A New Beginning!

Joshua 3:17 And the priest that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all of the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

I am a big football fan and every football season there seems to be a story that stands out more than any other story. Last year, Michael Vick’s story was a story I watched very closely. I remember his initial interview when he was released from prison. He indicated there were some things he would have to change in order to be a successful person on and off of the football field. Many people doubted him, ridiculed him, and questioned his character. It is interesting to me that often times in life we have to experience setbacks in order to recognize a change needs to take place. Michael Vick’s story suggests to us we can start over again and we can have “a new beginning”.

It does not matter where you are in life, how bad you have messed up, how much you have underachieved, or what others think of you. You can still have “a new beginning”. It does not matter where you are from or what your life experiences have been. You can still have “a new beginning”.

In the text mentioned above, the nation of Israel is in transition. They are about to enter into Canaan, but they had one last barrier to overcome. What barriers do you have in your life that prevents you from progressing with God? The Israelites practiced a very simple principle I want to share with you. First of all they got up at the break of day with a single focus. The focus was to overcome that which prevented them from moving forward. How often do you wake up in the morning with the intent to overcome barriers that prevent you from progressing with God?

The priests bare the Ark of the Covenant which was in the front of the whole nation. The Ark of the Covenant contained the Ten Commandments or the law. There are some laws we have to implement into our lives to move forward. There are also some laws we have implemented into our lives that hold us back. We need to break self-imposed laws. The priests were willing to do something they never did before. They were also willing to get their feet wet. What are you willing to do different today? Are you willing to charter in a new arena? How far are you willing to go with God? Your success or failure is determined by what you are willing to do. God bless and keep you is my prayer.

If you are willing to enter into "a new beginning" please pray this simple prayer with me. “Father, I recognize I am not where I should be with you. I desire to be all that I can be for you. I ask that you would help me recognize all of the barriers in my life. I surrender them to you in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”