4-A-Step-Of-Faith-Crossing-River-Jordan

The speaker invites listeners to join a Bible study about taking a step of faith. They discuss the reasons people hesitate to take that step, such as fear and doubt. The speaker shares a personal story about taking a step of faith and encourages listeners to not wait for perfect conditions. They reference a Bible verse about farmers and emphasize the importance of walking by faith. Lessons from Joshua chapter 3 are discussed, including the impact of one's actions on others, the possibility of success when led by God, and the choice between risk and reward. The speaker reminds listeners that God is with them and encourages them to overcome fear and doubt. The speaker ends with a prayer and invites listeners to request more copies and visit their website for more episodes. Hello, we welcome you to join this chariot for a 5-minute Bible study. This fourth episode on A Step of Faith is titled, Crossing River Jordan, Part 1. My name is Greg Alabi and I'm inviting you to come let us study the Bible together. Some of the reasons why some of us would not take that step of faith? We think it's a gamble, too risky, what if we fail? What if it doesn't work out as expected? We have our doubts. We have seen other people fail. We don't want our fingers burnt. It is not convenient. We are okay in our current position, but if it's the will of God for us, if it's truly the will of God for us, it will come to us naturally in God's time. Dear friends, let's face it. Most of our concerns can be summarized in two words, fear and doubt, both of which we must learn to overcome. Some time ago, a group of us were planning to travel out of town to drive to our destination. The weather forecast says there will be heavy rainfall and thunderstorm that morning. I decided to leave early before it starts raining. The others decided to take off after the rainfall. About 45 minutes to an hour into my journey, the weather was clear with bright sunshine, not a single drop of rain. I decided to call and find out where the others were on their journey. It was still raining back there, very poor visibility and dangerous road condition almost all day. They could not make the trip. The lesson? We must all learn to take that step of faith early enough and not wait till the time is perfect or better. There is no guarantee that things will always be easy or always be better. Ecclesiastes chapter 11 verse 4 in the New Living Translation says, Farmers who wait for a perfect weather never plants. If they watch the cloud, they will never harvest. The Amplified Version says, He who watches the wind, waiting for all conditions to be perfect, will never sow seed. And he who looks at the cloud will not reap a harvest. My point? We must learn to take a step of faith, for we walk by faith and not by sight. Now, let's learn some valuable lessons from Joshua chapter 3 from verse 12 to 17. First lesson here is in verse 12. Twelve men were selected from each of the tribes of Israel for a particular journey. The lesson? The destiny of several other people, some of which you may never know, some of whom you may never meet, depends on your willingness to take a step of faith into destiny. You are selected for a reason. You are set up to succeed. You were assigned because heaven trusted you. Second lesson here is in verse 13 to 15. The Israelites were to cross River Jordan into the promised land. God said, As soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that were carrying the Ark of the Covenant touches the waters of River Jordan, the river will part away and open just like the Red Sea did under the leadership of Moses. The lesson? Like these people did, when God is leading you, it may appear difficult, but it is going to be possible you will succeed. Read again Joshua chapter 3 verse 15. It says, The feet of the priests, they took a step of faith, they stepped at the edge of the shoreline of River Jordan. So should we. Let's learn to step out and not just sit back praying and fasting forever that God should make a way visible, clear, and free from all obstacles or challenges. May not always happen that way. Third lesson here is in that same verse 15. Notice that verse says that it was the season when River Jordan was very full, overflowing all its banks at the time of harvest. The lesson? The river was flooding its banks, slippery, wet, fast-moving body of water, but it was also harvest time, my point? We can see two things here, the risk of drowning and the reward of harvest. So it's up to you, will you take a step of faith and go for the harvest in your promised land or stay back because it's too risky? Let's not quickly forget this, the Ark of God was present with them, the Ark of Covenant was with them. God is with you. Do not allow fear or doubt to paralyze you. We will continue our study in the next episode, but let us pray. Father, we thank you for the lessons we are learning. Father, we ask of you to build faith and courage, confidence to be able to step out in the name of Jesus. We will cast out all doubt and fear in Jesus' name, Amen. You may request your subsequent copies by sending an email to gregalabee at gmail.com. Please visit our website at gregalabee.com, look for the podcast and enjoy previous and current and even future episodes. Share this message or messages with friends and family. God bless you.