Take Possession

"So Joshua said to the Israelites:

'How long will you wait before you begin

to take possession of the land that the LORD,

the God of your ancestors, 

has given you?'"

Joshua 18:3

"I live in constant guilt, like a cloud of condemnation is always hanging over me.  I want to live for God, but I keep getting sucked back into my old ways.  I can't stay away from the bottle.  I'm drawn to movies I know do not honor God.  I do things I shouldn't do with my boyfriend.  I feel powerless against sin.  What's wrong with me?  I thought Jesus died to give me an abundant life, but this feels like no life at all."

Can you relate?  This is the struggle of many-a-Christian.  They accept Christ as their Savior and sit back, waiting for the change that never comes.  Meanwhile, they continue living as if nothing is different.  I certainly can relate because this was similar to the pattern my own life took after accepting Jesus as my Savior.  For 18 years I lived my life like the rest of the world.  There was no peace. There was no joy.  There was no difference.

In the same way that God gave the Israelites an abundant land, He gave me life and life to the full.  (John 10:10b)  If I don't take hold of it, though, it will never be mine.  It lays subdued before me (Joshua 18:1), ripe for the picking.  What is holding me back?

Fear

What if He asks me to leave my family and live in a third world country?

What if He calls me to do something I can't do?

What if I make a fool of myself?

What if. . . .

The "what ifs" can rule my life, rendering me impotent in God's kingdom.  Fear can paralyze me, keeping me rooted in the same spot as I ponder the options that lay before me.  Either I can hold on to the illusion that I'm controlling my own life, or I can surrender to God and His plan for my life, letting Him direct my footsteps. 

I am often afraid to let go because it seems like the known is better than the unknown; the seen far superior to what I can't see.  If handing the reigns of my life over to God so that He can be in charge of the direction in which I travel means I have no idea what lies around the next bend, I balk.  Why?  Scripture tells me it's because I have no clue of the depth of God's love for me!  (1 John 4:18, Ephesians 3:17-19)

When I truly grasp the immensity of His love, it's never-ending properties and my inability to quench it's fire, I will be able to completely place myself in His hands, trusting Him fully with every part of my life.  With that kind of love, how can I disappoint Him?  With that kind of love, how could He hurt me?  With that kind of love, how could He steer me wrong?

Yes, I can trust God enough to jump into His loving arms knowing that I'll be well-cared for.  I need not worry that I will regret this decision, or that I'll wish I had retained control over my own life.  The reality is, I only fooled myself into thinking I was in control.  

God is sovereign.  He is not a bully, however, and waits for me to willingly give Him domain over my life.  As my Creator, He has full rights to me, but His gentlemanly character won't allow Him to snatch control from my hands.  Instead, He stands at the door and knocks.  It's up to me to let Him in.  (Revelation 3:20)

Jesus has offered me an abundant life, but fear often keeps me from fully surrendering to the plan God's love makes possible for me.  (Ephesians 2:10)

Worth

I sat in the crowded room at the conference soaking in all the good teachings I was hearing, but nagged by a feeling of unease.  Just under the surface lay a kind of dread; a sense that at any moment someone was going to tap me on the shoulder and ask, "What are you doing here?  You don't belong.  You need to go."

These feelings of unworthiness plagued me for years, holding me back from truly grasping hold of the plan God had for my life.  It was hard for me to answer His call because I didn't believe I was good enough to do anything worthwhile for Him.  Who did I think I was, anyway?  I would often think.

The reality is that I am not worthy. (1 Corinthians 15:9-11) That much was true.  The part that I had wrong was that my fitness or merit has anything to do with my place in God's kingdom.  Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was enough to make me right with God. (Philippians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21) His blood covers all my sins, giving me full rights to His kingdom.  

The grace of God has made possible my adoption as a wholly loved child; something that can never be taken away from me. (1 John 3:1,Romans 8:38-39) There is nothing I can do to earn such an unspeakable gift. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Instead, I must humbly accept it, knowing the burden of fulfillment lies completely on Christ's shoulders.

Jesus has offered me an abundant life, but feelings of unworthiness and guilt often keeps me from fully grasping the gift of salvation that is offered by grace through faith.

Apathy

She lived in squalor.  Her life consisted of scrounging around each day to find the bare basics required for survival.  Winter temperatures brought suffering as she struggled to stay warm.    When offered clean, dry, warm shelter, she refused it, choosing instead to stick with what was familiar.

I can be just like this homeless woman who'd rather stay in the camp she and a few others built in a small stand of trees than to live with a roof over her head and face the responsibilities such a life would require her to uphold.  It's easy to be comfortable with the mediocrity of where I am than to grasp hold of the abundant of what seems just beyond my reach.

God issued a warning to the church of Laodicea that applies to today's believers as well.  He said, "You say, 'I am rich.  I have everything I want.  I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.  So I advise you to buy gold from me--gold that has been purified by fire.  Then you will be rich.  Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.  I correct and discipline everyone I love.  So be diligent and turn from your indifference."  (Revelation 3:17-19 NLT)

When I carry an attitude of apathy, feeling comfortable right where I am, I am failing to grasp hold of the purpose for which God has created me!  It reminds me of when I played tennis in high school.  The coach would often tell me to stay in the ready position, keeping my weight forward on my toes so that when my opponent hit the ball, I'd be able to respond quickly.  When I stayed back on my heels, my reaction time was hampered.

It's the same with me in my walk with Christ.  If I hang back, preferring to stay where I am, I'm not showing Him that I'm ready to go wherever He leads me.  I don't realize that the place where I feel so at ease is not God's best for me.  He's got something so much better but I have to trust Him enough to go forward into the unknown.  

Jesus has offered me an abundant life, but my attitude of apathy often keeps me from walking forward by faith into the life God has planned for me to live.

In the same way that the Israelites failed to step forward and claim the land God had subdued for them, I often do the same with the abundant life He's promised to me.  Fear, feelings of unworthiness and an attitude of apathy often hold me back.  Instead, I must remember the power of God's love that has saved me, the grace that makes the abundant life possible for me, and the faith that will propel me into God's best.  With these tools firmly in my grasp, I can step forward and take possession of the life God is freely offering to me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can take hold of all the good God has planned for this day.

When do I feel like I don't belong in God's kingdom?

How do I sit back, content with the anemic life to which I've grown accustomed?  

Equipped to Serve

"Then the LORD said to Moses,

'See I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri,

the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,

and I have filled him with the Spirit of God,

with wisdom,

with understanding,

with knowledge

and all kinds of skills-

to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,

to cut and set stones,

to work in wood,

and to engage in all kinds of crafts.

Moreover,

I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak,

of the tribe of Dan, to help him.

Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers 

to make everything I have commanded you.'"

Exodus 31:1-6

"I'm not good enough."

"I don't know enough about God."

"I doubt anyone will listen to me."

"I've never been able to do anything like that before."

This is a list of the excuses Moses gave to God before the burning bush.  Despite the amazing miracles the Lord performed to reassure him, Moses remained skeptical.  His final response to God's patient encouragement was, "Send someone else."  (Exodus 3-4:17)

Even though I've read this account of the calling of Moses dozens of times, it never ceases to strike a familiar chord within me.  I can relate to Moses on so many levels!  It's easy to consider the signs and wonders God performed in his midst and ask, What's wrong with this guy?  Why is he so insecure?  

If I put myself in his shoes, however, and switch the command from going to visit Pharaoh in Egypt with speaking to a large group, leaving my family to live in a faraway mission field, or starting a new ministry or business, I suddenly empathize with his reluctant reaction.

God doesn't set me up for failure.  If He calls me to do something, He will give me what I need to accomplish the task He has set aside for me.  Therefore, I can live accordingly.

By Faith

The talk show host famous for inciting antagonism and fueling arguments by playing the so-called devil's advocate grilled Billy Graham in his familiar style.  Instead of getting a rise out of the famous evangelist, however, he received a response that stopped him in his tracks.  "You will never be able to reason your way to understanding; that will never work.  The 

gospel is something you have to take by faith."

God used Billy Graham to render Phil Donahue speechless.  Was it because he had studied different styles and prepared appropriate responses?  Did he possess such intuitive people skills that he was able to come up with the perfect come-back for each person?  Was he a polished debater who had spent hours practicing the art of deliberation?  

No, none of the above.  Instead, Billy Graham trusted God to provide the words each person needed to hear.  So, when he delivered the response that stopped Donahue cold, it wasn't just words he was delivering.  Instead, it was a way of life for Graham.  He had lived most of his life by faith, believing what God said simply because had God said it. 

While I tend to look at all the obstacles I see around me and question whether God can really meet all my needs like He has promised, a faith-filled response would be, "God will provide." (Matthew 6:33)  When I focus on the pain that overwhelms coupled with the depressing odds given by the medical experts, a faith-filled attitude would be, "With God nothing is impossible." (Luke 1:37)  When I sense God calling me to what seems to be out of the question considering my abilities, a faith-filled reaction would be, "Here I am; send me." (Isaiah 1:7-8)

Walking forward in faith is possible when I place more clout in God and His abilities than in me and my lack thereof.

In Action

I opened my eyes but could see nothing around me.  The darkness was so deep that it seemed to close in on me, making me feel claustrophobic.  We had lost power after a storm and the lack of light in the dead of the night was absolute.  Still, I needed to find my way to the bathroom.  Knowing the familiar route from my bed to the toilet should have been easy, but without the benefit of my vision, it was a scary thing to take each step.  I knew the floor was solid beneath my feet and the way clear of obstacles, but I still hesitated, unsure if I could make it without incident.

I depend on my vision so much that when I lose it for a time, like after that fateful storm, it is hard to function.  My ability to make it to the bathroom depended on a faith in my memory of the route as well as the integrity of the floor.  While it may have felt I would step off a precipice at any moment, I knew without a doubt that the house had not given way.  Therefore, I willed myself to move forward, believing that everything was as I had left it before going to bed.

It's the same with God.  I know much about Him from reading His Word and have seen Him work in some mighty ways as He provided exactly what I needed, protected me from harm and gave me the strength to carry on.  Still, when I'm faced with the next obstacle, need or calling, I tend to doubt, putting more clout in what I can sense than in the God who I can't see, touch or feel.

Faith is not about what goes on inside of me, but in what comes out through action.  I can talk and think about what I believe all day long, but unless I put it into practice, it isn't real.  Unless I go when God says, "Go!" or I move when God says, "Move!"  or I wait when God says, "Wait!" my faith means nothing. (James 2:14-26)

Faith without action is no faith at all.

With Confidence

His sense of self-assurance bordered on cockiness.  When the business executive walked into the room, he commanded the attention of all in attendance.  The people gathered for the presentation believed everything he said simply because he sounded so sure of himself.  I wondered how he could be so confident.

While some people seem to be born with a strong ability to believe in themselves and their abilities, others are so insecure they don't think they are able to complete even the simplest of tasks.  Most people fall somewhere in between these two extremes.  While our culture extols the virtues of developing a strong sense of self and belief in what we can do, I learn a conflicting truth in God's Word. (Philippians 3:3)

Instead of a trust in myself and belief in my own abilities driving me forward in self-assurance, I can step forward in faith based on my confidence in a powerful, sovereign God who is faithful to keep His promises. (Psalm 118:8-9)  Peter demonstrated this God-confidence when he spoke boldly before the intimidating Sanhederin, the Jewish ruling council.  

As a follower of Jesus, Peter had heard Jesus say they would do even greater things than He. (John 14:12-14)  By faith, then, Peter and John stepped out in ministry, spreading the Good News and healing people.  When the Holy Spirit gave Peter the words to defend himself against the accusations of the skeptical Jewish leaders, they were astonished by his courage and could not deny the miracle of the once lame man now standing before them.  It was obvious there was something different about this man.  (Acts 4:8-17)

I can possess the same confidence Peter exhibited if I would only believe in what God is able to accomplish through me.  When I trust Him enough to move forward in faith, I will exude a similar confidence, boldly approaching the throne of grace to receive all I need to carry out the task set before me. (Hebrews 4:16) Sometimes that is to endure hardship, other times it is to speak with power, or even to accomplish an overwhelming mission.  Whatever I am called to do, I can move forward with the assurance of one who is thoroughly equipped through God's indwelling Spirit. (Ephesians 3:20)

When I walk by faith I will move with confidence in the One who equips me for every good work that He has called me to do.  (Ephesians 2:10)

God gives each of us a mission but He doesn't leave us to our own devices.  Instead, He provides everything we need to accomplish the task at hand.  Therefore, I can walk forward with the belief that He will supply, proving that my faith is real and giving me a confidence not in myself, but in the One who is the source of all good things.  There is no doubt that God can be trusted as my Provider, but I will only discover this truth if I step blindly forward, before I see any evidence of this provision.  It is then that I will see how I am equipped to serve.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to obey His calling on my life.  

When do I let my own insecurities hold me back?

How can I keep my eyes on the power of God instead of my own lack of abilities?