. But, what I am able to do is begin a pathway toward that goal.

Personal Strength

“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father… encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16a, 17

We humans are the only “animal” given to self-examination. The more conscious of our true self we are, the more mature we are likely to become. Our language is funny, though, because we call someone “self-conscious” if they are shy or concerned about how others may respond to their words or actions.

Here and Now

“So the chief of the butlers told Joseph his dream…Joseph told him, ‘This is its interpretation.’” Genesis 40:9, 12a

Many very sincere Christians get frustrated because they want to do something significant for God, but feel their circumstances prevent it. Some may think their lack of schooling keeps them from being taken seriously when they talk about Christ, or maybe others imagined hosting Bible studies that grew into the hundreds, only to have just two or three friends gathering around their kitchen table.

An Underdog Story

Goliath said: “If he can kill me, our people will be your slaves. But if I kill him, your people will be our slaves. Here and now I challenge Israel’s whole army! Choose someone to fight me!” 1 Samuel 17:9 10

David and Goliath is probably the greatest underdog tale there is. It was common practice to have one “Champion” represent on nation’s army the opposing army’s Champion. Goliath, ranging anywhere from seven-and-a-half to nine feet tall, challenged the Israelite armies to send such a Champion against him. His sheer size, combined with his fighting expertise, froze every potential opponent in their boots.