STILL? After all the Lord did for them, in showing Israel His mighty wonders and power; they still lacked the faith to overcome? After watching their parents die in the wilderness for a lack of faith, after passing through the Jordan River and after marching around Jericho and watching in awe and wonder it’s walls come tumbling down; still they were fearful and in trepidation to battle for what the Lord said He had given them? Still? “But the children of Joseph said, “The mountain country is not enough for us; and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are of Beth Shean and its towns and those who are of the Valley of Jezreel.” And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—saying, “You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have only one lot, but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.”” Joshua 17:16-18
Henry Ford said, “The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can’t are both right. Which one are you?” I remember years ago wanting a relationship with someone and begging them to come and visit me because they were retired and I was in the throes of life, to which they replied, “I can’t. It’s too hard.” I replied, “when you tell me that you can’t, what you are really saying is that you won’t”. At least be honest with yourself. God does not see things as easy or hard. It just is something that needs to be done. Will you be the one to do it? Where is your faith in the living God to provide strength for the battle? If God has said, “occupy until I come”; will He not give you the ability and strength to occupy even the most godless area?
If the Creator of the universe has said it; will it not come to pass? Will God not do what He said He would do? What are you afraid of? Chariots of iron? What are these against the God who can make the sun stand still? Joshua surely believed God’s Word and he conquered a people seemingly more powerful than him. Caleb believed God’s Word and at 85 years old overcame giants. Where’s the disconnect? I will tell you— you lack faith. Faith is a firm and unswerving devotion, trust and obedience in and to the Lord. It’s not a static and dead “belief”. This kind of dead faith cannot see you through to any kind of victory and you will die in your sins. You don’t really believe in the power of the cross and resurrection.
These last days of history are going to require the kind of faith that moves mountains, tears down prison walls, overcomes iron chariots, beats down taunting giants, stands firm against the antichrist spirit and agenda and won’t cave or give in to its demands out of fear. Take a lesson from the apostle Paul. Paul saw no obstacle too big and feared no one. His life was forfeit. “Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.”II Corinthians 11:23, 25-30 NKJV“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”II Corinthians 12:8-10 NKJV“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV
Hear me today saint, stop worshiping the opinions of men. Let the words of your mouth be those of Paul, “I CAN”. The prevailing antichrist agenda is coming for the church. Sound doctrine is being destroyed by the social justice gospel and religion of “woke”. Godless and global government mandates are being forced. How do you not see the sign of the times? Learn the lesson from the fig tree. Summer is near. Will you stand strong? Will you hold firmly to the tenets of God, His laws and precepts that have stood for thousands of years? To overcome, you are going to have to take the enemy’s strongholds down and not cave to his plans. Stop letting the world tell you what to do. Stand strong in His grip of grace and do not be carried away with strange doctrines. The American church is heading further into apostasy and souls are at stake. “In the latter days, perilous times will come” and we must endure victoriously. #runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
