MAKE ROOM

CLOSER PT. 2  |  AUGUST 16, 2026Pastor Wes MorrisMAKE ROOMJoshua 3:1-5 (NLT) Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing. Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp, giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them. Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.”Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.”√  WE CAN BE CLOSE TO WHAT GOD IS DOING WITHOUT BEING CLOSE TO GOD.Matthew 15:8 (NLT) These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.√  WE WANT GOD TO PREPARE THE WAY, BUT GOD WANTS TO PREPARE US.II Timothy 2:20-21 (NIV) In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.I. REMOVE THE DISTRACTIONS.Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) ...let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.II. SURRENDER WHAT COMPROMISES YOU.Some things God wants you to fast from. Other things God wants you to be free from.II Timothy 2:22 (NLT) Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace…Romans 12:1 (NLT) I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.III. SEEK GOD WITH EXPECTATION.Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT) If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.Joshua 3:5 (NLT) Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.