Covenant Community Services
December 29, 2009
Crossing Over ...
Moving from Desire to Destiny
Greetings!

I trust you had a Merry Christmas and are ready for the New Year and a new decade. This is the last devotion of the 2000-2009 decade! It is hard to believe time has passed so quickly and difficult to comprehend what awaits us in the 2010-2019 decade. Nonetheless, one truth guides the follower of Jesus and that is that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
 
Yesterday, I had the privilege of preaching God's word at Crossroads Christian Fellowship. I spoke about the need for each of us to overcome the obstacles of life and walk in the destiny God has for us. This sounds like and easy task but is, in fact, the most difficult part of our walk ... execution.
 
Each of us has the desire to love God with all of our heart, mind and soul. Still, we struggle with application and execution. Truth is, the largest obstacle to walking in God's will is internal ... it is self. To align our heart and purpose with God we must not only be students of God's word but "doers" of God's word. To accomplish this feat we must defeat self by yielding to God's plan, provision and purpose as detailed in His word and through His Spirit!
Be Strong and Courageous in 2010
 
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." 
 
 
~ Joshua 1:6-9 ~
Facing Life with Courage and Faith in God
 
I don't know what awaits you in the New Year or in fact tomorrow. What I do know is that God has a plan for your life no matter what obstacle, decision or issue you face. Psalm 139:16 tells us that all the days ordained for you were written in God's book before one of them came to be! Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God created you for God works and has a plan for you to walk in them ... a plan He had when He created you! Lastly, Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has great thoughts about you - thoughts of good and not evil to give you a future and a hope! Friend, one thing is clear ... God has your back!
 
Now that we have established, via God's word, that He has a plan for your life you must know that He understands how difficult living the plan can be. This is why He tells Joshua repeatedly, "Be Strong and Courageous". God knows you need help in living the abundant life and walking in the center of His will. This is why He gave us His word and also why Jesus asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit. God's Word and God's Spirit are here to provide encouragement in the battle and strength for war!
 
God knows our plight and is here to help us move from desire to destiny. It is our task to receive His encouragement, forgiveness and grace. To cross over from where you are today and what you are facing today to God's plans we must stay attuned to His voice and apply His word. Look again at the scripture for the devotion. God encourages us to "obey His word" and be strong and courageous. Joshua crossed over and led a generation into the Promised Land by heeding God's voice ... may we do the same!
 
Friend, I pray you have an amazing New Year and that this decade is a decade of growth in God. May you be blessed in all you do and may you run the race with the strength and courage that God supplies!
 
Happy New Year!
For King and Kingdom,
 

Randy Martin
661-326-8304