Ministry Resources

A Winning Attitude

Author: Joan Buchanan

After the death of Moses, God called faithful Joshua.

God told Joshua:

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you. As I said to Moses … Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”Joahua 1:3, 7-9.

Praise God, that is a great promise for a winning attitude!

Joshua and Caleb on the other side of the cross had more understanding of God’s provisions and promises for them than some of us today. God had said, “I will give you Canaan.” Joshua and Caleb believed God and became visionaries rather than men with a hopeless attitude. They left a legacy that we are still reading about today. It will give confidence to your faith if you will stand on the promises of God by reading and believing His Word. As you seek to live above and beyond the level of the majority, God will turn your life around for good.

When the twelve spies investigated the land of Canaan, ten became very disappointed at what they saw with their eyes. They said, “There are giants in the land of Canaan.” They completely dismissed that God had said, “I will give you the land.” We know that they did encounter some battles along the journey. However, God did promise them the land and also promised to be with them. You can be sure that God always keeps His promise.

A Different Set of Eyes

The Israelites saw only with one set of eyes, the natural. However, Joshua and Caleb saw beyond the natural into the spiritual promises of God. The two (Joshua and Caleb) said “we are well able.” Two saw the size of their God and ten saw the size of men; two saw the solution, but ten saw the problem; two saw the appointment; however, ten saw it as a disappointment. Joshua and Caleb were willing to go against the majority. Years later God granted only these two men permission to go into the promised land (Canaan). Believe me, God rewards His faithful servants.

I know that some days appear to be disappointing; however, if you live devoted to God, days of disappointment can turn into God’s appointments. Determine in your heart that this year will be a winning walk for you as you walk out the Year, purposing in your heart to keep an attitude of faith and love toward all mankind. Be aware that those around you need your healthy God-like attitude to help them find their purpose for life. Our approach to life can light a spark in someone’s heart that just might reverse their negative attitude and inspire them to finish the course God has for them.

Your approach to life can influence others

Visionary people like Joshua and Caleb see with two sets of eyes, the physical and also the spiritual.

They know that a mind given to God can change their focus onto God and not their surroundings. That is why Paul could sing praises at midnight while in a cold prison cell. He could also stand faithful to God when he was beaten five times, shipwrecked, or stoned. He said in 2 Corinthians 4:8 “We are afflicted in every way but not crushed: we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed …”

There is a good word for us in Jeremiah 29:11; “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Declare that God has a future full of hope and blessings for you as you commit your ways to Him. God’s thoughts about you are for peace and to give you a future and a hope. Surely you can agree with the Perfect and Holy God. He is El ROI—THE GOD WHO SEES ME.

Now that makes you loved and very special.

With Jesus

With Jesus, your problems can turn into solutions, your obstacles into answers and disappointments into His appointments. What an awesome God we serve!!

Take a moment to stop and rehearse all that God has done for you in the past and present. Then praise Him for what He is doing for you tomorrow as well. His Word says that you have an overcoming weapon, “The Blood of the Lamb.” And His name is Jesus, our Victorious Savior. Now, if Satan comes knocking at your heart’s door today, just send Jesus to answer that knock; He is fully equipped to handle the deceptive images that the enemy is trying to place before you.

Are you leaving a legacy of one who can be labeled as an individual, who had dreams, pursued them, and finished your God-given course with a winning attitude? There is a race to run. Let’s endure and finish the course that our Great God has mapped out for us! There is a lot said about getting started, but what about those who endure and finish the course?

To sum it up.

Meditate and worship God and His word, live what it says, then stand still and watch God work when you release your faith to Him. Joshua and Caleb have left an example of faith for us. They believed God and were rewarded for their faith.

“I can do all things through Christ,” He does mean it. Remember to trust Christ in the between times and keep letting the Word of God remind us, “WE CAN MAKE IT”. Oh yes we can!

I just know God says it and that is all that matters.

Have a God-filled Year as you worship Him.

© Joan Buchanan

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