CONFIDENCE IN GOING FORWARD
What is holding you back? Anything that is new or big or uncomfortable that is before us – we tend to stop and ponder – maybe even procrastinate because of the fear of the unknown. Maybe it’s taking the step to ask for help or taking the big step in a new direction. Whatever you are putting off or having second thoughts about because it’s the unknown, take heart, God has addressed this same thing in His Word.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV) It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
As you go forward in life, the words from Moses to Joshua are quite applicable as we consider other promises of God throughout the Bible. We can go forward in confidence because we know God will go before us, He is with us, He watches over us, and He surrounds us. We are on safe ground no matter where we go as we think of the protective and guiding hand of God.
Isaiah 43:1-2 (ESV) 1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
My friend, Chuck Williams, is just back from another tour of duty in harms way. I recall talking with him upon his return from a former tour in Iraq in which he spoke of a great sense of the surrounding care of God. Chuck is an army chaplain and a chaplain who spends time with the troops rather than sitting in an office. Knowing God has the responsibility for his care was the thing that helped Chuck personally and in his ministry to the soldiers under his care.
Likewise, the more we focus on God’s promise to protect us, the more we focus on the God behind the promises, the more we can go forward with confidence. Don’t just take his word for it. God’s promises are true and God demonstrates how true His word is throughout the Bible through the real accounts of real people.
Romans 15:4 (ESV) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Take a moment today and read the book of Joshua, taking note of how God surrounded Joshua and the people of God as they stepped into the unknown. Notice the words of Joshua at the end of the book as he is about to die.
Joshua 23:14 (ESV) "And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.
Not one promise of God has failed. What a great statement. You can count on God’s promises as you take a step of faith into unknown territory. God has promised to be with you and surround you. So as you read the experiences of Joshua and others in the Old Testament you can be encouraged to know that God hasn’t changed, nor have His promises. God will be with you as you go forward. You can trust Him and know He will go with you. That means you can go forward with confidence.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
Bob is the pastor of Christ Community Presbyterian Church, Clearwater, Florida. See www.ccpconline.org for church information and listen to Bob’s latest sermons.
FCA Endurance – Clearwater – for information see the FCA link on www.bobbrubaker.com. Please pass the word to athletes in the Clearwater area. For information about FCA Endurance see www.fcaendurance.com .
IRONMAN FOR LIFE
I am participating in Ironman FL on November 6, 2010. More important than the 140.6 mile race is my participation in the Janus Charity Challenge in which athletes use their participation in the Ironman event to raise money for charity.
My choice is the Pregnancy Center of Pinellas County because they are used by God in the saving of many babies every year.
Will you help? Please go the website listed below and consider making a donation. I have listed a goal of $25,000 - however if I can be the top fundraiser in the Janus Charity competition, Janus Charity will donate an extra $10,000. That will mean I will need to raise nearly $100,000.
Anything is possible with God as He uses each of us to make a donation and then tell ten friends about the site and ask them to participate by making a donation.
I'm calling this the Ironman for Life challenge because that is what we are doing. As the 2.4 mile swim, the 112 mile bike, and the 26.2 mile run seems impossible but do-able one step at a time, so the Ironman for Life challenge of raising money to save babies is possible with one donation at a time.
Will you help? Please follow the link below. Or visit my website: www.bobbrubaker.com
Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Janus Charity Challenge
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