One day in 1860, a huge crowd were watching the world-famous tightrope walker, Charles Blondin, in his attempt to cross the Niagara Falls.  Blondin crossed the rope numerous times. He even did it with a wheelbarrow!  A 1000 foot trip, 160 feet above the raging water. A fall meant certain death.  The story is told that he spoke to the crowd, asking if they believed he could take one of them across on a wheelbarrow.  Of course, they all enthusiastically gave their agreement.  Then he asked for one of them to volunteer.  Dead silence.  They gave their mental assent, but when it can to the crunch - they did not trust Blondin enough with their own life.   Those who truly trusted Charles Blondin could cross the seemingly impossible.  But those who did not, never crossed the Niagara Falls. Their lacked faith.   Joshua 3:9-17 is a critical moment in Israel's history.  The crossing of the Jordan River.  A momentous occasion.  A challenge of faith.  A faith to cross a seemingly impossible situation.  Just like the Israelites, there are times in our lives that God may stretch us in order that He may work miracles through us!  He may desire for us to cross impossibilities in our lives, our ministries.   I believe it is important for us to understand how we can develop such faith!  To cross challenging situations in our lives!  From this passage we look at the faith of Israelites and the ingredients that enable this faith.   READY TO RECEIVE THE RHEMA   The starting point of crossing the impossibilities is hearing God.  Now, God speaks to us His children all the time.  Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Rhema relates to the spoken word of God.   But the question is - are we ready to hear His voice?  To help us, we pose a couple of questions.   Whose initiative is it?   Joshua 3:9 (NIV) Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.   Joshua encouraged the people to come and listen to what God had to say.  It indicates to us that we must take responsibility to seek God and to hear Him.  Psalms 81:13 (NIV) “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways…”  When we open our heart and spirit to listen to God, that is when we can begin to receive the rhema word.  The key is to be ready to listen.    We should take the initiative to prepare ourselves to hear from God.  When we purify our hearts - we are more ready to hear from God.  Sometimes, God may take the initiative too - but we have to be ready to receive.  Sometimes God may speak to us in the middle of the night.  Are we ready to receive?  Sometimes God speaks to Lai Ling in the night and she wakes up to pray.  I turn over in my sleep.  So God does not speak to me in my sleep - or rarely anyway.   Is your spiritual mobile phone turned on for God?  Then you are more likely to hear God. Or is it in sleep mode.   How does it sound like?   How does the rhema word from God sound like?  How do we know when God speaks to us?  The key is to become acquainted with the tone of God's voice. Just like a baby learns to understand its natural parents.  For example, Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 initially thought that God’s voice was Eli because he was unable to distinguish the difference.   We can hear God’s voice to us through many ways:   Through scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.   Through God's servants such as teachers, prophets or visions:  Hosea 12:10 (NIV) I [the Lord] spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and taught parables through them."   God can speak to us directly as we pray, through burdens, impressions, visions and also through His voice.  Acts 11:5-8 (NIV) 5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 8 "I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'   Are you hearing God’s voice? Are your spiritual ears open?    What does it inspire?   God's voice inspires faith in those who listen.  It energises for miracles!  Joshua assured that the people would know that has God spoke and was with them. How?  Because God's voice inspires faith in those who listen.  It energises for miracles!  When God's word sinks into our hearts - it inspires faith to believe!  Rom 10:17-18 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.   This is one distinguishing mark of God's voice.  Of course, at other times, other characteristics of God is revealed.  So if you hear a voice in your heart that stirs fear and doubt - it is probably not God.  Faith causes the impossible to happen!  It is impossible to walk into a river at full flood and see it well up like a dam.  But nothing is impossible with God! Jesus said in Matthew 17:20 (NIV) I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."   Faith can cause mountains to obey us!  Faith has authority over physical limitations and impossibilities.  Indeed, Jesus constantly demonstrated His authority over physical limitations. Mark 4:39-41 (NIV) 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"   Are you looking at your physical limitations, or do you believe God? Are you listening and believing for a miracle? Mark 10:27 (NIV) "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."   RESPOND WITH REVERENT CHOICES   Joshua 3:14 (NIV)  So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them.   After God speaks to us, we are faced with a choice.  How will we respond?  We can respond reverently or ignore God.  A reverent choice will move us one step closer to crossing impossibilities. We look at 2 characteristics of a reverent choice.   Respond with a desire to obey   Joshua 3:14a (NIV) "So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan…"   After Joshua explained to the people what God had told them to do, what did they do?  Did they have a debate, a discussion, form a committee?  And pondered over such question as: Did God really speak?  Did Joshua hear everything right?  Is Joshua theologically correct in his interpretation?  Should we obey God?   Their very actions reveal to us their attitude.  Immediately they broke camp.  They got ready to cross the Jordan river.  Their heart was to obey God!   There is little point to ask God to speak if our attitude is that we are not going to obey. Or we are only 30% ready to obey. Jeremiah 7:13, 16 (NIV) 13While you were doing all these things, declares the LORD, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer…. 16So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.    God is looking for those who are eager to obey God.  Whose respond to God, is Yessir!  Joshua was such a man.  We never hear about him complaining to God or attempting to negotiate with God.  Yet how many times have we tried to negotiate with God?  With an attitude that reveals our less than complete trust in God.  “God, don't ask this of me.  It is too much.”   But with Joshua it is, "Right away Sir!"  Because Joshua responded in such faith, full of desire to obey God - God was able to use him mightily to win over the Promised Land!  Pastor Che An shared about a time when God told him to witness to the TV repair man who had turned up at his house.  Turned out he was a backslidden Christian.  It turned the man around!  Ps. Che An just obeyed God and look at the outcome! When God speaks, it is time to make the reverent choice!  Will we trust God? Respond with a godly choice?   When God speaks, it is time to make the reverent choice!  Will we trust God? Respond with a godly choice? By nature I am a cautious man.  But when I hear God's rhema word - I get excited! Because I have learnt that obeying God's word always releases great blessings!   Has God spoken to you?  Perhaps about giving for the church or for someone in need?  Perhaps to take up a different job or even to relocate?  To witness to a stranger?  This is your demonstration of a reverent choice, because you desire to obey God!    Respond with action plans   Joshua 3:14b (NIV) "…the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them."   The priests did not just happen to be in front and happen to be carrying the ark. Imagine if Joshua only tried to find the priests to carry the ark on that very day.  “We need 4 priests that usually carry the ark.  Where are they?”  Finally, after getting them ready, they discover the ark is 2 km away from Jordan River.  So they weave their way through the entire camp of Israel, couple of millions of people. Remember no one else is to touch the ark of the covenant!  Imagine the entire trip through the camp, with armed guards around the priests to protect the people.  Slowly, painfully, they finally reach to the river.  It would have taken a whole day or more if they lacked plans.  Why were they able to just move forward?  Because they had a good logistical plan.  Plan for the possible, leave the impossible to God.  Our responsibility is for what we can do.  God's responsibility is for what we cannot do.    Some people misunderstand about moving with God.  They think that if God says so, it means God will do practically everything.  That is not the case.  Plan for the possible, leave the impossible to God.  Our responsibility is for what we can do.  God's responsibility is for what we cannot do.  Prov 16:3 (NIV) Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.   God wants us to learn how to work things out and to work it through.  God wants us to learn how to work things out and to work it through. God told Joshua to bring the priests with the ark in front of the people and into the river. Yet God did not tell him details. Why? God expected Joshua to work it out.  For example, God may impress you with a certain amount to pledge in faith or challenge you in some way about your giving.  Whatever it is, it is not the end of the matter to make a faith declaration.  You have to work out as much as you can.  You need to work out a basic plan on how you will give.  Plan what is possible and the rest the leave to God.  It is best to plan weekly and monthly to save certain amounts.   Whenever God told Reinhard Bonnke where to hold the next major crusades across Africa, Reinhard Bonnke goes!  But before he goes, a lot of planning has to happen.  Often it takes 1 to 2 years to plan.  They scout out the city.  Get to know the local churches and leaders.  Find a suitable location to hold the open-air crusade.  Obtain permits.  Work out the dates and all the preparations, advertising, etc before hand.  They even plan out the precise route where the huge container trucks will travel to get there.  They even scout it out before hand.  Because roads in Africa are notoriously unreliable.  For what you see on the map may not be there.   When we were planning towards our community centre, the building committee did what we could in designing the building, preparing and coordinating reports, etc.  What we could not do, such as the City Council decisions and timing - we left to God!   ACTIVATE BY ACTING UPON THE RHEMA   Joshua 3:15-16 (NIV) 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.   Often taking the first steps can be challenging.  This is where the rubber hits the road. The key in releasing God's blessings is usually our first steps of faith.  Notice that the Jordan River was in full flood.  The river starts at lake Huleh and runs 120 km through the sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea.  It runs along the lowest depression on earth to the Dead Sea that is 393m below sea level.   The sides of the riverbanks are steep and deep.  During floods the river rises quickly and is deep.  Near Jericho the river current is usually swift, even more so during floods.   For 3 days the Israelites camped near the river and watched it in full flood.  Raging and turbulent – over a km wide. Anyone attempting to cross it at this stage is likely to be swept to their death.  Even when the priests came to the river's edge, nothing unusual was happening.  The river still looked as imposing as before.  Perhaps the greatest challenge for the priests was at that point of stepping into a raging river.  They might be thinking, “If God does not turn up - I am dead!”  When we step into what is impossible by faith, God steps in.     But the moment the priests took the first steps into the river, God began to hold the river back.  All the way back to town called Adam 26 km away, the river piled up!  The further the priests stepped into the water, the more water receded until the river was dry.  Sometimes, some Christians want God to open the doors before they act.  But often God is wanting us to exercise our faith at the point where we step beyond what is possible for us.  When we step into what is impossible by faith, God steps in.  Prov 3:5-6 (NIV)  "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."   We had an older man called Allan who was healed when one of our leaders acted by faith to pray for him.  2 years ago, he could barely walk a short distance.  After that, he walked for many kilometres!  As you believe even to cross impossibilities, start with the first step!   MAINTAIN FAITH UNTIL COMPLETION   Joshua 3:17 (NIV)  The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.   A very important part of obtaining what God has inspired us towards is to understand this principle.  The principle of maintaining faith.  In what way are we to maintain faith?   Maintaining the first steps   These priests stood firm in the middle of the river that they know are being held back by nothing more than the power of God!  If the power of God lapsed for whatever reason, the river would come rushing in.  Like a torrent and they would be dashed to their deaths.  I might have been tempted to sprint across the entire river! Yet they stood firm.   Sometimes we can be quick to raise our hands at an altar call and say “yes! Please send me! I want to do it!” then just as quickly forget our commitment.  Just like in Matthew 13:20-22 (NIV) The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.   Often the Devil attacks us just as we begin to take the first few tentative steps of faith.  He does not want to see us progressing in God.  He will attempt to cause us to doubt.  To be shaken.  So that we might retreat!  Imagine the priests running back from water's edge!  Would that have undone the miracle in progress? Your commitment will be tested. Be steady and continue in God to cross the impossibilities.   So don't be shaken. Your commitment will be tested. Be steady and continue in God to cross the impossibilities.   Maintaining until the task is complete   For the task to be completed, we must maintain our faith in God.  It took a while for every Israelite to cross the river.  During this whole time the priest had to maintain faith.  At various points our faith may be tested.  Unexpected situations may crop up.  Things may take longer than expected.  We get really tempted to give up or to settle for less.  Let us have the attitude like Paul who refused to give up and pressed on until the end. Philippians 3:14 (NIV) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.   We only obtain the goal of our faith when we reach the end.  So do not give up half-way. We can cross the impossibilities in God!   CONCLUSION   When God has spoken, when we have received it and responded to it in the proper way, when we have acted upon it - the blessing of God will be released.  Then we have to continue to maintain it before God!   Copyright©️2026 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

What comes to your mind when you think of church?  Quiet pews and a solemn altar? A large gathering with vibrant worship and a dynamic preacher? A warm, loving community? A place to worship God?  All of these may be good, but here’s the real question: Are our views shaped by Scripture—or simply by our preferences, traditions, and past experiences?   Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for thinking about church in a worldly way (v1–4). Their attitudes, expectations, and measurements were shaped more by culture than by Christ. And if we’re honest, the same danger confronts us today. Church must never be built by the standards of this world. It must be built by God’s standards. God’s way.   Now imagine what church looks like when it is built God’s way.  Where love isn’t a vague, sentimental “50 shades of grey,” but the rugged, sacrificial love of Scripture.  The kind of love that gives, serves, and lays itself down as Jesus did on the cross.  Where community isn’t a slogan but a lived reality—practiced, experienced, and strengthened through real relationships.  Where godliness and righteousness aren’t just Bible study words, but deep desires of the heart—pursued with humility, shaped through challenges, refined through hardship, and proven genuine even in suffering.   God’s Church, built God’s way, isn’t flashy. It isn’t trendy. It’s authentic. It’s holy. It’s pleasing to Him.  There are many aspects to God’s way of building His Church, but from 1 Corinthians 3 we will focus on three essential elements—three foundations that help us build God’s Church, God’s way.   WHEN WE HONOR HIS BODY   1 Corinthian 3:16-17 (NIV) “ 16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?    17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”   Paul makes a massive statement here—but most of its force is lost unless we understand the Old Testament backdrop. His entire argument rests on the sacredness of God’s dwelling place.  In Moses’ time, God’s presence wasn’t an abstract idea. It was visible. Tangible. Awe‑inspiring. A pillar of cloud by day.  A pillar of fire by night.  The glory of God filling the Tabernacle so powerfully that even Moses could not enter without permission.   Exodus 40:34–38 describes this vividly.  When the cloud settled on the Tent of Meeting, “the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” Israel moved only when God moved. They stopped only when God stopped. His presence determined everything.  Later, when Solomon built the Temple, the same thing happened.  1 Kings 8:10–11 says the priests could not even perform their duties because “the glory of the LORD filled his temple.”   The message was unmistakable.  Where God dwells is holy. Untouchable. Weighty. Sacred.  Only priests could enter.  Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place—and only once a year.  Anyone who entered wrongly was struck down.  This is the level of holiness Paul is invoking. Now, the Church—God’s people—is His temple   Why does Paul bring all this up? Because now, the Church—God’s people—is His temple.  His Presence no longer dwells in a tent or a stone building.  He dwells in His people. In us. Among us. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer.  The Spirit dwells in the gathered church. God’s presence marks us as sacred.   So the Church is holy.  Sacred.  Precious to God.  Because His very Presence is in the Church.  1 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.  God gave a stern warning, “Don’t touch My Church. Don’t harm My people. Don’t dishonor My dwelling place.” If we revere God, we must revere His Body the Church.  If we honour God's Body, we must honour His people who make up the Church.    Because the Church, His Body is so holy.  Because it is so sacred.  Because it is God's dwelling place.  We must honour His Church. Do not treat it with disdain.  Not with indifference. Not with carelessness.   If we revere God, we must revere His Body the Church.  If we honour God's Body, we must honour His people who make up the Church.  Give them respect that is due them as people who belong to God.  For His Presence dwells in them too. If we revere God, we must honour our own bodies as well.    If we revere God, we must honour our own bodies as well.  We are to keep ourselves holy precisely because He dwells in us.  When we sin, we sin against God.  When we sin with our bodies, we sin against God and His temple!  Sexual sin especially sins directly against God's temple.  How can we read or fill our minds with lust, pornography and immoral entertainment whether it’s “50 shades of grey” or anything else?  It totally dishonours God! We cannot claim to honour His presence while feeding our flesh with what grieves His Spirit.   If we have sinned against our bodies or against the Church, we must repent, confess, seek forgiveness and cleansing.  Otherwise, we slowly damage God’s temple—His Church, His people, ourselves—“by a thousand cuts.”   Let us honour God, His Body, His people.  May it elevate our perspective about God’s Church, that we may give it the honour it deserves in our hearts and in our actions.   WHEN WE SERVE IN GOD’S HOUSE   In 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Paul confronts the Corinthian church for their immaturity. They were saved, but still thinking and behaving like the world—full of jealousy, quarrelling, and personality-driven loyalties.  Some said, “I follow Paul.” Others said, “I follow Apollos.” Paul’s response is sharp: “Are you not acting like mere men?”   They had turned God’s servants into celebrities. Paul, Peter, Apollos—great leaders, yes. But Paul insists they are only servants. Instruments. Vessels. Not spiritual superstars.  Not personalities to fight over.  We live in a world obsessed with celebrity culture.  People argue endlessly about who is the tennis GOAT—Djokovic, Federer, or Nadal.  Or who is the greatest female performer—Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, or Beyoncé.  If we’re not careful, we can treat preachers, worship leaders, or Christian influencers the same way.  But Paul dismantles that mindset completely. God grows His Church—but He chooses to work through us.   Paul says, “I planted.  Apollos watered. But God made it grow.”  The message is unmistakable. Only God can produce spiritual growth. Yet—amazingly—He chooses to involve us.  Not because He needs us. Not because we are impressive. But because He delights to work with us and through us. God grows His Church—but He chooses to work through us.   Some respond to God’s call. Some ignore it.  But God uses the willing.  Reinhard Bonnke the German evangelist who was used greatly by God in Africa, once shared that God told him he was not the first choice, nor the second—just the one who said “yes.”  God uses the responsive. God allows our faithfulness—or lack of it—to affect the growth of His Church.   This is astonishing.  God allows our faithfulness—or lack of it—to affect the growth of His Church. It’s like giving our children chores at home.  We don’t assign tasks because we can’t do them. We do it so our children learn responsibility, gain ownership, develop skills and grow in maturity.  Even when the children don’t do it well, we don’t give up. We persevere, hoping our children grows into the responsibility.  In the same way, God invites us into His work—not because we are perfect, but because serving grows us.  God opens the doors of His House wide. He invites every believer—regardless of background, personality, or ability—to participate.   Pastor Bayless Conley, founder of Cottonwood Church in California, once shared a powerful story. A mentally challenged young man in his church would often regularly though awkwardly greet him. One day, the young man brought a beautiful young woman to church. She responded to the altar call and gave her life to Jesus.  It turned out she was a former Miss California.  When Pastor Conley asked how this happened, the young man simply said: “You always told us to invite someone. I asked God who to invite. He pointed her out at the beach.  So I invited her.”  The young woman, with tears in her eyes, explained that she was going through a terrible season and had cried out to God in desperation, “God if you are real, send someone to me and invite me to church.  Then this young man came up to me at the beach with a big shy smile and said Hi! Do you know Jesus?  Can I invite you to church?  So I had to come and I am so glad I did.”  God used the least likely person—because he was willing. This is how God builds His House.   Serving doesn’t start with a title.  It starts with a willing heart.  Serve in your small group.  Bring lunch.  Help someone.  Don’t just consume—contribute.  Join a ministry. Offer your hands, your time, your gifts.  As you serve faithfully God will reward you. You will grow. You will mature. Your service will rise to God like a fragrant offering—just like the Old Testament sacrifices. God grows His Church. But He invites you to be part of the miracle.   WHEN WE INVEST IN HIS FAMILY   1 Corinthian 3:10-15 (NIV) “ 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.    11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.    12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,  13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.    14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.    15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”   Paul didn’t casually build churches. He built intentionally. Skillfully. Faithfully. He invested his best into God’s people—because he knew the Church belonged to Christ.   To illustrate this, think of a master craftsman.  I once watched a glassblower in Murano, Italy create a stunning glass horse.  He pulled a glowing blob of molten glass from the furnace, shaped it with breath and precision with a pincher, pinched out legs, formed a neck, bent a head, sculpted hooves, and flared a tail—all in under two minutes.  Yet every movement was deliberate. Every touch was purposeful.  You could feel the love and mastery in the work.  You can always tell when something is made with care.   The same is true in the Church.  When we invest our time, our heart, our skill—people can see it.  God sees it even more.  Investment always reveals what we value.  We invest in what matters to us. A baker invests love into every cake. A parent invests in their children’s growth. A craftsman invests in every detail of his creation.  In the same way, my wife and I invest deeply into people’s lives.  We invest financially into our church building and Kingdom projects—not because we have to, but because we believe in what God is building.  Investment is a declaration of value. God is not only interested in what we do, but how and why we do it.   God cares deeply about how we build His House.  Jesus taught this in Matthew 25.  Each servant received talents to invest.  Some multiplied what they were given. One buried it.  The master rewarded them accordingly.  The point is this.  God watches how we invest what He has entrusted to us.  Right motives produce lasting fruit.  Wrong motives produce empty results.       Faithful investment brings eternal reward.  Neglect brings loss—even if we are still saved.  God is not only interested in what we do, but how and why we do it.   Lai Ling and I had the privilege of seeing the ceiling of Sistine Chapel.  It is simply a marvel of art.  It is said that once someone noticed Michelangelo painting away in a little corner of the ceiling and said to him, “Why do you bother to spend so much time on a corner that no one will notice?”  He replied, “But God will see it!”  That is the heart of true investment.  We don’t serve for applause.  We don’t give for recognition.  We don’t build for human approval. We invest because God sees.  We invest because God values His Church. We invest because Christ is the foundation.   Paul challenges us: “Be careful how you build.” So the question becomes: •     Will we invest our time? •     Will we invest our talents? •     Will we invest our treasures? •     Will we invest through tithes and offerings? •     Will we invest in people, relationships, discipleship, the next generation?   CONCLUSION   When we invest in God’s Church, we are investing in what is eternal.  Gold, silver, costly stones. Not wood, hay, and straw. May we build in a way that lasts.  May we invest in God’s family with love, excellence, and faith—because His Church is worth it.  Let’s build God’s Church, God’s way.   Copyright©️2026 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

We are all on a faith journey with God. And in the end, what matters most is not how we began, but whether we finish well. Finishing well depends on one thing: how we keep walking with God day after day. How we keep moving forward with Him.   Yet many believers find themselves stuck—caught in a kind of spiritual paralysis. They’ve heard God. They’ve encountered God. They’ve even stepped out before. But somewhere along the way, they stopped moving. Something froze their faith.  For some, it was a painful failure when they tried to do something for God and it didn’t go as planned. For others, doubts and fears crept in and quietly took over. And for many, they simply don’t know how to keep taking the next step with God.   But God never intended for us to stay stuck. He wants to move us forward—into maturity, into fruitfulness, into the very things He has called us to accomplish. To do that, we must learn how to keep moving with Him.   In this passage, we discover five key principles for moving on with God. The context is powerful: after more than 40 years of wandering, Israel is standing at the edge of the Jordan River. Joshua has been appointed to lead them into the promise. In Joshua 3:1–5, he prepares the people to step out in faith. And now, at last, they begin to move—one decisive step at a time—into God’s future for them.   MOVE WITH GOD   Make sure we follow God – nothing else   Joshua 3:6a (NIV)   “… “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” …”   Why did the priests go ahead?  Because the people were meant to follow. Joshua 3:3 (NIV) makes it unmistakable: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God… you are to move out from your positions and follow it.”  The ark represented God’s presence. Israel wasn’t following a strategy, a personality, or a trend. They were following God Himself.  We must do the same. Our greatest danger is not outright rebellion—it’s quietly drifting into following our own desires, ambitions, or comfort.    Keep your eyes on God. Keep seeking Him. Our greatest danger is not outright rebellion—it’s quietly drifting into following our own desires, ambitions, or comfort.  Israel didn’t follow “someone” or “something.” They followed God alone.  We must resist the temptation to chase the latest Christian trend or copy what another church is doing. They may be doing good things—but the real question is:  What is God saying to us? To our church? To our ministry? To our lives?   Hard questions we must ask ourselves Are we following God—or just following our personal preferences? When God moves, do we hesitate because we’re too comfortable with our house, our job, our lifestyle? Has God shifted direction, but we’ve already locked in our own plans?   Perhaps the ark goes north, but we insist on going south.  Are we too focussed on these: My goals. My ambitions. My timeline. Nothing can change it.    The call is simple and urgent. Are we moving with God?  If we want to move with Him, we must learn to seek Him—to cultivate a life that pays attention to His presence. A life that listens. A life that watches.  Because when our eyes are fixed on Him, one thing becomes clear: When He moves, we move.   Leaders have a responsibility to move with God   Joshua 3:6b (NIV) “So they took it up and went ahead of them.”   The priests—the spiritual leaders—didn’t wait for the people to move first. They stepped out ahead. They carried the ark and walked into unknown territory because that’s what leaders do: they move with God before others do.  Joshua 3:3–4 (NIV) “When you see the ark… you are to move out… Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.”   The people had never travelled this path. They couldn’t discern God’s direction on their own. They needed leaders who were already listening, already watching, already moving with God.  This is the weight of spiritual leadership.  Leaders must walk closely with God so they can lead others in His way.  When leaders follow God well, they become living examples—visible models of faith, courage, and obedience. Their lives inspire others to follow. Leaders must keep one eye on God and one eye on the sheep—attentive to His voice, and attentive to the people entrusted to them.   It’s an awesome responsibility. Leaders must move with God in a way that others can follow. Leaders must keep one eye on God and one eye on the sheep—attentive to His voice, and attentive to the people entrusted to them. So we should thank God for our leaders. Who have been faithful.  And we pray for them—because when leaders move with God, the whole community moves with God.   BE ATTENTIVE TO GOD’S LEADING   Be alert to God’s continuing instructions   Joshua 3:7 (NIV) “And the Lord said to Joshua…”.   God had already spoken to Joshua about crossing the Jordan. Joshua even told the people, “In three days you will cross” (Josh 1:11). By Joshua 3:2, those three days had passed and right at that moment, God spoke again.  Joshua was listening. He stayed alert for God’s next instruction.  For God often speaks progressively, not all at once. Hearing God once is rarely enough. In a variety of ways, He confirms, clarifies, and deepens His instructions over time.  This is captured beautifully in Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”   Many believers hear God at the beginning but stop listening along the way. Then they wonder why things drift off course. The issue isn’t that God stopped speaking; it’s that they stopped listening.  NASA has sent out many probes to explore our solar system, like the Voyager series.  NASA maintains constant radio communication with their probes. The probes continually adjust their trajectory based on those signals. But if the receiver fails—even slightly—very soon the probe drifts off course.   The same is true spiritually.  We stay on course only as we keep receiving God’s ongoing guidance. This is why God didn’t give us only a manual—He gave us a Guide.  Scripture is essential, but the Holy Spirit is the One who leads us step by step.  So keep your ears open. Stay attentive. Stay listening. When God speaks again, be ready.   God’s instructions become clearer as we move with Him   Joshua 3:8 (NIV) Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’ ”   In Joshua 1, God told them what would happen (cross the Jordan) and when it would happen—but not where or how.  In verse 6, God revealed the “where” by telling them to watch where the ark went.  In verse 8, God revealed the “how”: The priests were to carry the ark and step into the river.   God leads us step by step.  He rarely gives all the details upfront.  He starts with the big picture, then clarifies as we obey.  The more we move with Him, the more He reveals.  Abraham is the classic example.  God first said in Gen 12:1 (NIV) “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.”  When Abraham travelled to Canaan, God spoke again “To your offspring I will give this land.”  Then in Gen 13 (NIV) “All the land you see I will give you...” Then in Gen 15 God defined the boundaries. And in the same chapter, God revealed the timing for taking ownership of the land. Clarity grows as obedience grows.    The pattern we see is this.  First God spoke of a land.  Secondly, God points out the land.  Thirdly, God gives an idea of the scope of the land.  Fourthly, God outlines the land as well as the timing.  Step by step.  Layer by layer.  Clarity grows as obedience grows.  So don’t panic when God hasn’t given you all the details.  Some personalities—especially detail-oriented ones—get anxious when the full plan isn’t laid out. But God rarely works that way.  If you don’t move, God won’t reveal more.  Movement brings deeper revelation from God. Just as a car can only be steered when it’s moving. Movement brings deeper revelation from God.   Why does God lead this way? Because He is forming something in us—trust and obedience.  In June 1956, just days before his twenty‑first birthday, Loren Cunningham was praying in a small guest room in the Bahamas, asking God what he should speak on that evening. As he looked up at the plain white wall, God gave him a vision that would change the course of global missions.  Loren suddenly saw what he later described as a “living map of the world.”  He watched as waves crashed onto the shores of every continent—again and again—each wave coming further inland than the one before, until the continents were completely covered. Then the scene sharpened.  The waves turned into young people.  Teenagers. College students. Even children.  They were everywhere—preaching on street corners, sharing Christ outside bars, going house to house, caring for the poor, and carrying the gospel to every nation. They came from everywhere and went everywhere. Then, just as suddenly, the vision ended.  God gave him a vision. God didn’t give him a full blueprint. He gave him a vision—and as he moved, God unfolded the details until YWAM was formed and undertook its global missions until today.   TRUST THE LORD TO LEAD THE WAY   Trust in the provision and power of the Almighty God   Joshua 3:10 (NIV)  This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.   God promised Israel that He Himself would drive out the nations before them—nations stronger, more experienced, and more battle‑hardened than they were. Humanly speaking, Israel had no chance. When the odds are overwhelming, our minds whisper: “Is God really able?” “Can He actually do this?” Or worse: “It’s impossible.”   But Joshua anchors their faith in one truth: “The ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth…” Not the Lord of Israel only. Not the Lord of the wilderness. The Lord of all the earth. He is Almighty.  Nothing is too hard for Him. Nothing is beyond His reach.   Once Smith Wigglesworth was called to pray for a man who just died. The atmosphere was heavy with grief.  Wigglesworth walked into the room and felt a fierce unshakable faith rise from within. He pulled the dead man’s body out of the bed.  Propped the body up against the wall and declared with authority, “In the name of Jesus, walk!”  Nothing happened.  He stepped back, grabbed the body again and threw him against the wall, commanding life to return.  Still nothing.  The family grasped.  Some thought he had lost his mind. Others begged him to stop.  But Wigglesworth refused to back down.  The third time, he lifted the corpse, slammed it against the wall and shouted, In the name of Jesus – Live!”  This time, the body gasped, his eyes opened and stood to his feet – alive!  The room erupted with shock and joy.  The man lived for many years after that moment. Wigglesworth wasn’t reckless — he was utterly convinced of God’s power. His actions came from a deep, Spirit‑filled certainty that Jesus is stronger than death.   Trust God to lead us   Joshua 3:11 (NIV) See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.   Some believers believe God can do all things…but quietly wonder whether God will really lead them. But when God calls us to move with Him, He does not abandon us halfway. He does not lead us into uncertainty and then disappear. God promises in Isaiah 42:16 “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known… I will guide them… I will not forsake them.”  He leads.  He guides. He supports.  He comforts. He provides.  We are reminded in Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight.”   When we choose to trust Him and follow Him, He proves Himself the Great Shepherd. Faithful, present, and utterly dependable.  We saw this when we planted the church in Brisbane—stepping out even though my work visa for Australia had only 3 months left. God led. God provided. God made a way. He always does.   STEP OUT IN FAITH   Faith receives God’s Word (v12-13)   Joshua 3:12-13 (NIV) 12  Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13  And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”   Joshua delivered God’s instruction to the people—and they didn’t argue, negotiate, or complain. They received it by faith.  Humanly speaking, the command made no sense.  “You mean… step into a flooded river? Seriously?”  But faith begins right here: receiving God’s Word even when it stretches us. Before we ever step out, we must first take God at His Word.   Faith acts upon God’s Word   Joshua 3:14–15 (NIV) 14  So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15  Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge…   Joshua and the priests were commanded to step into the Jordan River—a river that was no gentle stream.  A few realities about the Jordan:  It begins at Lake Huleh, runs through Galilee, and plunges down to the Dead Sea—393m below sea level, the lowest point on earth.  Its banks are steep and deep.  Near Jericho, the current is fast even in normal seasons. But in flood season—as in verse 15—the river becomes a raging, kilometre‑wide torrent.   For three days, Israel camped beside this impossible river.  They watched it roar.  They felt its spray. They saw its fury. And they knew: There is no human way across. Yet by faith, they acted. They broke camp. The priests lifted the ark. And they stepped toward the impossible. You can almost hear the Levites whispering, “Step into that? You’ve got to be joking.” But faith always begins with a step.  The priests stepped forth into the raging river!  And the miracle of God began! A journey of a thousand miles begins with one obedient foot forward. As we obey, God moves.   A journey of a thousand miles begins with one obedient foot forward. As we obey, God moves.   Years ago, friends of ours were informed that someone they knew was dying from a brain tumour.  He was going to be operated on but the prognosis was not good.  God prompted them to visit and pray for the man the night before.  His relatives were gathered around him because this may be the last time to see him.  Even though he was not a believer, he allowed them to pray for him.  The next morning as the surgeons prepped for surgery, the last scan revealed that the tumour had disappeared.  Although the man never turned to Christ, many of the relatives who were there did.  Faith is not passive belief.  Faith is obedience in motion.  Faith is not passive belief.  Faith is obedience in motion.   Faith in action encounters God   Joshua 3:15–16 (NIV) 15  Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16  the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.   Yet as soon as…”  Those four words change everything.  The moment the priests’ feet touched the water’s edge, God acted.  Just imagine every step the priests took.  Each time they stepped ankle deep into the water, the water subsided further.  Until they reach the bottom of the river and the river dried up!  Upstream—26 kilometres away at the town of Adam—the waters stopped.  The river piled up.  And suddenly, the impossible became a highway. This is the pattern of faith.  God opens the door after we step—not before.   This is the pattern of faith.  God opens the door after we step—not before.  Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” We don’t wait to see before we step.  We step—and then we see.  When we move in faith, we encounter God’s power. When we obey, we experience His provision. When we step out, we discover He was already there waiting.   PERSIST IN FAITH   Joshua 3:17 (NIV) “…until the whole nation had completed the crossing…”   The priests didn’t just step into the Jordan—they stood there. Right in the middle of the riverbed.  Holding the ark. Holding the line. Holding their faith. Until every man, woman, child, animal, and possession had crossed safely. That could have taken the entire day.  Imagine the pressure.  Were they tempted to worry? “What if the water suddenly comes crashing back?” “What if this miracle doesn’t hold?” But they didn’t flinch. They didn’t retreat. They persisted—because faith doesn’t just start; faith finishes. Persistence in God is the difference between almost and fulfilled.   If we want to reach what God has called us to, we must persist in faith.  Many people start well but give up too soon. They step out in faith… but they don’t stay in faith.  They begin the journey… but they don’t endure to the end.  And because they stop halfway, they never see the miracle God intended. Persistence in God is the difference between almost and fulfilled.   John Wesley understood persistence.  A page from his diary reads: •     May 5 (AM): Preached at St. Ann’s — asked not to return. •     May 5 (PM): Preached at St. John’s — deacons said, “Get out and stay out.” •     May 12 (AM): Preached at St. Jude’s — barred from coming back. •     May 12 (PM): Preached at St. George’s — kicked out again. •     May 19 (AM): Preached at St. Somebody’s — deacons held a meeting and banned him. •     May 19 (PM): Preached on the street — kicked off the street. •     May 26 (AM): Preached in a meadow — chased out when a bull was released. •     June 2 (AM): Preached at the edge of town — kicked off the highway. •     June 2 (PM): Preached in a pasture — 10,000 people came to hear him. If Wesley had quit on May 5… or May 12… or May 19…He would have missed June 2. Persist in faith—because the miracle is often on the other side of endurance.   Don’t give up too soon. Keep persisting until you see the fruit. Keep standing until God completes what He started. Keep believing until God says, “Turn.” Hebrews 12:1 calls us to this kind of endurance: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”   Persist in faith—because the miracle is often on the other side of endurance. CONCLUSION   Let’s determine to move on with God.  By focussing on God. Paying attention to God’s instructions step by step with faith and obedience.  Trusting Him for His provision.  Stepping out to act in faith.  With perseverance.  And we will see the amazing things God will do. Copyright©️2026 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

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Welcome to Wilson & Lai Ling's ministry website! We aim to provide practical ministry and biblical insights. To empower Spirit-filled ministry. Our immediate focus will be on leadership, Bible, intercession and prophetic. Wilson & Lai Ling CONNECT Practical Biblical Anointed Practical Biblical Anointed We aim to provide practical ministry and biblical insights. To empower Spirit-filled ministry. Our immediate focus will be on leadership, Bible, intercession and prophetic. About Us Latest Episode L062 Signs and Wonders with Dr. Jerry Stott (Part 1) Leadership Wilson Lim What an amazing interview with Ps. Jerry who shared his unexpected journey with experiencing God's miracles. And how it eventually led him to pray for divine miracles over others. Be touched and inspired. Download Leader Guide More episodes Prophetic Leadership Intercession Listen & Subscribe Wilson Lim Podcast Available On Listen & Subscribe Lai Ling Lim Podcast Available On Latest Blog Posts Faith To Cross Impossibilities Wilson Lim 6 days ago 12 min read God’s Church, God’s Way Wilson Lim Feb 17 9 min read Moving On With God Wilson Lim Feb 4 13 min read Subscribe for updates! Be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, blog posts, and more! Your generosity helps further our mission to equip leaders. Ask us anything related to our ministry focuses. Ask Us

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