Rise Up Pt. 4: Rise Up in Courage - 10/22/2023

Pastor David Morrison   As I think about Rise Up, I keep thinking it’s now our turn to carry the torch for the unknown and the next generation. It’s Time.   Joshua 1:6-9 (NLT)   Background:  - The people of Israel are at a crossroads, after 40 years in the desert.  - God says, “you wicked people, do not attack, for I am not with you.”  - They did anyways and were defeated and went into the dessert. - Two guys remained faithful, and now a new generation of warriors have emerged. It’s time.   We find in this passage three instructions and promises to those about to enter the Land…. - Obey all the instructions, and you will be successful in everything you do. - Study this book and you will prosper and succeed in all you do. - Be strong and courageous your God is with you wherever you go.   On the banks of the Jordan river…. looking at the promised land…. a place promised…but a place full of battles ahead….   GOD IS LOOKING FOR THE WILLING - Part of being strong and courageous, is saying okay God, I trust You. I’m not sure how everything will work out, but I trust You. - Being strong and courageous doesn’t mean you never have fears or doubts. Even the strongest believers have fears and doubts. - But it is a reminder that when you start to doubt, remember who is next to you.  This call to Rise Up as a people is one that is so great, that it can only be accomplished with God leading the way.   When God calls his people…   GOD WILL MAKE A WAY - Can you imagine walking across a previously raging river? - God says, remember when I said I would be with you, I meant it! - If God calls you somewhere, He will make a way. Obstacles may arise, but He will remind those obstacles who your God is, and show that those obstacles serve as an opportunity for God to show His faithfulness!   Now I must tell you that when the Lord leads, sometimes things may seem a bit out of order, but there may be things that God needs to do in your life as you go.   GOD WILL PREPARE YOU AS YOU GO - How many know that God’s ways and timing is not our own? - As I have walked this Rise Up journey…the Lord has revealed broken pieces in my life that he wants to deal with…. because remember that those who God calls aren’t perfect and whole, they are willing.   To Rise Up in courage is to know that…   GOD SHOWS THE RIGHT BATTLES TO FIGHT - There are lots of places that we can focus our energy and efforts…. but let me show you the battles we are going to fight! o   Crumbling Marriages o   Addiction o   Anxiety and Depression o   Kids and Students Finding Jesus   These are the battles…and it will cost us everything. There will be scars and bumps along the way…. but we know the promises of God. But remember our battles aren’t against flesh and blood, but against the darkness of this world!   We fight by bringing hope and light into dark places. We fight not with weapons of this world, but on our knees in prayer and through a listening ear and a kind shared word.   God has called us to Rise Up in courage in this time…. for this purpose!   Who will we be?  Will we be a generation that never moves from the river…. or will the next generation say that they did whatever it took to reach the lost…. they weren’t perfect, but they lived dangerously.