During the Sunday service, Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled ‘The Cross-over Miracle’ (3). Her main text was taken from the book of Joshua chapter 1. We shall study God’s mighty promises to Joshua. In Christ, we shall apply them to ourselves!

Moses represents the Law. He started the process of redemption but could not finish it ‘for the law makes nothing perfect’ (Heb 7:19). God’s Law is holy but it does not save sinners. The Law did not come with the power to obey it. The Law proves that we are lawbreakers. The Law directs us to Jesus. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Rom 10:4). Joshua is a symbol of Christ. Joshua does what Moses could not do. He finishes what Moses started. This is God’s Grace revealed. “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Jn 1:17).

We shall study God’s four commands taken from Joshua chapter 1. Immediately following is Joshua’s command to prepare and enter the Promised Land. Commands are orders given by your authority who expects instant obedience. God never makes suggestions. We do not have the liberty to ignore or disobey His commands. It is our duty to obey instantly, totally, and joyfully. Our answer to God and to God’s human authority over us is ‘Yes, Sir!’. Our success in life depends on our response!

Moses has died. Joshua is now the leader. But God never changes.  God appoints His workers and the seasons for them to work. ‘One sows and another reaps” (Jn 4:37). Men come and go, but ‘Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!’ (Heb 13:8). Let us worship Him!

1-ARISE AND GO OVER THIS JORDAN TO THE LAND I GAVE TO YOU! YES, SIR!

“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses” (Josh 1:2, 3)

God commands Joshua to ‘arise and go over this Jordan’. To arise it means to actively stand, to be active. The opposite position it to lie down in sorrow, regret, depression, or failure. To look back at the time when Moses was leading them will be a hindrance in moving forward. The mourning for Moses lasted for thirty days. Now, it’s time to stand on your feet as a soldier following his commander. Your response is: ‘Yes, Sir!’

Lesson: to make spiritual progress in life you need to repent from passivity, doubt, laziness, and regrets. You follow the Holy Spirit. Progress is never automatic. It does not come with age. It is a command of God. You need to choose to obey. This is how you possess your possessions!

2-YOU WILL NEVER FAIL! YOU WILL ALWAYS WIN! I AM WITH YOU! I WILL HELP YOU! YES, SIR!

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you… Joshua, I will always be with you and help you as I helped Moses, and no one will ever be able to defeat you” (Josh 1:5; NKJ; CEV).

The word ‘stand’ means to be established, like a pillar, like a high wall. God tells Joshua that no man can successfully oppose him. All Joshua’s enemies shall become weak and shall fall ‘before’ him. This promise says: “No one will be able to successfully oppose you, or to publicly resist you”. God confirms that His presence will always be with Joshua and never with his enemies. This is the promise of Grace. God will not leave or forsake Joshua all the days of his life. The word ‘leave’ means to relax His grip so that Joshua will fall. The word ‘forsake’ means to abandon Joshua in a helpless position and never plan to help him again. It means to betray a friend, to leave him exposed to danger. God said that He will never do that to Joshua. In other words, God will always be with Joshua, extending grace to him even when he sins or makes mistakes. Joshua will never ‘fall from grace’. God will never answer the prayers of Joshua’s enemies. Joshua will never fail! He is more than a conqueror thru Him who loved him (Rom 8:37). This is a great encouragement for Joshua! With God by His side, he has nothing to lose! The promise that no man will be able to stand against Joshua implies that for as long as Joshua obeys God’s Word, the taking over the Promised Land will be easy. God promised to direct, teach, protect, and prosper Joshua, thru His Word and His Spirit, just the way He helped Moses. Remembering his master, Joshua knew how successful God made him to be. Now, God says that the same grace is extended to him. This reveals the unity and continuity of the Spirit.

Lesson: We stand in God’s power! God’s Word is our guide even to the end. In Christ, we can never fail. We move on from victory to victory!

God’s presence is the secret of all true success and progress in life.  The promise of God’s constant presence applies to all believers. These are some examples… Jacob was running from his brother Esau. He had a dream. He saw God who promised him: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you” (Gen 28:13-15). God promises Jacob total protection, prosperity, and success in life, to him and his descendants. Jacob will do God’s will and fulfill his destiny. Moses told God’s people: “Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Ex 14:13, 14). God tells Isaiah: “For I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children… Indeed, they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake” (Is 49:25; 54:15). The same promise is given to Jeremiah: “Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD… They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you” (Jer 1:8, 19).

Lesson: the child of God is free from the fear of untimely death, from living a wasted life of failure and shame. God’s presence will protect you, will give you a hope, a future, and an expected end (Jer 29:11). God will never disappoint you! Your life and death will glorify Jesus!

Our Lord Jesus Christ, our heavenly Joshua, believed and lived by this promise. Jesus said that men will abandon Him, but God the Father will never do so. “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him… Indeed, the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me” (Jn 8:29; 16:32). On the Cross, it seems that the promise was broken. Jesus cried that the Father has forsaken Him when He was dying. “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt 27:46). He was quoting Psalm 22:1, written by David. How do we explain these words coming from our Savior’s lips? In the Garden of Gethsemane, He chose to drink the cup of sin on our behalf. This was the will of the Father. From that moment, the Father removed His presence and protection from His Son. On that Cross, Jesus died in our place. He was not a sinner, but He became sin that we might live. “He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]“ (2 Cor 5:21; AMP). Sin drives away the presence of God. This salvation is by grace, thru faith in Christ Crucified. God’s presence and protection is now ours, forever! In Christ alone!  

Lesson: Jesus died that we may live! Jesus paid for our salvation with His Blood. It is our duty and highest privilege to serve Him forever!

In Joshua chapter 1 we see the clear transition between the leadership of Moses and that of Joshua. The name ‘Moses’ appears 10 times in this chapter. Moses built the foundation. Joshua will build on it. God is the same God to each of them. God promises Joshua that He will be with him ‘as He was with Moses’. That means God will be with Joshua until the end. He will show the same mercy, grace, and patience to Joshua as He showed to Moses. The human leader changes but God never changes. God’s presence will help him become a champion, a leader, a hero, strong and courageous like Moses was. Joshua needs this strength to fight two types of battles: with the Canaanites, to conquer them and take their land, and secondly, to lead God’s stiff-necked people, who proved to be difficult. Joshua saw how hard it was for Moses to govern the Israelites. They tended to grumble, to doubt and to rebel against his leadership. But God helped Moses by giving him supernatural wisdom, patience, strength, and courage. God promised to do the same for Joshua. God will not leave Joshua without internal strength of character or external help to conquer all his enemies. Three times in Joshua Chapter 1 God commands Joshua: “Be strong and courageous”. This may be because Joshua did not imagine he will be the next leader after Moses. Joshua was not a proud, or selfishly ambitious man. Serving Moses was his ministry. Now, God encourages him to stand as the next leader to His people. God tells Joshua that he must fight to occupy the land. Joshua will finish what Moses has started. God also says: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you”. God promises that His presence will always be with Joshua exactly the way it was with Moses, his mentor. God promises to help Joshua just the way He helped Moses. Joshua has seen how much God has helped his human master to be strong, wise and courageous especially during crises. Joshua was a witness at how much God forgave his mentor Moses when his flesh failed. God promises to Joshua that what he has seen in the life of his leader, will now be his portion. This implies that Joshua is Moses’ spiritual son. The DNA of grace given to Moses is now given to him. What a great promise! Glory to God!

Joshua was faithful to Moses, his leader and mentor. Because of that, God rewarded him with his own testimony as a man of God! Jesus said: “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (Lk 16:12).

Lesson: If you submit and are faithful to God and to your human authority, God will give you your own ministry and testimony! Selah!

This transition of leadership is similar with that between Elijah and Elisha. It happened when Elijah went to heaven. Elisha loved the way God worked in his master, Elijah. He asked for the same grace. Elijah said that his request is ‘hard’. No man, at his hour of death, can give his mantle of anointing and leadership to another man. God alone appoints His workers. When Elisha asked Elijah for a double portion of his spirit, Elijah said this: “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so” (2 Kg 2:10). The condition was that Elisha sees Elijah to the end of his life on earth. In Hebrew, the word ‘see’ is the word Jireh. It means to have the same vision, to encounter or to provide what you see. In other words, Elijah told Elisha: ‘If you see what I see, you shall have what you see’. This is like running the relay race. ‘If you see the baton in my hand as I depart, it shall be yours. Then you run with it, even faster than I’.  

Lesson: we must submit to the human authority for Christ’ sake. We must be willing to humble ourselves and to serve our leaders. We do not manipulate for promotion. We trust God for all things! Ministry and promotion come in God’s own time and God’s sovereign will!

3-THIS BOOK OF THE LAW SHALL NOT DEPART FROM YOUR MOUTH! MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT! OBEY GOD’S WORD! YES, SIR!

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Josh 1:7, 8)

The presence of God and obedience to His Word is the basis for successful Christian life. The Word God gave to Moses, must be the same Word Joshua should study, obey, and preach. Then he will ‘prosper wherever he goes’ and have ‘good success’. The word ‘prosperity’ means to push forward against all opposition. Prosperity is the result of spiritual strength.  The word ‘good success’ means wisdom, spiritual intelligence to make the right decisions. People say that ‘health is wealth’. Spiritually, divine wisdom is wealth!

God called and commissioned Joshua to be now the leader of Israel. All people must submit to Joshua. But Joshua himself is a man under authority. The Word of God is his authority. No man can stand against Joshua to judge or condemn him. Only God’s Word will judge him. During the time of Moses, Joshua’s mentor was a man. Now, Joshua’s mentor and leader is invisible. It’s God’s Word! Jesus is the Word made flesh (Jn 1:14). Jesus will now be Joshua’s Commander, Teacher, and Judge. This is a transition, from being led by sight to being led by faith alone.

God commands Joshua to be a man of His Word. Every decision, every judgment, every counsel, every command to the people, shall be done according to the Word of God, in prayer and in the presence of God. It is the duty of Joshua to study the Bible and learn how to apply the Word of God practically. No man can encourage Joshua. He has to learn to encourage himself thru the Word of God and prayer.

Lesson: The more God’s Word dwells in you richly (Col 3:16), the more you are ‘qualified’ to become God’s servant and leader of men!

God commands Joshua to be faithful to His Word, to the covenant God made with Israel. Joshua is to study, memorize and preach the Word of God. His mind and heart must be filled and saturated with God’s Word. Then God will grant him prosperity and ‘good success’. Joshua must be ‘strong and courageous’. This command is repeated three times in Joshua chapter one. This command applies not only to Joshua’s character, but especially to his decisions, and deeds. To be strong and courageous it means to be firm during crisis, not moved by manipulations, or men’s deceptions or intimidations. It means to be free from the fear of man but to fear only God. “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe” (PV 29:25). Once you are free from the fear of man, you will conquer all your enemies.

God’s presence with the leader overflows to the whole nation. This prosperity will overflow from the leader to the nation. The primary role of the leader is spiritual, to host and carry the presence of God. If the leader backslides, the nation suffers. “If a ruler pays attention to lies [and encourages corruption], All his officials will become wicked” (PV 29:12; AMP). It is a fact that the best followers make the best leaders. Faith in the Word of God is the secret of their wisdom, strength, and anointing!

Lesson: To be a Christian, to be a leader in the Body of Christ, in the family, or in the nation, is an extraordinary privilege and responsibility!

The command to study the Bible and obey God’s Word is given to Israel’s kings and rulers. “Also, it shall be, when the king sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel” (Deut 17:18-20). The king shall use his hand to copy the Bible for himself. It means that he should diligently and faithfully study God’s Word! The study of God’s Word will help him to fear God, which is the beginning of wisdom (PV 1:7). The study of God’s Word will humble him so that God continues to give him grace upon grace. The study of God’s Word will give him a long and successful life, to him and his descendants. 

Lesson: God’s command to study, obey and preach God’s Word is to all believers because they are ‘a royal priesthood’ in Christ.

The study and preaching of God’s Word are the foundation of a successful Christian life and building the skill of leadership. Without God’s Word there is no success in life! The study of God’s Word, prayer and attendance to the local church bring innumerable spiritual and material blessings to us and our descendants. Joshua discovered this secret. He said: “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh 24:15).  

Joshua was to keep the Bible in his heart and mouth. He must study, meditate, and preach God’s Word. To study the word of God brings genuine prosperity. There is no short-cut to true happiness and success outside faith in God’s Word. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Ps 1:1-3).

As a Man, Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly, even unto death. “Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner (Jn 5:19). “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (Jn 6:38). “I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak” (Jn 12:49). “The world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here” (Jn 14:31)

Lesson: By God’s Grace, I will pay the price to faithfully and diligently study, memorize, meditate, and preach the Word of God! By doing this I will please God and become a source of blessings to my descendants and to many others!  

4-BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! YES, SIR!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh 1:9).

All God’s commands to Joshua are verbs, words of action. God promised to provide strength to Joshua. But it is his duty to receive God’s provision, to be strong and courageous, to observe and to do all the Law of Moses. ‘To be ‘strong and courageous’ in not God’s suggestion. It is His command! We must answer: Yes. Sir!”. Strength is defined as the capacity for endurance, to successfully resist oppression when an enemy attacks. To be strong it means being unafraid when dealing with difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant situations. To be courageous it means to be bold, to be confident when taking risks, to be free from the judgments of men. The qualities of moral strength and courage are vital for spiritual leaders. Listen to Apostle Paul: “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Cor 4:3, 4).

In Hebrew, ‘to be strong’ in means to be obstinate, to seize, to bind, to restrain and conquer the enemy. To have ‘good courage’ it means to be strong, bold, alert, determined and steadfast. These words do not refer only to Joshua’s character, but to his decisions and actions. He is to be a true godly leader, like a trained solider during war. He was to be a man of action, alert, prompt, ready to act, wise, courageously taking every opportunity to conquer the enemy. He should not doubt His commander or become slow in obeying God’s Word. He should not be a coward, a double minded or timid man. Joshua’s courage will lead to success. He needs wisdom from God. This command is similar with Paul’s advice to Timothy who tended to be timid. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7).   

The opposite of courage is cowardice or timidity, the fear of leading or rebuking people, especially when going to new places. A coward is someone easily afraid, who quickly runs away to avoid pain, danger, or difficulties, to save his own skin. He is easily intimidated by men. Apostle Peter was a coward. He denied Christ because he feared for his life. Later in life, he overcame this ugly sin and became bold unto death. Cowardice is linked to a guilty conscience: “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion” (PV 28:1). Cowards are in the same class with the unbelievers. They are not saved and cannot go to heaven. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev 21:7-8).

Joshua is a hero of faith. He knew that Moses was a sinner saved by grace. He saw the weaknesses of Moses. After the death of Moses, Joshua obeyed the Words written by Moses as they are the very words of God. He did not repeat the mistakes of his mentor. God’s Word is the authority for Joshua and for every Christian. To obey the Word of God, to be faithful to God and your mentor, you need great courage! Unbelievers will mock and oppose you! You will be tempted and discriminated. To stand for God you need courage! All Christians must be strong and courageous! Stand like a man! For example, God said to Job: “Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me” (Job 40:7). What do you do when problems come. Do you faint or complain? Jesus said: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt 11:12).

Lesson: Obey God’s Word! Be strong in Christ! Encourage yourself! Do spiritual warfare and possess your possessions! Learn from the past, be strong today and have great hope for the future.

5-PREPARE – CROSS OVER – POSSESS THE LAND! YES, SIR!

“Joshua commanded the officers of the people “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess” (Josh1:10,11)

Immediately God finished talking to Joshua, he commanded the officers to tell the people to prepare for the cross over. Joshua did not ask questions and did not complain the way Moses did at the burning bush. He believed God for the mantle of leadership and ‘commanded’ the people. His obedience is instant, total, and joyful. This is a Spirit approved obedience. Like Apostle Paul, Joshua did not ‘confer with flesh and blood’ (Gal 1:16). He did not suggest that people should get ready. Like a true leader in the army, he commanded them to prepare for the cross over. A command is an order that you have to follow, as long as the person who gives it has authority over you. Joshua commands the officers to tell the people to prepare their food and get ready to move. In Hebrew, the word ‘prepare’ is to stand firm and get ready for action. There is a time for prayer, and there is a time for action! Now it is time to move! Like an army that goes to war, this is the time to move on, attack the Canaanites and occupy the land! Praise the Lord!

MARRIAGE AND MONEY – THE LORD IS MY HELPER

“Marriage is to be held in honor among all [that is, regarded as something of great value], and the marriage bed undefiled [by immorality or by any sexual sin]; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]! So, we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER [in time of need], I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME? (Heb 13:4-6; AMP)

God’s promise to Joshua that He will not leave or forsake him, appears in the New Testament too. This promise is given to all the believers in Christ.  “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Cor 1:20). God promises to be our Helper! A helper is one who gives strength, assistance, or support to another. To help it means to make it easier for someone to do something, by providing advice, money, or support. It means to assist another who is in a painful or difficult situation, to make it less painful. The helper does not take over. He does not do all the work. He helps you do your job. Without a helper, it is too difficult for you to finish the job.

The first time the word ‘helper’ appears in the Bible is in the Book of Genesis. God made the wife to be a helper comparable to her husband. “The Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Gen 2:18). The truth was that Adam was not totally alone. He had fellowship with God, and he took care of the animals in the garden. But emotionally, God was too high, and the animals were too low for him. Then God made Eve, his wife, who was a helper comparable with him.

Lesson: fast and pray before deciding who you will marry. Trust God for your choice. Both of you must be compatible, spiritually, and physically.  

There are two areas in particular when the believers need God’s help. The believers need God’s special Grace to cross over, to advance from immaturity to maturity, especially in the areas are marriage and managing their finances.

1-MARRIAGE

God invented marriage. God created Adam and then created Eve, his wife. God put them together as a married couple. Marriage is the first institution established by God. It was established before the fall of man. Sin has corrupted the marriage but has not totally destroyed its value. God desires sexual purity and holiness. Fornication, adultery, homosexuality, are sins. The beauty of holiness is upon a godly marriage between two mature believers. There is a great need today of godly married couples who can mentor the younger ones. A young marriage is like the water. A mature godly marriage is like water becoming wine. God promises to the husband and his wife: “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. We respond by boldly saying: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” This confidence and courage must be applied to the area of marriage. God’s presence is the sure source of true love, peace, joy, and unity of the Spirit in that home. There is no fear of divorce. No man, no devil can separate that couple. May we enter and possess our possessions of a mature godly marriage that glorifies God!

2-MONEY

Our relationship with money is another area that can make or destroy our testimony as believers. The Love of money is the root of all evil. The cure for that is living a content life. Contentment is defined as peace of mind, joy, a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in life. Contentment totally drives away the fear of death. Contentment is possible only by the Spirit of God. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim 6:6-10). Paul had learned the secret of contentment in every circumstance of life (Phil 4:11-2).

What is the secret of this powerful victorious contentment?

1-Be grateful! Always give thanks to God! “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess 5:18).

2-Be humble! Do not be selfish or overambitious. Be happy with a simpler life. Invest in the spiritual treasures more than on earthly gains.

Learn to serve others. Think of others. Have the mind of Christ. God will exalt you at the right time. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus… He humbled Himself… “ (Phil 2:3-8).

3-Have faith in God! He promised to be your Helper, never to leave or forsake you! God knows what you need. God is your Helper: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand… For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you” (Is 41:10, 13).

Before going to heaven, Jesus assured His disciples that He will always be with them. This promise applies to all believers. He said: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” (Matt 28:18-20).

Apply these cross-over commands to your marriage and to your finances! Say: ‘Yes, Sir!’

1-Arise and make progress! No more passivity! Actively stand and improve your relationship with your spouse. Your money will increase!

2-You will never fail! You’ll not divorce! You’ll not experience bankruptcy! Thru all trials of life, your marriage and finances will become better! I am with you! God’s presence will protect your marriage and your finances. You will be fruitful. You will have joy!

3-The Bible leads you in your relationship with your spouse and in managing your finances.

4-Be strong and courageous! The Holy Spirit will give you strength to improve your marriage and your finances!  

5-Get ready for action! You have prayed! Now, this is the time to apply all your know about marriage and money from the Bible!

I DECLARE: GOD IS MY HELPER! YES, SIR! In times of loneliness, He comforts me. In times of anxiety, He brings peace to my soul. In times of confusion, He helps me think well. In times of sickness, when even the doctors are confused, He heals me. In times of lack, when I don’t have money, He provides for me in so many ways. In times of attack, He saves me. When I am weak, He makes me strong. My Helper will never leave me not forsake me. By God’s grace I am ready to cross over and to possess my possessions. To the glory of God and for my own good!

My Prayer:

“I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay” (Ps 70:5)

Worship the Lord!