How to Face Overwhelming Obstacles: Staying on the Path

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God check out virtue our website for Christian women go to harvest.org/virtue God's way is the right way. Ever wonder if you're on the right road. Pastor Greg Laurie shoes. We need a reliable mortgage direction on or about you but I will say okay, your turn right now on the freeway. GPS is always right, but God's GPS is challenging the board is off by letting the pleasures of sin in a topic that often we can only see the road right in front of six focus today on the new Pastor Greg Laurie continues his series called world will be inspired by none other than Moses.

See in spite of the challenges based on the way to the promised land. Moses get the Israelites looked up the phrase, but God in Scripture. Fascinating study but God works.

Let me illustrate. Remember, God brought judgment upon the Europe of the days of Noah and the flood came and know in this family got into the ark with the animals, and things are looking pretty bleak. But we read in Genesis. But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals on the livestock that were with them in the ark. Anything to win over the earth and the waters receded is a God and made a promise to Noah that they would find land again and start over again. God always keeps his promises. But God then there was a story of Joseph. He was betrayed by his own brothers and they thought he was dead. But God spared his life, and Joseph said to them, you meant this for evil but God intended it for good, even death does not have the final word that can seem so permanent, so hopeless, but some 49 six as but God will redeem my life from the grave he will take me to himself.

So were looking at a world changer. His name was Moses. What an amazing story because here here's a boy who well was supposed to die because the Pharaoh wicked man that he was given a decree that all Jewish baby boys should be drowned in the Nile River.

Why, because they were Jewish, and probably the first act of anti-Semitism in the Bible. The Pharaoh tries to eradicate the race of the Hebrews, what a heartless and wicked thing to do but got it a different plan for the beautiful Jewish baby Moses and know this God always will have the last word. So Moses parents what a mental little basket and the cupboard and pixel is waterproof in the Senate cruising down the Nile River and almost on cue really on to the beautiful baby Moses begins to cry, the daughter of the Pharaoh.

The princes of Egypt sees this gorgeous little baby boy and her maternal instincts kick in and she decides to raise that boy is my own son and that she's looking from mother to nurse him and of course Moses mother is nearby and she volunteered for the job and that's all here's Moses now being raised in the palace of the Pharaoh. The world was his oyster.

He could have had anything he wanted in the Jewish historian Josephus feels that Moses was actually on track to potentially become the next Pharaoh of Egypt that brings us to our first passage is 11.

He chose to suffer affliction with the people of God. Rather, in and to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt where he looked to his reward.

And Moses said no to all that sin both said no it was awesome. He could have been compromised. He could've done the wrong thing.

No, I don't want your passing pleasures. He was on a roll until he took matters into his own hands because one day he saw an Egyptian mistreating a Jew and he just lost it and he killed the guy. The Pharaoh pretty much said Moses is a dead man, so he ran away and he was exiled for 40 years, probably thinking that was the end.

But God still had a plan for Moses, so we had to retro Kim for the task at hand and with great courage, accompanied by Aaron. He went into the court of the most powerful man in the face of the earth, the Pharaoh of Egypt and said let my people go to me of a feast to me in the wilderness, and though Pharaoh said there's no way I don't know the Lord and I'm not get 11 goes on that when, and finally the Pharaoh acquiesced.

Finally, the Pharaoh gave in another on their way out there free back together first Passover meal together but this is interesting how the Lord led them because the Lord did not leave them on the direct route he led them in a much harder longer route but in some ways made no sense to me. Think about this.

It took them 40 years to reach the promised land is that is because men were in charge and no one would stop and ask for directions could be the reason was because they were wandering in the wilderness going around in circles because they were disobeying the Lord. But the route from Egypt to the Red Sea, was an unusual root God took them he's taking them in a way where they're going to be put in what appears to be an impossible situation that brings me to point number one before you can be a world changer God needs to change. You before you can be a world changer God needs itching to let me put it another way, before you can change the world. Your world needs to be changed.

Eloquent happen sir. Look at Exodus 13 verse 17 would Pharaoh let the people go. God did not leave them along the main road that runs to Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the promised land, God set up my people are face of the battle, they might change their minds. Return Egypt. So God love them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. It's interesting God did not leave them on the shortest route or the easiest route, but he did leave them on the best route which brings me to point number two God's way is the right way. God's way is the right way of the Lord, give them a really amazing GPS system of fire by night. A cloud by day three simple when the cloud moved you move when the cloud stopped you stop nighttime of the firemen to move when it stopped you stop on or about you, but II use GPS every now and then and occasionally my GPS and almost seems again as a mind of its own thing. It did like some geek program this thing that he had too many chips or something or not I don't but I got a drive along the freeway going to is nice and I've never been to. I put it in GPS and all of a sudden it will say turn right at the next Opera okay does make sense of that you would turn by turn right turn left or turn right, your turn right. Your turn left ear. Now get back on the freeway to give ago. What was that all about.

There was nothing happening because that it makes no sense at all and and sometimes all of my GPS out the beginning of a trip and so they'll recognize Roy M so I don't need to listen anymore and the GPS will tell me to go away that I know was the wrong way to go. That's a no no.

I'm gonna go my way, then that frustrates GPS recalculating, recalculating, recalculating, then GPS will say to your turn at the next light and I don't do a U-turn and it says do a U-turn at the and then it says to me why didn't you do a U-turn at the last life I have in that feature I have to disable and settings by me that so but I mean you know GPS is not always right, but God's GPS is always right cloud by day of fire by night cement. I wish I could have that because a lot of times I would know what I should do where I should go to be so easy over classroom and this is the way let's go everybody you have something better than a cloud in a fire. You have Christ himself living in your hearts. They didn't have that in the Old Testament, even Moses great men of God that he was or Abraham or Isaac or Jacob fill in blank here any of the great Old Testament characters. They didn't have Christ in them. This is only for the believer in the new covenant was believed in Jesus Christ. God takes residence in our heart, and I don't need a fire in the sky. I have the fire of the Holy Spirit in my life giving me the power to do what God has called me to do. And the Lord will lead you in the way that he wants you to go no, listen to this. Sometimes God's will. Does that make sense is this is true when you're younger. As you learn these shoes for the first time you learn what God wanted to be. Would God doesn't want to do. Maybe if you're younger you renew your not supposed to have sex before marriage and after your marriage is supposed to be faithful to yourself that is like the lamest rule ever. Why, why would God say that he's trying to ruin all my fun. He does know what he's talking about.

Actually, God knows exactly what he's talking about.

He put that law in place to protect you because as you get older and you see all of the havoc that comes from people who live a moral lifestyle you start to see the logic of this law you can take so many of our social ills today. Marriage is falling apart. Children conceived out of wedlock. Raised in fatherless homes, often ending up in drugs, often ending up in prison or in jail, often ending up having their own children out of wedlock heated patterns of sin going on and on.

All because we can't keep this simple commandment of obeying God. He's put there for your own good. Are you read the Bible says you shall not like oh why should I not lie and you will really benefit if you live by lie on the test cheat on the test.

I'll pass if I lie on the resume. I'll get the job by lie here by lie there will be better for me but then you start facing the repercussions for your deceptions and for your lies and you realize all while God knew what he was talking about all along. That's because God's way is the Right Way, King Solomon was a powerful man, a wealthy man in actually the wisest man on the face of the earth, but he became one of the greatest fools that ever lived, because Solomon decided one day you know I would go out there and experience everything this world has to offer, to do every wrong thing. The Bible told me not to do to see if God's word is true in this see what all that stuff is like an Solomon writes about it in the book of Ecclesiastes and he says everything I wanted. I took I never said no to myself I given the every impulse I held back nothing and then I took a good look at everything I've done, I looked at all the sweat of the hard work and it was nothing but smoke. There was nothing to any of it so that at the end of the book of Ecclesiastes hears the conclusion of Solomon. He says the last and final word is this dear God do what he tells you to do. That's it all by the way, here's what I figured out just honor God. Fear him reverence and do what he tells you to do again. Goodbye why can we learn that all will know God is noticing I'm different know you're not different. Were all the same, and God tries to protect us and keep us from those things because God's way is the right way in just a moment.

Pastor Greg explains how Pharaoh was watching the movement of the Israelite and thinks he has them right where he wants them will she. God has Pharaoh right where he wants him that's coming up everybody Greg Laurie here in finding you to join me every weekend for what we call Harvest at Home. It's a church service. It's a worship service. It's a Bible study and its wherever you wanted to be in your home in your car sitting on a beach walking down the street watching it on your phone wherever you are taking with you and the minister to every weekend.

Join us for Harvest at Home@harvest.org will Pastor Greg is been pointing out how God's direction in our lives is always trustworthy and were seeing how God led the Israelites as they were on their way to the promised land. He told the Israelites to go specifically to a place called Midland all by the sea and we read about it here in Exodus 14 verse three and the Pharaoh will think the Lord says Israelites are confusing their tribes in the wilderness and once again I will harden Pharaoh's heart. No chase after you. I've planned this in order to display my glory to Pharaoh in the whole army. After this the Egyptians will know I am the Lord. So the Israelites camp there, as it were told from a standpoint of military strategy. This was crazy. They were completely vulnerable.

They were surrounded by desert with their backs against the ocean. There was literally no way out. But the fact is, God was tricking the Egyptians and the thinking the Israelites had no idea what they were doing. But God was allowing this so he could show his power. Meanwhile, back at the palace. One of the Pharaoh subjects comes and says those crazy Hebrews gets what they done it or know what they're doing dinner know where they're going there back up against the Red Sea, with no way out. What should we do, we do kill them all right now, since apparently so angry, so he gets army ready and they begin the charge against the Israelites.

He's thinking, to get them there so foolishly made this horrible mistake in here are the Israelites standing back up against the Red Sea and they see this approaching army, whatever they do they pray to the rejoicing God's in control know they do what you do, they completely freak out again.

Exodus 1410 as Pharaoh approached the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them and said to Moses were there enough graves for us in Egypt. Funny, really all we had to come and die all the way out here. We get it just died in Egypt just as easily, and it's a funny thing that kept wanting to go back to each that was always a point of reference. Going back to Egypt. It took God one night to get Israel out of Egypt and it took 40 years to take Egypt out of Israel there always looking back. Some Christians so that way always looking back over the good old days, you know, before was a Christian, and we would party had so much fun is that really were the good old days where the as good as you think they were or is your memory a little distorted. Have you forgotten the emptiness have you forgotten the despondency have you forgotten the repercussions of the things that you did. Have you forgotten that dull aching deep inside of you.

Have you forgotten the fact that you contemplated suicide. Have you forgotten the havoc it brought upon your family you forgotten about that, conveniently, and you remember a few good times that you had that said they were good.

They were always looking back. So before we judge that lets us realize we've done the same thing. This is why Jesus said, no man, having put his hand of the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God ever been driving along and had a CHP pull up behind you makes you nervous, doesn't it.

Once a person you do when you see a cop slowdown even if your going under the speed limit is slowdown, photo photo of the consuls then you slow down even more. Maybe the speed limit is 55 and he's going 40 know you're going 3031 2010. You just stop. I passive.com he's gonna light me up.

No way were very aware so you're driving up there behind your coming still there. Don't turn those lights on. Do not those lights go on my rates go up.

Do not turn those lights on the probably just out there messing with this anyway you can drive forward when you're looking back. You get yourself in trouble and he can't walk forward spiritually for always looking over your shoulder and the Bible.

By the way tells us in first Corinthians 10. Speaking of the Israelites in the wilderness wanderings. These things happen to them as a warning to us. Those of us who are living in the last days. So don't dismiss his stories. It would to some Bible story has no relevance to me. It has a lot of relevance to you. These things are examples or warning so that brings us to the point number three.

When things are scary, pray when things are scary praying the other people freaked up of the also pray verse 11, they cried out to the Lord and said to Moses, why did you bring us here to die in the wilderness, they cried out to God reminds us of the disciples on the storm tossed sea of Galilee and Jesus was asleep. How you sleep. Like some people can sleep through anything. My wife can sleep through anything a bird sure I'm I'm awake. I am a light sleeper and there I heard one little noise.

It's a game supersonic hearing or something.

I hear one little noise in sometimes I'll jump out of my bed like a limb and my feet, my hello Kitty slippers and investigate make sure everything's okay but I sleep like some people just sleep through all kinds of crazy stuff. So here's a storm to both pitch and back-and-forth waters coming into the boat.

Jesus is asleep.

They wake him up and take master. Don't you care that were going to drown. But the point is, they called out to Jesus and that's what you ought to do that so we need to do when were in trouble if your knees starts shaking Neil on them. Know this faith, the more he cannot coexist. One chases out the other you know people that don't get along with your by the summon over your little bites own self holism by this Aldo bring them with that person said they don't get along is always a conflict so we have this person. We can of that person's right you know people like that. Are you one of those people just stop on so faith and worry about way. If there's worry, there is no place for faith made is driven not by worried but worried is driven out by faith and were told over and Philippians 4. Don't worry about anything, pray about everything. And the peace of God, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus is the JB Phillips translation puts it, don't worry over anything whatever tall got every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer and the peace of God, which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus. I love that translation but they saw the Army. I mean imagine look at verse 10. They saw the Egyptian army in pursuit of this are happening the day it would have been tanks and Hummers and and helicopters and jets all coming out about the same time, chariots and horses and shields and swords and spears, thinking we are so dad there was no my dear Army on the face of the earth at this time but what is God, tell them to do. Moses reassures them and says them. Exodus 1413. Don't be afraid to stand still want to Lord rescue you today.

The Egyptians will you see the day will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. While it's hard to do is sometimes a double comes at us with everything he's got all his temptations all his deceptions. All of his demons coming at us for the moment I'm going to die know you are and I'll tell you what you want because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world that Christ is in you, you belong to the Lord all the double content you, the devil can have so you when you cannot overcome you because you render God's protection.

That is why the Ephesian sixes were told about the spiritual armor we are to wear the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, and so forth. For all of that, it says, stand in the Lord and of the power of his might stand still and see the salvation of the Lord says Moses, believe it or not that's a good place for Greg Lord, pointing out the reliable providence of the Lord were in the middle of Pastor Greg's world changers series, considering the example of the world changer named Moses there's more to come from this message and also Pastor Greg has an important comment to share before we close today's addition of a new beginning. Now if you had an interruption or two in the last half hour and were able to hear all of Pastor Greg's insights you can catch up by listening online@harvest.org, or by way of our harvest mobile app or get a CD copy by calling 1-800-821-3300 anytime 24 seven.

The title of today's message is how to face overwhelming obstacles and then we want to mention a resource were highlighting right now the Jesus storybook Bible, a Christmas collection by author Sally Lloyd Jones, Pastor Greg's wife Kathy is with us today Kathy you're a mother and a grandmother and you know years ago you read stories to your two boys and more recently you've read stories to your five grandkids.

So when a certain resource gets the Kathy Lori seal of approval. It's worth mentioning and and you want to highlight such a book today don't oh, don't get me started on Sally Lloyd Jones said her butt and I discovered Sally's Jesus storybook Bible gully so many years ago. It has become her new favorite in our home and it tries minister to my heart so many times and I think that if I could say this, she is my favorite children's author. I love everything she writes I and I think it's just brilliant.

She has created a resource for families at this time because he believes that T this whole season of connate we moved to pour into our children.

Parents need to take out their incredible privilege and responsibility as informing their kids.

It's been difficult to this because a lot of children's ministries, the church has been shut down, nor was the opportunity to take hold of that responsibility, or salad since mom's grandmother's grandfathers that we would take on this and Kennedy to say that although Sally is writing with a child in mind on the trees that she is able to articulate our damages profound they are. They are deep. They are rich and that in the story and Jesus coming into the world to fix his broken creation is so appropriate right now because we look at things all around us, and there is such heartbreaking things had been taken and things had been lost that we held onto and rethinking. Is there a way forward. But we see that so beautifully played out in the story of redemption that God decision taken by surprise. He knew exactly what we would be facing, and he has shown us in his word if he can take the brokenness of creation, restore and redeem it on to the work of his son, Jesus, and coming into this world.

He can do that for us in our individual lives as well. That's right. So if you want to bring that comforting message to your family to your children. We are offering a resource we've never offered before. It's called the Jesus storybook Bible, a Christmas collection beautifully written amazing illustrations and a little button you can push on various pages to hear the voice of actor David sis Jay read to you Scriptures.

Mary and Joseph have to take a trip to Bethlehem the town of King David was from when they reached the little town they found every room was full and free.

That was taken is called the Jesus storybook Bible, a Christmas collection.

This would be quite expensive if you went out into a store and purchased it. But we are offering it to our listeners for your gift of any size.

We ask it is then the generous gift because it helps us continue on to bring this radio broadcast, teach the word of God proclaim the gospel and for your gift of any size will rush to your copy of the Jesus storybook Bible Christmas collection written by our friend Sally Lloyd Jones.

That's right, we have a copy here waiting for you. Get in touch right away so we can get it on its way and thank you for your generosity in investing some of these daily programs can continue touching lives. You can write a set a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. We are here to take your call around-the-clock, seven days a week. Again, dial 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org when next time more insight on the Israelites journey to the promised land and how God directed them and protected them against Pharaoh. But before we go. Pastor Greg has an important word to close today's program everybody a few thoughts about the selection that's coming up.

As you all know on November 3 we will elect the president of the United States. Your vote matters. Listen, every Christian should register and vote. I cannot emphasize that enough. It's our responsibility. It is our duty, but it is also our privilege and we really have no right to criticize what's going on in our nation if we don't even take the time to vote for a candidate. I'm not going to tell you to vote for. But I'll give you some ideas when I cast my vote. I can tell you there's some things that factor into it I could talk about a lot of things but let me just pick two out a particular candidate that will receive my vote will be one that is pro-life. I would never vote for a candidate that would support the aborting of unborn children number two on the vote for a candidate that stands with and supports the nation Israel. God promises a blessing to the people.

The blessing God's people. So those are couple of things to think about is you go to the voting your content biblically and to vote and possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor grades free daily email devotions and harvest.org