I think there is a time, if I can say this; there is a time in a message where you might just tell a story to give your audience a break.

It's such a unique story. Book of Joshua in the Bible wasn't always my favorite book, by the way. Only some ago did I realize that this book covers a seven-year period in the history of ancient Israel in which they literally went undefeated.They did have one setback, but outside of that, they defeated over 30 kings. They recaptured the Promised Land. They did what their ancestors said they could not.

When we're in the middle of a difficult time, we have to speak against that lie that says, "God is not here." We have to draw near to God.

Can you imagine a life with no fear? What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats?

To see sin without grace is despair. To see grace without sin is arrogance. To see them in tandem is conversion.

If I'm a young mom or young dad, I can find a great source of strength. God has promised that He will help me to be the mom or dad that He wants me to be. He has promised to be with me every step of the way. He has promised that He will never leave me or forsake me. These are wonderful promises that I can learn to trust and build a life on.

To call yourself a child of God is one thing. To be called a child of God by those who watch your life is another thing altogether.