Lugar De Encuentro celebrates its twentieth year anniversary this year, and to commemorate Faith Chapel’s ten year partnership with LDE, Pastor Beas shared his heart at our 10:00 service while Pastor Josiah shared his with their 2:00 gathering. What a blessing for these two families of believers to love the LORD together.
Pastor Gabriel thanked FC for blessing LDE, and he thanked the LORD for what He was doing. Then Pastor cited Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and courageous…” (NIV) and gave four reasons we should strive and be brave: “because of opposition,” “because of others,” “for personal reasons,” and “for the sake of our God.”
Joshua was to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. They were finally going to the land the LORD was going to give them. What a scary situation for Joshua, but the LORD was with him. Joshua 1:5 states
“No man will [be able to] stand before you [to oppose you]
as long as you live. Just as I was [present] with Moses, so
will I be with you; I will not fail you or abandon you.” (ABV)
The LORD promised to be with Joshua so he could keep moving. It is not easy to serve the LORD since the culture says evil is good and good is evil. There is opposition! Joshua’s people had a whole generation paralyzed with fear of the giants in the Promised Land. Ten spies warned the people of the giants, but Caleb and Joshua said to go forward. However, the people listened to the fearful ones instead of the brave ones. The LORD punished the Israelites who wandered for forty years because of the opposition.
If we are doing God’s work, we will always have opposition. John 10:10a states “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” (NIV) Satan will do everything he can to make us stumble, stop in fear or be discouraged. However, the LORD reminds us that He has some tools for us to fight the schemer and liar as stated in Ephesians 6:11-12
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against
the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against
the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces
of evil in the heavenly realms.” (NIV)
That armor of God includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace of the Good News, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. If we put this armor on daily, we can fight because of God’s provision.
In Joshua 1 verses 6, 7, and 9, God repeated that Joshua was to “Be strong and courageous.” That repetition is so important because even if there is opposition, the LORD would not leave nor forsake him. The final verse that deals with how to handle opposition is from James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We have the greatest advocate, the LORD. When we submit to Him, we do not have to fear the opposition. For nothing is greater than the Creator of the Universe, the omnipotent, sovereign, omnipresent LORD. “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NAB Revised) Praise God!
The second reason to be strong and courageous is "because of others.” What if Joshua had not moved forward? The LORD told Joshua to put on courage because he would bless the people. If we are not strong and courageous, what blessing is missed? Joshua 1:6 states “Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their ancestors to give them as an inheritance.” (CSB) They were not going into the Promised Land alone, and neither are we. God is preparing a blessing for the church that we cannot even imagine. Pastor Gabriel encouraged us that when we feel discouraged or burdened, we can think about those we influence. “What blessing do we miss if we give up?”
Another reason why we should strive and be brave is “for personal reasons.” Joshua 1:7b reminds us “Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go.” (CSB) The LORD will take care of you. Pastor Gabriel reminded us that the LORD had invested so much in Joshua. He had helped Joshua and the people during that forty year trek through that desert. Also Christ has invested so much in each of us. On the cross He gave everything for each of us. “How can we deny His investment in us? Look at the cross and move forward.” Philippians 1:6 directs us “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”(KJV) Finish what the LORD has started in this church, your life, family, business, and your health.
How do we get that courage to keep on? We meditate on the Word of the LORD daily as He encouraged Joshua in 1:8
“Never stop reading the Book of Law he gave you. Day and
night you must think about what it says. If you obey it
completely, you and Israel will be able to take this land.” (CEV)
That is His love letter and guide book to us. Why do we neglect it when He poured Himself into it for us? “Church, good things are coming. The key is to be strong and courageous,” reminded Pastor Gabriel.
Finally, the greatest reason to keep going is “for the sake of our God.” Joshua 1:9b “Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” (CEV) What powerful words that should motivate us. The Creator of the Universe is with us. It is humanly inconceivable, but the LORD in Hebrews 13:5 says “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” What reassurance. What power! What an Abba Father we have. He is with us in moments of illness, difficult times, ministry. It is not about us. It is about our LORD! God is worthy of all our praise and worship. If it is all about Him, it is worth it to move forward where He leads us. He is worthy! Against impossible odds God followers defended His name. In
2 Samuel 23:8 Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, “was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.” What an incredible stand for the LORD. Also David stood against Goliath and represented his LORD courageously against the giant. Where He leads us may we go because He is with us.
Though we will have opposition when we are doing the LORD’s work, He will always be with us. May we bravely move forward for the sake of others, for personal reasons, and most importantly for the sake of the LORD. May we be salt and light in this troubled world.
Calendar:
10/17 Barbara Lydy’s memorial at Glen Abbey at 11:30 am
10/20-LB potluck, word and honoring of Farah Shamoo as she retires
10/27-Men’s Core Meeting
10/31-Truck or Treat
Submitted by
Larry and Annette Linthicum
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