Here Comes 2018


I had the opportunity to hear Pastor Tim Adour preach a great message on New Year's Eve. Most Sundays I'm in a pulpit somewhere so this was an enjoyable week of being fed for me. I want to highlight a few of the "takeaways" from the message. 

The truths here come from Joshua 1. We were reminded on Sunday that we don't know what 2018 holds. It's popular for preachers to tell us that our next year will be our best year yet, but obviously there's no biblical guarantee for such thinking. 2018 may have some real trials in store for us. Even if it does Joshua 1 gives us some key truths to hold on to.

The 3-Steps To Success When We Don't Know What The Future Holds

A. Be strong & courageous (v.6,7,9)
God was telling Joshua to suck it up. Stop whining. Stop complaining. Stop griping.
We need to be spiritually tough to follow Jesus. Joshua wasn't going to have it easy, and we may not either. Christianity isn't for wimps. Be strong. Be courageous.

B. Be obedient to the word (v.8)
There is no growth in our lives without Biblical literacy. We have to stay in the word, and Sundays will never be enough. The Bible is not some manual for us to consult when we don't know what to do. It's God's voice to us. It's our guidebook for life.

C. Trust in the presence of God (v.9)
The courage we have is in the power of God not in ourselves. We have to abide in God's presence all year long.

At the end of 2018 you may have less money, a worse job, or a car that won't run. Life isn't about these things. If we will be strong, obey the word, and trust in God's presence, we will still be able to look back and say, "I had a good year." 

Let's stop measuring our success stories with the world's barometer. Consider these words from another great preacher as I close;

"Your destiny and mine are not about positions and success but about faithfulness and loyalty to our Lord." Stephen Tourville

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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