Are we so focused on getting somewhere in life that we fail to experience the journey? As Pastor Ed shares in his message, while we are typically in a rush to get to the end goal, God often has a purpose behind the journey it takes to reach the destination. Growing in our personal walk is never as easy as one course of action, but over time our experiences shape our maturity and relationship with Christ. Just as the Israelites wandered for years before reaching the Promised Land, we too may grow by experiencing a longer journey than expected.

Are you sharing your experiences of God with the younger generation? As Pastor Ed shares in his message, these stories of faithfulness and God-inspired miracles are important enough to be passed down to other generations. A big part of leaving a legacy of Christ is sharing what has inspired the older generation throughout our walk with God. This is similar to the feasts, stories, and traditions that the Israelites used in order that the younger generation might know the miracles of Christ.

How do we memorialize those past events that are important in our lives? As Pastor Ed shares in his message, just as the Israelites memorialized how God lead them across the Jordan River supernaturally with a stone altar, we should put into place ways to remember and honor the promises of God. It may not necessarily be a physical place or item, but rather a symbolic experience such as journaling or quiet time that allows us to praise and honor God for His faithfulness toward us.

God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. Isn’t that a relief? As Pastor Ed shares in his message, our circumstances often lead us to a place where we must realize that nothing can be done through our own power, decisions, or actions. While hard times are not pleasant, God uses these times to shape our understanding of His will and ultimate control over our situations. When we realize that we are too weak to accomplish anything without Christ, we come to a wonderful understanding of how our relationship with Him should work to begin with.

Are we wandering in the desert right now? As Pastor Ed shares in his message, just as the Israelites wandered for 40 years before stepping into the Promised Land, many Christians spend days, weeks, months, or years wandering in our own metaphoric desert. We are failing to enjoy the fruits of a life lived in Christ. God has many purposes and blessings for those who earnestly seek after His will. How much more blessed might our experience in life be, if we surrendered our time and devotion to the one true God?

Do we stand out from the world around us? As Pastor Ed shares in his message, living out truth and convictions will cause us to stand out. While many struggle with feeling different or misunderstood, living in Godly truth sets us apart in a way that glorifies His name. In fact, He calls us to be set apart or different from those who choose the worldly path. The more we study and grow close to the truths of the Bible, the more equipped we will be to live out a life pleasing to God.

Do we often think we’re in control of our decisions and actions? As Pastor Ed shares in his message, God has his hand in all of our interactions even at times when we are unaware. As we trust God for our choices, He makes them perfect and complete. He can lead us toward others whose hearts are open and ready to work His will in big ways. It is our responsibility to keep the communication open and trust God to guide our path and footsteps.

What does it mean to be governed by the word of God? As Pastor Ed shares in his message, it is more than just knowing about the Bible or even reading the Bible. We must meditate on it consistently and use it to rule over all of our actions and decisions. Just as Joshua used the book to guide his thinking, Christians would be wise to make more decisions based on what the word of God says and less on what the world is telling us. Only God’s rule can hold the infinite and unchanging truth.

Do we really believe that God can accomplish the impossible? As Pastor Ed shares in his message, God does not make promises that He can’t keep. This is most evident when He promised Abraham and Sarah a child in their old age. Even with Abraham’s faith it was hard for him not to question God on this matter. We tend to question God too, even when He has delivered on promises in the past. God however is looking for us to grow in faith in order that we might not question His promises.

God instituted marriage to be a reflection of the union between Jesus and the Church, that's why the devil continually tries to pervert this amazing union. Today, Pastor Ed will be explaining that marriage was meant to be an intimate partnership of mutual submission under God. The man is the head of the home, but both man and woman are to submit unto each other in the fear of the Lord as well. The most important relationship in our lives should be the one we have with the Lord, and the second is with our spouse.