Joshua was a man who understood positioning. I. Be courageous II. Be dependable III. When we understand we are positioned we can Be Optimistic A. Joshua was always trusting God for what He could do. Numbers 14:7-9(NKJV) and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out?is an exceedingly good land.? If the?Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’? Only do not rebel against the?Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they?are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the?Lord?is with us. Do not fear them.” 12 guys, 2 were optimistic, 10 we are going to die…difference? FAITH…Hb 11:1 The difference in the optimist and pessimist the optimist believes the best is yet to come!!! Need to grow this church…start talking about our Good God! Close on this new loan structure tomorrow…..5 million in debt wiped out…Somebody brag on God! Optimist brag on God!!! Where does my help come from…my help comes from the Lord…. Live in such a way that sinners will testify of your God…Daniel 6:16, 20 Daniel 3:30 King to three Hebrews..no God can deliver like this… B. He was an eternal optimist. There are a lot of people who need a word of encouragement, not a word of prophecy. Need someone to let them know their temporary circumstance is not the permanent end. Things change... Ill- In Larry Olsen’s Outdoor Survival Skills, he tells of a guy who has been lost in the desert for days. His water and food have long since run out. His lips are parched, and his tongue is swollen. His legs are bruised and bleeding from dragging himself across the desert floor. His body is scorched from the sun and covered with insect bites and cactus pricks. As he props himself up on his bleeding elbow to look over a knoll, he sees nothing but wasteland through his sand-peppered eyes, and comments, “You know, a few more days like this and I might get discouraged.” IV. When we understand we are positioned we can Be an Encourager. Joshua 24:13-15?New King James Version (NKJV) 13?I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and?cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’ 14?“Now therefore, fear the?Lord, serve Him in?sincerity and in truth, and?put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of?[a]the River and?in Egypt. Serve the?Lord!?15?And if it seems evil to you to serve the?Lord,?choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether?the gods which your fathers served that?were?on the other side of?[b]the River, or?the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.?But as for me and my house, we will serve the?Lord.” Sometimes have to encourage yourself….David at Ziklag…men going to kill him.. 1 Same 30:6 Ps 103 Barnabas: Acts 9:26-31; 11:23-26 Most of the Christians were scared of Paul because of his past (v.26), but Barnabas took him under his wing and encouraged him (v.27) 1. He Believed in Paul (v.27) 2. He Befriended Paul (v.27) 3. He Brought in Paul (v.27) 4. He Bragged on Paul (v.27) 5. He Bound himself to Paul (Discipleship) (v.28) 6. He Beckoned Paul to Ministry (Acts 11:23-26) Conclusion: (Heb.10:24-25) Thank the Lord Paul had someone who saw his potential and who encouraged him and promoted him. We all need someone like that. We all need to be someone like that. When we understand we are positioned it changes every aspect of our lives. We are victorious!
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