“This is How I Fight My Battles”…

SCRIPTURE: “But because my servant Caleb has a different attitude and has remained loyal to me, I will bring him into the land which he explored, and his descendants will possess the land.” (Numbers 14:24)

OBSERVATION: Caleb was a warrior.  When he was young and untested or scarred with life lessons, Caleb lived wholeheartedly for God!  He was a man of a different spirit.  His attitude and loyalty to God set him apart from others.  God blessed Him and his family for generations because of his life chapters this side of heaven.  He is one of my heroes and mentors.

APPLICATION:  I made a personal decision when I was a kid to live for legacy.  Even at an early age, I knew the difference between people who were living to impress vs. people living to bless.  Hearts learn more from what is caught than taught.  People can say whatever they want, but hearts will only remember how they felt in the moment.

Caleb’s ATTITUDE and LOYALTY was what impressed God.

In this context, Moses had led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt.  God split the Red Sea and made a way where there was none for His people as their enemy pursued to kill them.  They all witnessed this miracle. And yet, here they were, at the borders of their so-called “Promise Land” shaking in their Tevas out of fear and disbelief at what God was asking of them.

Moses sent 12 spies on a 40 day expedition to bring back a report of all they saw.  It was everything they were hoping for… except, enemies inhabited every square mile. The 12 men came back with proof of how fruitful the land was, “A land flowing with milk and honey”…

So what’s the problem?

Well, this land wasn’t only inhabited.  It was inhabited by formidable enemies renown in size and military might.  The Hebrews?… a bunch of emaciated slaves, farmers, families, untrained for war.  There was no way for them to have victory on their own!

The knocking knees and winy little whispers bringing the report back to Moses confirmed… they were once again, surrounded.  Surrounded by circumstances of certain defeat.  Hearts began once again to grumble against Moses and God.

It was in this moment that Caleb and Joshua rose up and made a stand between Moses and the Millions.

To make a long story short, this moment started the clock for 40 years of wondering in the dessert for the Hebrews.  None of them stepped foot in their promised land except for… you guessed it!  Caleb and Joshua.

Now at 80 and coming full circle to the start line for finally taking the land, Caleb was one of the first men to rise up. I can imagine his Brave Heart speech, demanding the toughest challenge with the best land his eyes saw so many years ago. Caleb must have been a man not to be messed with, because no one stopped him.  At 80 years old, he and the men who followed him kicked ass and took possession of their promised land. So cool!

ATTITUDE and LOYALTY.  These are what caught God’s attention.  And were the prerequisites of being blessed!  Legacy was granted because Caleb followed his God WHOLEHEARTEDLY!

I have passed my Point of No Return… My feet are now on the very Promise Land Jesus spoke over me years ago.  I’m encouraged that my life will only get better from here as I follow my God in the race that is set for me.  It won’t be easy at times and I will have my own battles to face.  However, I want to be the first to rise and demand the best of my God-given promises when the opportunities present themselves!

Nothing is too difficult, nothing too hard for You Jesus. 

This is how I fight my battles.  This is how we fight our battles…

PRAYER: Jesus thank You for men like Joshua and Caleb that I can learn from thousands of years later and apply life principles in my life.  I want to be counted as a man of a different spirit like Caleb.  I want Legacy!  I want to be a man who follows you wholeheartedly with my attitude and loyalty to You.  Even when I stand alone at times, I choose to believe you over circumstances.  When I’m surrounded?… let me rise up and remind myself and your people who You are.  You are the same yesterday, today and forever.  The victory is Yours!  This is how I fight my battles…

“The Fulcrum Finish Line”…

SCRIPTURE: “The Lord commanded Joshua to assign some of Judah’s territory to Caleb son of Jephunneh. So Caleb was given the town of Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), which had been named after Anak’s ancestor. Caleb drove out the three groups of Anakites—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the sons of Anak.” (Joshua 15:13-14)

OBSERVATION: Caleb was promised this land 40 years earlier.  Now the deed to the property was granted to him at the age of 85.  Fourty years had passed until they saw the promised land. Now they had spent 5 years fighting against a fierce people who were knows as “Giants.” Anakim, were people who were physically superior to all, striking fear into the hearts of man like a match on a dry summer day.  Fear was their greatest weapon. But faith trumped fear within Caleb’s strong heart.  When Caleb saw these enemies 40 years earlier, he knew that with God’s help, he and his people would be victorious.  Now 45 years later and at 85 years old… he was given this land of the giants.  This was his promised land!

APPLICATION:  Today, I’m encouraged by Caleb’s tenacity to face fear and triumph through faith.  As we get older, we will be known for what is within us.  When we are younger, we may be able to hide our motives or our insecurities.  But when we get older the filter thins and what we are, who we are will be known to all.  Life has a way of turning us inside out.  So my question this morning is, “Does this encourage you today or strike fear in your heart?”

• If people knew the real you, would you be embarrassed or proud of who you are?
• When you see yourself in the mirror, do you like who you see?
• When you are alone with yourself, are you sitting with a friend or an enemy?
• In the middle of the night, do you encourage yourself or condemn yourself?

Revealing questions should be asked now intead of waiting for life to turn us inside out and reveal to the world who we really are.  Caleb chose to keep his eyes on God.  He had a bigger vision than his circumstances.  Becuase of this, he kept himself strong and ready for the day when God gave him the opportunity to take back what the enemy had taken from him.  He was ready to fight and face fear!

I want to be like Caleb today.  I want to have a life of vision and be known as a man who’s faith is greater than my fear.  I want to be ready to fight for what God has promised me. He will set aside blessings for me, my family and generations to come.  The choice is mine to pick up the sword and fight for what is rightfully mine.  Most people dream, but they don’t follow through.  Why?  Because it’s hard work!  It’s easier to just shift into neutral and pretend that life will bless us in due time.  NO!  This is a lie.  I will not be a man, husband, father, follower of Christ who lives an idle life.  I will follow Jesus with all my heart until the promises He has spoken over my life come to pass this side of heaven.  I will see my God fulfill His promises for my family, “The Robisons.”

Today, is our 18th wedding anniversary.  Tuesday, I divorce my wife.  Such conflicting emotions are stirring within my heart this morning.  I’ve shared with my kids that Tuesday is the fulcrum moment in our family.  It’s the finish line & starting line.  An end of an era for the Robison Family with my wife & mommy.  She no longer wants to be married nor a mother.

At the same time, Tuesday will be the beginning of a new era of blessings to come.  Jesus has promised me legacy with my kids and grandkids.  This season of betrayal and battles is almost over.  Afterwards, I will be given the deed to the promised land that Jesus has promised me.  This principle is alive and well within my heart.  I choose to follow hard after my God, Jesus Christ.  In Him, life is found and found more abundantly.  Joy will come in the morning!  New beginnings will open doors of opportunity that I cannot comprehend. Favor will be granted to me and my kids.  The Robisons will be blessed.  We will be a family that is known for following Jesus through any circumstance.  What the enemy meant for evil against us will be turned to Good and Save the lives of many (Genesis 50:20)!

PRAYER:  Jesus You are Greater than any circumstance.  When all seems lost, You are faithful to bring about Your promises in such ways that we cannot comprehend.  Although I have suffered much loss, I choose to fix my eyes on you as Caleb had done.  We will be given the deed to our promised land.  You have called us to be faithful and follow You! You’re responsible to do the rest.  Trusting You today at this fulcrum finish line & starting line… victory & surrender.  I choose to follow You Off The Map Jesus!  My God is Greater!

“Get a Bigger Vision!”…

SCRIPTURE: “I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave an honest report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.  So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.’”

OBSERVATION: Moses was reminding Joshua what happened 40 years ago.  Joshua & Caleb were the only two spies that came back with a good report, saying with God’s help they would be victorious over the giants in the land…their promised land!  But they were the only two men in the company that had faith beyond their circumstances.  Fear kept them and their families from entering into their legacy.  So for 40 years, Caleb and Joshua roamed the desserts with their generation until they all died off except these two men. Now Joshua was leading the people after Moses’ death.  Caleb reminded his friend of the promise that Moses made 40 years earlier.  Joshua granted his frind the land that he walked on so many years earlier.  Caleb never gave gave into fear nor lost sight of legacy. He and his family would have their inheritance!

APPLICATION:  “Get a bigger vision!”… this is what I was telling my boys this week.  I’m so very proud of them.  My kids and I have been through 10 months of wilderness, dry and desolate places.  It’s called, “Divorce.”  I never in a million years would have thought this would be part of my life story, but it is.  So I’m choosing to lock my mind and heart on God’s word and His promised to help guide me through this most difficult journey.  What I’ve come through I wish on no one.  I realize this is so very common in our culture.  Some know it’s coming, others like myself have no idea it’s coming until it’s hurled against us violently. Betrayal is part of my story.  It may be part of your story… The question that demands to be answered is, “Who will I be when life isnt’ fair?”

I have three wonderful kids.  They are my legacy.  We are, “The Robisons.” We’ve purposed to hold on to 3 family principles through this season.  Over the past ten months we’ve had countless conversations about these three principes that are now defining declarations of who we are in any season:

1. We Love Jesus 
2. We Tell the Truth
3. We Do Our Best

Caleb and Joshua had a bigger vision than their peers.  The majority vote won and their blessing was delayed a generation later.  But they had a bigger vision than the others.  Not only did they have a bigger vision, they never let themselves drop into despair. For 40 years they never gave up telling their families of the stories about their promised land. And how God could have and will someday give them victory over the giants that posess their land!  They kept vision alive!  They had a bigger vision than an entire generation!  And after 40 years, they had finally arrived at this fulcrum point.  Standing on the borders of this land was the finish line of one race and the starting line of another.   They would never look back!

And so it is with me and my family.  Tuesday is my finish line and starting line of who the “The Robisons” are and are not.  My wife decided to betray me and abandon our kids.  That is her choice.  My choice is to remain true to who I am, my calling and my future.  I have legacy.  The Robisons will be blessed.  I chose to get a bigger vision just as Joshua and Caleb had.  They entered into their promised land, and so will my kids and I.  We have legacy.  We will never look back!

PRAYER:  Jesus, thank You for being so faithful in the face of attacks and betrayal.  You know what it’s like.  You have been victorious.  Against all odds, You show up and bring Your promises into reality.  Thank You for you love and leadership.  May we continue to follow You off the map and live this life in such a way that You are glorified! Even in the midst of betrayal and abandonment, may You bring good in and through this.  Only You can do this.

“Hello Promised Land”…

SCRIPTURE: “Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you.” (Deuteronomy 31:23)

OBSERVATION: The end of an era had arrived.  The period at the end of a run-on sentence had finally seperated two generations.  One disobedient and stiff-necked people, all of which died in the 40 years of wondering in the dessert.  All but two men, Caleb & Joshua.  These men had faith from the beginning that God could do mircales on their behalf, fight for them and give them their ‘promised land’. But the majority vote of a generation prevailed, perpetuating them into this 40 year journey.  At this point, they are literally looking down into the valley that God had promised them.  They had arrived!  Now the next generation was eager and full of faith to enter into God’s promises. They had to fight for their promise, but their opportunity had finally arrived.  This time, they would choose to follow Jesus into His very best for them and their families.  Caleb & Joshua were at the front of the line…leading by example.  This verse was Moses’ words to the man who would take his place as the leader of this generation. God wanted Joshua to look to God for courage, not his circumstances nor the majority vote.  God would guide Joshua and the people into their promised land.

APPLICATION:  When I set out to Hawaii in 1999 to train to be a church planter, my friend and pastor had few words of advice for me.  He asked me, “Eric, do you love Jesus?”  I said yes with a funny look on my face… He said, “Good.  Then just do what you want to do & you will be blessed.  Becuase if you truly love Jesus, you will only do His will and He will go before you and give you favor.”  With that he shared (Joshua 1:8-9) with me, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lordyour God is with you wherever you go.”  Seemed too simplistic at the time, but when I look back it was wonderful advice!  

I’ve followed Jesus for most of my life.  I had a decade of rebellion after high school & through college.  But then made a choice to give Jesus my whole heart.  Since then, I wish I could say life has been easy.  It has been blessed, but very difficult at times.  Very difficult.  Life is the sum of choices we make.  Let me say that again…”LIFE IS THE SUM OF THE CHOICES WE MAKE.”  So choose wisely.

Today, I am sitting with my daughter at my favorite coffee shop.  My boys are at their friends’ house.  It’s been a good day.  Church, a 5 mile run (@ 8 min/mile pace, which is good for me!) and now journaling.  This quiet time sets my heart for the week to come.  I need to hear the wisdome of the ages in order to lead myself and my family into our ‘Promised Land’ that is in front of us.  I am commissioned by God to lead my family into God’s very best.  I take this very seriously.  But sometimes, life throws you chapters that you wish weren’t part of your story.

In short, next Tuesday – March 25th… I will stand in court to divorce my wife.  Not my choice.  Not my fault. Not my dream.  Not my promised land.  Even though I loved my wife with all my heart, served her, sacrificed for her, laid down my life for her…she chose to no longer be married nor be a mother.  Makes no sense.  Hurts.  Confusing.  But at this finish line, I’m convinced that I could not have done anymore for my wife and family.  Sometimes, people’s choices are simply theirs to make and to own the very real consiquences that come with them… Free will hurts sometimes.

So as I look at my past, I understand many life lessons have been learned.  But what worked in the past, won’t work in the future.  My future will not be defined by my past.  My future will be defined by my faith in following Jesus.  I have followed Jesus through the worst chapters of my life.  Now I will follow Him in the best chapters of my life.  My kids and I will be blessed.  God will honor me because I have honored Him in this most difficult season.  I have been broken, tested…and am found faithful.

My kids and I will experience such joy in this next chapter.  Is it because my wife, their mom is gone?  NO!  It’s becuase we are together, following hard after our God.  He has a future and a hope for us.  So as I read the verse for Joshua, I too take courage in that God has called me to lead my family in a new chapter of life.  One that is our promised land!  I will be strong and courageous, spending time in God’s word and His presence.  He goes before us and makes a way for us.  My life is in such transition right now, but I believe that in the years to come, Jesus will create a life-story in me that will encourage and save many lives.  What the enemy meant for evil, God will bring about good through it (Genesis 50:20). This is His job, not mine.  My job is to simply follow Him.  Even when He leads me off the map…I choose to follow my God!

PRAYER:  Jesus, All eyes seem to be on me as I take the last steps of this race and begin a brand new race for the next 40 years.  May You be glorified.  May You bless me in such a way that many people will be saved.  May my brokenness and faith not be in vain.  May my choice to live in meekness never again be mistaken for weakness.  As You lead us into our promised land, may we shout to the world that, “What You promised, is what You gave!  Hello Promised land, I’ve waited for so long to see what I believed in, just to sing this song.  Explode my soul, explode with praise.  What You promised is what You gave!”