Rethink, reconfirm

Why can't you remove the temptations?
Don't think God cannot just because you cannot 
Look at the promise
Learn the way of the spirit and walk in it
God is refining you, perfecting your faith

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Joshua 24:14, 15, 23 NIV)

Background 

  1. Joshua prophetic speech 
    • Connections
    • The reason why we cannot follow God is because we have not seen him and observe how he had been working wonderfully in our lives = break in connections.  
    • Now just law and decrees, but the covenant - so that you only worship him 
  2. The land is at rest now
    • But Satan doesn't rest
    • We may get comfortable 
    • Remember - you must bring forth the gospel to your people ard you (that's why we have trials - permissible by God) 
    • There are new lands to conquer 
    • Go for challenges, thank God for trials > bringing you to another level of faith
  3. Still some concealed or suspected practices of idolatry in Israel (satan never stop)
See God's work upon us
Why is it so hard to see God's works among us? Because 
  1. We have failed to see it objectively (with the greater picture) and wholesomely 
    • The worst thing is not the problem
    • The worst thing is people trapped in the problem as it is - pain, no money, lacking 
    • We quickly forget the unchanging promise of God and what he had done to us
    • Did you see his persevering love, righteousness, persevering faithfulness 
    • We are so short sighted - we always don't reconfirm 
  2. See it with the Promise of God
    • Ab --> individual > household > a people > cannaan. 
    • 4 Gospelization
    • Look at God who is perfecting your faith 
    • Don't use your emotions 
    • Even though I am weak, but I know my destiny
  3. Invisible hand at work
    • Grace and favour of God 
Revere Him exclusively
  1. Exemplifying a set apart choice 
  2. Caution against a light commitment towards God 
    • Worship him not in flesh! but in the spirit
    • Desire the spiritual blessings more than the physical blessings 
  3. When you act on your belief, you know this is not abstract but real
    • True faith will bring about works 
  4. Take ownership of your life - what is your calling and inheritance?