How do you position yourself to succeed?
PBC, Vancouver, BC
Dec.31, 2000
Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Here we are in December 31, 2000. Time to change to a new calendar, just when I got used to writing 2000 in cheque book and now gotta change again. For many of us, new challenges await us. Some of us make new resolutions as we reflect upon the past year. For others, already new projects are lined up, datelines ahead, appointments to keep, bills to pay, school to prepare for. How do you stay ahead of the game and not be swamped, seems like we were barely getting our head above water in 2000? How to do you forge ahead knowing obstacles will be there ahead of you? Feel intimidated already, feel defeated before u can tackle next project? So, How does one position him/herself to succeed in 2001?
In our text in Deut. We find people of Israel on the edge of something new. About to enter the Promised Land, Canaan, and there is a change in leadership, as in Joshua taking charge now (v.1,2). Put self in his shoes, intimidating, succeed such a popular and charismatic leader as Moses. How can anyone top what Moses has done? Most would expect the coach who led you to the finals to be there in the finals and not just let the assistant coach take over. But that’s what happened. Here at the threshold of Promised Land, reins of leadership are handed over to Josh. Listen to instructions left by Moses to pave the way for his people and his successor to succeed in the years to come. And I think we can all learn from this how to position ourselves to succeed. So come and eavesdrop and hear what would be the secret of success. This is how he positions his people and his successor to succeed. He tells them:
1. God is before you. “The Lord himself will cross over ahead of you.”
God will not sit back and watch, He is active in your life. Vested interest in his people. When they succeed, then the mission goes on. Back in Genesis 12:3 God’s intention was to bless, not curse, by it will done through this people. Heb.4:14-16,
Christmas story reveals God chose to identify with humanity, not ashamed to call us family, even though it has all sorts of black sheep, rotten apples, and in Heb.4 the word of God informs us that Jesus is already way ahead of the game, experienced temptation. Therefore he is qualified to help us, to coach us through. Advice from one who just studied the game and never played it is useless, that’s why armchair quarterbacks are never ever given the big bucks to lead a pro sports team. Only those who have gone through the vigorous schedules, the trenches, the training, the disappointments and ups and downs of sports, learning from the best in the game and all the tough experiences that make a player a good player, will be given a look when it comes to hiring a coach. It is a mistake to believe that God is unaware of pressure points in our lives, frozen without sympathy, powerless to act, no He acted, we see in Jesus, who arrived on Christmas night to tell us, He is God with us, not a dry academic in some ivory tower.
2. God battles for you. “He will destroy these nations b4 u”
Review his record v.4. Does he not have the power to do what He says?
What he did to Sihon and Og? Note that these people groups do not exist. But Israel still exist.
It is impossible to go through the Bible and see how God always seem to ask his people to review His past actions, his record and find if he has been unfaithful. Review His record through person of Jesus. Case closed.
3. God never abandons you.
One of the biggest sports stories of the year 2000 is the comeback of Mario Lemieux.
Confess did not watch the entire game. Too busy trying to recover from cold. Headache and so getting a nap more important. But Millions tuned in and watched the game on their tvs.
However, I did catch next day’s Tor Star coverage of this exciting news and it begins with this:
“THIS IS Mario Lemieux in Never-Never-Land.
Never . . . would he play the game again.
Never . . . would he return to the National Hockey League.
Never . . . would he willingly put his tortured body through such torment and abuse.
Never is not so long a time after all. For Lemieux, never lasted 1,336 days.
Retired: April 26, 1997. Resurrected: Dec. 27, 2000.
First point: 33 seconds into the game against Toronto.
First goal: 10:33 of the second period.
Final tally: One goal, two assists and the game’s first star in a 5-0 rout of the Maple Leafs.
Mercy.”
“The Second Coming occurred here last night, at the Igloo, on Mario Lemieux Place - HE’S BACK! projected on the domed roof of the old arena - before a giddy, pinch-me, standing-room only capacity audience of 17,148 fans, and untold millions more who watched on ESPN in the U.S., CBC in Canada.
This is what they witnessed: Lemieux’s retired No. 66 sweater retracted from the rafters over centre ice - an unprecedented spectacle; even Michael Jordan declined to reactivate his No. 23 jersey upon his comeback in Chicago - as 4-year-old Austin Lemieux gazed upwards, wide-eyed, from the edge of the ice.
It was a reverential and understated ceremony, tasteful, as was the black-and-white montage of film clips from Lemieux’s career - a chronology of 13 years, now To Be Continued - that flashed on the scoreboard.
For the expectant crowd, the first glimpse of Lemieux came during the pre-game warm-up, bounding on to the ice, helmetless, with all the jump of a scrubeenie. That alone merited a standing ovation.
Then, another roar of approval as the public address announcer mentioned a certain addition to the lineup. And, again, when Lemieux reappeared to start the game, 18th Penguin out of the chute.
Lining up at centre ice against Toronto Maple Leaf captain Mats Sundin, Jaromir Jagr on one wing, Jan Hrdina on the other.
Lemieux actually lost that faceoff to the big Swede. But - good golly, just try to make this stuff up - there he was behind the Leaf net on that first shift, head ducking one way and the other, looking for Jagr in the slot, soft-tapping the puck out front.
A crash of bodies, the puck behind Curtis Joseph, Jagr catapulting into the net. The referee went to video replay, but no way on earth this goal was going to be called back.
Thirty-three seconds.
That’s all it took for Lemieux to record his first NHL point in 3* years.
In the second period - as if just like yesterday - Jagr pivoting away from Dmitry Yushkevich, tape-to-tape pass, a wrist shot from the high slot, 3-0 Pittsburgh.
And he said he’d never be back.”
This was description given by Tor Star sports journalist re: return of the Magnificient One to ice arena, to hockey.
What caught me was that word “never.” Does it not seem like that word “never” is non-existent when it is found on human lips. I know I have told God on not a few occasions, I will never sin again. Of course, you all know very well, that never happened.
On the night when Jesus Christ was betrayed, we heard the words “never” uttered by a human. This one said “ ‘Even if I have to die with I will never disown you.’ Can u guess who said it? Interestingly in the next sentence, in the very same verse, which is found in Matthew 26:35 it is written, “And all the other disciples said the same.” In other words, all these humans used the word “Never”. And of course they NEVER followed through. They all deserted Jesus when the bad guys came and took Him away.
When Jesus explained to his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem and to suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, that he must be killed and on the 3rd day raised to life. The Bible says in Matthew 16:22 “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. “This shall never happen to you.” Translated into Cantonese I believe it will sound like “Choi ke ley, tai ka lai see.”
To that Jesus replied to Peter: “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men.”
Let’s hear a few words that Jesus uttered using that word “never.”
Lk.21:33 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” I.e. there is no expiration date. There’s a long shelf life when it comes to God’s word. That is why in Jan.2001 issue of the Reader Digest in an article entitled “is the Bible true?” it has been found that archaeology confirmed major sections of the Bible. There is good evidence for putting your faith in the Bible’s veracity. This is not putting faith in humans using word never. This is God speaking and His word has always proven to be true.
John 6:35-40
35And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36“But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. NIV “whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. NIV “whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”
Did you get this?
There is another place where Jesus used the word “never”
Jesus said in Mark 9:43 “hell, where the fire never goes out.” Don’t like to hear that. But that’s reality of hell, eternal fire, in same chapter v.48 hell is “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” Imagery of eternal torment.
Rev. 7:16-17 (NLT)
They will never again be hungry or thirsty, and they will be fully protected from the scorching noontime heat. 17 For the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away all their tears.”
Deut.31 “he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Twice this phrase is mentioned. Underscoring God’s commitment. That is why you are in a position to succeed.
Because of these 3 affirmations
1. God is b4 you
2. God battles for you
3. God never abandons you
1. trust God’s leadership choice: i.e. the leadership God has put in place “Joshua also will cross over ahead of you” (v.3)
and also the leadership to trust God’s will in placing them in charge (v.7)
and all of these trusting is to occur when there is danger, when they need to be strong and courageous.
True story happened Friday in Montreal
- A hospital patient who insisted on lighting a cigarette while hooked to an oxygen supply caused a small explosion, according to a hospital spokesperson.
The 73-year-old, who suffered minor burns in the blast, had been told not to light up but she ignored the warnings, said Luc Perreault of LaSalle Hospital Centre.
``She’s lucid and independent,’’ Perreault said yesterday. ``She’d been told. She read the directives about not smoking.’’
Flames were doused quickly after the blast occurred Thursday night and damage was minor.
One hospital worker suffered hand burns. Several patients were moved to another area of the hospital. The smoker was put in intensive care, minus her cigarettes and lighter.
Perreault said that under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the hospital did not have the right to remove the patient’s lighter before the accident occurred.
``We can’t take away personal belongings,’’ Perreault said.
``It’s not a prison.’’
The 73-year-old’s name was not disclosed.
Leadership of the hospital, those in charge told 73 year not to light up, but did it anyway. What happens? Kaboom! Trust that those in charge do know what they are doing and saying. They are not there to make life difficult, if u could believe that. God placed leaders to get the church going. Read:
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NLT)
He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, 13 until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
Do we not want to grow and mature? Then trust the leadership God has placed…
2. trust God’s command – i.e. “take possession of the land” – that means taking a risk – “not safe” , taught to lean on a God who never abandon us, it is through the fire of risk-taking, when you don’t know the outcome that you come out feeling dead or alive.
Story is told of…
An Arab spy was sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. Each time there was an execution the general would approach the condemned and give him a choice. The guards would bring the spy to the general.
"What will it be," he would ask, "the firing squad or ‘the big, black door?’"
The spy hesitated and finally he chose the firing squad. When the execution was done, the general turned to his aid and said, "They always prefer the known to the unknown. People fear what they don’t know. Yet, we gave a choice."
"What lies beyond the big door?" asked the aid.
"Freedom," replied the general. "Yet I’ve only known a few brave enough to take that door."
Perhaps 2001 is time to get away from tried and safe formulas, give the leadership a chance to take you through the possession of the land. Moves may be risky, may not come out alive but is it worth it?
Ask Moses, Ask Joshua, ask those who lean on his leadership, ask Paul who risked his Jewish heritage and made disciples of Gentiles, ask Jesus who risked his life for us all and ask God who took the ultimate risk in choosing to create people after His own image.
Great theologian Wayne Gretzky was once said: - "You will miss 100% of the shots you don’t take." So take a leap this year with God behind u.
Desire to get to be strong and courageous? Then keep hanging on those 3 affirmations in the face of difficulties where u are tested.
1. God is b4 u
2. God battles for you
3. God never abandons you
What a God we have! Peace be with you all!
