Go For The Big Life

Joshua 14:7-13 KJVS Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. [8] Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. [9] And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. [10] And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. [11] As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. [12] Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. [13] And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

Notice that Caleb is pressing his claim with Captain Joshua. He presents to Joshua his title deed of ownership, " The words of Moses"Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God.

Now listen to Grand old Caleb...Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day.

Would Caleb have gotten his inheritance had he not pressed his claim? I think the obvious answer is no!

Now let's look at this verse: Jn 10:10 The thief cometh not but for to steal to kill and destroy, but I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.

If there is one thing I am completely sure of it is that God has provided for his children an abundant life. Sadly the 2nd thing I'm sure of is, multitudes of his children live far below the standard of life that has been provided for them.

Matthew 11:12 KJVS And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

We may never face a human giant the size of Goliath, but there are absolutely problems, and obstructions, adversities, and even spiritual entities that will resist and try to keep you from receiving your inheritance in Christ. The bootom line is, if you want it you will have to fight for it.

1 Chron 4:9-10 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow. 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

*It doesn’t say he was richer or wealthier.

*It doesn’t say he was stronger.

*It doesn’t say he was more educated.

What the scripture does say is: He was more honorable.

Honorable: Not disposed to cheat or defraud, not deceptive or fraudulent...

Showing character of honor and integrity.

Adhering to ethical and moral principles.

Deserving of esteem and respect.

This means that Jabez was of a higher character, of more excellent attitude and heart than his peers.

He was more trust worthy, more dependable. He had proven himself, and earned the respect of his peers.

This makes it clear: The most important things in life are not material and external, they are spiritual and they are internal. They are matters of the heart.

Life's circumstances and problems, and people, and the economy all have an impact on our natural lives, and can have tremendous effect on us financially, and materially, and physically.

They might lift us up to great heights one day and knock us down to the ground the next. But when it comes to my heart, I’m in charge, you’re in charge of your heart. You decide whether it rides high on the mountain or wallows in the valley. You decide whether you’re going to live in the lowlands of mediocrity or ride the high places of honor, integrity,  and excellence.