"Finishing the Race"

Last Wednesday night, as we are in the Book of Joshua, I was so amazed and blessed to teach of the zeal and faithfulness of Caleb. We hear a lot about Joshua...and the book holds his namesake even, but in Chapter 14:6-15 there's a very encouraging account for all of us who walk with the Lord now...and in the future.

I see as Caleb is now 85 years old and has been walking with the Lord for over 40 years and is still going strong! Although in "age" (he himself says "...here I am this day, eighty-five years old.") Caleb goes on in saying "As yet I am as strong this day as on the day the Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so no is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in." All I can say is "Awesome!"

But what set Caleb apart? Well, if you go to verse 8, it says "...but I wholly followed the Lord my God." And it tells us the same in verse 14 as well.

That's the Key! He "wholly" followed the Lord! He had a very close intimate relationship with God. And his relationship was "all" of him!

Too many leaders will "decide to follow Jesus" but they really don't count the cost, especially as it pertains to serving the Lord in ministry. Too many people think from what they see from the "outside" is that it's easy. It's not!

There are leaders who will not "wholly" follow the Lord. Instead they will follow Jesus partly or "on their terms." That is the complete opposite of what Caleb did!
Instead, he faithfully assisted Joshua in the ministry. He faithfully was a soldier of God, following the lead of his "pastor"...Joshua. It's because of his "wholly" given over life to God, that enabled Caleb to say at 85 years old..."...I have wholly followed the Lord my God."

If you are in the ministry or are seeking to be in the ministry...whether paid staff or voluntary, your desire and commitment to God is to be foremost in your life. Then as the Lord leads you into a ministry, He will use you.

Living a "wholly" given over life is the key in Christian leadership! Not a "lukewarm" life!

Be encouraged, whether in leadership, desire to be in leadership...or just walking a life sanctified by the Blood of Jesus; we all must live a life "wholly" given over...and "surrendered"to Jesus!   It's my belief and understanding from the Word...there's no other way!

Want to "finish the race?"....then surrender it all over to Jesus!