YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE!!!

Oct. 21, 2013

YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE!!!

“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.  After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people:

“When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.  THEN YOU WILL KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO, ….” Joshua 3:1-4

This was directions of the Israelites new leader, Joshua who replaced Moses in leading the Children of Israel to the PROMISE LAND. He was Chosen, because HE HAD BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE.

Forty years earlier he stood at the threshold of the promise land, only to be denied entrance because the Faithless multitude had refused to focus on where God had brought them from. But how does one forget the plagues of Egypt, and the Passover night,

how does one forget the parting of the waters at the red sea, as they crossed over to escaped from the Egyptian army, how does one forget the food of angels from heaven for nourishment, and water from a mountain for thirst,

how could you ever forget the breathtaking power of God at Mt Sinai, and how do you forget God’s personal Message, from Moses “Here is what I want you to say to my people, who came from Jacob’s family. Tell the Israelites,

“You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt. You saw how I carried you on the wings of eagles and brought you to Myself.” What A sad scenario To have seen and heard the mighty power of God, and still be denied entrance to the Promise land,

because your focus was on the Giants of the land, and not the one who created the giants. Joshua  remembered listening to the reports of the twelve spies who said “We went to the land where you sent us. It really is a land flowing with milk and honey.

Here’s some of its fruit. But the people who live there are strong and the cities have walls and are very large. But only Caleb and Joshua out of the multitude over twenty knew the power of God and what He had done for them in the pass.

“Let’s go now and take possession of the land. We should be more than able to conquer it.” But Satan encouraged doubt from the faithless “We can’t attack those people! They’re too strong for us!”

and now only Caleb and Joshua remained out of the million plus, who were over twenty who died in the wilderness. Yes my friends only two over twenty knew where God had brought them, yes only two over twenty HAD BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE.

Yes my Friends They knew from personal experiences what the fear of the unknown would do to someone who would not let the presence of the Lord determine there destiny. So that is why Joshua’s mandate to the multitude was to follow the covenant of the Lord

“SINCE YOU HAD NEVER BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE. So today my friends As God’s Children, the journey we are now traveling to the promise land stands on the other side of  our trials, and tribulations that we must encounter as this controversy continues between Good and evil,

for It is UNCHATTERED TERRITORY to us, but our Lord and savior Jesus Christ HAS BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE. He knows the rough terrain. He knows the temptations and hardships one must encounter daily from the forces of evil,

yes He knows the pain of the road we must travel, and the exhaustion of the constant battles from Satan for John 4:6 tells us “Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well….”

But our Savior never lost focus. His love for us never wavered For He knew our fragile framework, because he was our Creator; He remembered that we are made from the dust of the ground. And what delicate steps we must take to follow Him to Calvary.

But My friends who else to Guide us along this journey but someone who HAS BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE, and finished the course. So remember when you are tempted and the trials of this life seems to be more then you can bear.

Remember “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

The Psalmist also tells us in Psalm 73:23-26 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY