The Cure Church is a Presence Driven Church in Kansas City with a desire to champion those who need something MORE in their life. We believe that everyone is in search for something and JESUS is that something.
The Lord now said to Moses, “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.” So Moses did as the Lord Commanded him. He sent out twelve men, all tribal leaders of Israel, from their camp in the wilderness of Paran. Numbers 13:1-3 NLT
We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” Numbers 13:33
Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord Is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”
But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle. Numbers 14:6-10 NLT
After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them Joshua 1:1-2
Joshua, a great leader, was chosen to lead the people of God into the promised land. This is the same Joshua who declared, ‘We can take the land.’ He was not born great. He was born a slave. He was born to serve. Some of us were also born into ‘slavery’ or bondage. But instead of progressing we stay stuck in our past. And instead of feeding on the things of God we are dwelling on negativity.
Out of the twelve men who were sent to spy out the land were ten who came back with a negative report. Only two of the spies believed God and thought Israel could take the land. The majority believed it could not be done. (Be careful of listening to the crowd. I doubt the majority is ever correct about much.) They did not just report that there were giants. They also expressed their own insecurity.
Next to them we felt like grasshoppers….
We can think like this as well. We can see ourselves as small. Insignificant. Unable to succeed even though God said we could win. With this kind of small thinking we will stay like everyone else. There is something in us that might be afraid to make waves. To go against the grain. But if we don’t we will never move past average.
God has called you to soar like an Eagle you can never soar if you hang around chickens all your life. The world is doing its best to make you like everyone else. There is a system set up to put its standards in your mind.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
No matter your past God’s hand is on you. Stop running in fear of obstacles. Take a stand and be willing to stand out in love as a child of God. Be willing to use the power, love, and sound mind God has given you and declare there is such a thing as moral absolutes!
Can you be the person God has made you or are you living as a carbon copy of someone else? God has promises and a purpose designed just for you. Can you rise up and take the land?
Oh, I understand change is difficult. Transition is hard. It’s easier to stay in the wilderness with the same old clothes, same old hair, and the same old way of thinking. Don’t you think it’s time for a change?
Joshua and Caleb believed they could take the land. But because the majority of Israel did not believe these two men had to wait until the old generation died off before they could cross over into what God had promised them. What needs to die off in your life so you can move forward?
God addressed Samuel: “So, how long are you going to mope over Saul? You know I’ve rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your flask with anointing oil and get going. I’m sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I’ve spotted the very king I want among his sons.” 1 Sam 16:1 MSG
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Phil 3: 12-14 MSG
Joshua, Caleb, and Paul all had this same mind. There was just no turning back. We need this same mind. It’s time to move forward and take hold of all God has for us.
God’s ways are fresh and they are new. He is unpredictable. He moves beyond our routine. If you are a maintainer this will be hard for you. But are you really satisfied where you are right now? Can you see yourself pressing to the next level? None of us can live on our past glory days.
It doesn’t matter how far you have come. Can you be open to change in your life? God has more and it will not just change things in your life it will stretch you. It will enlarge you.
We have to guard against being dead and hard-hearted in our Christianity. It’s time to be excited about the things of God. Half-hearted Christianity is unacceptable.
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 2 Tim 1:6 NLT
Stir up that gift in you! Rekindle that fire again. And let God define success for you. Winning is not having all the money or material possessions your heart desires. Winning is obedience to God.
What does it take to win?
- It starts with the mind. Only you and God really know your thoughts. Are you full of doubt? Are you double-minded when it comes to the things of God?
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord… James 1:6-7
- Look at your priorities. Eliminate what is not important in your life. Not everything in your schedule has equal value. Don’t waste your time with inferior books or videos that degrade your walk with God. It’s only hard to serve God when you are addicted to the world.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… Heb 12:1
- Don’t be distracted by your past. What you did yesterday (the good and the bad) is over.
No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us. Phil 3: 13-14 TLB
PRAY THIS:
Lord, I need to make a fresh commitment to you. The way I have been doing things was good at one time but it won’t take me to the next level. I commit to investing more of my time in your Word. More of my time in prayer. More of my time just being with you. As I do this help me to rely on the Holy Spirit. I believe He will lead me where I need to go. I renew my commitment to trust You with my life. Amen
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… Heb 12:1