“I WILL” (Part Three) Unstuck? God’s Three Keys to Move Forward in 2024
We're continuing our "I Will" series, focusing on declaring powerful faith statements over our lives. In the first message, "I Will” Expect A Miracle, we talked about how God will give you a miracle even when you mess up. God is gracious!
Then we focused on "I Will” Live Free - Jesus came to set us free and we should declare freedom over areas of bondage.
Now, Part Three is centered around the declaration "I Will” Move Forward. Many believers feel stuck right now. You may feel stuck in your pain, your past, or your circumstances. But God wants to get you unstuck! He wants to give you the strength to move into new territory in 2024.
Leave the Past Behind
God said to Joshua, "Moses my servant is dead" (Joshua 1:2). This signifies that one season has ended and it's time for a new chapter to begin.
God was getting Joshua ready to move forward and not dwell in the past.
What Do You Need to Bury?
We often drag things along with us that weigh us down rather than fully trusting God. What do you need to lay down to move unhindered into the future?
"You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)
God doesn't just forgive our sins; he buries them in the depths of the sea never to be seen again. Why does he do this? God doesn't want us to keep digging up the past. If God has forgiven you, it's time to get past your past.
Quit Looking Backwards
Rather than staying anchored in past mistakes, we must fix our eyes on Jesus and press forward.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
God has a future and a hope for us, but we need to let go of the past in order to fully embrace it.
He wants us to move forward with our eyes fixed on him, trusting in his plans and purpose for our lives.
Don't Let Fear Hold You Back
When we are afraid to move forward, we are essentially saying that we don't trust God's plans for our lives. But the truth is that God knows what he's doing, and he has promised to never leave us or forsake us. So instead of letting fear hold us back, we need to lean on his strength and take courage in knowing that he is with us every step of the way.
Get Ready To Move Forward!
God's Direction is Always Forward
When Moses faced the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army chasing behind, it looked impossible to go forward. But that's exactly what God told Him to do, and He made a way through the sea. When Joshua faced the fortified walls of Jericho, God told him to march forward and He gave them a miraculous victory. David had to face Goliath head-on rather than running away.
God doesn't let us escape problems and obstacles. But if we trust Him, He will make a way and lead us to victory as we move forward with Him.
"Get Ready" to Move Forward
After telling Joshua that Moses was dead, God commanded "Get ready to cross the Jordan river" (Joshua 1:2). This means:
● Prepare your heart to receive what God has for your future
● Shed anything that would hold you back from fulfilling God's purpose
● Commit to actively pursuing God's plan for your life
Quit looking through the rearview mirror where you’ve been and start focusing on the windshield for where you’re going. The mistakes of our past are less important than where God is leading us right now. Our future hope is so much greater than our former failures.
Three "I Wills" to Move You Forward
I Will: Pray God-Sized Prayers
"We are whales in our activities, but we are minnows in our prayers."
We stay so busy doing things that we neglect the real power source: prayer. We need to flip that around. Work less and pray more! Because here's the reality:● Your future is directly tied to your prayer life
● Small prayers produce small answers
● Big, audacious prayers move God's heart
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory!" (Ephesians 3:20)
Talk to God with passion and expectation, knowing He wants to do great things. Look back over examples like Elijah praying for drought and Joshua praying for the sun to stand still. What are you praying for that requires God's mighty hand to accomplish?
I Will: Live With Greater Passion
Passionate people change the world. Every major breakthrough and advance has happened because of someone's intense passion and vision.
Yet instead of burning passion, many of us live pretty dull, mediocre lives. When asked what the most important thing in life is, Jesus answered:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).
Pouring passion into your relationship with God overflows into more passion, joy, and purpose across every area of life.
Let's cultivate a fiery passion for God. Fan the flames of your spiritual life. Stir up your gifts, worship wholeheartedly, and read the Word voraciously.
As Romans 12:11 puts it: "Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord."
Look for God in Every Season
I Will: Look for God in Every Circumstance
King David wrote Psalm 23 as a sheep describing his shepherd - bragging about how good God is. He moves through different seasons:
● "Green pastures" = times of blessing and abundance
● "Valley of shadow of death" = times of hardship and lack
But here's the key: God is with us in every season. The question is, will we look for Him? Even when hell itself seems unleashed against you, if you look for Him, God promises you'll find Him.
Let's discipline ourselves to look for God. Don't just see the storm, look for Jesus walking on the water in the midst of it. Every circumstance holds opportunities to see God's hand at work.
"God's anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime." (Psalm 30:5)
God's favor over your life far outweighs any moment of "anger." You must look for the blessing because it's always there! This difficult season does not define you. The Author is still writing your story. The best is yet to come!
If you feel stuck today, know that God wants to move you forward. It may begin with small steps, but allow Him to unstick areas of your life.
Ask yourself:
● What "dead things" do I need to bury to leave the past behind?
● How can I best prepare my heart to receive the new thing God wants to do?
● What prayers do I need to start praying?
● How can I cultivate more passion for God this year?
Lastly, no matter what storm you may be in, LOOK for God in the midst of it. God's promises; He is there, working on your behalf. Now is the time. 2024 is a new day! Let's move forward together with God.
What resonated most with you from this message? Remember, God is with us in every season. Let's continue to seek Him and trust that He has great plans for our future. So let's stay focused on the good things ahead and allow God to guide us through every season of life.
“I WILL” Move Forward