Where should we devote our attention-to the things that are naturally seen or the things that are not seen? We are to look at the things that cannot be seen. God wants us to focus on the things that are eternal. The more we set our affections on the things that are unseen, the more real they will be in our lives. How can we see things that are unseen? We see them as they are revealed in the Word of God and we see them by faith. By faith, we turn our focus from the physical and the natural, and set our attention on the unseen and eternal spiritual realities.

We should be learning to look at the things that cannot be seen, and training ourselves no to look so much at the things that can be seen. We are a part of two different worlds. We are a part of this physical, natural , and temporal world. The natural world can be seen and experienced with our natural senses. However, as Christians, we are also a part of a spiritual, supernatural, and eternal world. This spiritual world is just as real, but cannot be seen with our natural human eyes. But we serve a God that is all-knowing, nothing is hidden from Him.

You may not believe it because you cannot see it, but there is an unseen enemy in our world that is far deadlier than any gun or bomb that mankind has seen. Our battling an unseen enemy goes back to the beginning of time when Adam and Eve first sinned and was cast out of the Garden. It is a war between light and darkness, good and evil, heaven and hell. Jesus and Satan. Jesus' death and resurrection affords us the armor that we need to defeat our enemy. Jesus himself is that full armor in our defense against the devil. Within our own fleshly strength, we are no match for him.

Caleb's example is an inspirational reminder of purpose for believers of all ages. Retirement was definitely not in Caleb's vocabulary. Following God with courage and confidence is a lifelong pursuit. The end goal of life is not to rest from all labor but to serve Him wholeheartedly for as long as we can. Do we live with the wholehearted faith of Caleb? Do you both wait and act with perfect faith? We are never too old or too young to step up and venture out into the calling God has for our life. There is no need to be afraid. God walks with us and directs our steps.

We begin today's message with Acts 17:6. It tells us that those who find God “turn the world upside down.” That is so true in so many ways. God tells us to save our life, we must lose it. We used to think we could buy our way into heaven with good things we did. We used to believe that doing evil things wasn't bad as long as we didn't get caught. We used to believe that God didn't care about how we acted. We used to think that forgiveness wasn't possible. All those things have been turned on their head because Jesus came into our lives. We change the world because of Jesus.

God has called us to Step Up. Does that scare you because you don't understand what He may have you do or where He may send you? But what does Jesus tell us? “It is not for you to know.” These words need to be underlined and highlighted in our bibles. We don't need to know the master plan, before we do our part. The Bible doesn't promise understanding before, during or even after a project. What kind of faith would it take it you always knew the outcome of something before you started? We are to walk in obedience and then finish what He called us to do.

Have you ever felt fear? Have you ever been overcome with the magnitude of what you have to do, and wonder how you can ever do it? Joshua felt that, but God gave him a promise and He gives us that promise as well. Wherever Joshua went, God gave him the land. There are great tracts of “land” God would give you that are now occupied by the enemy. They don't belong to the enemy. They belong to you. God has given them to you. Now...are you going to walk in obedience in the direction God has directed you to? Are you going to take the risk?

None of likes to give up something familiar or comfortable. This is even more true when this “something” has been the controlling point for our view of reality. So we have a tendency to plug in something we like in a new experience and make it fit. Jesus asks us to venture out into something new. What Jesus brings is new, fresh, and transformational. It will rip apart anything that tries to force it into another way of doing and experiencing. God calls us to take risks. But God doesn't call us to take a risk alone-He promises us that He will be there every step of the way.

God created mankind so that they could have a relationship with Him. However, God has given all men a free will. So we all have a choice to receive and accept what Jesus did for us on the cross. Once we begin this relationship with Him, He then reveals His life and plan to us. He will then show each of us our part in the scheme of His world. He will give us understanding and show us the steps we are to walk in daily. But we will still have a choice in this process. Are we willing to wise up, be filled up, to speak up and then to venture into the unknown?

One of the greatest challenges for every Christian is to follow Jesus and pursue His purpose for our lives without looking back. Imagine trying to drive a can on the highway while looking the whole time in the rear view mirror; you'd be challenged to stay in your lane and avoid a crash. Past successes, past failures, internal insecurities and meaningful relationships can all become distractions from what God really wants us to do. As we continue to seek Jesus, we must pay attention to what great thing he has for us and not the things in the past that may have been a distraction.