What Would You Do If You Knew God Was With You? (Part 2)

Have you ever been given a task that was so big you thought it would be impossible to accomplish? In the Old Testament, Joshua (The successor to Moses as leader of the Israelites) was given a task by God that seemed overwhelming. He was to lead the Israelites to war against giants, walled cities, and fierce warriors. Can you imagine?

The other part of this, is God didn't show up and do everything for Joshua. Joshua had to go into these places and fight the battles. He had to destroy the villages and towns. It wasn't easy.

Yet in the midst of all this, God was with Joshua. God provided miracles to help Joshua accomplish the task assigned to him. It wasn't easy, but Joshua succeed. How? He KNEW God was with him.

Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

-Joshua 1:9

He was told this 7 times, 3 times by Moses and 4 times by the LORD. Joshua had seen God be with Moses through all the hard tasks Moses had to do. Joshua had faith that God would be with him as long as he was doing the task, no matter how difficult, God had given him.

What would you do if you KNEW God was with you? Would you take on the hard tasks? Do you want to know God is with you? Then do what Joshua did. Spend time with God and ask Him what task He has for you. When God tells you, be willing to do it, no matter how hard it may seem. Because if it is from God, He is with you, wherever you go.

In Christ,

jon walton

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What Would You Do If You Knew God Was With You?

I am reading the book "Plan B" by Pete Wilson. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Whether you are in a plan B situation, have went through one, or haven't experienced one yet this book is great.

At one point in the book, Pete(I met him not long ago, I feel I can call him by his first name.) is talking how when things don't go the way we think they should, we start looking up and wondering, "God, where are You?" Its as if we think God has abandoned us, when the reality is God has never abandoned us.

Be satisfied with what you have, for He(Jesus) Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.

-Hebrews 13:5b

So what then? If we are to take the Word of God as Truth,(which it is) should it not cause us to respond to troubles differently than those who do not have God with them?

Look at the life of Joseph from the old testament. Over and over he had troubles come to him. He had lots of good and bad things happening to him. He was loved by his father, but hated by his brothers. His dad gave him a wonderful coat, his brothers decided to beat him up an kill him. One of his brothers convinced the others to spare Joseph's life, so they sold him into slavery. He gets promoted in Potiphar's house, then gets thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit. It goes on and on with him through several years, yet never does the Bible show Joseph getting upset with God, or even his circumstance. Why? Because all throughout the Joseph's life you see this phrase in the Bible, "The Lord was with Joseph." Through he good and the bad, the joy and the sorrow, the comfort and the pain, Joseph knew the Lord was with him. Because Joseph knew the Lord was with him, he approached his troubles with confidence that he would get through them. He approached his troubles with faith that the Lord would take him through the bad times.

What would you do if you KNEW God was with you?

Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

-Hebrews 13:6

In Christ,

jon walton

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We Have To Make A Change...

I think it is important that we all take time on a regular basis to check our lives and see if we who are called by the name of Jesus Christ are doing what He would have us do. For weeks now, I have been evaluating my life. I am looking at where I am spending my money. I am looking a where I am spending my time. I am looking at my life and wondering, "Is this what Jesus would want me to be doing?"

Pastor Rick preached a powerful(slap in your face powerful) message Sunday, May 2. He made this quote:

"We have come to a place in America where people think they can worship Jesus without doing what He did or obeying what He said."

How does that line up with the Word of God?

The one who says, "I have come to know Him," without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. - 1 John 2:4

While preparing for the sermon I am preaching Sunday, I have come to a realization. I sat down with my wife this week and told her, "Honey, we have to make a change." I am not sure to what extent it will be, but I know that I will follow Jesus Christ in whatever He leads.

In Christ,

jon walton