SACRED STORIES

“Get Ready, God is Up to Something”
Pastor Ben Johnson – August 13, 2023

Romans 15:5&13 (NLT) — May God, who gives patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus…I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Life is HARD and tomorrow is not looking any EASIER.

So, STAND on God’s promises and don't LOSE HOPE.

ROOTING OUT DISCOURAGEMENT: FATIGUE - FAILURE - FRUSTRATION

Joshua 1:1-9 (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. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you - from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

RESTORING HOPE & ENCOURAGEMENT

1. REST for our BODIES.
   
   Matthew 11:28 (NLT) — Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
   

2. RELY on God for HELP.
   
   2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT) — Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
   

3. RECEIVE God’s GOODNESS.
   
   Luke 15:22-24 (NLT) — “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So, the party began.
   
   God is at WORK. Be ENCOURAGED.
   
   Joshua 1:10-11 (NLT) — Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, “Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days, you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.”