Menu for Success

In the final Biblical Conviction Series, I had in my mind who and what to present; however, God led me to read the book of Joshua. After reading just a few chapters, it is evident that Joshua is truly a man of biblical conviction. In the book of Joshua as you read Joshua Chapter 1, you will find in Chapter 1:6 “ Be strong (confident) and of good courage”, Chapter 1:7 “Only you be strong and very courageous”, Chapter1:9 “Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous”, and Chapter 1:18 “Only be strong, vigorous, and of good courage”.  Now I’m sure you are wondering why God reminded Joshua four times in Chapter 1 to be strong, confident and of good courage; I did also, until God revealed to me why He continued to remind Joshua of obtaining and maintaining these characteristics.  “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to t...

The beginning [of the facts] of the good news (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God . 2  Just as it is written in the prophet Isaiah: Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will make ready Your way— 3  A voice of one crying in the wilderness [shouting in the desert], Prepare the way of the Lord, make His beaten tracks straight (level and passable)! 4  John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness (desert), preaching a baptism [obligating] repentance (a change of one’s mind for the better, heartily amending one’s ways, with abhorrence of his past sins) in order to obtain forgiveness of and release from sins. 5  And there kept going out to him [continuously] all the country of Judea and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, as they were confessing their sins. 6  And John wore clothing woven of camel’s hair and had a leather girdle around his loins and ate locusts and wild...

Paul's strong belief in the Gospel is what kept him strong in his convictions to carry out what God called him to do; which is to preach the Gospel to all nations; and urge and encourage believers in their faith in Jesus Christ! Paul writes: For we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about the affliction and oppressing distress which befell us in [the province of] Asia, how we were so utterly and unbearably weighed down and crushed that we despaired even of life [itself]. Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the [very] sentence of death, but that was to keep us from trusting in and depending on ourselves instead of on God Who raises the dead. (II Corinthians 1:8-9 AMP) To receive severe punishment so detrimental, that you favor death over life can make those who are not deeply rooted in the word say; "I'm done! This is not worth it"! So Paul said, (summed up in my own words) since our Savior shed His blood for me, I can endur...

Throughout this week, you will read several scriptures on leaders who exemplified biblical conviction! I will start with scripture in the New Testament and end with the Old Testament; and I have a purpose for doing so! (Note: this is the longest of the series to inform you of what is to come) Paul wrote most of the New Testament when he was at his weakest moments - beaten and chained in prisons! But he said to me,   “My grace is sufficient for you, for   my power is made perfect in weakness.”   Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that   the power of Christ may rest upon me.   10  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For   when I am weak, then I am strong. (II Corinthians 12:9-11 ESV) God works through us when we are at our lowest point to prove He is always, guiding, leading, directing, and supplying wisdom, knowledge and His strength in a...