Living the RIGHT Way

A clerical error sent a supply clerk with the 82nd Airborne Division out the door of an airplane on his first parachute jump without formal training. Army Specialist Jeff Lewis, 23, who landed unhurt, said he was just doing what a good soldier is supposed to do when he made the jump: Follow orders. Lewis said the Army said I was airborne-qualified, and I wasn’t going to question it (Fort Bragg, North Carolina).

The Lord called Joshua to lead Israel into the Promises of the Lord. He received his orders, followed the Lord, and jumped. He led Israel into the Land promised by YAHWEH.

Joshua 1:5-9 says, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Our battles today as Christians are not on a literal battlefield against human enemies. Instead, they are spiritual but just as real with sickness, financial crisis, individual and marital strife, and family problems.

God’s word to us is to LIVE THE RIGHT WAY!

Hebrews 13:5-6, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So, we may boldly say: The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.”

The antidote to our greed is contentment. The Bible tells us to “be satisfied with what we have” (Matthew 6:31-34; Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:6). Money cannot save a soul from hell. Money cannot bring contentment. Money fails, but God has said “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.”

We can declare with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

God promises to keep his promise with a promise. Living the RIGHT way requires learning the patterns and paths of God’s Biblical design. The Lord gives us the strength to live the RIGHT way.

Philippians 4:12, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Ephesians 6:10, “my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength“
2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Living RIGHT depends upon our RESPECT for the instructions of God’s Word

Proverbs 4:27, “Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.”

Living RIGHT means that we do all that God asks of us; do according to all that is written in the Bible.

Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

We can live the RIGHT way because the Lord our God is with us, in and for us. God tells us to stand firm, be strong, and be courageous because I AM with you. Can you see the picture of Joshua saying to the Lord, “You have commanded us to own the land, how Lord?”  The Lord tells us to “take hold of My promises that I have promised. Be strong and courageous and know My patterns and design for living.” Joshua said yes to the Lord, and then He embraced the Lord. The Lord tells us don’t be afraid, for I AM with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I AM with you.

Let’s learn to live the RIGHT way TOGETHER!
Pastor Steve