Have you ever found yourself feeling defeated, wondering what God's plan is for your life?

In this message, Pastor Wes Jackson tells us the secret to hearing God and knowing more about Him. We don't have to stay stuck in defeat. There is victory in a relationship with Jesus!

Two Spies and a Shady Lady

NEXT Week 5

Joshua 2:1-21 (NASB)

1 Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there. 2 It was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” 3 And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” 6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. 7 So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.

8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, please swear to me by the Lord, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, 13 and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the Lord gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”

15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. Then afterward you may go on your way.” 17 The men said to her, “We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear, 18 unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household. 19 It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear.” 21 She said, “According to your words, so be it.” So she sent them away, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

Joshua 2:1-21

Rahab’s faith:

Rescued her.

Stood alone.

Was consistent

Two Spies And A Shady Lady (Spanish Translation) by Community of Faith

Forward Progress in the Uncertain Days

NEXT Week 4

Joshua 1:9 (NASB)

1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:1-9

Progress happens when I am:

Recognizing God’s purpose for my life. (vs. 1-2)

Trusting God’s promises. (vs. 2-5)

Strong and courageous in:

My roles and responsibilities. (vs. 6)

Obedience to God’s Word. (vs. 7-8)

Overcoming my fear and discouragement. (vs. 9)

My struggles are not proof that God doesn’t care or that He bailed on me, my struggles are proof that He’s still working in my life.

EXTRA: Want to take some specific steps toward spiritual growth this week?

Text COFNEXT to 97000 and click the I want to be Strong and Courageous for a helpful guide in experiencing progress in your faith journey with Jesus.

STEPPING INTO TOMORROW BY FAITH

“As we move forward, it’s going to feel like the world’s ending, and in some ways it will be. No the world isn’t

literally ending, but a specific kind of world is ending, and it’ll be extremely difficult for many people to tell the

difference as it’s happening. This will likely lead to many more episodes of mass insanity as professional

manipulators take advantage of millions upon millions of disoriented people. Priority number one should be to

stand guard at the gate of your mind during this time so as not to become a victim.” – MICHAEL KRIEGER

Crucial Choice Points – Moments where time and eternity intersect that influence the rest of my future. My

choice in that moment will alter my entire life.

“So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come and listen to what the Lord your God says. Today you will know that the

living God is among you.” Joshua 3:9-10

“The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the

flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.” Joshua 3:13

Crossing the Jordan = aligning ourselves with God’s purpose

The Christian life is not an experience or a formula or a certain way of behaving. It is a PERSON!

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete...”

Colossians s 2:9,10

As a Christian, I am not following a set of ideals and principles; I am following the living reigning Lord of the

universe!

There is a crucial choice point when I must decide if I’m willing to participate in a miracle – to possess God’s

dream of tomorrow.

“

So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant

went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as

the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that

point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water

below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near

the town of Jericho. Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry

ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of

Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.” Joshua 3:14-17

Faith is having fear, doubt, and belief mixed together, and still taking the next step into the promise.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—

our faith.” 1 John 5:4

“Then the Lord said to me, “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it

seems slow in coming, wait patiently for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. The evil nation is very

proud of itself; it is not living as it should. I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away. But the righteous

person will live by My faith.” Habakkuk 2:3-4

NEXT - WEEK 1

“YOU’VE GOT TO PICK A SIDE”

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man

stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for

us or for our adversaries?”

So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His

servant?”

Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where

you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Joshua 5:13-15

MEDITATIVE PRAYER by Community of Faith

Life Changes, God Doesn’t

Hebrews 13:5-8

5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” 6 so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

When we experience change in life, there’s power when we focus on two things about Jesus:

He will never leave you.

He is my helper.

Homework:

Remember His truth.

Remember His ways.

In the Shelter of the Most High God

Psalms 91

(I am going to read the whole Psalm but it does not need to be in the program)

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalms 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:1

Most High: El Elyon – God, the highest power in existence.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30

Almighty: El Shaddai – God, All-powerful in generosity

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:2

The Lord: YAHWEH – The God of Righteousness

In all their suffering He also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.

Isaiah 63:9 (NLT)

When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:11 (NLT)

God: Elohim – The God of the Covenant.

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt,

because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 31:31-32

* What is the meaning of these promises?

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Luke 4:9-11

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (ESV)

I will protect you through all danger

HOW TO STICK TOGETHER WHEN YOU’RE STUCK TOGETHER
God’s Way to Restore Your Relationship
May 14/15, 2020

THE PROBLEM – WE ARE ALL BROKEN

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10

“Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.” Romans 12:18

“Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35




THE SOLUTION – HUMBLY FOLLOW GOD’S WAY, NO MATTER WHAT CULTURE DICTATES


Now that you have taken care to purify your souls through your submission to the truth, you can experience real love for each other. So love each other deeply from a pure heart. You have been reborn... 1 Peter 1:22-23a

GOD’S PRINCIPLES:

“…male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

“Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.” 
Ephesians 5:33

“Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for it.” Ephesians 5:25 


“Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children…” Titus 2:3-4


“Now that you have taken care to purify your souls through your submission to the truth, you can experience real love for each other. So love each other deeply from a pure heart. You have been reborn.” 1 Peter 1:22-23a


AS WE SUBMIT TO THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE OVER THE DICTATES OF CULTURE, WE WILL EXPERIENCE GIVING AND RECEIVING OF DEEP LOVE!


GOD’S WAY TO SHOW YOUR MAN LOVE

“The wife must see to it that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:33

“If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.” 1 Corinthians 14:11

Men are looking and listening for respect

Give unconditional respect

Carefully choose my words, tone of voice, and facial expressions


GOD’S WAY TO SHOW YOUR WOMAN LOVE

Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for it.” Ephesians 5:25

“Live with your wives in an understanding way...”1 Peter 3:7

Don’t try to fix it, just listen

Pay total attention

Connect through conversation


“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth.” Proverbs 16:23

Homework