In the Sydney Olympics of 2000, a group of women athletes were chosen to be in the last line to carry the Olympic torch.  The line up was a highly kept secret.  It was a moving scene as we saw women athletes of past and present carrying the torch in the stadium.  One by one, different athletes appeared as the torch was passed on to them.  The final and greatest honour was accorded to Cathy Freeman, the 400m gold medallist - who was the darling of Australia at that time.  What an incredible honour it was for her as she represented Australia in lighting the Olympic cauldron.      When we serve God as leaders, we have been chosen of God to represent Him. 1 Timothy 3:1 (NIV) "Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task."  Paul urges us to the work of leading in God’s church, the most important work in the world.  When our motives are right, this work pays eternal dividends.  It is a tremendous honour to be chosen of God to serve Him.   This topic is important to understand why God chooses someone to be His leader and what kind of leader we should aspire to be.  But maybe you do not aspire to be a leader.  But you should, for that is God’s purpose for every believer.  We are all called to be salt and light in this world – to influence it.  That is leadership!  When we become parents – we are to be leaders in the home.  The issue is not whether we are expected to become leaders.  The issue is what kind of leaders we become.    The issue is not whether we are expected to become leaders.  The issue is what kind of leaders we become.  This article helps us understand some of that.  For followers, it is helpful to understand what kind of leaders we should follow.  We can discover 4 key points from Joshua 4:1-10 in relation to that.   CHOSEN TO ACCOMPLISH GOD’S PLANS   Joshua 4:10 (NIV) “…until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done...”   It was clearly recorded that God’s commands were carried out fully – not Joshua’s, nor Moses’. God chooses His leaders to accomplish His plans, not the leaders own. Even Moses was giving instructions to Joshua on behalf of God!  The leader should not seek his own agenda, His own dreams – but God’s.  Jeremiah 45:5 (NIV) "Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. ...”   Like a good CEO who implements the direction and scope set by the Board of Directors, leaders implement God’s agenda.  This is why God chooses certain kind of leaders to accomplish His plans.  We examine 2 qualities here.   Accomplish through faithful leadership (v10a) “…until everything…”   We note that Joshua was faithful in making sure that every part of God’s command was carried out.  As leaders we must be faithful to God and in all that He commands us. 1 Corinthian 4:1-2 (NIV) "1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." God did not choose us primarily because we were so gifted, God chose us to accomplish His task.   Why is faithfulness so important?  Because when God chose leaders, He entrusted to us His plan, His Great Commission. We must be faithful to carry it out.  God did not choose us primarily because we were so gifted, God chose us to accomplish His task. That’s why unfaithful leaders will be removed by God in due time. King Saul was removed by God. 1 Samuel 15:10-11 (NIV) "Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11 "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions."    Jim Bakker, was a famous tele-evangelist who founded PTL (Praise The Lord ministries).  He started right but got caught up in fame and wealth he was exposed to.  In 1989 he was convicted of fraud and served 5 years in prison.   If you want to be a person that will be used of God in the long-term, we should be faithful in our responsibilities now.  If you made a pledge before God, be faithful in it as best as you can.  Be faithful in little things, then you can be faithful in bigger things in God.  Faithfulness in ushering or reception.    When I was a young Christian, I started to serve in the church.  I was involved initially with the tape ministry where we recorded the Sunday service unto cassette tapes! This was decades ago.  Then later, I got involved in the bus ministry where I bused church goers to and from church. In both ministries, I was faithful and carried it out diligently.  That was foundational to my serving in increasingly bigger roles in the church.   As per the parable of talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the faithful will be given responsibility of greater things.  Gideon was faithful to demolish the Asherah pole (Jud 6:25-28) hence God could use him to overthrow the Midianites. It is a tremendous honour to be chosen of God to serve in a leadership capacity – let’s be found faithful.   Accomplish through motivating leadership (v10b) “…was done by the people.”   Joshua was able to motivate all the people to fulfil God’s commands. Consider this. It is easier to carry out God’s commands ourselves than it is to get many others to carry it out.  The latter requires a leadership that motivates.   As leaders we should seek to motivate others towards the will of God.  That is our responsibility.  That is why leaders should grow in their leadership – so that they can inspire, motivate and lead multitudes to God.  Nehemiah was such a man.  Nehemiah 2:18 (NIV) "I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work."  For years no one rebuilt the walls, but Nehemiah motivated them.   But don’t just challenge leaders to motivate us cynically! We should determine to be great followers before God.  Do look at my article “Are You A Great Follower?”   CHOSEN TO PROVIDE CONTINUITY IN LEADERSHIP   Joshua 4:10b “…just as Moses had directed Joshua”.   Note the continuity in leadership.  First Moses, then Joshua – both intent on carrying out the commands of God.     Continuity of God’s purpose despite the leader.   God’s purpose is paramount and He will raise leaders to accomplish it. Judges 2:16 (NIV) "Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders."  God will see His purposes fulfilled regardless of the success or failure of the leaders. If a leader is not able to bring it to completion, God will raise another.  Moses was such an anointed leader, yet God raised another who is better equipped, to take his place.  That the Israelites may be led into the Promised Land and to conquer it.  No leaders should think that only they alone could bring God’s purposes to pass.    No leaders should think that only they alone could bring God’s purposes to pass.  We are merely vessels, instruments in God’s hands. God works with and through a leader, using his gifts, qualities and strengths at different stages of His plans.  Moses was important to inspire the people out of Egypt and to lay the prophetic foundations of the nation.  Yet Joshua was better suited to systematically conquer the Promise Land.  Don’t compare Joshua with Moses because God chose them for different purposes. Daniel 2:21 (NIV) "He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them..."   Should a leader fail, in due time God will raise another.  For example, Eli the priest failed to maintain the priestly standard in God’s temple, so God raised Samuel instead.  That should give a deep assurance to us, that God’s purposes will continue!   Continuity of God’s purpose is the leader’s responsibility.   We are not in a race to see whether our leadership is better than preceding ones. When new leaders take over a responsibility from a previous leader.  Our primary concern should not be for us to make our mark, bring our particular flavour, etc.  Rather it is to ensure God’s purposes are advanced.  We are not in a race to see whether our leadership is better than preceding ones. The test is how faithful we are to God’s purposes.  Joshua did not set out to make his leadership distinctive.  He set out to make sure it was God-centred.  Thank God when our church leadership is God-centred not ego-centric!    CHOSEN TO LEAD THROUGH CHALLENGES   Joshua 4:12-13 (NIV) 12 The men of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over, ready for battle, in front of the Israelites, as Moses had directed them. 13 About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war.   Many challenges lay ahead as they were stepped across towards war in the Promised Land. The Promised Land is theirs to take – if they would face the challenges of war.  What are some challenges leaders faced?   Challenges to unite God’s people (v12).   God calls us to serve Him as a church, not individuals.   Joshua was able to unite the Ruebenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh with the rest of Israel in this common task of conquering the Promised Land.  Leaders have a responsibility to unite God’s people so that we may be ready to confront the challenges ahead.  We cannot win world by ourselves. That is why the urgency to make disciples and to unite them in God’s purposes.  God calls us to serve Him as a church, not individuals.  The challenge of leadership is to unite for God’s purposes!   Challenges that shake us (v13) “… to the plains of Jordan for war.”   Joshua was chosen to lead the nation into war!  It was going to be tough!  They will face incredible odds that will shake them to their boots!  Leaders have to confront earth-shaking challenges!  Leaders must not turn tail and run!  Leaders are not primarily called to manage.  They are called to advance.  Leadership is not easy – but challenging.  Yet also exciting and fulfilling.  Do you like the exhilaration of Xtreme sports?  Leadership can be like that! God is looking for people He can raise up to advance His kingdom. Leaders who will not run from challenges but confront it by the grace of God!   God is looking for people He can raise up to advance His kingdom. Leaders who will not run from challenges but confront it by the grace of God! The key is to deal with challenges is the way we see it.  Our perspective often determines whether we give up or rise up to the challenge.  The challenges we face are often not the real problem.  The problem lies with us.  Some people can face huge problems in their life but seem to just whistle along.  Others face small problems but are devastated by it.    Consider the example of David & Goliath. 1 Samual 17:45-46 (NIV) "45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head..."   When leaders dare to face their challenges, they pave the way to victory for others.   CHOSEN TO BE A REVERED EXAMPLE   Joshua 4:14 (NIV) “That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.   Revered to be followed (v14)   God will exalt His chosen leaders before His people so that the people may honour and follow their leadership. God will exalt His chosen leaders before His people so that the people may honour and follow their leadership. Joshua 3:7 (NIV)  "And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses." God may do this in different ways, to demonstrate His favour upon a leader.  Often it is through some special successes.  We can sense the anointing! It flows into the things the leader touches!   God will choose as He sees fit.  God’s choice is not according to age or experience.  But according to their heart, their availability and their gifting.  God can choose a 20 year old to lead the 60 year olds.  For example,: Timothy in Ephesian church.  Martin Luther and the Reformation, Bill Bright and Campus Crusade, Loren Cunningham and YWAM, Billy Graham and evangelistic crusades.  They were all under 30 when God started to use them mightily.   Revered but humble   Despite God’s exaltation, leaders must remain humble before God.  Despite God’s exaltation, leaders must remain humble before God.  With humility, God will continue to use us.  James 4:10 (NIV) "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."  We must always remember – pride unchecked will take us out of the will of God.  Remain humble and we will remain in God’s will.   CONCLUSION   God has an awesome plan for His Church.  And to fulfil His plan, He will choose leaders who will function as His instruments.  It is a tremendous privilege to be called of God into roles of leadership.  Let us be a people that desire to be used of God in such a capacity.  We should not run away from leadership responsibilities but instead seek to be a leader chosen of God – that we may influence others for God.  God will use those who determine to make a difference.  This can be you!   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.

Mary came back from shopping one Saturday morning. When she entered the house, she found the house to be a mess.  Her 4 children were running all around the house shrieking in delight and chucking clothes at one another, jumping over chairs, leaving furniture overturned, clothes everywhere. Shocked, she was about to shout out to the kids to stop and warn them that Dad will discipline them.  When suddenly, Tom her husband rushed around the corner and threw clothes at the children and her!  She groaned, “Can I have some maturity in the house?”   Have you ever had anyone look at you and ask, “Can I see some maturity here?”  Or perhaps you have asked that of someone else.  When there is a lack of maturity it can be rather frustrating.  Especially in those who should have become more mature.  The same situation can occur in the church.  In fact, immaturity occurs far too often.  But this issue also occurred in the Early Church such as in the church in Corinth.    The context of 1 Corinthian 6 is the occurrence of disputes between members of the Corinth church.  Disputes which are ending up in the secular courts to find resolution. These came to Paul’s attention, including a specific dispute between one brother against another brother.  We do not know about the nature of the dispute, but it was so bad that it required a legal resolution.     The way Paul addressed the problem, opens our eyes to broader concerns.  As usual Paul was not just concerned about the specific dispute alone.  He was much more concerned about what it revealed about the immaturity in God’s house.   He was also very concerned that God’s church should operate God’s way, especially in the light of what the church is called to be.   So, as we study this passage, it enlightens us on 3 key aspects. Aspects which may challenge us as to our own maturity.    WHEN MATURITY IS LACKING IN GOD’S HOUSE   Apostle Paul was horrified to observe that there was so much immaturity within God’s house at Corinth. You can sense that in the language he was using.  The immaturity was clear in several ways.   Widespread carnal behaviour   1 Corinthians 6:1, 7-8 (NIV) “1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.”   Paul was basically saying, “Why have these disputes got so out of hand?  To the point that you even bring it to the courts of law? The fact that it reached there means all of you have completely failed!  Even the one suing.  If you have been wronged, if you have been cheated, then let it be so rather than letting it reach this extent.”   You mean, just let someone cheat and wrong you?  Well, Jesus taught in Matthew 5:38-41 (NIV) 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. It is carnal, worldly thinking for believers to fight for their rights and justice by relying on the world’s way, through the world’s systems.    Paul applied the principle Jesus taught to this situation.  He concluded that it is better to be cheated and wronged than to bring it to the secular courts against another brother.  It is carnal, worldly thinking for believers to fight for their rights and justice by relying on the world’s way, through the world’s systems.  Where is the trust in God and His Church to provide justice?    Now I am not suggesting a blanket avoidance of working through the legal system.  Not at all.  And it is not my intention today to expound all the key principles involved in biblically dealing with the courts of law.  But we must ask ourselves, are we simply falling in step with the world’s way of thinking?  Have we stopped to carefully consider what is the biblical, godly way of dealing with such matters?  Have we prayed and sought God?  Rather than simply running to our lawyers? Cheating another believer is like cheating your own father, or mother, or sibling. Because the church community is meant to be like a family!   Paul went on to point out, “It is bad enough that a member is cheating others.  Worse still he cheats another brother!”  It is such a big thing to Paul because cheating another believer is like cheating your own father, or mother, or sibling.  Because the church community is meant to be like a family!  This is terrible carnality!   When there is lots of immaturity in God’s house, we see all kinds of immature carnal behaviour.  For example, immature people get offended easily.  Just because people are not very careful with their words and put things the wrong way – we get offended!  People forget to invite us to their birthday party – we get offended!  People accidentally overlooked us – we get offended!  There are so many believers who get offended all the time in church and even leave the church.  That is so sad!   When conflicts and disputes are occurring a lot in the church it shows there is considerable immaturity in the church.  A church that my brother once used to attend in Malaysia had so much conflict between one congregation to another.  Between elders to elders.  Over money, over property, over who had more rights.  Absolutely sad!  They could not resolve it objectively, amicably, biblically.  When immaturity is widespread within a church, it is an indication how unhealthy the church is.    When believers wrong another by cheating them or mistreating or discriminating against them and so forth, it is carnality and immaturity.  When immaturity is widespread within a church, it is an indication how unhealthy the church is.  That it is not growing as it should.    Problems cannot be resolved in-house   1 Corinthians 6:5 (NIV) “I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?”   Not only was there considerable immaturity within the church, what saddened Paul even more was that there did not seem to be anyone mature enough, wise enough to judge the dispute.  There was none mature enough!  It was not a case where they have lots of new believers in the church, so it would be understandable that there is still considerable carnality.  But by then here should have been some who have matured enough to handle such situations.  Yet there were none!  What a shameful situation! The Church is intended by God to be the answer to this world’s problems.    Why?  Because the Church is intended by God to be the answer to this world’s problems.  The Church was designed by God to be a righteous community, full of love.  A light on the hill, declaring God’s purposes.  A living demonstration of heaven lived out on earth!  When God’s Church is done God’s way, it should feel like a piece of heaven has come on earth.  Better than freshly baked bread and freshly brewed coffee!  So continual immaturity is a blight on the church. It ought not to be. 1 Corinthians 14:20 (NIV)  Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. When God’s Church is done God’s way, it should feel like a piece of heaven has come on earth.    The sad problem amongst many believers today, is that we are too focussed on resolving issues pragmatically, just like we learnt in the world. Instead, we need to learn to step back and think about God’s way. Think about how Jesus would do it.  Think about how God would view the whole issue.  If each one of us would do just that, it would revolutionise the way we live.  The God’s way would become increasingly evident in God’s Church.  As it ought to be.   Yet the problem in Corinth continued to get worse.   Immaturity was publicised to the world   1 Corinthians 6:6 (NIV) “But instead, one brother goes to law against another--and this in front of unbelievers!”   Paul was appalled that the dirty linen of the church was brought into the world.  In Corinth, such legal disputes are settled in the magistrate courts which usually are held in the middle of the market square.  So anybody and everybody can hear it all.  Imagine if your children one day publicise the dirty linen of your family, the private intimate family matters to the world!  Just tweet it all!  Reality show style like the Kardashians! When the church fails to address problems within, or addresses it terribly, then it is broadcast to the world, it gives the Devil more means to attack the church.    When the church fails to address problems within, or addresses it terribly, then it is broadcast to the world, it gives the Devil more means to attack the church.  It undermines the credibility of Gospel. This was an insult to the Church.  An insult to God!   I am not suggesting that wrongs within the church should ever be hushed up.  It needs to be addressed.  But not in a way that drags down the name of the Church and the name of God.  Imagine if certain very bad things happen in a local church.  It is when the church rises up and deals with problems in a godly, gracious, fair and wise way.  Then the world will sit up and be amazed!  Did you see how the church dealt with this issue?  Our courts would never have resolved it in such a gracious and fair way!   That should be the way!  God’s Church, God’s way.    WHY MATURITY IS DESIRABLE FOR THIS LIFE AND BEYOND   Here Paul briefly gives a reason to the Corinthian church why wisdom, maturity is so important within the church.  Why it is so important for the age to come and also for the present.  From Paul’s explanation we can gather a couple of key principles.   Reflects who we are in Christ   1 Corinthians 6:2a (NIV) “Do you not know that the saints...”  In Christ, we are saints, justified, sanctified, set apart for God.     Paul made the point of referring to the Corinthian believers as saints (the Greek hagios).  For its meaning emphasizes those who have been sanctified unto God as holy.  In Christ, we are saints, justified, sanctified, set apart for God.  And it is precisely because we are saints, our daily lives are meant to increasingly reflect saintliness, godliness.  We are to mature into the very image of Christ.  Romans 8:28-29 (NIV) 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Because we are saints, our daily lives are meant to increasingly reflect saintliness, godliness.  We are to mature into the very image of Christ.    It is all about growing up!  Not according to the world’s criteria.  But to God’s standard.  To be more like God in character, in our thinking. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)  And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.   One day, Prince George will be the king of England.  In 2015, Prince George was 2 years old.  As he grows up, he should increasingly understand what it means to be a king and conduct himself more and more in a manner befitting a future king.  But what a disaster if he turns out to be a lazy, unreliable, immature, rascal of a person?  He is meant to be a king, but he is unfit to be a king.   What a disaster when Christ-followers are called saints but live in rather unsaintly ways, or even worse, like the devil.  Ephesians 4:1 (NIV) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.   We are not speaking about putting up a front, a veneer of respectability. So we appear to be saint-like.  Rather I am talking about genuine transformation inside.  Growing in the fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. When we grow in the fruit of the Spirit and in understanding of spiritual matters - that is growing in spiritual maturity.   When we grow in the fruit of the Spirit and in understanding of spiritual matters - that is growing in spiritual maturity.  Let’s aspire to that.  Because that is what God has called you to.    Reflects our call to greater roles   1 Corinthians 6:2-3a (NIV) “2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3  Do you not know that we will judge angels?”.    Paul pointed out the irony of the whole situation.  The church in Corinth had no one competent enough to judge the dispute between the members.  How can this be?  When God’s intent is that believers will one day be involved in judging this world, and even the fallen angels.  These are celestial beings.  Vast multitudes of mighty angelic beings who back in time past, in heaven above – fell into sin when they joined Satan in rebellion against God.       It requires us to judge creatures we have minimal understanding of, in a context we have not even begun to experience yet, in an era way beyond our time. Imagine you were informed that one day you will be appointed to be a judge at the International Court of Justice of the United Nations.  This court deals with legal disputes between countries.  Yet at present you cannot even deal with a dispute involving a minor traffic violation.  It is all simply too difficult!  How can you possibly prepare to be a judge of international stature one day? God has prepared for us huge roles in the Kingdom of God in the coming age.   We need to understand.  Being called to be judges is simply one of many areas that God is planning for us to take bigger roles in the Kingdom of God.  But this gives us a clue about how big the roles can be.  God has prepared for us huge roles in the Kingdom of God in the coming age.   I don’t know about you.  But I want to prepare myself for such roles.  I like the challenge to grow, to mature, to be wiser and be more ready for such roles!  And as we grow towards such huge responsibilities, it will be easier to deal with the issues we face today!   So let’s aspire to grow in maturity, according to God’s call upon our lives.   WHY WE SHOULD DEVELOP IN MATURITY NOW   As part of Paul’s debate with them, he applies it to the present, the now. In effect it gives us a key reason why we should develop in maturity right now!    Present opportunities to mature   1 Corinthians 6:3b-4 (NIV) “How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church!”   Paul made the point that since God intends us to judge the world and even angels, how much more we should be engaged in learning to be competent while we are still in this life.  Let even the men of little stature be given opportunity to learn.  Hebrews 5:12-14 (NIV) 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Our time on earth is our opportunity to learn, to gain experiences, to mature for heaven.    In other words, our time on earth is our opportunity to learn, to gain experiences, to mature for heaven.  The challenges, the struggles we have to face can help us grow up.  What happens to the child who attends school but is too busy playing, day-dreaming, doing their own stuff most of the time?  They will not learn what they were meant to. Have you ever thought about the fact that our time on earth is like a big school?  Now is the season of learning and preparation for the bigger responsibilities in the age to come?  I have developed as I have because I have grabbed hold of every opportunity to learn as much as possible.   So how many of us are taking the effort to learn, to experience, to grow in God?  Or are we too focussed on other things?  Things which do not matter that much in eternity?  Let’s refocus on learning and growing into maturity.  Carpe diem.  Sieze the day.  Today!   Rewards for faithfulness.  God will reward us based on how faithful we have been in this present life.   Do you realise that God will reward us based on how faithful we have been in this present life to Him?  It will be according to God’s measure, not the measure of this world. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) 23  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.   Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV) 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.   God’s measure is how faithful we have been to Him.  In our seeking to know Him well as His children.  To serve Him as servants.  To grow in maturity be more like Him. God will reward the faithful!    CONCLUSIONS   God desires maturity in His house, the Church.  For God’s intent is that we mature to the extent that one day in the coming age we will be competent to judge this world and even the angels.  God has incredible responsibilities in store for us but we must prove ourselves faithful by growing up while in this present life.  Will you be one of those today?   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.

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.

Reflections Wilson Lim 8 April 2026 Guard Your Mind We must be careful what we feed our minds. We should beware of foolish ideas that corrupt our minds, our perspectives. Beware of uncritically accepting such ideas, simply because some people are very eloquent in expressing their ideas or because it looks so bright and shiny. 2 Timothy 2:16-18 (NIV) 16  Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17  Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18  who have wandered away from the truth. In effect, if we immerse ourselves in it, it will draw us away from God. Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Recent Posts See All You carry the Power of Holy Spirit No More Timidity Love: The Ultimate Motivation Guard Your Mind Holy Living, God's Way

Reflections Wilson Lim 8 April 2026 Love: The Ultimate Motivation It dawned upon me one day that love is the highest and purest level of motivation. 1 Corinthians 13:1 - 3 (NIV) 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. God desires love as a key motivation. Sometimes we struggle with our motivations. Why not let God get involved in your motivation? Let Him transform our heart motivations. I find that I need go to God every so often and ask Him to adjust my heart. That I might have the purer type of motivation. Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Recent Posts See All You carry the Power of Holy Spirit No More Timidity Love: The Ultimate Motivation Guard Your Mind Holy Living, God's Way

Reflections Wilson Lim 8 April 2026 You carry the Power of Holy Spirit Did you know you have been given the Spirit of power? The Holy Spirit brings spiritual authority and power. You may look at yourself and think that you have no power, nor authority to get things moving. But the Holy Spirit has all the power and authority to get His agenda moving. We just have to flow with Him. Acts 1:8 (NIV) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Step out with God, and you will see more power, more authority demonstrated. Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Recent Posts See All You carry the Power of Holy Spirit No More Timidity Love: The Ultimate Motivation Guard Your Mind Holy Living, God's Way