Here We Go Into 2011

Joshua 1
Philippians 3

It was the passing of an era. Things moved a lot slower on earth in Moses and Joshua's day. Take travel and communication for example. Yet there are timeless truths in this passage which can teach us a lot about transition in life. A New Year is a transition.

Moses, My servant is dead. Moses led the people for 40 years out of Egypt and across the wilderness. I should have taken a fraction of that time. These people were not the easiest group to lead. Moses brought them right to the brink of the Promised Land. Because he had struck the Rock twice to get water for the people when God told him the second time to speak to it, he was kept from entering in. We are told in I Corinthians 10 that that Rock was Christ. God was using that Rock as an example of His Son and the fact that He would give life to the world after offering Himself once for all. The striking of the Rock the second time was a misrepresentation of God to the people and Moses had done this in anger. So He was punished.

But we see God's grace in His discipline. Yes he was kept from going in but Moses died before he went in. It would have been torture for him to watch the nation go in under Joshua after the struggles of those 40 years so God took him and buried him there on Mount Nebo. God's grace is given even when we are being disciplined. I am thankful for all the blessings in my life but I am also thankful for the things the LORD has kept me from.

The word, "Now" in verse 2, is power packed. It is part of this transition of leadership but also giving instructions and promises for the immediate future and the distant future. You see how the LORD transcends time? This was a culmination of years of Israel's history-v.6 Promises made to Abraham, Issac and Jacob were about to be fulfilled. Let's look at the truths for us here as we have begun this New Year.

1. Discouragement was and is a struggle in transitions. v.9
Maybe you are asking yourself today, "How are we going to make it this year?" The world is rotten. I wonder if I will make it.
The remedy is found in v.9b "... for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." There is a Hymn that says "If Jesus goes with me I'll go anywhere"
Key words in this verse are "The LORD" and "wherever".

Things may not go as you had planned. It may be different but many times it ends up being better! The struggles we experience can strengthen us in ways we never dreamed of. We come through suffering with assets that we could not gain any other way.

2. On the Journey to become like Jesus (Hopefully we are gaining more each year), Paul gives us a secret to successfully accomplishing it.
Philippians 3.13-14
Forgetting what is behind
The sins Jesus forgives and forgets. He gives them over to oblivion. We need to do the same with our sins we have asked forgiveness for and the sins of others which they haven't asked forgiveness for!
The failures- Do not dwell on them! Isaiah 43.18-19
The way the LORD has used you, what you have done, what you have given- God has a record book and that's all we need! He has done great things!
Straining toward what is ahead
Spiritual growth- prayer, God's Word, Fruit of the Spirit, Wisdom, Maturity
New ventures of faith/ Sacrificial giving out of deep love for Jesus.
Stretch yourself!
Press on
Running as to catch something or someone- Christ likeness/ Holiness- becoming like Jesus

3. Don't forget where we are going! v.14b
The goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus Have this end in view- sometimes difficult to keep before us. Sunken Meadow and Cardiac Hill.
The crown of life The award to the winner in the games
Heaven We have been invited to a feast! It will be the feast of all feasts!!!
Seeing Jesus Face to Face When we all see Jesus!

Here we go into 2011. 2010 is in the history books. 2012 is written in God's Book! Let's be encouraged for not only are we heading in a new year but in this marathon we are in called life we are becoming more like Christ and heading to spend eternity with Him in heaven! Let's go!